Follows the patrol of the U-96, one of the famed German U-boats known as the "Gray Wolves" that sought to harass and destroy British ships during World War II. Portrays the crew as they struggle to maintain their professionalism as soldiers while trying to understand and obey the ideology of the German government which they served.

Struggling to cope with his erratic temper, novelty toilet plunger salesman Barry Egan spends his days collecting frequent-flyer-mile coupons and dodging the insults of his seven sisters. The promise of a new life emerges when Barry inadvertently attracts the affections of a mysterious woman named Lena. But their budding relationship is threatened when he falls prey to the swindling operator of a phone sex line and her deranged boss.