Summary

In chapter 13, Darensky visits the south-eastern flank of the Stalingrad front. There he meets Lieutenant-colonel Bova. Bova prefers to talk about women, rather than the official information that Darensky needs to write his reports. In the middle of the night, Darensky and Bova have a frank and open conversation in which they criticize the bureaucratic organization of Russia for the ways in which it endangers the people and treats them inhumanely.

In chapter 14 Mostovskoy is taken in to be questioned by the SS administrative officer, Liss. During his interrogation, Mostovskoy expects to be beaten and tortured at any moment. Liss, however, speaks to Mostovskoy in a friendly and sympathetic manner. Mostovskoy refuses to say anything. Liss then produces the papers that were found on Mostovskoy during inspection and planted on him by Ikonnikov. Liss continues to try to earn Mostovskoy’s...