After the collapse of Tobruk in June 1942, U.S. Army sergeant Joe Gunn directs his tank to the Sahara desert, to be able to evade advancing Rommel's forces and hit Allied lines. On the way he picks up couple soldiers, but soon they're running out of water. They find water however the well can be just actually a objective of an entire German battalion. Despite the chances that are hopeless, Sergeant Gunn decides to shield the well.