It was the greatest catastrophe in naval history and left over 9000 dead; six times more than in the Titanic disaster. Follow the desperate struggle of thousands of refugees to board the "Wilhelm Gustloff" - the murderous incompetence of rivaling authorities, the counterproductive, fateful interplay of four captains, the cataclysmic sinking of the torpedoed ship in the icy Baltic Sea. The event two-parter portrays the tragic fate of the Wilhelm Gustloff. Based on historical facts, the film follows the courageous captain Hellmut Kehding, who unflinchingly takes on a daredevil mission to sail from Gdynia to Kiel. Although the ship is only allowed to carry 2000, nearly 9000 terrified and desperate refugees fleeing from the Red Army make it on board.