Der Winter, der ein Sommer war.

In November 1775, an officer of the Hessian army deserts from Ziegenhayn fortress. Captain Claus von Haynau is keen on capturing the man, but his plans are foiled by his half-brother, Robert. The deserter turns out to be one Soermann, a former friend of Robert's father who disappeared 20 years ago and is presumed dead. Now, Robert finally learns what really happened: His father did not die but went to America. Robert decides to follow, but has not counted on Claus - and on the Landgrave of Hesse's need for soldiers to sell to the British for the fight against the rebellious American colonists.