Men of the Blue Cross 1955

During February 1945 in the midst of World War II, the film unfolds against the backdrop of occupying German garrisons in Slovakia. The story begins with a Slovak doctor, Dr. Juraj, wandering through the treacherous, snow-covered Tatra passes. His journey is driven by a desperate need to reach Zakopane, where he contacts the Soviet command, seeking assistance for his Slovak and Soviet patients who are being cared for at a partisan mountain hospital nestled in a remote mountain hut on the German-occupied side of the Tatras.

The narrative then shifts focus to this isolated hut, where nurse Bożena tends to the wounded and those suffering from severe frostbite. Amidst the tense atmosphere, a Slovak partisan stands guard, vigilantly monitoring the area for signs of German activity. It is during this wait that the partisans, in an effort to boost morale, light a symbolic “partisan star.” Suddenly, the guard hurriedly reports the approach of a German unit, forcing everyone into a defensive stance. Meanwhile, at least one patient faces the traumatic and urgent need for amputation of a frostbitten leg.

In the meantime, a group of Polish mountain rescuers begins their perilous operation. Their goal is to transport the wounded and ill partisans across rugged terrains, including two mountain chains and heavily guarded German lines, to reach safety on the Polish side. The team features several experienced mountaineers, including Stanisław Gąsienica Byrcyn and Stanisław Gąsienica of Las, along with Stanisław Marusarz. Their journey is fraught with dangers: storms, treacherous snowfields known as couloirs, and unpredictable avalanches are constant threats. During one such climb, Byrcyn calls his dog, which unexpectedly triggers an avalanche, though fortunately, no one is hurt.

Crossing the snowy heights proves more difficult than anticipated, and the rescuers are forced to leave behind their skis and the dog to avoid detection by German patrols. Their route then leads them through dense forest trails, adding another layer of danger as they attempt to evade enemy patrols. As the night deepens, Juraj arrives at the mountain hut with a group of rowers, marking a critical point in their mission. The rescuers quickly organize the evacuation of the wounded, but the Germans, having detected their movements, launch a pursuit.

The team manages to cross the Soviet front line, and during this escape, they retrieve their dog and skis. However, the Soviet sentinel guarding the crossing is hit in the process, emphasizing the high cost of their daring endeavor. The Slovak guard and Byrcyn stay behind momentarily to cover the retreat, fighting off potential German attacks. Their efforts pay off when a Soviet soldier’s gunfire forces the Germans to retreat. The rescue concludes successfully as the rowers return to Zakopane on skis, illustrating a story of bravery, resilience, and cooperation amid the chaos of war.