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.

The ground still smelled of gunpowder and burned oil.


The sun was falling slowly over the improvised camp. Around the vehicles, soldiers repaired, cleaned, or simply sat in silence. No one was in a hurry. No one asked for explanations. Everyone knew the next order would come… but not when.


Inside the Panzer IV, the mood was no different.


Lukas had taken off his shirt and was wiping the controls with a damp cloth.


—"Never thought a Soviet tank would scare me," he said, not looking at anyone.


—"It wasn't fear," Konrad replied. "It was respect."


—"I call it a hell of a scare," Ernst added. "The kind that makes you load faster without thinking."


Helmut said nothing. Just listened. As always.


Falk stood outside, uniform open to the chest, leaning against the track of the tank. He looked at the horizon, but wasn't really seeing it.


Albrecht arrived without escort. Alone. As usual.


—"Trying," Falk replied, without moving.


—"The front is changing," Albrecht said, lighting a cigarette. "Faster than we thought."


Falk didn't answer immediately. Then, he looked down.


—"We're not equipped for this war. All we've got is experience."


—"I read your report," Albrecht added. "It's already in the hands of High Command."


—"Guderian cited it this morning in a meeting with Dietrich. Yours… was the first documented engagement against a confirmed T-34. They've taken note."


—"Everything. Or nothing. Depends on Berlin."


Falk nodded, without pride. Without expectation.


—"Hold position for now. Advance routes are being restructured. But it's temporary. New ones will come."


Albrecht tossed the cigarette to the ground. Crushed it with his boot.


Falk glanced toward the Panzer. Inside, he could hear dry laughter. It wasn't joy. It was defensive. Necessary.


—"They're in one piece. And that already means a lot."


—"Then enjoy it. Because silence… never lasts long."


And among shadows, steel, and stale smoke…the real fear wasn't combat.It was not knowing when it would start again.


Chapter 13 - Chapter 12: Silence Between Orders