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.

Wehrmacht Logistics Center – OrléansJanuary 24, 1943


The mess hall was quieter than usual. The coffee tasted like metal, but no one complained. On the table, a folded newspaper displayed a blunt headline: "Paulus Encircled in Stalingrad."


Vogel read it silently, his lips moving with each line.


—"They say the Soviets have closed the ring completely. The 6th Army can't break out."


—"And no one can get in either," murmured Ernst, hunched over his empty cup.


—"Have they surrendered yet?" Udo asked.


—"Not yet. But they're choking inside."


—"I heard Manstein is planning to break the encirclement from the Don," Helmut added. "A large-scale rescue operation."


Falk said nothing. His eyes scanned the room, always two steps ahead. Finally, he stood.


—"If that's true… someone has to open the breach."


No one replied. But they all understood.


The envelope was thick. The seal of Army Group South still fresh. Albrecht opened it in front of Falk and read without flinching. Then he looked up.


—"Confirmed. You deploy tonight—eastbound."


—"Destination: area west of Stalingrad. Primary objective: break enemy lines in direct support of General Paulus' 6th Army."


—"Are we the support?" Falk asked, without irony.


—"No. You're the spearhead. The operation starts with you."


—"You have tactical freedom. The goal is clear: break the encirclement."


Falk took the envelope. He didn't open it. He already knew.


All five tanks were secured on railcars. The air was icy, the sky dark. The Tiger rumbled softly, as if it too understood what was expected.


Konrad adjusted his gloves. Helmut checked the radio lines. Ernst said nothing.


Falk climbed up the wagon, looked toward the horizon, and realized—for the first time in a long while—that they were about to do something that would either make history… or bury them beneath it.


The locomotive let out its first whistle.


They were heading east. And they were the point of the spear.


Chapter 74 - Chapter 73 – March Toward the Breach