The Frisian Anne is nineteen when he signs up as a soldier in the Royal Netherlands-Indies Army (KNIL). Once there he meets Charlotte, the love of his life. They lead a pleasant life until the Japanese invade the Dutch East Indies.

The Japanese superiority strikes down the Dutch army and all soldiers are transported to a concentration camp. For Anne this is the beginning of a horrifying period.

Charlotte is just twenty-eight and pregnant as she and their four young children have to survive under harsh conditions as outside campers. In Bandung she lives in the constant threat of being detained in the women's camp because of her mixed-race children.

While Anne fights for her life in a POW camp, Charlotte tries to keep herself and the children alive under the Japanese regime. When Anne is transferred for the third time, the question arises whether she will survive.