During the Crimean War, renowned as one of the most brutal and bloody conflicts of the nineteenth century, Sergeant Jack Crossman is part of the proud 88th regiment, the Connaught Rangers. Tough, shrewd and skilful, he is singled out to go on a secret mission to undermine the Russian defenses in the besieged city of Sebastopol. Almost killed in his attempt, he returns just in time to take his place in the 'thin red line' at the Battle of Balaclava, where he will witness the tragic and hopeless Charge of the Light Brigade.