Bruno the Younger and what remained of the brigade he was part of boarded a series of five-ton trucks and were hauled away from the front lines of the conflict in Sicily.
They watched with haunted expressions as the reorganized defensive line prepared for heavy contact with the enemy.
The men who stared back at them had no grievances to express, only their utmost respect, a short salute, then a return to their duties.
It was the same with every unit when the time came to rotate out.
Come hell or high water, the Reich would find a way to get them their leave and replace them with fresh faces, rested enough to perform their duties at optimum capacity.
In fact, the very vehicles that Bruno the Younger and his men now rode out on had moments earlier carried in a brand-new brigade, one wholly intact and eager to fight.
