The chapter opens with a conversation between a soldier and a sergeant. The soldier asks the sergeant how long it will take for the operation to be complete. The sergeant replies that it's "unavoidable" for an army to take time to complete an operation. He also says that the operation entrusted to Colonel Yeritz is "meaningless" because it was "too much" for the soldiers to do. He says that even if the soldiers are defeated or killed, the operation will never be meaningless because it teaches the soldiers that they are "chosen people" of the "high heavens" with "wings blessed by god" . He tells the soldier that if he doesn't like the operation, then he shouldn't come to him. He warns him that he can't get out of the mine until he makes a decision. The cave entrance collapses, and the soldiers have to find a new entrance. They light a torch and run out of oxygen. They need to rest. They have some water and candy bars, but the soldier says that he just wants to "prank around" and smell the cold air.