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 heat gave no respite, not even under the pine trees.


Falk waited outside the improvised command post. The building was a low rural brick house, its windows shuttered and two sentries at the entrance. Inside, they said, maps were being argued over—routes, mobile units, front lines traced in red and black pencil.


After several minutes, a figure stepped out with calm steps and a perfectly buttoned uniform. Albrecht.


"Oberscharführer Ritter," he said, voice low and steady.


"Untersturmführer," Falk replied, sharp but without excessive salute.


The path beneath the trees offered dense, muted shade. Crickets sang, a crow called somewhere, the distant buzz of a generator pulsed in the air. They walked several meters in silence. Then Albrecht spoke:


"Do you know why your unit hasn't been deployed yet?"


"Because we're not the spearhead this time."


"Correct. This time… you're containment."


"The idea is rapid advance. Very rapid. But this front… isn't France. There are gaps. Pockets of resistance. Areas that burn hotter than planned."


"And that's where we go in," Falk said.


Albrecht stopped beside a tree. Placed his gloved hand on the bark.


"This war will be different, Falk. Not as glorious. Not as clean. The enemy doesn't surrender. Doesn't line up. Doesn't always run."


Falk lowered his gaze, then raised it again.


Albrecht nodded slowly. As if that was the right answer… or at least the only possible one.


"You'll receive your first deployment soon. You'll know before the others. Speak little. Watch more. And don't trust the map—out here, things change before the ink dries."


Falk swallowed. Sweat rolled down his neck.


"Yes. Don't underestimate the cold.""The cold?"


"Neither you nor they know winter yet.But it's coming. Like everything else."


They walked back in silence. Near the post, Albrecht didn't go in. He stopped and placed a hand on Falk's shoulder.


"What you do out there… do it as if the Reich were watching.But choose as if no one were."


Falk nodded.And for the first time since crossing into enemy land…he felt fear without knowing why.


Chapter 3 - Chapter 2: Echoes in the Calm