Tully and Moffit, Troy and Hitch drive back to their camp two miles outside of the town to spend the rest of the day resting before they will have to guard the surrendered Germans. Also they have to pick up Ari and Fritz who should be waiting back in the camp where they have left both before their hasty hunt for the SS. When returning to camp everything is eerily quiet however. No enthusiastic barks greet them, no child is laughing and playing with the playful animal or even timidly coming out of from behind the rocks. "Maybe they are hiding?", Moffit offers as an explanation. "Didn't Dietrich tell the boy to come to us, when we return?", Troy inquires with a grim scowl of concern. A feeling of dread is grasping all of them, as they start looking for the uneven pair. Troy sends each one out on foot into a different direction. As the boy would be on foot, taking the Jeeps might move them too fast to spot any tracks.
"Ari! Fritz!", Hitch shouts, as he takes off to the East chewing on his bubble gum to calm his nerves. Tully silently marches into the Western direction searching for tracks left by the child or dog in the quickly shifting desert sand. "Fritz! Come here! Ari!", Troy keeps shouting, while he is switching between looking for tracks in the desert sand and searching the surrounding dunes with his binoculars. "*Ari! Where are you? Come out! You don't have to be afraid!*", Moffit calls out to the boy in the mix of Arabic and Hebrew unwilling to sink to Troy's and Hitch's level by calling the dog. That misbehaved certain is hardly a loss in Jack Moffit's eyes.
Two hours later, all of them are quite hoarse from shouting having emptied their canteens almost fully and knowing that they are close to the arranged time when they would have to turn back to the camp independent of any success to meet the others. But still there is no sign of the child or dog. Troy curses loudly, as he finally has to turn back, while Moffit continues his shouts despondently. The two Privates are equally depressed at their respective turning points, each one dreading the idea that they all might return without any success or luck.
An hour later, each of the Rats has taken a slightly different route back to cover more ground. As Hitch blows a bubble with his chewing gum in sheer frustration, he thinks that he can hear an additional soft noise besides the popping bubble. Stopping short to listen intently, the soft noise returns slightly louder this time. The American private thinks that it is the whining sound of an animal or human which is impossible to discern for now. "Ari! Fritz!", Mark Hitchcock starts shouting with revived vigor. This time he can make out the answering noise more clearly. It is the desperate yelping of a dog. "Fritz! Here, Fritz!", Hitch shouts, as he tries to discern the direction the noises come from and takes off running.
A minute later, he can see Fritz who runs around a dark bundle on the ground yelping, barking and whining desperately. "Holy mother of god!", the blond American mutters, as he closes in on the pair he has so desperately been looking for in the last three hours. Ari lies on the ground unconscious, as Fritz whines and licks his face. Eyeing the Private with what Hitch interprets as desperate hope the dog starts wagging its tail. When Hitch turns the boy around and checks his face, arms and legs, he notices a large swelling at the boy's ankle. Cutting open the linen foot wrappings, he recognizes the tell-tale signs of a snake's bite. At Fritz's bark, he notes another small bulk in a short distance, the body of a snake with its head bitten off. As biology has not been his subject of choice, Hitch picks up the snake's body hoping that the Doc will be able to recognize the species and know what to do with the child.
Carrying the boy in his arms and with Fritz at his heels, Hitch tries to make his way back to the camp as quickly as possible. When he arrives there with sore arms and sweat bathing his whole body, Moffit and Tully have already returned. "Doc! I found the kid thanks to Fritz." The dog barks enthusiastically upon hearing his name. "But Ari was bitten by a snake!", Hitch shouts, as the two come running in his direction, as soon as they have spotted him with his load. Taking the mangled cadaver from Hitch's belt, where he has fixed it for carrying, Jack Moffit looks at the snake's scales trying to determine its species. "Cerastes cerastes I believe", the British scholar muses, as if it was an interesting yet purely academic problem. "Bless you", Hitch tries to joke. "Whatever that means, Doc. Can you help Ari?"
Moffit shakes his head with a regretful expression. "I'm afraid not." Troy who is also returning to the camp rushes towards them shouting: "You found him. What happened?" "He was bitten by snake, Sarge. Already unconscious when I found him", Hitch reports with a worried expression that is shared among all his comrades. "Cerastes cerastes, the Saharan horned viper", Moffit adds his two cents. Cursing loudly, Troy finally asks what they can do, once he has reigned in his temper. "Dietrich has a hospital and a professional medic at his base. I fear that will be the boy's only chance", Moffit explains. "Dietrich has to leave his base with his men in less than three hours", Troy argues angrily. "That will give his medic two hours to treat the boy and he can stay in his professional care", Moffit counters matter-of-factually. "You want to hand a Jewish boy to a German doctor?", Troy looks suspicious. "Do you not trust our dear Captain?", Moffit asks ironically. "He will assure his medic's best behaviour and treatment of the boy, I am sure." "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's shake it!", Troy commands them to get into the Jeeps and take off. With Fritz in the bottom of the Jeep next to Hitch and Ari wrapped into several blankets in the back of Tully's and Moffit's Jeep, they rush toward Captain Dietrich's base as quickly as possible.
"Alarm! Die Ratten!", one of the lookouts of Dietrich's fort shouts with no small amount of panic upon catching sight of the Rat Patrol closing in on the desert town. Leutnant Haberfeld scales the wall to take a look himself, before turning to run to Hauptmann Dietrich's office at full speed. "Bleiben Sie wachsam, aber schießen Sie nicht, außer die schießen auf uns!", he orders the guards to stay alert, but refrain from shooting until they are attacked, knowing that his Captain has arrangements to surrender them to the Allies and not wishing to antagonize them so short before their final order.
Hans Dietrich finds himself awoken through a shake on his shoulder again. Instinctively trying to push against his perceived attacker, his drowsy mind registers his Leutnant' voice: "Hauptmann Dietrich. Ich bin es, Leutnant Haberfeld!" "Was ist geschehen, Leutnant?", the senior officer slurs slightly, as he blinkingly opens his eyes. "Die Ratten. Sie greifen uns an!" That is question what is happening is answered with the Rat Patrol attacking jerks Dietrich awake immediately. Rising from his stool far too quickly for his unstable blood circulation, he sways on his feet caught by lightheadedness, until Leutnant Haberfeld grabs him under the left shoulder to support and stabilize his lean commanding officer. "Danke, Leutnant", the German Hauptmann finally manages to utter, once he feels secure enough on his own two legs.
Making his way outside at a much slower pace than usual and far too slowly for Haberfeld's liking, Hauptmann Dietrich and Leutnant Haberfeld arrive at the main gate, when the sound of the Jeep's engines can already be heard clearly on the other side. "Die Ratten! Sie haben eine weiße Fahne, Herr Hauptmann", Feldwebel Deutsch in charge of the gate guards reports to Dietrich that the Rats are waving a white flag. "Öffnen Sie die Tore und senken Sie die Waffen!", Dietrich orders to open the gates and lower the weapons with an exhausted tone. The Feldwebel and several more guards stare at Dietrich, as if he has completely lost his mind. Focusing a steely gaze on his reluctant soldiers, the Hauptmann repeats the command with a sharp edge in his voice: "Öffnen Sie die Tore und senken Sie die Waffen!" This time the soldiers obey their Captain's command immediately.
As the gate doors start to open, Hans Dietrich can see Sergeant Troy holding a white flag at the back of his Jeep with the second Jeep close behind. Frowning, he steps into the way of the opening gate with his Leutnant at his side who always remains suspiciously within grabbing range of his superior officer. "Gentlemen, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?", the German Captain drawls sarcastically. Not in the mood for any verbal sparring, Troy shouts: "The boy was bitten by a snake. He needs your hospital!" Momentarily stunned by the news, the tall Hauptmann reacts swiftly, stepping out of their way to let the Rats drive into the base, while he orders Leutnant Haberfeld to summon Doktor Sommer immediately to take care of an injured child. "Rufen Sie sofort Doktor Sommer zu Hilfe. Es geht um ein verletztes Kind."
Adrenaline finally works miracles for keeping Dietrich upright and speeding up his steps. "Tore schließen!", the Afrikakorps officer orders his Feldwebel to close the gates, as he closes in on the Jeeps in the court yard surrounded by a dozen of his soldiers with raised weapons. "Waffen runter und zurück auf Ihre Posten!", Hauptmann Dietrich shouts the commands with a tone tolerating no resistance. In spite of their long-time experience with and suspicion of the Rat Patrol, they obey their Captain's commands, eyeing the Americans and the Englishman warily. As Dietrich approaches them with a worried expression, Doktor Sommer and Leutnant Haberfeld come running from the direction of the sickbay. Moffit has placed Ari on a stretcher and heaves him down from the back of the Jeep together with Tully.
"What has happened?", Hauptmann Dietrich demands to know. "He ran off into the desert and was bitten by a snake", Private Hitchcock answers to the Captain's surprise instead of his Sergeants. "It was a Cerastes Cerastes, a horned viper", Moffit adds helpfully, pointing at the corpse of the snake which all the Germans eye with varying degrees of disgust. Doktor Sommer frowns as he hears the information, while he checks his young patient's pulse and temperature. Fritz jumps out of the Jeep and runs up to Dietrich with a joyful bark, putting his front paws on the young officer's leg, while fawning enthusiatically. "I would never have found him without Fritz", Hitch adds with a joyful beam at the dog, "and he killed the snake." The German Captain merely raises his eyebrows in surprise as he pets and praises his loyal mascot: "Gut gemacht, Fritz! Du bist ein echter Held." Moffit snorts with indignation, understanding the German. "Now the dog is the hero of the day." Troy pats his shoulder in a friendly manner. "I'm sure you can live it down, Doc. Always told you that dog's amazing."
Knowing that Doktor Sommer absolutely abhors having the dog in his sickbay, Dietrich sends him off towards the kitchen. "Hol dir Futter, Fritz!" Now Fritz feels sufficiently appreciated knowing that there is always food waiting for him in the kitchen and runs off with a joyful yelp. Following close behind the Doktor and the two Rats with the stretcher, Dietrich sends Leutnant Haberfeld off to supervise the still missing steps of their evacuation. "Can you treat him, Doktor Sommer?", the German Hauptmann asks his Stabsarzt with a worried expression speaking English for the benefit of the Rats. "I will see, Herr Hauptmann", his medic answers in English with a heavy German accent, as he collects various medical instruments. "Please keep those", he points at the Rats, "out of this place. I want to work in peace." "Of course, Doktor. Please keep me informed, as soon as you are finished with your treatment. Gentlemen, please leave Doktor Sommer to his work and follow me outside", Dietrich speaks in an almost casual tone with the Rats, as if inviting them to a dinner party.
Once they have stepped outside of the sickbay, the four Rats can take in the rustle and bustle of the fort's evacuation for the first time. Trucks are loaded with the few remaining boxes of ammunition, explosives and weapons, with food rations and general equipment of the base, like soldier's personal belongings, office material and furniture. Half-tracks and tanks are made ready for leave, as several mechanics work on them, gas them up and hand them over to the responsible crew of soldiers to man them. Several vehicles have already been lined up with some distance to the gate and men who will be on their crew carry bags with personal belongings to a waiting truck. A Kübelwagen has been parked in front of the office building which Dietrich is approaching with them now.
Tully realizes that they should move their Jeeps there to get out of the way of the moving vehicles and announces this in his usual monosyllabic way. "We'll park our Jeep there, Cap!" Dietrich nods approvingly, allowing Tully and Hitch to go along with changing their Jeeps' positions, ignoring the swallowing of half the rank title, considering his considerate attitude. While the Rat Privates moves their Jeeps, Hans waits at the entrance to the office building with his back leaned against the wall for support, as he cannot trust his unstdeady legs and his whole stubbornly exhausted body anymore. Troy eyes him from the side and notices the lines of exhaustion edged into the young Captain's bruised face. Although the German does not look like he would collapse immediately, holding out for much longer also does not appear to be realistic either.
The nervous looking German Feldwebel Bauer approaches them from the direction of the kitchen. Eyeing Moffit and Troy warily, he still makes his report: "Herr Hauptmann. Alle Vorräte und Küchenuntensilien sind evakuiert. Hier ist die Bestandsliste, wie Sie befohlen haben." Dietrich takes the inventory of the evacuated food rations and kitchen utensils and reads through the lists with diligence, while mentally starting his calculations of rations and their consumption. "Mit vollen Rationen sind drei Tage durchzuhalten, bei reduzierten Rationen vier bis fünf. Lagern Sie so viel Trinkwasser wie möglich in jegliches erdenkbare Behältnis, Feldwebel Bauer! Im Keller sind noch einige Fässer. Und lassen Sie heute Abend volle Rationen ausgeben. Das haben die Männer verdient." The German officer has come to the conclusion that their rations will suffice for three more days at full rations, four to five at reduced rations. Nonetheless, he orders to allow the men full rations for today which they deserve after the strain of the evacuation. Additionally, Hans orders his German Sergeant to store as much potable water as possible in any possible container reminding him of the caskets in the cellar. Both Germans salute each other with Dietrich wincing slightly at the pain in his shoulder, before Feldwebel Bauer takes off to execute his Captain's orders.
Tully and Hitch have rejoined them by now and the tall Hauptmann leads them inside the office building. Stepping over spots of dried blood where the American commandos have killed the SS guards yesterday, they follow the bruised Captain to his office. Dietrich keeps an almost straight stance and only his slower them usual walking speed would have tipped them off that something is not right, had they not spent this and the last day together and taken care of his extensive injuries. Sam Troy starts to wonder how often the young German officer has misled them in the past by playing his outward show of superiority in spite of suffering from starvation, injuries or exhaustion.
Once they have entered his office again, Troy notes the neatly ordered files Dietrich keeps in cabinets containing information Boggs and their side would definitely be interested in. A satchel is leaned against the desk and first signs of evacuating this room can be seen, but not as much as he would have expected. "Don't you plan to take those with you?", the American Sergeant asks directly, pointing at the many files. Dietrich briefly looks around, as if thinking of that for the first time. "Your side would value the information here, if it were more up to date", the German replies calmly. Pointing towards a safe integrated into a larger office cupboard, he adds: "The SS officers took the over from me, changed the combination and placed something in there which I do not know and thus cannot tell you either. If you want secret and valuable information, this is your place to look. But the whole cupboard is too heavy to move and I don't suppose any of you are skilled safe crackers." "You're surely the most accomplished safe cracker in this room, Captain. I'm still impressed by your lockpicking skills", Troy states with a grin, as Dietrich winces. "Nomen est omen", Moffit adds with dry British humor learning that the young Hauptmann knows at least some basic Latin phrases, since he glares at him with immediate understanding. "Don't leave us out of the joke, Doc!", Hitch complains with a whine, while Tully keeps his usual unperturbed look. Applying his best scholarly lecture tone, Moffit explains dryly: "The Latin phrase basically means 'true to its name', as the German word 'Dietrich' literally means 'lockpick' in English." Troy adds with a wide grin on his face: "You should add that the Captain picked the lock of his own desk 'cause the key is still in that SS guy's pocket." Even Tully grins with amusement by now, while Hitch is outright laughing.
"Although I am glad that you feel properly entertained", Hans Dietrich announces with a voice dripping with sarcasm. "I would like to hear a more detailed report of what has happened to the boy, Ari." Gingerly, the German Captain takes a seat behind his desk and eyes each of them warily. Although hesitating for a moment, Hitch starts to recount what has happened and how he has found the unconscious Ari. After a warning glare from Dietrich, he even refrains from chewing his bubble gum too obviously during his story. By the time Hitch has finished, the German officer looks more concerned than annoyed. Still bearing a bemused expression, Hans considers how to proceed and what to do with the Rats to keep them from harassing and irritating his men. Similarly, Troy and Moffit observe the young Hauptmann with scowling expressions. Even though he has been compliant and true to his word, Jack does not trust him, while Troy is concerned about Dietrich's paler than usual complexion and the dark rings underneath his eyes, speaking clearly of exhaustion and bad health. All of them are momentarily startled, as the phone on the desk rings loudly.
Automatically, the German picks up and snaps into the receiver: "Hauptmann Dietrich hier". Then, he listens intently and nods, even though his interlocutor cannot see him, before answering: "Ich komme gleich zu Ihnen, Doktor." Turning to the foursome, Hans explains briefly, as he stands up and fights for keeping his balance: "Doktor Sommer has finished Ari's treatment. He is stable and I will check on him now. No more than two of you may accompany me to not unnerve the Doctor or my men there who have barely survived your attacks yesterday." His dark tone at the last words matches his expression, as he makes his way out of the office with slightly swaying steps. Exchanging glances, Troy orders Tully and Moffit to go back to the Jeeps, perform their overdue roll call and then wait for them, while he will accompany the Captain together with Hitch who is genuinely worried about the boy he has tried to save. Altough wary of their intentions and uncomfortable to not be able to observe the Rats the whole time, Hans has to accept that this split is the most reasonable way to fufill his wishes.
Splitting up in front of the building, Moffit and Tully make their way to their Jeep, while Troy stays within a single step's range of Dietrich, watching him constantly, and Hitch lingers a few steps behind, bearing an unusually worried expression. The Hauptmann throws an annoyed glare in the direction of the American Sergeant who is invading his personal space, but refrains from expressing his anger loudly. As they enter the sickbay, Doktor Sommer is already awaiting them. "I set an infusion to rehydrate the boy and provided anti-inflammatory treatment. Keeping his blood from clotting will be the most relevant part, lest he dies from a haemorrhage. Has he been nauseous?" While the former is a report intended for his senior officer, the last question is directed at Hitch and Troy. "I... I don't know. He hasn't been awake since I found him", Hitch answers nervously though with honesty. The German Doctor merely shrugs. "We will have to see then." "Is there anything that can be done for him?", Hauptmann Dietrich asks with honest concern, as he studies the prone form of the boy lying on the hospital bed, subconsciously patting his head gently, even though the child is unconscious. "I fear not, Herr Hauptmann. Keeping him hydrated, treating the swelling and haemorrhage while hoping that no infection settles in is all that can be done for now." "Thank you, Doktor Sommer", the Captain speaks at the same time, as Troy blurts out a similar message with slightly different wording.
Briefly exchanging glances with the American Sergeant, Dietrich turns away toward his six men lying in hospital beds. Most of them appear to be sleeping naturally or from anaesthetics, but one is actually sitting and staring at his Captain with wide painfilled eyes. "Soldat Kierner, wie geht es Ihnen?", the German officer addresses his distraught soldier in a gentle tone asking how he feels. "Ich habe Schmerzen im Bein, Herr Hauptmann. Ich möchte nach Hause, bitte", the young man laments only partially aware of his surroundings that he feels pain in his leg and wants to go home. Dietrich takes a look at his leg and notes that it is missing from the thigh downward. Aware of the phenomenon after years of consoling soldiers injured in battle or explosions, he continues to speak in a gentle tone and gently pats the wounded soldier on the shoulder: "Machen Sie sich keine Sorgen, Kierner. Es ist bald vorbei." Whether the words not to worry and all will be over soon console the young man or the gentle tone and gesture are all he can recognize is unclear to his officer. But the German soldier lies down in his bed again and speaks with a voice full of gratitude "Danke, Herr Hauptmann", as tears stream down his face and he finally drifts of to sleep.
With a solemn expression Dietrich turns away and sees his Stabsarzt smiling at him with gratitude, as Dietrich addresses him again: "Will you be able to evacuate them in time or do you need additional assistance, Doktor Sommer?" "We will make it in time, Herr Hauptmann. All the medications and most of the medical equipment have already been taken out to the truck. But I wanted to leave the wounded inside the sickbay as long as possible o protect them from the heat and infection." Nodding in acceptance, the senior officer turns toward the Rats with a brief dark look crossing his face, before he wordlessly passes them by. Both Troy and Hitch look unsure at what has just transpired, but follow Dietrich outside.
"Captain, what was that about?", Troy finally addresses the lean Hauptmann who glowers at him. "You told me yesterday, Sergeant, that you have not attacked my men on the base. I helped you and your accursed pack of Rats to get outside of the fort unnoticed in order to assure that nobody gets hurt. Yet, I have read the report before leaving for the Arabs that this man and his five comrades have been gravely wounded by explosions and machine guns yesterday in the afternoon, while four more have been killed." "We needed a distraction to get you and the boy out from under their noses or the guards on the wall would have spotted us", Troy growls. "And you could not have thought of a less lethal diversion or you simply did not care how many men die for something like this?", Dietrich snaps back at him, seething with anger. "We did not even think of using a different approach than usual", Hitch answers instead of Troy and adds with downcast eyes: "I've honestly never looked back to see what happens to the krau... the men in our wake." With a less aggressive tone, Dietrich admonishes him: "Maybe you should, Private. Just because this is a war, does not justify to kill unnecessarily!" Feeling slightly taken aback to receive a lecture on moral standards from Dietrich of all people, the blond Private does not argue with the German officer who has obviously given the moral conflict of war more thought than Hitch ever has.
"Captain Dietrich, Troy", Moffit calls out with a certain urgency in his voice, efficiently putting a stop to the awkward discussion. As both men turn in his direction, he indicates the office building. "We should speak inside. And we will need your maps, Captain." Regarding the British Sergeant for a few moments, the Hauptmann turns around slowly and walks back into the office building. His tense posture has never relaxed since they have entered the fort, Troy notes, as he still keeps an eye on the young Captain who has been on the verge of collapsing more often than once today. Two soldiers are placing file folders and other office material into boxes, as they enter Dietrich's office. "Nehmen Sie alles mit hinaus und bringen Sie meine Tasche zum Kübelwagen! Ich verständige Sie, wenn Sie weitermachen können", the Hauptmann commands them to take everything including his personal satchel outside to the Kübelwagen and not to return, before he orders them to.
Turning toward the desk where he has consulted the map with Leutnant Haberfeld previously, the German officer finally asks Moffit: "What has your HQ told you, Sergeant, that you need a map for?" Troy looks equally curious and actually glares at Dietrich to have beaten him at asking the question. "Our camp has been moved", Moffit explains with calm precision. "From there", he points at a map location, "to here", moving his finger to another point much closer to the fort. Hauptmann Dietrich studies the movement intently, before asking with a sly undertone: "Was there a specific reason for the change of location?" "None I would be allowed to share with you Captain", the British Sergeant replies icily. "I would have thought so", the German officer comments with a sly and lurking tone. "Your new location would allow patrol cars to reach this fort within two or three hours. With Tobruk fallen and our soldiers in retreat your new position possesses strategic value without acutely angering the Arabs." The gleam in the Cambridge scholar's eyes confirms that Dietrich has analyzed the situation correctly and he briefly smiles contently.
"The new location has the additional advantage that my column will be able to reach your camp until tomorrow afternoon or in the evening at the latest. This can be relevant for the boy and some of my more gravely wounded men", the German officer concludes with a solemn expression. "You're still sure that all your men will comply with the surrender, Captain?", Troy asks with a certain amount of distrust. "Sergeant Troy. Need I remind you that I am a convicted traitor and outlaw for the German side? If any of my men were unwilling to comply with my command, they would have attacked or arrested me by now", Hauptmann Dietrich answers with such gravity that the Rats are momentarily speechless. None of them has actually considered that he might be risking his own life by returning to his men and trying to save their lives. "Sorry, Captain. I didn't consider that", Troy answers honestly, as he meets the other man's eye. Ignoring the comment, Dietrich adds: "I will inform my Lieutenant on the change of route."
Then, he eyes Troy and Moffit with a contemplative look. "Is there something else, Captain?", Troy asks, unable to stop himself. Swallowing hard, Hans Dietrich is fighting an internal struggle how to address his issue without having to beg or grovel which his pride would not allow him. "I do have a", he hesitates, "request for you, Sergeant." Now, all four Rats look at him with piqued interest even though Tully barely shows any outward signs. "You are aware that driving myself is not an option in my current state", the Captain continues still struggling how to formulate this without having to beg. Troy nods with a stern expression, as he eyes the bruised looking German with clear concern. "No offense, Captain, but you should not be anywhere near a steering wheel in your state. Even though you can see again with that black eye of yours, you have seen better days." Looking slightly amused at this understated analysis, Dietrich continues: "I need to go out to the graves where the", again he struggles for words, "victims of yesterday's execution were buried. I owe it to my men who died on my command for attacking the SS to show them a last respect and not have them buried like rabid dogs under foreign sand without anybody mourning them." Troy looks openly sympathetic and even Moffit's face shows grudging respect for the request. "We'll get you out there, Captain. Sure thing", the leader of the Rat Patrol promises. "Thank you, Sergeant", Dietrich answers him, honestly grateful that Troy would not have had him beg or grovel and keep his dignity in the sake. "Should we go now?", Moffit asks, worried about further delays. "That would be preferable, gentlemen", the German answers him with stern formality.
A few minutes later, they are out in the courtyard and Dietrich is instructing his Leutnant on the change of route to the Allied camp as well as the remaining tasks for the evacuation, ending his instructions with the familiar words: "Leutnant Haberfeld, Sie übernehmen mein Kommando. Ich bin sofort zurück." After this, the lean Hauptmann takes a seat next to Hitch in the Jeep. As they approach the gates, Feldwebel Deutsch approaches his superior officer. "Herr Hauptmann. Fahren Sie zu den Gräbern hinaus?", he asks, guessing his officer's intention. "Jawohl, Feldwebel Deutsch", Dietrich replies, slightly surprised. "Darf ich Sie begleiten, Herr Hauptmann? Einer der Toten, Gefreiter Gyula, ich meine Julian Horvath, war ein enger Freund. Außerdem weiß ich, wo die Gräber sind, die ich gestern mit der Staffel gegraben habe." Studying his Hungarian stemming Sergeant to determine his honesty Hans Dietrich complies with his request to accompany them to honor the man's dead friend. "Sergeant Moffit. Let the Sergeant ride with you! He wants to pay his respect and honor the memory of his dead friend. Also, he knows where exactly they are buried", Dietrich shouts to the men in the second Jeep. Checking briefly with Troy who nods in acknowledgement, Moffit waves to the German soldier to sit next to Tully. Slightly unsure, Feldwebel Deutsch looks at Hans Dietrich who gives him a reassuring nod at which he takes the seat.
All six then drive out of the fort toward the desert with Deutsch indicating them which way to turn until he shouts: "Halt! Hier!" Even without understanding German, Tully gets the intended message and stops the Jeep as does Hitch who has followed behind him. Feldwebel Stefan Deutsch leads his Hauptmann and the four Rats to a place where the sand looks barely different from the surrounding landscape with only few larger rocks marking the spot. "Hier haben wir sie begraben", he explains to Dietrich whose expression is deeply saddened. The German Sergeant starts to move a rock, picks something up from underneath and returns to his superior officer with seven lower parts of German dog tags in his hands. Taking the metal pieces which weigh more heavily on his soul and conscience than in his hand, Hans Dietrich briefly closes his eyes collecting himself to keep his calm outward appearance in spite of the turmoil in his mind.
"Wilhelm Wagner, Oberleutnant", he reads the name of his second in command who has trusted him until the end and attacked the SS on his unspoken command. The honest and straight forward Bavarian officer has been a trusted advisor for Dietrich in many conversations. "Ernst Brunner, Leutnant", follows the name of his loyal aide from Berlin whom Waldheim has shot without provocation or reason, simply to punish and torment Dietrich. "Ferdinand Bohm, Gefreiter", Dietrich reads the name of the young Prussian whom the whole unit has always teased for not being able to carry a tune to save his life. In the end, lack of musical skill has not been what has cost his life. "Hans Zeiler, Soldat", the next name follows. The young Bohemian soldier has been with Dietrich for 8 months, has managed to survive two of the Rat Patrol's attacks and even been decorated for the wounds received, only to die at the hands of the SS firing squad. There is a certain amount of divine justice that the Rat Patrol have finally been the executioners for the SS officers who have ordered his sentence. "Fritz Wundersam, Gefreiter", Dietrich reads the name of one of his best Panzer operators who in spite of being a full head's length shorter than his Captain has been an excellent shot and saved their unit in several artillery battle. "Alexander Eisenkirchner, Ingenieur", follows the name of one of Dietrich's best technicians and engineers who has kept his vehicles and tanks running for more than a year in spite of the desert's constant attempts to wear down any mechanical device. "Julian Horvath, Soldat", he reads the final name of the Hungarian soldier, Feldwebel Deutsch's friend, as they both have come from Hungary and sometimes been sitting in a corner speaking in their native tongue incomprehensible to the Germans around. "Viszlát, Gyula", the Feldwebel in question silently mutters his final good-bye.
Turning to his Hauptmann who unmovingly stares out at the sand with a stony face, still holding the dog tags in his hand, Stefan Deutsch voices the intent for which he has come to accompany his superior officer: "Hauptmann Dietrich. Ich weiß, dass das nicht gern gesehen ist, aber darf ich für die Verstorbenen beten?" Surprised by the question, Hans Dietrich gives permission to speak a prayer for the dead without hesitation. "Pater noster qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum...", the Hungarian Catholic starts the Latin version of the prayer, while his Lutheran Captain uses the German version going back to Martin Luther himself: "Vater unser im Himmel, geheiligt werde dein Name..." The Rats are slightly baffled for a moment with Moffit recognizing first what is spoken and adding his part in the Anglican version of the same prayer: "Our father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name..." By now, also the Americans understand the words and their intention adding their part with various degrees of fervor.
Ending the prayer with the sign of the cross, the six soldiers of four nations silently contemplate their comrades', former enemies' and their own fates in this war. "Danke, Herr Hauptmann", Feldwebel Deutsch turns to his senior officer whose face looks even more heavily battered and bruised with the shadow of grief darkening it further. Averting his gaze and closing his eyes, Hans Dietrich sighs deeply, fighting his internal war against the guilt of being alive while having caused all these brave men's deaths not in the honorable way a soldier should die, but being shot like rabid beasts. Never before has he felt so alone, forlorn and doubtful of his cause. Has any of this been for the good of Germany? How much further grief would be caused by the Führer for the German people he is supposed to lead and protect instead of throwing them to the SS, his rabid attack dogs?
Troy takes a step closer to Dietrich, when he notices the stooped shoulders and hanging head. Unsure whether the younger man has again reached his physical limits lowered by his bad state of health caused by torture and starvation, he notices the clenched fist and jaw which speak more clearly of his internal struggle than his currently harder to read facial expression, given the amount of bruising caused by the beatings he has received. After the German officer's previous reactions to being touched, Sam refrains from doing so again, even though his instinct would urge him to place a sympathetic hand on the younger man's shoulder. Captain Dietrich looks beaten but not broken, struggling but not yet surrendered.
After a perceived eternity in his personal hell, Sergeant Troy's voice startles Hans Dietrich out of his reverie. Blinking briefly before he becomes aware of the desert sand around him and the dog tags in his hand again, the German officer makes an effort to school his face into a neutral expression and straighten his back as much as his aching body allows him to. Noting the transformation, Troy addresses his favourite enemy in a regretful tone: "I am sorry to disturb you, Captain. But we will have to return to leave with your column in time." "Of course, Sergeant", Dietrich answers more smoothly than he himself would have thought possible to produce as a bluff. "Let's shake it, then!", Troy announces and this sentence does not miss its target, as the Captain visibly winces at the statement.
When the two Jeeps return to the German fort, the vehicles of Dietrich's column have been lined up properly with tanks and half-tracks providing protection for the trucks in between. One truck with a red cross is parked in front of the hospital area and Doktor Sommer is supervising the patients being loaded into the truck on stretchers. Excited barks greet the Rats and Dietrich, as soon as they climb out of the Jeeps. Greeting the Hauptmann first, the dog runs from one to the next to jump up and yelp enthusiastically. Hitch bends down immediately to pet his hero of the day. Without looking back at the Rats, Dietrich checks with his Stabsarzt, his Leutnant and the remaining Sergeants in charge of various tasks to assure the proper status of the evacuation procedures, until he is satisfied that all will be managed in time.
As Moffit observes the soldiers' precision and clear well-practiced actions to perform a hard task under a tight schedule, he regains his appreciation for German thoroughness. It is one of their qualities which he often finds amiss among the Americans although they have favorable features of their own. Thinking of Troy and Dietrich who each uphold their respective nation's qualities to a large amount he cannot help but wonder whether the Allies would profit from uniting both sets of abilities. While Tully stays with the Jeeps and keeps himself quietly in the background as usual, Hitch is completely happy with taking care of Fritz who enjoys the attention. Meanwhile Troy is shadowing Dietrich who switches between glaring at him, ignoring him and truly forgetting about him because the German Captain is completely focused on an organisatorial task.
By the time, the column is ready to leave, the Hauptmann's movements have slowed noticeably and he looks like he has to drag his feet, to simply move forward at all. After checking with every single vehicle, Hans Dietrich sends his Leutnant to the rear, while staying at the front in his Kübelwagen as he frequently does. Feldwebel Deutsch has taken over the duty of being his driver and looks at the officer expectantly with a smile on his face. The young Hauptmann explains to him the intended route and camp site for the night in case he will not be able to stay awake much longer. As they drive out of the fort's gate, tje German Captain observes their surroundings with apprehension, as he can make out the Arabs observing them from the streets and roofs. Not a single one shows a friendly face.
Only once they are out of sight of the town, is Hans Dietrich able to relax slightly. With the adrenaline level sinking which has kept him upright during the afternoon his eyes start to droop and exhaustion finally takes over. Feldwebel Deutsch leaves his battered and bruised commanding officer to sleep and follows the route the Captain has instructed him on to the intended camp site for the unit. Only once they have stopped again does he dare to approach his Hauptmann who is not responding until the American Sergeant Troy comes up to the Kübelwagen and physically shakes him awake, an action the Hungarian Feldwebel would never have dared to perform. His superior officer seems to be neither surprised nor angry because of the actions of the enemy soldier, but instead even accepts his hand for helping him out of the car and supporting him to stand when he sways unsteadily. Everyone who has seen Hauptmann Dietrich in the past days has been terribly afraid of the SS. Now that the Hungarian Sergeant sees the sorry state his usually agile, proud young Captain is in, Deutsch understands why.
Half-leaning against his Kübelwagen and for the remaining part supported by Sam Troy, Dietrich shouts instructions to his junior officer and Sergeants to prepare the camp for the night. All the men follow the well-practiced routine without really requiring orders to perform it properly. Once this is finished, the German officer appears to have spent the last of his remaining strength, as he leans heavily on Troy's shoulder and has closed his eyes. "Don't pass out on me, Captain", Troy tries to push his pride but barely receives a response. Half-carrying the man to the German red cross transport, Doktor Sommer checks his Hauptmann's pulse immediately. Frowning, he helps the American Sergeant to place the barely conscious younger man on a stretcher. "It looks like he will have to rest before becoming a prisoner already", the Doktor says for the benefit of the American, eyeing his gravely injured Hauptmann with clear empathy. "Will he be alright?", the Rat Patrol's leader sounds seriously concerned. "I will set up an infusion to get him rehydrated. But malnourishment is not a good basis for constantly pushing one's limits without proper rest", the German medic remarks sternly. "I hope you will respect the Geneva convention and provide him with medical care once you take him prisoner."
Troy feels almost offended, as he snaps back: "We would never treat him like the SS has. He's earned far too much respect on our side." Doktor Sommer smiles sadly: "He has earned quite a lot of respect from our side. This did not save or protect him." As an after thought, he adds despondently: "What has Germany become, that we torture our best young officers almost to death when they do not fit in with the current politics? Two years ago, this would not have happened. An honorable officer would have been protected by his superiors and a para-military party troop like the SS would not have had the authority to harm someone of Hauptmann Dietrich's social standing and reputation." "Now he is sentenced to death and basically an outlaw", Troy ends with what he has learned from Dietrich himself earlier. "That is correct, Sergeant. By following him, we all break German law", the German Doktor responds. "But none of us would wish to choose a different path than to follow the man who has put his life on the line for us, time and again. Simply returning to the fort today was a calculated risk the Hauptmann has taken. But it could also have cost him his life. May I ask you, Sergeant? Did you promise him anything for making us surrender?" Troy gives a mirthless laugh. "We should have offered him something, shouldn't we? No, he sold himself to ask for our support in saving you from the SS and Arabs. There's nothing in it for him." Doktor Sommer nods, looking not in the least surprised. "That's why this whole unit is following him into Allied captivity and breaking German military law in the process. Please don't forget it, when you report to your superiors!" Excusing himself from the awkward conversation, Sergeant Sam Troy turns toward the tiny camp fire, Tully has prepared slightly out of the range of the German camp with their Jeeps providing shelter against the wind.
"That must have been an interesting conversation with the German medic", Moffit notes coolly. "It was indeed", Troy answers him, eyeing the tetchy British Sergeant with clear annoyance. "Would you care to share what he told you?", the Brit asks, sounding slightly miffed. Troy merely shrugs. "T'was mostly about Dietrich. Nothing new really, just interesting perspective on his character from the German side." Then, he summarizes what he has learned from Doktor Sommer. "Looks like Dietrich is a real hero for his soldiers", Hitch comments thoughtfully. "And here I thought that your dog friend was the hero of the day", Moffit comments dryly. "Fritz is my personal hero, but Dietrich's the actual hero for the guys out there. If he wouldn't have come back and negotiated with the Arabs, I wouldn't bet on how many of them would still be alive", Hitch intercedes and pets Fritz who has rolled on his back and enjoys getting his belly scratched by the young Private. "Yeah, that's basically why they'd follow him straight into hell, camp out here beside us and should surrender tomorrow", Troy summarizes again, feeling a strange kind of pride on behalf of the German Captain. "Looks like we really have gained an asset with Dietrich", Moffit finally concedes without sarcasm. "At least once he really defects and does not just play with words." "We'll get there, Jack", Troy promises, as he smiles widely. "Don't worry! Even if I have to push him myself just to get him there."
Almost two hours later, after the sun has set, the Rats hear loud noises and cheers from the Germans' main camp fire which has been rather quiet until now. Being rather safe than sorry, when it comes to German activities, Troy motions Moffit to follow him, while signing Tully and Hitch to stay with the Jeeps and be ready just in case of troubles. As they move closer, the two Sergeants can see that all German soldiers are standing, while some are shouting and cheering, others are waving or clapping their hands. "What's that commotion about?", Troy asks suspiciously. Moving closer with the practiced grace and speed of a cat, he can finally make out a tall figure in the center of attention.
"Looks like they are cheering for their Hauptmann", Moffit says out loud after having listened in on the shouts. From the shadows Troy observes Dietrich who looks rather uncomfortable, but tries to hide his discomfort. Unlike standard German behaviour, several older and more experienced soldiers, as well as some of the youngest actually reach out and shake his hand, thanking him enthusiastically, while others pat his shoulder and upper arm. "They must all have believed in their certain doom", Troy comments, as Moffit observes thoughtfully. "Troy. You should know that I apologized to the Captain for what I said yesterday. It was my error of thinking and perception", the British scholar finally admits. "Did he accept your apology?", Troy blurts out, happy that Moffit has not disappointed him and finally seen the error of his way. Moffit merely shrugs. "I have no idea. But he was compliant enough to tell me a few things about his background. He was in North Africa as a teenager with several expeditions his uncle organized paid by Berlin's university as a side job." After hesitating a few seconds, he adds: "For a moment, I could almost see myself or someone like myself. It was disconcerting." "You'll wrangle it, Jack!", Troy tries to reassure his friend and second in command.
Both their heads snap up, when they hear music from the Germans who by now have mostly settled down and sing cheerfully. Willi Gruber, smiling timidly, hands Hans Dietrich a plate to catch up with the dinner he has missed. Thanking the young man who has hopefully learned his lesson, the Hauptmann eats slowly, while his men start singing their marching songs around him. Not wishing to take away this opportunity to bolster their morale after the terror which has gripped them during the past days, Dietrich lets them sing.
"Wir sind das deutsche Afrikakorps,
des Führers verwegene Truppe.
Wir stürmen wie die Teufel hervor,
Versalzen dem Tommy die Suppe.
Wir fürchten nicht Hitze und Wüstensand
Wir trotzen dem Durst und dem Sonnenbrand
Marschieren beim Takt unserer Trommel
Vorwärts, vorwärts
Vorwärts mit unserem Rommel!",
all sing along with Rommel's marching song of the Afrikakorps. All of them have experienced that heat, thirst, the sun and the sand itself are often worse adversaries than the Allied troops. Each and every one of them looks up to Field Marshal Rommel as their fair and honorable highest commanding officer. Dietrich feels the pain of his warring believes. For standing by the honorable way of leading a war in the way his mentor has always advocated, as a war without hate, the SS have sentenced him to death and made him an outlaw, on the one hand. On the other hand, he has never shared the Nazi's political believes, been taught to stay apolitical as is an officer's duty and observed with growing concern how the orders from Berlin have become more irrational and fanatical, how the high command has refused them the desperately needed supplies to keep his men from starving and their officers from having to turn to leveraging or stealing supplies from their enemies to keep them alive.
"Doch wenn mich die feindliche Kugel fand, So lasset mich ruhen im Wüstensand." This line makes Dietrich even more bitter. While many of his men have fallen to the bullets or explosives of the Allies like soldiers, he has only today stood at the desert sand graves of his loyal officers and soldiers who have not been struck down by enemy bullets, but by the bullets of the SS, all of them fellow Germans. But maybe it is just a matter of perception - they have actually been enemy bullets. How to stand loyally by a fatherland that betrays its own citizens? How to believe in a system that allows brutal thugs of a political party to attack its own officers and soldiers?
Song follows song, but Hans Dietrich is only listening half-heartedly. Songs which have once cheered him up along with his soldiers now hold ambiguous messages that fuel his doubts rather than lighten his mood or distract his thoughts. At some point, he gets up and quietly makes his way out of the centre of the crowd. Feeling safer in the darkness of the desert night than at the camp fire, he can make out another smaller camp fire with four figures around it. Turning away from both fires, the tall officer silently walks to the edge of the camp. The darkness feels more appropriate than the light for someone who has lost his homeland, his family and almost everything he has believed in. A rustling sound announces the presence of another person. Turning slightly, Hans Dietrich finds himself within a few meters of Sergeant Troy whose face is lit by a torch. Tensing involuntarily, he meets the Sergeant's blue eyes warily before averting his gaze. He has no believes left to support any sense of pride or self-assurance. "Captain. Are you alright?", the American asks and Dietrich just barks a hollow, completely mirthless laugh. "That depends on your definition of alright. Physically, I am in a better state than two hours ago." The rest he leaves unsaid.
"But what has happened still bugs you", Troy summarises his hunch. "You cannot even start to imagine what is haunting me, Sergeant", the German officer sighs with desperation. "So leave me alone." "It's not a good idea to stay alone in the dark, Captain", Troy argues with him, now seriously concerned. "I feel like a stranger among my own men, Sergeant", Dietrich surprises himself by speaking his thoughts out loud. "I am an outcast for my own military, an outlaw for my homeland. Heaven, my own family would rather hunt me down and kill me than ever allow me to return", his tone gets more desperate with every word. "What is the worst is that my crime was to act according to the standards of honor and human decency those who now cast me out have once taught me, demanded of me and praised my for. Why, Sergeant?" Troy looks utterly out of his depth, when meeting Dietrich's anguished gaze. "I cannot give you an answer, Captain. The only thing I can tell you is that you are a good and honorable man with the courage to risk more than his mere life for what is right. And there are people out there who honor and respect this."
"I have to turn to my enemies and betray those I have fought, bled and starved alongside with", the Afrikakorps officer snarls. "Are you still sure you know who is friend or foe to you?" Shaking his head, Dietrich admits: "No. My own side would kill me, while my enemies offer to take me in. There is no way back, but I cannot go forward by sacrificing my former comrades. This has never been the decision of ordinary soldiers, but they are the ones paying the final price." "You are the most compassionate officer I've ever met. You're also the most devious and creative one, Captain", Troy startles the German with his words as much as the hand placed on his left shoulder. Although Dietrich has tensed, he has not withdrawn from the touch. Scolding himself mentally for his own weakness, Hans still cannot bring himself to withdraw from the only sympathetic and human gesture offered to him. "Come along, Captain. It's time to step out of the darkness and back into the light", Troy gestures back towards their campfire. After a few moments hesitation, Hans Dietrich sees the reason in this statement. His own mind has turned into a dangerous foe, but his pride raises its head again. Swearing that he will not allow Waldheim and Metzlich to win by breaking him even after their death, he straightens his back and raises his head placing a determined look on his face. As soon as Troy notices the change in the younger man's stance, he removes his hand from Dietrich's shoulder being pretty sure that the proud Captain reemerging from the depths of darkness would not tolerate his transgression.
With determination he has not possessed since his liberation from the clutches of the SS, Hans Dietrich follows Sam Troy with a faster pace than he has been able to muster all day. A dark smile creases his lips considering the irony that the two SS officers and their likes should now be the ones providing him with the purpose he has been searching for since losing everything he has fought and lived for. Liberating his homeland of their presence is something worth fighting for, independent of whether he would ever be allowed to return. As Troy moves to his camp, Dietrich turns in another direction commenting smoothly: "Gentlemen, I have to return to my men." As soon as the German is out of earshot, Moffit whispers: "What did you do with him?" "He appears almost like the old Dietrich we have been used to", Hitch smiles although looking slightly unsure whether this would be good or bad for them. Tully just shrugs and Troy grins and states cryptically: "Just reminded him of a purpose. He'll be fine."
Stepping among his soldiers and junior officers with his changed stance, everyone among the Germans turns to look upon their Hauptmann. "Ein Lied fehlt uns wohl noch, um uns an unsere Heimat zu erinnern. Wir singen unsere alte Hymne in ihrer vollen Länge nicht der Naziversion", the Afrikakorps states and several soldiers cheer upon hearing that they will sing their old national anthem in its full length and not just the butchered version of its first verse as ordered by the Nazis, combining it with the SA's political anthem.
"Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Über alles in der Welt,
Wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze
Brüderlich zusammenhält,...", they all start singing with fervor along with their Hauptmann, as man after man rises proudly and in honor of their homeland. Some place a hand over their heart, others have tears gleaming in their eyes, as they think back of their homeland and their loved ones left behind.
Some of the younger soldiers barely remember the next verse, having been children when it has been last sung more than ten years ago before the Nazis' rise to power.
"Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang
Sollen in der Welt behalten
Ihren alten schönen Klang,
Uns zu edler Tat begeistern
Unser ganzes Leben lang", unlike before the text of the left out parts the Nazis have forbidden them, boost Hans Dietrich's motivation. That German loyalty should among other things motivate to noble deeds for the whole life, supports his personal views.
"Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Für das deutsche Vaterland!
Danach lasst uns alle streben
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!" The final verse the Captain sings with more fervor along with the older ones of his men who have lived in the Weimar Republic. Unity, justice, freedom for Dietrich's fatherland are the qualities the Nazis have bereft his homeland of, but which shall become his strive to return to his home. Whether cast out and outlawed or an honored citizen, Germany would not seize to be his home and it still is worth fighting for, only against a different enemy.