For southern Africans, the biggest difficulty in fighting in Europe is not the pressure from the battlefield, but the harsh natural environment.
In most areas of Southern Africa, not only is it warm as spring all year round, but it is not so heavy that the snow is often one meter deep. Many children born in Southern Africa have never seen what snow looks like.
There is also a lack of experience in dealing with severe cold weather.
The situation on the expeditionary force's side was not good, and the Ottoman troops were not much better either. The expeditionary army had supplies, but it was difficult to deliver them to the front line, while the Ottoman troops couldn't even send them if they wanted to. On the night Liu Zhen and Paul met, a
Ottoman deserters came to Kersehir and voluntarily surrendered to the expeditionary force. The deserters' troops were stationed only ten kilometers away from Kersehir. According to the deserters' account, the Ottoman troops had also been without food for a week, and the situation was even worse.
"Everything edible has been eaten, even the cowhide belts have been boiled to satisfy hunger. Rats are a rare delicacy. The wounded die in mourning. People escape every day. The guards take a nap in the snow and never return.
Unable to stand up, they burned everything they could to keep warm. The civilians' homes were demolished and they died of hunger and cold at night so that we could take away their only food, which may be seeds for next year -
"The situation described by the prisoners is chilling, and the damage caused by the war is evident.
An expeditionary force soldier brought some moldy black bread to the prisoner. The prisoner didn't bother to thank him, but took it and started to chew it. Then he started to cry as he gnawed.
Too hard to chew.
The surrounding expeditionary force soldiers wanted to laugh but couldn't. Soldiers should die on the battlefield instead of dying in such humiliation.
Another soldier brought some hot water, and the prisoner couldn't help but cry while holding the hot water.
Dinner for the expeditionary force has also been prepared. In the past, luncheon meat, which was never wanted to be smelled, has become a rare delicacy. The expeditionary officers and soldiers finally know how lucky they are. They have a powerful headquarters. Even under such circumstances, they are still
Do everything you can to protect the frontline troops.
Dinner was porridge cooked with luncheon meat mixed with dehydrated vegetables. It looked slimy and unappetizing, but no one objected at this time. The villagers each got a bowl, and they licked the bowl clean, leaving no trace of residue.
None left.
After dinner, there is unlimited coffee as usual. Milk and sugar are added according to the proportion before leaving the factory. You can drink it after boiling it with water. Soldiers who don't like sugar don't be pretentious at this time. Some drinks are good.
, During the war years, sugar was a luxury product for civilians.
"We have to go back early tomorrow morning. You'd better make a list for me if you need anything. I'll bring it to you next time I come back. Damn the weather, I don't know when it will clear up." Liu Zhen was still wearing his sheepskin.
Ao, in front of him is a blazing brazier, and the fuel is a door removed from an uninhabited house in Kersehir. There are many such houses.
In the corner not far from the brazier, an Ottoman girl was curled up in a ball, wrapped in an Expeditionary Forces-style military coat. The military coat was obviously fat and completely wrapped around the girl. The girl had just eaten, received another piece of chocolate, and was now sleeping soundly.
.
"We need everything except bullets. The staff in the logistics department have a problem with their heads. Who would attack in this weather? What we need are cotton clothes, food and fur boots. A girl like this -" Paul asked the sleeping girl.
Nuzzled, he put a piece of firewood into the brazier, and the fire suddenly became stronger: "You can exchange for a pair of leather boots-"
"Be careful -" Liu Zhen kindly reminded that the expeditionary force does not prohibit this behavior, but it cannot force it. Among the officers on the island of Cyprus, who can have a few maids?
"I am helping her. Even if I don't buy Meriha, Meriha's father will sell her. At least here, Meriha can eat well and sleep soundly without giving birth to some fool.
"Child." Paul has a good reason. He will definitely not be able to rise to the level of enhancing national integration.
Liu Zhen returned to his residence and found someone already lying on his bed.
This was Paul's special arrangement for Liu Zhen, but Liu Zhen did not accept it. Instead, he wrapped himself in a sheepskin coat and slept in front of the fire pot.
The next morning, the weather finally cleared up, and when the long-lost sun rose, even the prisoners and civilian husbands couldn't help but cheer.
It was very dangerous to be in the wild at this time, and the threat of snow blindness was greatly increased. Liu Zhen and the others stayed in Kersehir for another day and cleared all the snow in the town of Kersehir before leaving.
While the frontline troops were struggling with difficulties, Cyprus also ushered in its first heavy snowfall since the beginning of winter.
Compared with the Anatolian Plateau, the heavy snow in Cyprus is much gentler, and the snowflakes are obviously smaller, finer and more crystal clear, which surprised Judy, who had never seen snow since she was born.
Judy, who was just three years old, was wearing a thick orange-red cotton coat. She was sitting in a stroller looking at the snow with envy in her eyes, but she did not dare to walk on the snow.
Gavin and Alvin also had a day off today. They led a hound called Little Ears to have fun on the snow. Little Ears is not sure whether he is the son or grandson of the big guy. He has been in the Rock family since he was born. He is a real dog at the peak of his life.
"Why don't you go for a walk in the snow like your brothers?" Rock wore a black hunting leather coat with small lapels and a Marshal's Gold Star on the collar. He didn't forget to take off his gloves when he picked up Judy.
Judy looked at Roark with her big round black eyes and said nothing. Since Judy was born, Roark has rarely been at home and has been away from Judy more often. However, there is no doubt about Roark's feelings for Judy. The daughter belongs to his father.
A little cotton-padded jacket.
Here in Rock, sons are not welcome. If a daughter is like a little cotton-padded jacket, then a son is like a leather jacket. It is not breathable in the summer and does not keep warm in the winter. It is a pain to wear it. If not, it is a waste to hang it in the closet. There is nothing.
Not to mention the benefits, it is also expensive, so it can only be used to save face.
"Come, let me go with you. Do you know what it feels like to step on the snow?" Rock's tone was so gentle that it could melt the snowflakes.
Judy shook her head.
"Then you have to feel it for yourself -" Rock carried Judy onto the snow, and Gavin and Alvin immediately ran over shouting.
"Come down and play with Judy——" Alvin also liked his sister very much and was not jealous that his sister could monopolize his father's arms.
"Come on, Judy, I'll take you to see something fun. I asked Brother Anqi to make a sleigh. After a while, I let Little Ear pull you to run on the snow. Do you know what a sleigh is? It's Santa Claus giving you gifts.
The kind you ride on, do you want a real elk? Brother Anqi said he can get it-" Gavin has now reached the age where he can play, and the little ear next to him still doesn't know what is waiting for him, and he is so stupid.
The excited mood is expressed by moving the mouth and waving the tongue repeatedly and horizontally.
Judy was in poor health before. Although Gavin and Alvin liked Little Ears very much, Phyllis did not allow Little Ears to get close to Judy, so Little Ears did not dare to come over and could only express how excited she was by wagging her tail wildly.
I really want to play with my little master.
"Go Judy, go play with your brothers, Alvin, don't be naughty, Gavin, take care of your brothers and sisters -" Rock put Judy on the snow, and Judy finally felt the warmth of her feet on the snow.
Feeling, so she was very surprised to change places and step on it again. Listening to the creaking sound under her feet, Judy raised her head and looked at Rock, with an unprecedented smile.
Rock felt like his heart was about to melt.
"I'm not naughty anymore, I've grown up!" Alvin emphasized seriously, but his voice was a little soft.
Rock is trying to adapt to being with his children, and the children are also trying to adapt to life with their father.
"Yes, Marshal! I promise to complete the mission!" Gavin's military salute seemed to be similar. He is now a member of the Boy Scouts of Southern Africa and has participated in two Boy Scout summer camps. This makes Roque very regretful. Strictly speaking, Roque
Ke did not witness the growth of the children. It seemed that the children had grown up in the blink of an eye.
The "men" here do not include Alvin and Judy, but refer to Gavin and Arthur.
Like Phyllis, Ada also had strict requirements for her children. Although Arthur did not have the right to inherit Roque's title, Ada still raised Arthur in aristocratic ways. Arthur, who was born in 1903, is now 11 years old.
, because he has to wait to enter school with Gavin, Arthur is now in the fourth grade of elementary school. However, Arthur and Gavin’s learning progress cannot be measured by grade. Phyllis and Ada have hired tutors for their children.
After school, they also have to take language arts, social history, and many other courses that seem to be a headache for Rock.
This "history" does not refer to the history in textbooks, but the family history of aristocrats from various European countries. For example, the Belgian prince with eleven national origins will never be written in history textbooks, but members of the aristocracy must keep it in mind.
As complex as bloodlines are the family crests of nobles from various countries. There is a relatively general subject in this area called "heraldry", which includes not only family crests, but also the identification of artworks and records of family honors and achievements.
Wait, many members of the nobility can immediately tell a story behind the work of art when they see it. This is not nonsense, but requires long-term accumulation and rich experience. This is the aristocracy.
The real reason to widen the gap with the civilian class.
Just like the famous story, a certain last emperor returned to the palace for a visit and found that the portraits hanging on the wall were inconsistent with historical facts, so he had a dispute with the so-called experts. The experts were speechless in the end and used their status and titles to argue.
A certain last emperor had no title and was a commoner, but he had experience, so he came up with the famous saying: "This is my father, I will admit my mistake-"
Looking at Judy who was finally happy to be the little tail of her brothers, Rock showed a kind aunt smile on the snow.
Phyllis, who was also wrapped tightly, came over to hold Roark's arm, resting her head on Roark's shoulder contentedly.