Summary

In May of 1944, the Polish Army successfully takes the Monte Cassino monastery, opening the road to Rome for the Allies. The Battle of Normandy is waged in June.

In Chapter 48, Jakob and Bella are hiding in a basement as bombs rain down on Warsaw. The Polish Army is engaging with the Germans, and waiting for reinforcements from the Soviet Army. Bella goes upstairs to boil milk for the baby of another couple that is hiding in the basement, and she is knocked off her feet by the detonation of a nearby bomb.

In Chapter 49, Mila has also been hiding out during this onslaught, with Adam and Halina in their building's crawl space. Two-thirds of Warsaw has been destroyed, and Mila is terrified because she is unsure about Felicia's safety in the convent.

Chapter 50 switches perspectives and locations to Krakow, where Halina is being...