Part 2 - The Gross Deutschland Summary and Analysis

Part Two is divided into three chapters and is labeled as "Spring, 1493-Summer, 1943." Chapter 4 - Leave transpires almost entirely in Berlin. Having volunteered to enter the infantry in the Gross Deutschland Division (or Großdeutschland, an élite infantry regiment), the men are organized and have the division's famous insignia attached to their sleeves. The unit trains in the area of Akhtyrka. Finally the promised passes are issued and the men seek travel back to Germany, most traveling via Kharkov on trains. The journey is delayed several times by bombardment and the soldiers are enlisted to clear wreckage. Finally in mid-June Hals and Sajer reach Berlin and part ways. Sajer decides to visit Ernst Neubach's parents before continuing on to Alsace. He walks through Berlin, his first time there, and is surprised to see...