Retired British general Brunswick reminisces about the days when he was a colonel in charge of a British Army battalion fighting against native rebels in colonial India during the late 1800s.His fondest memories are of his second in command officer,captain Pindenny,as well as of his three most unruly and undisciplined soldiers,privates Archibald Ackroyd,Bill Sykes and Dennis Malloy.The three undisciplined privates are colonel Brunswick's best soldiers and also his biggest headaches.They are responsible for most of colonel's gray hairs but also for his most memorable funny moments during their 18 year military career together.When a new battalion commander,colonel Groat,arrives to take charge of the battalion,the retiring colonel Brunswick becomes resentful and unruly himself,just like the three unruly soldiers under his command.Given the traditional mutual dislike between various branches of the armed services it doesn't help that colonel Brunswick and his unit are infantry and the new commanding officer,colonel Groat,together with his escort are cavalry.