The men mock Krymov’s authority. Grekov says he fights for “freedom” and dismisses Bolshevism as “general coercion.” Krymov resolves to relieve him. That night, a bullet grazes Krymov’s skull. Grekov has him evacuated at dawn. Krymov suspects Grekov wounded him deliberately.

After Krymov has been evacuated, Pivovarov visits the first-aid post. He checks on Byerozkin, who is delirious with fever. Glushkov reads a tender letter from his wife to the men, then fills a petrol drum with scalding water. Byerozkin’s fever breaks. Chuykov calls to warn that a major German offensive is imminent.

Old Polyakov leaves House 6/1 with scout Klimov to find Seryozha. A massive German bombardment destroys House 6/1. Polyakov and Klimov take refuge in a crater, discovering a German soldier huddled with them. The trio reaches an unspoken agreement to seek safety. The three men climb out and retreat wordlessly to their respective lines. As they separate, the German infantry attack begins.

During bombardment, Byerozkin is trapped when his post collapses. Glushkov digs him and Dyrkin out. The German assault was repulsed, but House 6/1 and Grekov are annihilated. Chuykov promotes Byerozkin to command the division.

Viktor, Lyudmila, and Nadya return to Moscow. The journey was marked by Viktor’s irritation and antisemitic comments from passengers. At their apartment, Lyudmila cleans frantically. Viktor is haunted by thoughts of an affair. That night, he wakes to find Lyudmila at the door of Tolya’s empty room, murmuring to herself about the cleaning.

At an Academy meeting, Chepyzhin praises Viktor’s work. Academician Shishakov is dismissive. Viktor believes that the potential Stalingrad victory is linked to Einstein’s ideas, drawing sharp rebuke from a young Central Committee official who dismisses relativity as “idealist theory.” Sokolov later explains that the official is a relative of a senior Party leader.

Rumors spread of a Central Committee meeting in which Stalin both attacked “idealist” science and warned against persecuting scientists. Geneticist Chetverikov is arrested. Chepyzhin is forced to resign, replaced by Shishakov. Viktor is shocked when colleagues, including Sokolov, rationalize this. He defends Chepyzhin, creating a rift with Sokolov.

Under Shishakov and deputy Kovchenko, a strict hierarchy is established in the research center. Viktor is humiliated to receive fewer eggs than a Party apparatchik, a minor detail which irks him. Another falling out with Sokolov severs their friendship.

Liss, on a mission for Eichmann, inspects the construction of a new extermination camp. He thinks back on his debate with Mostovskoy. He visits Voss engineering works, manufacturers, and a chemical factory to evaluate their progress, then flies to the nearly-finished camp.

The narrative contrasts Eichmann's unremarkable provincial past with his current power as architect of the Holocaust. His limousine speeds across Germany on a mission linked to the fate of Jews across Europe.

Liss and Eichmann tour the camp. Engineers host a reception inside the completed gas chamber. Eichmann eats heartily. He reveals the vast scale of the Final Solution and invites Liss to partner in the secretive operation. Liss thinks that Eichmann, like Hitler, combines calculated cynicism and fanatical illogical belief.

In an essay on antisemitism, the narrative reflects on the failures of individuals, societies, and states. Everyday prejudice, social discrimination in democracies, and state-sponsored antisemitism in totalitarian regimes are noted. In totalitarianism, this state-sanctioned prejudice progresses from discrimination to wholesale destruction.

In secret, the Soviet High Command amasses forces on the Don steppe and the Volga’s left bank. The pincer plan is known only to Stalin, Zhukov, and Vasilevsky. Germans are deceived by the ferocity in Stalingrad.

Novikov, Getmanov, and Nyeudobnov are nearly bombed by a friendly aircraft. Novikov inspects his brigades. Karpov is meticulously prepared for defense, but perhaps too cautious. Getmanov shows political skill with the soldiers, prompting Novikov to reflect on Getmanov’s dual character.

They visit Colonel Byelov, who is keen for the offensive but has made little defensive preparation. Getmanov sharply reprimands Byelov for an affair with a nurse. Novikov proceeds to Colonel Makarov, whom he trusts completely. His driver later complains about drunkenness in Makarov’s unit.

They meet Yeremenko, who assesses their political connections. As they leave, Yeremenko calls Novikov back and tells him plainly that, while his commissar and chief of staff have powerful friends, Novikov is the soldier who will lead the tanks.

Discharged from the hospital, Krymov reports to General Toshcheyev of Political Administration. He is received coldly. He writes a formal report detailing Grekov’s anti-Party attitudes and accusing Grekov of shooting him. He is informed that Grekov and his entire unit were killed and that Grekov was posthumously nominated for Hero of the Soviet Union, which the Political Administration will now block.

Krymov attends an October Revolution anniversary meeting in a Beketovka factory. The main speech by Pryakhin, an old comrade who is now regional first secretary, is cold, bureaucratic, and flat. Krymov feels alienated. Pryakhin looks at him then turns away.

Krymov goes to the bombed Central Power Station to see Spiridonov, hoping for news of Yevgenia. Spiridonov confirms she is alive. He invites Krymov to a workers’ gathering in a cellar. Unable to sleep, Krymov’s mind fills with memories of Lenin’s funeral in 1924.

In the German camp, Mostovskoy meets Osipov in the bathhouse. Osipov reveals that the underground Party committee orchestrated the transfer of Yershov to Buchenwald because his independent authority threatened Party discipline. Mostovskoy learns Ikonnikov was executed for refusing to work on the extermination facility. That night, leaflets written by Mostovskoy about Stalingrad appear on camp walls.