Der Unteroffizier

The Iron Cross

The T-26 light tank was much preferred over the Panzer I, as it had better armor, a better gun, and the Spanish Nationalists rewarded those who managed to capture T-26 tanks from the Republicans.

After the short battle, the 19 Panzer Is returned back to HQ by the sea, with 6 captured T-26 tanks. We were hailed as heroes by our fellow Panzer crewmen for having successfully destroying 3 tanks and scaring away the rest, ensuring a swift victory.

The three of us, after a short celebration, went back to our tree. It had been our favourite spot for the past four months, and we consistently sat under it whenever we had the time.

"Ah, feels good to be a celebrity, eh?" Hans sighed.

"Usually it'd be us who retreats," Peter mumbled.

Suddenly, Hartt came running towards us and shouted, "Hey! Guys! I've just got in touch with the Higher Command and... and..." He took a big breath and continued, "And you guys will be awarded the Iron Cross!"

"What? That's nice! When are we leaving?" I asked.

"When the next transport ship arrives."

By the next day, a German cargo ship had arrived, carrying fresh new Panzer crews and a new load of Panzer Is.

Our fellow Panzer crewmen for the past 4 months came over and bade farewell to us. Someone patted me on the back, and another man shouted, "Send our families regards!"

At the end, Hartt came up and told me his parting words, "Hey, Brandt. I just wanted to congratulate you for this. I hope, maybe we'd have the chance to meet again? After all of Spain has blown over?"

"Of course, Hartt."

And so, back to Deutschland we went.

We landed in Hamburg a few days later, and were sent to Berlin almost immediately together with two pilots of the Condor Legion, the Luftwaffe men flying in Spain.

"This car ride is too awkward..." I whispered. Hearing me, Hans turned around and waved at the pilots. Soon, a conversation was started up. The pilots, Gruber and Garett, were the first flying aces of the Condor Legion, and were sent back to be awarded the Iron Cross as well.

"...I claimed 26 enemy biplanes altogether, with 6 on the last day!" Garett laughed. Gruber smiled and continued, "Our Bf 109 outclasses all of the Spanish biplanes, they stood no chance."

He then asked, "What about you three? How did you get here?" Peter replied, "We managed to destroy 3 enemy tanks, and were the first actually destroy them." Hans added, "The enemy's tanks outclasses our tanks, on the contrary to the skies."

Garett said, "Hm, that's a bummer."

In a few hours, we had reached Berlin. Flags were hung at every building and everyone had their right arm stretched upwards when greeting each other. In our front stood the Reichstag, where a orderly stood and beckoned for us to enter.

Inside, a dozen of cameramen stood waiting for our arrival. The orderly told us to smile for the cameras and we got into positions.

After awhile, the Führer Adolf Hitler himself came out with five Iron Cross medals, one for each of us.

"SIEG HEIL! SIEG HEIL! SIEG HEIL!" someone started the saluting, and everyone followed suit. The five of us fell in and waited for the Führer to come to award us the Iron Cross.

The Führer walked down the formation, helping us put on the Iron Cross and having a small talk with each of us as the photographers took photos. When it came to me, the Führer said, "Good job on leading your men to victory. Germany needs more men like you."

Afterwards, Hans and Gruber were interviewed while the rest of us were released, and finally got the chance to go back home, back in Weimar.

We were, in this point of time, decorated soldiers wielding the country's pride, the Iron Cross.