The series tells the story of the fates of nine men during the Second World War, as the same boots are passed from man to man. The main character of the first part is Sergeant Major Väinö Soro.
Sergeant Toivo Nirva is already looking forward to returning to the farm, where his wife, three children and 23 dairy cows are waiting. But Sergeant Nirva can no longer go home.
Wounded soldier Nokkanen meets his old lady friend by chance while on leave. They spend Christmas together. But the Christmas celebrations are unexpectedly interrupted.
Private Lehto picks up the boots by the roadside during the retreat of the Continuation War. Lehto is still in the Lapland War. Eventually, Lehto is discharged and the boots are allowed to serve their master in peacetime work.