The Misfit Brigade 1987

Penal battalion assembled under pressure

In 1943 Germany, a tank crew from a penal battalion is tasked with locating other convicted soldiers. They encounter a woman who claims her baby is trapped in a bomb-damaged building, but it turns out she’s referring to her cat. A sequence of wildly improbable incidents, including Little Legionnaire defeating Tiny in a fight, sets the tone for their misfit unit.

Bertha I and II engage the Soviets

The crew mounts Bertha I and Bertha II and launch an assault on Soviet T-34s, each tank scoring a kill. Bertha II is knocked out by a self-propelled gun, and Bertha I becomes immobilized, forcing the crew to retreat toward German lines on foot. Freckles Fredericks is killed during the escape.

Field brothel escapade and mission briefing

After evacuating from the battle, the men have an escapade at a field brothel. They are then ordered on a mission to destroy a train hauling tanker cars of oil behind enemy lines, with the promise of furloughs and promotion for success.

Sabotage party infiltrates Russian barracks

A fanatical Nazi intelligence officer is assigned to the squad as they sneak into a Russian barracks and seize uniforms, weapons, and explosives. A fight erupts with a Russian who feigns death; Porta is assaulted, Seigfried is mortally wounded, and the SS sergeant and the Russian kill each other.

Tank capture boosts their armament

The next day they capture a Russian tank after killing the crew, boosting their firepower for the mission. A Russian patrol soon spots them and forces the crew to continue, leading them into a mine field where they abandon the captured tank.

Descent into swamp and meeting deserters

The squad trudges on foot through a swamp, where two German deserters direct them to a camp of Russian deserters in an abandoned mill. Porta and Old Man debate whether to press on or desert and eventually decide to continue, leaving the deserters behind.

Approaching the oil train

They reach the oil train station, now guarded by an unexpectedly large garrison. They covertly neutralize key guard posts and rig fuzes to the charges while the Russian commander struggles to contact his sentries.

Tiny narrowly escapes detection

Tiny is nearly detected, but the team murders the investigators sent to check. The train arrives on a different track, complicating their plan and forcing a rapid adjustment.

Destruction of the oil train

Muller is killed while attempting to blow the train with a hand grenade. Porta and Tiny pursue the train by automobile and destroy it with dynamite and a grenade.

Return to the penal unit and medals

The survivors return to the penal unit and are reassigned to tanks. The Captain arrives at a medal presentation wounded and missing an eye, signaling mixed fortunes from the mission.

Crosses and promotions

The squad receives Iron Crosses and Colonel von Weisshagen is promoted and presented the German Cross in Gold.

Furlough promise and demolition training

Old Man reminds von Weisshagen of the promised furlough, but the colonel reveals they are to undergo demolition training and return to the Eastern Front. The men react with anger and disbelief.

Threat of court-martial

General von Grathwohl threatens the squad with court-martial for insubordination as the plan to train for demolition is upheld.

Final escape attempt and execution of officers

An air attack interrupts the scene as the general and colonel attempt to flee on the general's plane, but the pilot has been killed. The squad then forms a line and executes the officers, ending with the closing theme.