Führer Headquarters — Rastenburg, Wolf's LairFebruary 2, 1943, 9:18 a.m.
The official vehicle stopped at the checkpoint gate. The guards, dressed in pristine gray uniforms, approached with tense expressions. But one of them, upon seeing Falk and his crew step down, murmured almost involuntarily:
—It's them...
The other guard glanced over.
—Who?
—The Tiger crew. The ones from Stalingrad.
Both men snapped to attention immediately. One of them, breaking protocol, even saluted with unusual sharpness. Falk returned the gesture with a subtle nod.
That was the first sign.
They had crossed an invisible line.
They were no longer just soldiers.
They were now the chosen.
9:27 a.m. — Entrance to the main bunker
Goebbels awaited them with a flawless smile, dressed in a dark suit, white gloves. Beside him, Guderian stood more reserved, offering them a respectful nod. At the far end of the corridor, surrounded by officers, stood Adolf Hitler.
The Führer did not move until Falk was only a few steps away.
Then, without a formal salute, he simply said:
—Welcome. Come with me.
There were no speeches. No fanfare. Only footsteps on concrete and a silence heavy as steel.
9:31 a.m. — Private briefing room
Only seven men stood in that room: Falk, Konrad, Ernst, Helmut, Lukas… facing Hitler, Goebbels, and Guderian.
Hitler observed them for several seconds that felt eternal. Then he spoke.
—I've read your reports. I've listened to the recordings. I've seen the maps.
He paused. Looked directly at Falk.
—If half my men had the courage you showed in Sector 9K… this war would already be won.
No one dared to answer.
Goebbels smiled like a fox. Guderian, solemn, kept his eyes on Falk.
—You didn't just save an army. You saved the narrative.And that, Ritter… in these times, is almost more valuable than a tactical victory.
Hitler turned toward a table. Upon it sat a black case and five documents.
—These are your promotions and decorations.But that is paper. What you've earned can't be granted by stamps or medals.
He approached Falk and extended his hand.
—Thank you.
Falk shook it without hesitation.
And for an instant, the roar of the Tiger seemed to echo once more, rumbling through the concrete halls of the Wolf's Lair.