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 air smelled of burnt powder and hot engines.The fighting had passed, but tension lingered, like the echo of an explosion inside the chest.


Falk and his crew cleaned the tank in silence. Not out of discipline, but routine. Each knew what to do without being told. Ernst checked the remaining shells. Helmut adjusted the radio frequency. Lukas, sleeves rolled up, scraped mud from the undercarriage. Konrad inspected the barrel with near-religious care.


—"No structural hits. Armor held," Konrad replied without looking up. "But it felt real."


Helmut stepped down from the radio with a sheet smudged in ink.


—"We're advancing to Kiev. Immediate move. Continuous pressure needed. High Command wants the city encircled before reinforcements arrive."


—"And who's coming with us?" Ernst asked.


—"Mixed units. Motorized infantry… and Bulgarians."


—"Bulgarians?" Lukas echoed. "Never worked with them."


—"Me neither. But they say they hold their own," Helmut added. "And they're fresher than we are."


They met hours later at a crossroads.The Bulgarians traveled in light trucks, rifles slung over their shoulders, eyes sharp and steady. Their officers wore uniforms more reminiscent of old Europe than modern war. Some nodded respectfully. Others just observed.


Falk stepped down from the Panzer. A Bulgarian captain approached.


—"Glad to have armor with us. Kiev won't be easy."


—"So are we," Falk replied, shaking his hand.


That night they camped near a forest. There was fire, hard bread, and a bit of spirits the Bulgarians shared. Lukas managed a half-conversation with a young soldier. They talked about football. About home. About when this would all be over.


Falk didn't join in. He watched the sky.He knew that in the coming days, that star on the map named Kiev would become more than a city.


It would be a turning point.For many.For all.


The Panzer slept beside them.Engine cold. Steel loaded.The capital awaited.


Chapter 24 - Chapter 23: Heading to the Capital