On the jagged edges of a crumbling ruin, a rifle muzzle swathed in rags pointed ominously into the distance. A German sniper, shrouded in a gray cloak with additional rags sewn onto it, melded seamlessly with the debris around him. As he made incremental adjustments to his rifle, he whispered a prayer under his breath: "I pray to God, be merciful, take this suffering from me. You have sent the great leaders to us, and we are bound to battle endlessly... I will aid you in saving the world and deliver their souls into your arms—if your arms also encompass hell! Amen!" With his prayer complete, his finger tightened on the trigger, the rifle recoiled slightly, and a bullet sped from the muzzle toward a distant target, likely claiming another Polish soldier's life.
Over the past three days, this sniper had achieved an astonishing tally of 2107 shots. Meanwhile, the Germans had lost only 7 snipers and 63 soldiers. "Another officer down, I really want to know why they haven't surrendered yet," he muttered as he crawled back slowly, his voice low. Beside him, another soldier, armed with a G43, followed him into a diversion channel behind the ruins, bending low to exit the sniper's nest.
The assistant, tasked with providing cover, responded as they walked, "They are defending their homeland."
"But God is on our side, and the head of state is His messenger! Those who defy God deserve to die," the sniper retorted, a twisted smile cracking his face, the black camouflage paint highlighting his teeth in a ghastly grin. "Today, I sent seven heretics to their doom; they're bound for hell."
They navigated the diversion canal, briefly ran along the pavement against a wall, and entered a nearby building. Bursting in, they bellowed, "Egret!" This code word prompted immediate action; two rifles were readied as they joined a group of German soldiers scattered around the room. Some munched on compressed biscuits while others wrestled with tinned lunch meats.
At the center of the room stood a table cluttered with maps, where a second lieutenant discussed strategy with a lieutenant. "Most of the Polish artillery in the city has been neutralized, and our snipers face little opposition now," the lieutenant reported, pointing to various locations on the map. "Here, here, and here—our snipers have the Poles cornered. They're nearby but too frightened to venture out. If you could spare some bazookas, we could systematically eliminate these defenders."
"The division prefers not to engage in street-by-street combat; they'd rather besiege and starve them out," the lieutenant explained, smiling and tapping the map. "I can't offer more support; most of our forces are already entrenched here. The Poles have snipers too, but their tactics are outdated, and they haven't made significant impact."
Suddenly, the sound of distant explosions punctuated their conversation, followed by another blast. The building trembled slightly, dislodging dust and debris, eliciting curses from the soldiers below. "This damn artillery! Always at lunchtime! Idiots," one soldier complained, dusting off his biscuit.
Beside him, a squad leader chuckled and shot him a knowing glance. "You weren't complaining when the Polish counterattacked the other day!"
"What did I say then?" the first soldier asked, genuinely puzzled.
Mimicking his earlier panic, an older soldier chortled, "Oh! My God! Please, dear artillery, fire away!" His imitation drew laughter from the group, including the sniper and his assistant, who had just settled in the corner.
"Hey! Lieutenant! Better come see this; we've got trouble," called a lookout from the second floor. "This is something you'll want to handle yourself."
The second lieutenant glanced at his superior before strapping on his helmet and stepping outside. He was met with an astonishing sight: nearly a hundred Polish soldiers, hands raised, were marching down the street, some waving makeshift white flags fashioned from sheets.
"Lieutenant! I can't make sense of this. You should see for yourself," the second lieutenant called back, only to find the lieutenant already at his side.
"Order the machine gunners upstairs with ammo! If anyone tries anything, shoot!" the lieutenant commanded loudly. "Everyone, grab your weapons! The G43 gunner, take position in the building across the street! Set up crossfire."
The German position erupted into activity as soldiers scrambled to their posts. Weapons were hastily grabbed, helmets strapped on, and ammunition loaded. The soldiers positioned themselves to face the approaching Polish officer who walked forward with his hands raised in surrender.
"Good afternoon! Mr. Officer, I have been ordered to surrender to your forces and relinquish control of this block," the Polish officer announced, his voice carrying a mix of defeat and relief. "Please accept our surrender and treat the prisoners according to international law."
"Are you ordered to surrender to us?" the German lieutenant asked skeptically.
"Yes, sir! General Nassar issued an unconditional surrender order just ten minutes ago. I believe you will be informed shortly!" the Polish officer replied, his frustration evident.
"Smoke," the second lieutenant offered, pulling out a cigarette and handing one to the Polish officer. "Take a break, then have your men line up along the road. I'll verify this surrender. I don't want any unpleasant surprises."
"I will ensure my men comply. You have my word," the Polish officer assured him, accepting the cigarette with a nod of gratitude.
Before they could proceed further, a cloud of dust heralded the arrival of military vehicles from outside the city. A convoy of German trucks, led by three armored reconnaissance vehicles, roared past on the highway, not stopping until two field vehicles and a No. 3 assault gun pulled up at the German positions.
"Stand at attention! Long live the head of state!" the lieutenant shouted, saluting as a lieutenant colonel disembarked from one of the vehicles, casually returning the salute with a cigarette dangling from his lips.
"The Poles have surrendered. I'm here to take command," the lieutenant colonel announced. "You will escort the prisoners to a camp in the suburbs."
"Sir? Is the war over?" the second lieutenant asked, a hopeful look crossing his face.
"It seems so. Warsaw has fallen, and we control most of Poland. The war here is essentially over," the lieutenant colonel confirmed with a smile, pointing to a commemorative medal pinned to his chest. "You'll all be receiving one of these soon."
Meanwhile, at the Polish municipal government building, a German major general emerged from an office, his gaze sweeping over the assembled German officials and the Polish general. Before he could speak, a gunshot rang out.
"As the newly appointed commander of the Warsaw Garrison, I've accorded General Nassar the dignity he deserved. He was a competent commander," the major general stated, his eyes hard as he addressed the surrendered Polish generals. "I expect order to be restored within twenty-four hours. Fail, and you will be given a 'decent' end."
"Understood," the group responded in unison.
Outside, a German truck pulled up in the city center. Soldiers began distributing relief rations, announcing, "The head of state understands the hardships faced by the citizens of Warsaw. Two potatoes per person, one per child. Penalty for taking extra is severe. Please queue orderly."
A small boy was the first to approach, taking a potato and leaving his fingerprint on a list. His actions encouraged others, and soon women, men, and the elderly followed, each taking their share.
Over the next two days, German relief efforts spread throughout the main streets of Poland, and a semblance of calm returned. People began to rebuild, though many families were relocated to work camps in Germany, promised citizenship after three years of labor.
With Warsaw encircled and the Polish government effectively dissolved, resistance continued only in some areas against the Soviet Red Army. Most of Poland ceased its resistance, falling under the control of the German Third Reich led by Head of State Akado Rudolf.
On October 1, 1937, Akado announced a resounding victory in the German-Polish war, proclaiming the liberation of the Polish people from communist servitude. Amidst global condemnation, Akado expanded the Third Reich's territory, reclaiming lands lost in World War I and annexing additional territories. The narrative of conquest and control continued, shaping a new, albeit controversial, chapter in European history.