Major Foskett, a psychological officer in the British Army Medical Corps, devises a 48-hour test of initiative and tries it out on five representative servicemen: Tim Morton, a woman-chasing United States Air Force lieutenant; Sergeant-Major McGregor, a highly disciplined Scotsman; Captain Tabasco, a British aristocrat who trades on his wealth; Staff Sergeant Mansfield of the Army Transport Corps; and Sergeant Clegg, a halfwit. General Lockwood orders these men to complete the test, which consists of finding one's way out of a maze and obtaining a rare breed of rose, an electric hare from a dog track, a Rolls-Royce hood mascot, a set of plaster flying-duck wall decorations, the Lutine Bell from Lloyd's of London, and a signed photograph and lock of hair from television singer Sylvie Tarnet. The men ask servants and girl friends to assist in the scavenger hunt; but when Lieutenant Morton meets Sylvie, he drops his girl friend, Annabelle, for the attractive songstress. All the soldiers achieve moderate success except Sergeant Clegg, who tries to tunnel his way from the maze but is repeatedly recaptured. Lieutenant Morton wins the prize, but he refuses the trophy, resigns his commission, and marries Sylvie Tarnet. Meanwhile, Major Foskett slips up on the project's paperwork, and General Lockwood, his commanding officer, loses his job.