A restricted area right in the middle of the lower Austrian forest region. Allentsteig, a training area for troops. Area: 35.000 acres. On the map it is a large spot, usually coloured red.

Little is known of the history of this ruined landscape. If started back in 1938.The region was declared a military training area after Hitler Germany annexed Austria. This grand plan had profound consequences. Between 1938 and 1942 the inhabitants of forty villages were re-settled. 7000 people lost their homes and a whole region was destroyed.

After the fall of the Third Reich, the entire training area was placed under Soviet administration until 1955. Finally, in 1957 – after a brief period of hope that the region would again house its inhabitants – it was taken over by the Austrian army, again to be used as a military training area.

The film shows the history of this training area, telling the story that characterises the region.