Synopsis

An epic journey through the experience of the war on the Russian front. Seen in a very personal way from the eyes of a young Danish officer in the Waffen SS. As much as possible the story follows the history of the 5th SS Panzer Division, the premier ‘international’ formation among Hitler’s Foreign Legions. Actual historical events and veterans’ accounts have been carefully blended into a fictitious narrative to create a tale that is as grippingly realistic as possible, yet also enjoyable and entertaining.

We jump straight into the action in the first chapter as our principal character, Ernst, deals with the nightmares that plague himself and his men as they fight through the terrors of a savage conflict. Reliving the traumatic events of the war, the young man looks back to his childhood in order to examine his motives.

The story begins again with a mellow look at the halcyon days of innocent childhood, playing soldiers, listening enthralled to the old men’s tales of soldiering. Ernst lies awake dreaming of adventure and glory, medals, uniforms and parades.

As we follow Ernst’s progress through the training schools and the opening battles of the war, we meet the men of his Armoured Reconnaisance platoon. Young men from the rural areas of the Western European nations, they are awed by the vastness of Russia. Smugly confident that their training and equipment is far superior to that of their enemies, they begin the Campaign with an adventurous air of boyhood mischief.

Winter changes everything, with vehicles and weapons that no longer function the crews begin to suffer the full savagery of the war; the unstoppable T-34s, Siberian ski-troops who seem impervious to the cold, and always the wolves. As the war reaches its peak the soldiers of ‘Wiking’ are brutalised beyond all the limits of human experience.

Ordered by the Fuhrer to fight to ‘the last man, the last bullet,’ the Division’s commanding officers release their men from the oaths they made to the madman in Berlin. The intention is that the men may try to fight their own way to the West and surrender to the Western Allies, rather than face the certain death that awaits them at the hands of the Soviets. True to the loyalty and camaraderie they have displayed throughout the war, the soldiers elect to maintain the integrity of the ‘Wiking’ division and move en-masse for the banks of the Elbe, evacuating the refugees and civilians as they go.

The rampaging Red Army snaps at their heels growing closer each day. When their transport breaks down, Ernst places the refugees and boy-soldiers under the command of an old N.C.O. that they might reach the hope of safety in the hands of the Americans.

Then, with the Russians hot on their trail, Ernst and the crew dig in for one last battle.

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