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Wo Alle Straßen enden (Where All the Roads End)

🇺🇸Jackson_Kelley
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Synopsis
Follow the crew of a German tank, who are very patriotic, but near the end of their war, start to question their ideology, but still end up as casualties in the bloody last stand to defend their country.
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Chapter 1 - Chapter Eins (One)

Hauptmann Könrad Lutz, opened the gate to the truck and stepped out onto the cold Russian air, and snow. As he looked around he saw various buildings, they've been having a hard time pushing into Moscow with all the house-to-house fighting. Another Officer approached Könrad, "Hello, are you Hauptmann Lutz by any chance?" The Officer asked him.

"I am, I was brought over here to take command of a new tank. I believe it's a IV F1." Könrad said proudly to the Lieutenant.

The Officer nodded, "Follow me, Sir, I'll show you to your new command. And congratulations." He said, motioning his hand.

They started walking along a small path that led to a clearing from the trees. There were buildings, half-tracks, transport vehicles, artillery pieces, and most noticeably a few tanks. Three side-by-side in a corner, One next to another road, and one in a little pit. He looked at the three tanks side by side, one was without a turret, and the other two had large holes in the side of them.

"What happened to them?" He asked the Officer he was following.

"Destroyed by Russian Anti-Tank guns, one got its turret blown off."

Könrad shivered a bit at what the Officer said.

"Here we are." He said pointing to a tank with 334 and 'Donnerer' on the side of the turret. The Officer nodded and walked off.

Könrad walked up to his crew which were sitting around on the tank.

"Fall in, Guys" Könrad said aloud to the four men.

The men jumped off the tank and made their way into a line.

"You our new commander?" One of the guys said.

"I am, I'm Hauptmann Könrad Lutz. Your new commander."

"Yo" A few of them said until someone spoke.

"I'm Private First Class Müller, The driver." He nodded his head.

"I'm Staff Sergeant Schultz, Gunner." He repeated what Müller did.

"Corporal Wolff, Loader." He said giving a two fingered salute.

"And last but not least Sergeant Krupp, Radio Operator / Bow Gunner. Nice to meet you, Sir."

They all nodded.

"Continue what you were doing, do any of you need anything from supply?" Könrad said.

Most of them replied with, "No, Sir." But Müller responded with "Yes, Sir, He's low on fuel from driving up here from Kiev."

"Y'all drop that 'Sir' stuff, I really don't care for it." He said, "I'll be right back" He said walking over to a tent where a higher-ranking officer sat.

He walked up to his desk and saluted.

"Hauptmann Könrad Lutz, Reporting as ordered, Sir."

The Colonel stood up and gave his salute.

"Welcome to Russia, Here are your orders." He said handing him a folder then sitting back down. "Get anything you need from supply, you'll be leaving early."

"Jawohl, Herr Kommandant." Könrad said, turning around and exiting the tent and making his way back to the tank.

When he got back he look for Müller and told him to get the tank started

"Müller Take him over and get him filled, We got orders and rest well tonight. We leave at 6AM to join up with an infantry detachment heading to Moscow."

About an hour and a half pass and the men are sitting around a fire, talking amongst themselves, and getting used to each other as they've just all met. They've all taken a liking to each other. Könrad walks over with a few things to cook over the fire as well as a case of beer he'd brought along with him.

"Drinks are on me tonight, boys." He said tossing the bottles out to the other before opening one himself. Then he sets up the stove and lets it get hot before throwing on some bratwursts and some fresh onions and sprinkling salt and pepper on them.

They continue to talk, Könrad occasionally flipping and stirring the onions, Müller about how prussian he is, Schultz about how Germany is superior to any other country, Wolff just listening to everyone and drinking his beer, and Krupp went into the tank to do final checks on the engine and any other vital compartments.

While they start eating their supper they notice small white particles floating to the ground. Krupp stood up and pointed to them.

"H-hey guys it's snowing." He said excitedly

Everyone was stunned for this is the first time they've seen the substance, it definitely would be their last though.

"It's already cold enough." Said Müller

"You don't have to say that twice." Schultz agreed

"What is it gonna be warm outside?" Könrad said laughing "This is my first time seeing snow, I knew it would snow up here just not this often, it looks pretty." He said watching the flakes fall peacefully and diligently to the ground. They look at Krupp who's bent over doing something with his boots, then he turns around and throws a snowball at Schultz hitting him in the face. Everyone broke out laughing, except for Schultz who bent down and made a snowball and threw it back,

"How'd you like that one?" He laughed

"Oh it's on." He said as everyone started throwing snowballs at each other.

After some time had passed they all had made treaties with each other, and since it was snowing they opted to sleep in their tank, in their respective area.

Then morning came Könrad being the first to awaken. He checked his watch, 5:30AM, it showed. He grabbed a wrench and banged it against the turret.

"Wake up, we gotta get moving." He yelled

Everyone groaned.

"Five more minutes." Someone said

Müller tiredly flipped a few switches then the engine roared to life.

"Gotta let it run for a few, get everything back there defrosted."

"That fine, as long as we get there on time and in one piece." Könrad said standing up and attempting to open his commander's hatch.

"Shit it's frozen shut." Könrad said under his breath.

He grabbed the wrench from earlier and banged it against the hatch causing it to crack open and snow falling into the tank. He looked around to find the tank practically covered in snow.

"Some of y'all help me clear the tank of snow so we can get outta here."

Müller and Krupp jumped out while Könrad began to clear the few inches of snow that accumulated on the metal once they finished Schultz took inventory of shells and machine gun rounds.

After everyone was ready Könrad ordered,

"Panzer, Vor!"