originally titled "Strike Swiftly" after the book by Marv Jensen. This film recounts the tales and experience of the "81st" Tank Battalion and their trials and triumphs during the liberation of France and Europe at the end of the Second World War. The Epilogue titled "Freedom" follows Marv Jensen's journey back through the beaches of Normandy and down into the heart of France as he reestablishes links with the people of France who he helped to liberate. Many of the stories of the then teenagers in the occupied parts of France follow in this emotional tale of rare courage and heroism of both the liberated French and the young American Gis.