Dutch Border — April 1940
The ground trembled under the weight of the tanks. Falk leaned over the map, tracing the routes to Rotterdam once more. The lines were clear, the objectives marked. Everything pointed to a lightning strike through the Netherlands.Just like 1914, the officers said. Only this time, the uniforms were different and the tanks moved faster.
The Leibstandarte was part of Army Group B. The finest division of the SS, sent north. For the Allies, that could only mean one thing: this was the main axis of attack.
"It doesn't add up," Helmut said, cleaning his optic scope. "Why send elite divisions across the most obvious terrain?"
"Because they want to be seen," Konrad replied, not looking up from the gun he was servicing. "And they want the French to rush here."
That idea had been circling them for days. The doctrine had changed. It wasn't just about force — it was about deception. Showing strength where the real blow wouldn't fall.
Allied newspapers already spoke of the imminent "German strike through Belgium and Holland," and French-British forces were moving north. Exactly what German High Command wanted.
Falk, however, had no time for grand strategies. His mission was clear: advance fast, secure key positions, break Dutch resistance, and keep pressure high. The rest was beyond his rank.
One afternoon, the regiment major visited his position.
"Oberscharführer Ritter," he said curtly. "The Allies are walking into the trap. We'll raise the curtain. Others will close it."
He said no more. He didn't need to.
That night, Falk watched the distant lights of Dutch cities. He knew they would cross the border at dawn. There would be fighting. The orders were clear.
But deep down, he felt that his role was part of something bigger. A sweeping maneuver. A brilliant feint. A repeat of 1914 — but with a different outcome.
"What if this is all just a distraction?" Lukas asked from inside the tank.
Falk didn't answer right away. He sealed the hatch shut and said:
"Then it better be a damn good one."
The engine roared. The night was over.
And once again, war rolled forward.