1941. The Mediterranean.
The Wharfedale, a British destroyer, is deployed against a huge German offensive. Aboard is Donald Cameron — a young seaman whose early of display of bravery has seen him quickly promoted to sub-lieutenant. But he is also the youngest crew member on board, and the most expendable.
On her way to support the nightmare evacuation of Crete, the Wharfedale receives secret orders from London to pick up two men who have information capable of altering the course of the war. Outside of the German high command only one highly placed official knows the vital military details of the imminent Nazi attack on Russia — and the Germans, now overrunning Crete, have retaken him from Greek communist partisans who had kidnapped him for the Allied cause.
Cameron is sent on a daring rescue mission to assault a German stronghold. They must escape before the Nazi advance on Crete, requisition a boat during the frenzied evacuation of the island, and finally rendezvous with the Wharfedale. But they face Italian warships as they attempt the impossible task of escaping through the Dardanelles. All in the space of a few hours.