[2] In Czechoslovakia at the beginning of May 1945, retreating German forces hang the husband of Krista for a petty offence.
After the funeral, a German deserter named Hans orders her at gunpoint to take him and Günther, his dying comrade, south through the forests to Vienna.
Though Hans tries to be friendly, she treats him with contempt and whenever she sees an opportunity she throws the men's weapons into the brush, until all they have left is one rifle.
In the distance they hear church bells, so Hans correctly assumes that the war is over and rips the insignia off his uniform.
Dawn comes and a troop of Czech partisans creep up to the wagon, to see Hans and Krista asleep together inside.