Last Citadel

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I have decided to conduct Citadel, the first offensive of the year, as soon as the weather permits.

This attack is of the utmost importance. It must be carried out quickly and shatteringly. It must give us the initiative for the spring and summer of this year. Therefore all preparations are to be carried through with the greatest care and energy. The best formations, the best armies, the best leaders, great stocks of ammunition are to be placed at the decisive points.

Every officer and every man must be impressed with the decisive significance of this offensive. The victory of Kursk must be a signal to the world.

Adolf Hitler

Operations Order (No. 6)

April 15, 1943

* * * *

CHAPTER 1

May 10, 1943

1440 hours

Reichs Chancellory

Berlin, Germany

The SS colonel eased shut the high, heavy door. The portal closed with a hiss and a soft tap. How many trees went into this, he wondered, lives sacrificed out of the forest to make one of Hitler’s castle gates? The black eagle emblem of wartime hung at eye level against the carved wood.

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