Four girls have different reasons for joining the Women's Land Army: patriotic Joyce wants to 'do her bit', argumentative Nancy is there under sufferance, and sensible Annie joined so that her younger sister Bea could escape an abusive father.

Bea rebels from her sister's control and finds herself enthralled by a charming GI, Cal Gillespie, while at the dance Nancy tries to get closer to Lord Hoxley.

Bea has been hiding her pregnancy from everyone for three months, but it is becoming increasingly difficult. Tucker is on the prowl for enemy sympathisers and Nancy is in his sights.

Farmer Finch gets involved in a scam to flog home-made carrot whiskey, while Lord Hoxley realises that his marriage is over - and this drives him into the arms of Nancy. Meanwhile, Tucker finds Annie to tell her the devastating news that her husband has been killed in action.

Three months on, and Annie is not dealing very well with Harry's death. Nancy and Lawrence's attraction has blossomed into a full-on affair. Meanwhile, Esther is screening Nancy's letters for Sergeant Tucker, fearing that she might be a Nazi collaborator.

Joyce, the patriot, has a dilemma - should she shelter her deserter husband or turn him in? Farmer Finch's old enemy Ernest Luckhurst, a food rations officer, arrives at the farm and is intent on catching him out.

Farmer Finch hires some 'trekkers', families displaced by the bombing, as cheap labour, but when there is then a break-in at the manor house Lady Hoxley orders Finch to get rid of them all. A riot ensues and Tucker gets the dogs out.

The Hoxleys hold a swanky party, but after clashing with Nancy over a visit to her husband John, Joyce tells Lady Hoxley about the affair. Billy finally proposes to Bea, but she goes into labour before she can answer.

Bea prepares for her wedding to Billy and discovers that Finch has doubts about her motives. Determined to leave, Nancy is shocked to the core when Ellen reveals Lawrence's dark secret. Will Annie choose her duty to Harry or her love for Adam?

Meanwhile, Tucker sets out on a trail of murderous revenge that will have shocking consequences for Nancy, Annie, Bea and Joyce.

A new girl, Connie, arrives at the farm and sets her sights on Billy. The manor house has been commandeered by the Americans, which excites Lady Hoxley's sister, Diana (Raquel Cassidy). John visits Joyce at the farm and Martin has an accident. Tucker is released from prison. Finch enters his pig into a county show, so it can avoid slaughter.

Following his fall, Martin is found to have detached retinas. He is also hiding an injured man. Diana tries to help Jack find his grandson and Joyce receives bad news about John. Finch tries to keep his contraband deals from Mrs Gulliver (Carolyn Pickles). Bea becomes friends with Salvatore Zappulo (Cesare Taurasi), an Italian POW, while Connie flirts with piano player, Henry (Liam Garrigan).

Bea allows Jack to meet his grandson. Connie discovers that Henry is actually a Reverend. Joyce follows Martin and finds Ulrich Keitmeiler (Benjamin Wilkin), the German airman he has been hiding. Esther is desperate for money to pay for Martin's operation, so Finch organises a boxing match with Vernon Storey (David Schofield).

A week later, Joyce is still in shock after shooting Ulrich dead. Connie helps Joseph Price (Sam Walton), a young evacuee, reunite with his sister and mother. Tucker works with Billy to improve his shooting and Jack tries to convince Bea to come to Chicago with him. After being turned down by Lady Hoxley, Esther asks Vernon for the money for Martin's operation.

Connie stands up to the overbearing Bishop in order to win Henry's respect. Finch blows his top when he discovers how Esther received the money for Martin's operation.

Joyce is angry and disillusioned with the Land Army, and she forces Tucker into an admission of guilt. Lady Hoxley's sister Diana is part of Jack's plan to make a getaway with Bea and the baby. Billy's family is being ripped apart, and he seems disinterested; what is he hiding?