The film opens in 1915 in a remote French outpost located in the African colony of Cameroon. The French colonists, consisting of a small group of settlers, have been living a tranquil and isolated life, completely oblivious to the raging World War I happening far away in Europe. Their main preoccupation is maintaining a comfortable and leisurely existence.
One day, a French soldier named Gabriel Fouquet (played by Jean Carmet) arrives at the outpost, bringing the news of the war. The colonists, including the plantation owner De Sorgue (played by Jean Dufilho), his wife Lucie (played by Catherine Rouvel), and other colorful characters, are initially dismissive of the news, believing it to be irrelevant to their lives.
However, as the reality of the war begins to sink in, the French colonists decide to take action against the Germans, who are the colonial rulers in neighboring Togoland. They view it as an opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism and loyalty to France. The colonists gather their resources and organize a comical and misadventurous campaign against the Germans.
Led by De Sorgue and Sergeant Bosselet (played by Jacques Spiesser), the motley crew of colonists embarks on a journey through the African wilderness, encountering various obstacles and challenges along the way. They face not only the harsh conditions of the environment but also cultural clashes and misunderstandings as they interact with African tribes.
Despite their bumbling and amateurish attempts at war, the French colonists manage to cause some disruption to the Germans, leading to a series of humorous and unexpected situations. The film uses satire and irony to underscore the futility and absurdity of war and colonialism.
As the story unfolds, the colonists gradually come to realize the true nature of war and the complexities of the colonial system. The film juxtaposes the innocence and naivety of the colonists with the harsh realities of the conflict, challenging their romanticized notions of heroism and patriotism.