Summary

In the summer of 1943, Alois worries about the safety of Vienna. Allied bombers are now targeting German cities but, believing that the Allies are unlikely to bomb Vienna, home to "some of the world's most important Baroque treasures," and believing that the absence of the Lipizzaner in Vienna would send a demoralizing message to the citizens, Alois keeps the horses in the city (75).

However, the situation continues to worsen as the tide of war turns against the Axis forces. American bombers begin to appear over Vienna, and "by the summer of 1944, the white stallions had learned to recognize the air raid signal" (77). Alois now seeks permission for Nazi officials to move the Lipizanner out of Vienna. His request is denied on the grounds that the departure of the horses would cause the people of the city to lose...