 Late on the 7th November 1918 a German civilian delegation crossed the front lines into French territory - their aim: to bring the war to an end. In the cars a delegation headed by Matthias Erzberger. They are on their way to meet French Marshal Foch - commander in chief of all the allied armies. The parties meet in a railway car in a clearing in the forest at Compiegne. the Germans think they have come to negotiate - the allies have other ideas. Meanwhile on the front lines, men continue to die.