Western Egyptian Front — December 15, 1941
The desert wind lashed the camp tents with a voiceless threat. Among dusty maps and radios crackling in multiple languages, the staff of the Afrika Korps organized the deployment for the upcoming El Alamein offensive. At the center, standing atop a low dune with binoculars in hand, Erwin Rommel watched the arrival of a new unit.
A column of **German armored vehicles—clean, fast, lethal—**approached from the north. Among them were several Panzer IVs with long-barreled guns. One in particular, with hastily painted camouflage, led the group.
—Who are they? —Rommel asked, without lowering his field glasses.
An Italian officer answered:
—A detachment from the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler. Just landed. They're coming from Kiev.
Rommel narrowed his eyes. He watched how they dismounted with precision, how the crews moved without shouting, without wasted motion.
—They're not many —he muttered—. But you don't need many, when they're like that.
He didn't ask for more information.What he saw was enough.
**
At the camp, Falk and his team were already adapting to the new terrain. They reinforced joints, dismantled sand filters, reviewed firing trajectories on wrinkled maps. They weren't waiting for speeches. They didn't want visits. Just clear instructions.
—This fits us like a glove —Ernst said as he adjusted the ammunition load.
—A glove full of nails —Konrad added.
**
Helmut listened to front-line reports through the static of the radio. British patrols, fortified zones near El Alamein, slow but deliberate movements. The enemy wasn't retreating. He was waiting.
—They're letting us come closer —he said—. Like someone letting the bull lower its head.
—Then we'd better charge well —Falk replied.
**
That night, in the distance, Rommel again observed the German line. He didn't approach. He didn't give speeches. But he murmured something to one of his officers:
—Those Leibstandarte men... No need to know their names.Just look where their guns are pointing.
**
The desert slept.The offensive did not.