The book is essentially a recounting of the experiences of the legionnaire Karl-Heinz Krause from 1948 to 1953. The experiences and impressions of the then 16-year-old after his enlistment in the French Foreign Legion on February 10, 1948, are vividly described. For Krause, joining the Legion is a relief. They didn't want him so easily. Fifteen-year-olds were not accepted; the minimum age was 20. However, during World War II, he had contact with French prisoners of war in his homeland - which he could prove. This was a reason for his acceptance and to avoid sending him back half-starved to post-war Germany. After his basic training in Algeria, he is sent to war in Indochina while still a minor. He returns from this war after 4 years at just 21 years old, but with the experiences of a long conflict.