The story is set in 1942 at an elite Nazi academy where young boys are trained to become soldiers and leaders. The protagonist, Friedrich Weimer, a talented boxer, is invited to join the academy despite his father's disapproval. Friedrich befriends Albrecht Stein, whose father is a high-ranking Nazi official.
As the story unfolds, the students are subjected to intense physical and mental training, including brutal punishments and moral dilemmas. Friedrich and Albrecht face challenges, including a traumatic event in which they are forced to shoot unarmed Russian prisoners.
Albrecht's father eventually sends him to the Eastern Front as punishment for speaking out against the order to kill the prisoners. Before Albrecht's departure, he and Friedrich have a falling out, but they eventually reconcile.
Tragedy strikes when Albrecht dies during a swimming test, and Friedrich is devastated. The academy's director refuses to publish an obituary, leading Friedrich to take a stand against the institution.
In a final act of defiance, Friedrich deliberately loses a boxing match, resulting in his expulsion from the academy. The story concludes with Friedrich leaving the academy naked and humiliated, while reflecting on the fate of the thousands of students who were recruited to fight in the war, many of whom died.
1. The year was 1942.
2. Friedrich Weimer had recently graduated from school.
3. Friedrich was interested in boxing and participated in amateur competitions.
4. Friedrich caught the attention of Heinrik Hogler, a teacher at an elite academy.
5. Friedrich's father forbade him from entering the academy, but he ran away and forged his father's signature to attend.
6. Friedrich was given a uniform and introduced to the academy's customs.
7. Friedrich met his roommates and the commandant.
8. Albrecht Stein, a student, had parents in high positions and was specially registered at the academy.
9. Physical training at the academy was harsh, with teachers demanding discipline.
10. Siegfried Gladen, a student, wet his bed and was punished by the coach.
11. Friedrich took part in boxing training and was told about competitions between academies.
12. Friedrich received a parcel from home with news from his mother that the Gestapo was putting pressure on his father due to his beliefs.
13. Students were taught to throw grenades, but one student dropped a grenade, and Siegfried Gladen saved his friends by throwing himself on it.
14. Siegfried Gladen was buried with honors and became an example for other students.
15. The student who dropped the grenade was expelled from the academy.
16. Friedrich took part in flight training and became the first tester of a non-motorized aircraft.
17. Physical training became tougher, with students crawling under barbed wire and climbing walls.
18. Friedrich prepared for boxing competitions inside the academy and won a match.
19. The academy's authorities praised Friedrich's success.
20. Students were brought parcels from home, and Friedrich received news from his mother.
21. Albrecht Stein's father arrived at the academy and gave a speech at Siegfried Gladen's funeral.
22. Students were taught to spy on girls working at the academy, but they were caught.
23. Friedrich and Albrecht Stein's relationship improved, and Albrecht invited Friedrich to visit his parents.
24. Albrecht's father celebrated his birthday, and Friedrich was well received.
25. Students were sent to find and destroy fugitive Russian prisoners in the local forests.
26. The platoon, including Friedrich, was given weapons and sent into the forest at night.
27. They shot down the fugitive Russians, who were young and unarmed.
28. Albrecht Stein's father killed one of the fugitives, and Albrecht tried to stop him.
29. Friedrich attacked a colleague who asked him about the incident, and both were sent to the guardhouse.
30. The incident changed the students, and they were ordered to write an essay about it.
31. Albrecht Stein wrote that killing the unarmed was unfair and condemned the order of the command.
32. Albrecht Stein was kicked out of the classroom and punished by being sent to the Eastern Front.
33. Friedrich found out about Albrecht's punishment and was scared for his friend.
34. The physical training coach created a new test for the students, diving into an ice hole and swimming under the ice.
35. Friedrich coped with the task, but Albrecht Stein gave up and sank to the bottom.
36. Albrecht Stein died, and Friedrich was very upset.
37. Albrecht's father believed his son was not strong enough to live.
38. Friedrich wrote an obituary for Albrecht Stein and asked the academy director to place it in the local newspaper, but was refused.
39. Friedrich took part in the boxing competition and fought desperately, but did not finish off his opponent.
40. Friedrich saw the academy's heads rejoicing at his victory and realized that losing was the worst punishment for them.
41. Friedrich deliberately lost the next round and was kicked out of the academy in disgrace.
42. The director forced Friedrich to take off his clothes, which belonged to the academy, and sent him naked to collect his things.
43. Over 15,000 students studied in academies throughout the country.
44. When the war was almost lost, the students were recruited to participate in the decisive battle, and every second student died.