Synopsis:

After the brutal Ukrainian campaign and the battles that culminated in Kyiv, the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler is no longer the same. Battered but not broken, its armored core regroups in France just as the push toward Moscow grinds to a halt beneath the weight of winter—and of strategic doubt. No one knows exactly where the war is heading… except for a few.

As Falk Ritter and his crew receive a new long-barreled Panzer IV, still bearing the scars of the Eastern Front, a new destination looms: Africa.

In a sudden redeployment, part of the division is sent to reinforce the Axis campaign in the desert, where the forces of Rommel, Italy… and Spain—under the command of General Yagüe—are advancing toward Cairo, Palestine, and beyond.

But under the scorching sun, there is no shelter for the conscience. Among ancient ruins, dust storms, and enemy fire, Falk and his men must adapt to a different war—without snow, without trenches, but with the same shadow of death… and even more questions left unanswered.

History marches on. The Reich expands. But war, as always, moves faster.

Führer Headquarters Auditorium — Rastenburg, Wolf's LairFebruary 2, 1943, 12:00 p.m.


The columns were draped with red banners, the eagles of the Reich watched over the stage, and the flashbulbs were ready for the decisive moment. The hall was packed—generals, officers of all branches, party members, journalists, and special correspondents. No one spoke. No one breathed.


Adolf Hitler entered from the right, flanked by Goebbels and Himmler. Everyone rose instantly. A drumroll began. The Führer raised his hand in solemn salute.


Then, without preamble, the master of ceremonies called out:


—Achtung!Official decoration of the defenders of Sector 9K.


—Crew of Panzer Tiger No. 217, Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.Step forward!


Falk and his men climbed the steps one by one. Uniforms flawless. Boots firm. Eyes clear. Faces hardened.


Hitler himself stepped forward with a black box in hand. He met Falk's gaze and, without saying a word, placed the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross around his neck.


—Falk Ritter, for extraordinary valor and decisive action in the liberation of the Sixth Army…Promoted to SS-Obersturmführer.Recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.Heil Hitler!


Falk stepped back. He didn't smile. He just held his gaze. Steady. Unshaken.


—Konrad Weber, gunner.Promoted to Unterscharführer.Awarded the Iron Cross First Class and the German Cross in Gold.


—Helmut Kramer, radio operator.Promoted to Rottenführer.Awarded the Iron Cross First Class.


—Ernst Schäfer, loader.Promoted to Unterscharführer.Awarded the Iron Cross First Class.


—Lukas Hoffmann, driver.Promoted to Rottenführer.Wounded Badge in Silver.Iron Cross Second Class.


One by one, Hitler handed them their medals personally. No other soldiers were honored that day. Only them.


Goebbels watched, his face glowing. Himmler stood silent, arms crossed. Guderian, in the front row, nodded with quiet pride.


—To the defenders of the Stalingrad breach!To the roar of German steel!


Everyone in the room, standing, arms raised:


The five men stepped down from the stage. Applause. Flashbulbs. Recordings. But on their faces there was no vanity.


Chapter 94 - Chapter 93: Sieg Heil in the Hall of Steel