A Very Short War follows the life of pioneering Australian aviator, Cliff Carpenter, one of many Australians whose life was lost to war. The story is told through the eyes of Cliff's nephew and Australian actor, Bill Young (The Pacific, Hollowmen), as he embarks on a personal trek - travelling from Australia to New Zealand, Wales and Norway - to unearth the truth behind the uncle he never knew, and the details surrounding his lonely death in a country half a world away from home.