Chapter 5 The third no man's land

§NO MAN'S LAND§ 26 Close to Hell Road 1916 □□□ Dear Ruth: That day of parting at that cold and dreary railway station in Kaderming was one of the most unpleasant days of my life.It's brutal to be together for just one weekend after I finish basic training, but I promise you I'll write to you every day. Even though your eyes couldn't hide your true feelings when you said goodbye, you told me firmly that you believed I was doing the right thing.You are so kind. I joined my regiment at Dover and met some old friends.Remember Siegfried.Herford?His father was German and his mother English, what a choice he faced.

The next day we took a boat to go to ■■■, the boat leaked like a drain basin, and the ups and downs were comparable to plastic toy ducks.One guy thought it must be a personal gift from the Kaiser.For most of the crossing, we were busy bailing gallons of water back into the sea with our picnic pots.After our last voyage across the English Channel, you should know that I've never been very good at sea, but I managed not to vomit in public. The ship landed at ■■■ at dawn, where there was no sign of the French entering the fray.I dined with some fellow officers in a coffee shop and had a hot croissant and some coffee.We met several other officers who had returned from the front, and they said that tablecloths (not to mention such a luxury as china plates) would no longer be served at meals for the next few months, and they advised us to cherish them; they also reminded We, twenty-four hours from now, we'll be sitting in different types of restaurants.

As always, I'm bound to forget something, and this time it's your photo.I am eager to see your face again, even if it is only in black and white, so please send me the photo I took of you at Durden Heights the day before we were arrested, I want to keep it with me at all times. God knows how much I miss you, and it's almost beyond my comprehension to feel so lonely with so many people around me, so much intense activity, and so much deafening noise.I know you'd laugh at me if I said you were the only woman in my life, but I was just trying to think of another way to say I love you.Now Everest is just an old flame to me.

your loving husband, george July 9, 1916 After handing the letter to the regiment's postman, George hung around, waiting for the convoy of trucks to start their one-way trip to the front. In the surrounding environment for several miles, the beautiful French countryside landscape originally painted by Millet and Monet has colorful greens and bright yellows. The sheep and cattle grazing in the fields have been replaced by uglier oil paintings in the distance. It is the charred dead wood, the slaughtered horses, the houses without roofs, and the desolate and sad civilians who have become pawns on the war chessboard.

Amidst the deafening noise, George watched the sulfur fumes condense into angry gray-black clouds that finally blotted out the sun completely.At a camp three miles behind the front line they finally stopped.Here there are no signposts, and the day has turned into perpetual night.Here George meets a group of men in military uniform who wonder if they will survive twenty-four hours. After eating canned beef in a picnic pot, a plate of sticky beans and maggot-infested potatoes, Georgie was assigned a tent with three other fellow officers.They were all younger than George, and had served one month, nine weeks, and seven months respectively. Lieutenant Evans considered himself a veteran after seven months of service.

The next morning, after wolfing down his breakfast on a tin plate, George was driven to an artillery position about four hundred yards from the front to replace Evans, who was due to take a fortnight's leave. It's not that bad, man, Evans assured him: it's damn safe here compared to the front.Think of those poor fellows, just a quarter of a mile in front of you, waiting for the lone sound of the bugle to send them over the ditch; they've been stalked by death for months.Our job is relatively simple.There is a squad of thirty-seven soldiers at your command, and a dozen howitzers, which seldom leave the line unless the guns disintegrate.The senior sergeant is Sergeant Davis.He stayed more than a year, having served fifteen years in the Legion before that.He started his military career as a private in the Boer War, so don't do anything until you ask him.And Corporal Perkins.The damn man was whining all the time, but at least his sick sense of humor kept everyone from thinking about the Germans.You'll quickly get to know the rest of the squad.They are a group of good companions who will not let you down in times of crisis.George nodded, but didn't interrupt.Evans went on: "Every Sunday afternoon, you have to make the hardest decision, assigning three lads to the front to serve as sentinels for the next seven days.I've never been in a situation where all three survived.Their job is to keep us informed of what the enemy is doing so we can turn our guns on them instead of our own troops.

1 There were two Boer Wars, the first between 1880 and 1881, and the second between 1899 and 1902, both between Britain and South Africa A war fought by the Boers for territory and mineral deposits in South Africa.According to the time inference here, it should refer to the second Boer War with a larger scale and longer period. At that time, the British mobilized 440,000 soldiers to fight, and the Boers had about 90,000 soldiers. The war lasted for nearly three years. , the two sides suffered heavy casualties, negotiations began in 1902, and a peace treaty was finally concluded at the end of May.

Good luck, Mallory, later that day the young lieutenant shook George's hand and said, "Let's say goodbye first, because we may not see each other again." □□□ Dear Ruth: I'm stationed far from the front lines, so you don't have to worry about me at all.I've taken over thirty-seven people who seem to be fine, in fact, you might even remember one of them, Private Rodgers, who was our postman there before he enlisted.Maybe you could let his family know that he's all right; in fact, he's doing pretty well here.He said he would remain in the army when the war was over.The other young men made me feel very welcome, and they were nice because they knew very well that I had only just enlisted.This morning I understood for the first time why the instructor said that a week on the battlefield is more useful than a three-month training course during the ■■■ training.

Honey, I can't stop thinking about you and Claire and the world we brought our children into.When politicians say this is the war to end all wars, let's hope they're right because I don't want my kids to experience this madness again. It was said that no one was at the front for more than three months at a time, so it was possible that I would be home in time for the birth of Claire's brother or sister. George stopped writing, and then thought about his words.He was well aware that the king's rules were often ignored when it came to vacations, but he needed to keep Ruth upbeat.As for the facts of life on the Somme, he would rather keep them from her until he could talk to her face to face.He knew she must have endured a time of anxiety during which a telegram could have appeared each day that began: "It is with deep regret that the Secretary of Defense has to inform you

□□□ Honey, the two years we have been together have been the happiest of my life, and I know that I always end my letters telling you how much I miss you, and it's probably because I have you on my mind every second .I've had a few letters from you in the past month, thank you for all the news about Claire and Holt's mansion, but no photos yet.Perhaps the photograph will appear in the next letter.I look forward to the day I see you in person and hold you in my arms more than your photos, because then you will truly know how much I miss you. your loving husband, george September 5, 1916

Perkins, what's wrong with you? I don't think so, Sergeant. So why does it take your group ninety seconds to reload when it takes less than a minute to connect to everyone else? Sergeant, we did our best. Your efforts are not good enough, Perkins, have I made it clear enough? Yes, Sergeant. Don't tell me what it is, Sergeant, Perkins, figure it out. Yes, Sergeant. Also, Matthews. Yes, Sergeant. I'll check your gun at 1200 and if it doesn't shine like the sun coming out of my ass hole I'll stuff you in the barrel myself and shoot you over the knuckles , boy, is my meaning very clear? Very clear, Sergeant. The field phone buzzed.George picked up the phone. Sir, there's a heavy barrage about a mile away, at eleven o'clock, and one of the men on the outpost said: This may indicate that the Germans are planning an attack.At this point the line is broken. Sergeant Davis.George shouted, struggling to be heard over the heavy fire. sir! A mile away, at eleven o'clock, the Germans attacked. Yes, sir!Quickly, boys, we must give those savages a warm welcome.Let's see who can hit the German's tin helmet first. George smiled as he walked up and down the line, inspecting each gun, secretly glad that Sergeant Davis had been born in Swansea and not on the other side of Siegfried Line 2. 2 Siegfried Line (Siegfried Line), a defense system built by Germany on the western border before the start of World War I, aimed at countering the French Maginot Line. Well done Rodgers, said Davies: Another lead into the fray.Keep it up, and you'll be an associate corporal in no time. As for who he plans to promote next time, his hints have always been unambiguous, and even George can't miss it. Well done, Perkins, so much more presentable.After a while, Davis said: Don't take your armbands off yet. Thank you, Sergeant. And stop thanking me, Corporal, I don't want you to think I'm softening. No, Sergeant. Matthews, don't tell me you're going to be last again. My spring is cracked, Sergeant. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Matthews.Then why don't you run to the ammo depot next and see if you can get yourself a nice shiny new spring Come on, you bloody fool. But the depot is three miles behind the front, Sergeant.Can't I wait for the supply truck to come in the morning? No, no, Matthews, because if you don't hurry, the goddamn Germans will be having breakfast with us by the time you get back.Sorry for the swear word, but did I make it clear enough? Yes, Sergeant. Then hurry up. Yes, Sergeant. □□□ Dear Ruth: Another day of endless fighting, with both sides bombarding each other, but with no way of knowing who had the upper hand in this battle.Occasionally a field officer would appear and assure us that we were doing an excellent job and that the Germans were retreating which begs the question, if so why are we not advancing?No doubt certain German field officers said the same to his men.Only one thing is certain, they can't all be right. By the way, tell your father that if he wants to make a second fortune, he should start a factory making hearing trumpets, because by the time the war is over there will be a lot of demand. My dear, I'm sorry if these letters are getting a bit corny, but only two things are constant: my love for you, and my desire to hold you in my arms. your loving husband, george October 14, 1916 George looked up and saw that a corporal was also scribbling. Perkins, write to your wife? No, sir, I'm writing a will. Isn't this a bit pessimistic? I don't think so, sir, replied Perkins: I was a bookie when I was a commoner, so I'm used to assessing odds.Sixteen days are the average lifespan for a man at the front, and I've been here for over three months, so I can't expect to violate the odds for too long. But you're in far less danger here than those poor wretches at the front, Perkins.George wanted to reassure him. Sir, you are the third officer to tell me this, the other two were sent back in wooden boxes. Such casual references to death horrified George; he wondered how long it would be before he became equally hard-hearted. Here's what I think, sir, continued Perkins: War is like a great national race.There are a lot of horses and jockeys at the start, but there is no telling which horses will finish the course, and at the end of the day, there can only be one winner.Honestly, sir, there's no way to be sure the winner will be an English horse in this race. George noticed Private Matthews nodding approvingly as Private Rogers looked down and cleaned his rifle with a greasy rag. Well, at least you'll have a few days off soon, Matthews.George tried to divert the conversation away from a topic that had been on their minds. I can't wait until that day, sir.Matthews said as he started rolling his cigarettes. What's the first thing you plan to do when you get home?asked George. Have a blast with the wife.Matthews said. Perkins and Rogers burst out laughing.Okay, Matthews, George said: What about the second thing? Take off my boots, sir. □□□ My dearest Ruth: Your photo just arrived in the mail this morning.I am writing this letter right now in a ditch just outside ■■■■■■, with the photo lying flat on my lap.What a beautiful woman.I heard one of the lads say that, and I agree with him.Our second child is due soon, and I've been promised to take personal leave sometime in the next three months.If I can't make it home when the baby is born, please don't think you've ever left my mind, don't think so for a moment. I had been at the front for four months, and the second batch of new second lieutenants from back home in England looked younger as time went on.Some of them treat me like I've been through a lot of battles.Once this war is over, I will spend the rest of my life with you at Holt Mansion. By the way, if it's a boy, let's call him John (December 7, 1916) Sorry to bother you, sir, said Sergeant Davis, but we have a problem. George immediately jumped to his feet because he had never heard Davis say that before.what kind of question? We've lost contact with the boys over at the outpost. George knew that lost contact was the phrase Davis used to mean that all three people were dead.Sergeant, what do you suggest?He remembered Evans' advice and asked. Sir, someone has to be sent in there so we can get the comm back before the dead knuckles step on us.sir, if i may suggest Please, Sarge. I'll take Matthews and Perkins and see what can be done and we'll report back to you. No, Sergeant, don't look for Matthews, he's off tomorrow.Looking across at Perkins, who was pale as ice and trembling, George said he didn't have to ask Davis what the chances were that any of the three would come back and report.I thought I'd be on this mission with you, Sarge. George used to run the quarter mile in less than a minute at the Winchester Games and didn't even feel out of breath after the race.He didn't know how long it took him, Davis, and Perkins to get to the front line, but when he jumped into the trench, he was exhausted and terrified, and he knew full well that his comrades on the front line were on duty day and night, all the time What a pressure. Keep your head down, sir.Davis said while observing the battlefield with binoculars.Sir, the post is about a hundred yards away, at ten o'clock.He handed the binoculars to George. George adjusted the focus of the telescope, and once he found the sentry position, he saw the exact cause of the communication failure.OK, let's move on to the next step.He jumped out of the ditch before he had time to think about what was next, and sprinted beyond experience toward the guard post ahead, dodging left and right through waterlogged holes and black, syrupy mud.He didn't look back at all, convinced that Davis and Perkins were just a step behind.He was wrong.Perkins had only run a dozen paces before being brought down by a bullet and lay dying in the mud. Davis was also killed after running about sixty yards. The guard post was only twenty yards ahead of George.He had run fifteen yards when mortar fragments exploded at his feet.Dry!He uttered the word for the first and last time in his life, then fell to his knees, thinking of Ruth, and fell face down in the mud.He became another statistic. 27 Today is not Telegram Day The regular exchange of letters ceased suddenly; it was always the first symptom, followed by an unwelcome telegram, which happened too often. Every morning, thirty minutes before the old Mr. Rogers arrived on his bicycle, Ruth would sit by the window in the corner of the living room, with her hands folded on her growing belly.When his figure appeared, she would try to read the expression on his face: Is it the expression of a letter, or a telegram?She thought she would know the truth long before he came to the door. She watched Mister Rogers enter the courtyard gate when Claire began to cry.Does she have a father?Or did George die before the second child was born? Mister Rogers no longer pedals.He hit the brakes and stopped before the steps, when Ruth was standing by the door.It was always the same routine: get out, fumble in the mail bag, pull out the relevant letter, and finally walk up the steps to Mrs. Mallory.Today is no different.Is that true?As Rogers climbed the steps first, he looked up at her, then smiled.Today is not a day for telegrams. Mrs. Mallory, there are two letters today, one of which is from your husband, if I am not mistaken.He handed over the envelope with George's familiar lettering on it, and added the sentence. Thank you.Ruth could barely hide her relief, then remembered that she wasn't the only one who had to endure this daily ordeal.Mr. Rogers, is there any news about Mr. Ling?she asked. I'm afraid not, replied the postman, but our Donners have never been fond of letters, so we live on expectations.After he finished speaking, he rode on his bicycle and left. Ruth opened George's letter before walking back into the living room.She returned to her seat by the window, leaned back, and began to read the letter, quickly at first, then slowly and carefully. □□□ my dearest: I'm still alive, though not very alive.Don't worry.In the end I just broke my ankle and it could have been worse.The doctor told me that in time I would recover and even be able to climb mountains again.But they're going to send me home to recover. Staring at the distant Surrey hills outside the window, Ruth couldn't decide whether to laugh or cry, and it took her a while to read on. □□□ Tragically, Sergeant Davis and Corporal Perkins were killed in the same action.They were both good men, like so many of their comrades.I hope you will forgive me, dear, but before I start writing to you, I feel compelled to write a few words to their wives. It all started when Sergeant Davis told me we were in trouble (January 12, 1917) Mallory, I propose that you be released from duty within the next few days and return to England until you are fully recovered. Thank you, sir.George said happily. Don't thank me man, frankly, I need this bed.By the time you're ready to come back, with any luck, this damn war might be over. Let's hope so.George looked around the field tent, filled with warriors whose lives had never been the same. By the way, the doctor said again: A private Rogers came this morning.This could be your thing. It sure is.George said and picked up the photo of Ruth, he thought he would never see it again. She is quite beautiful.The doctor said seriously after looking at it carefully. Why do you even say that.George grinned. Oh, one more thing, you have visitors.Do you think you can handle it? Okay, I'm excited to meet Rogers.said George. No, not Rogers, a Geoffrey.Captain Yang. Oh, then I'm not sure there's a way to handle it.George said with a big smile on his face. As George waited for his mountain leader, a nurse fluffed his pillow and placed it behind his back.In his heart, Geoffrey.Yang is the leader of the mountaineering team, it is hard to imagine him in other positions.As Young limped into the tent, though, George's welcoming smile faded to a frown. Dear George, Young said: "I came as soon as I heard about it.The great thing about working in the AMS is knowing where everyone is and what they're going to do next.Young pulled up a chair, which must have been from a classroom in France, and sat down beside George's bed.With so much news, I don't know where to start. Why not start with Ruth.Did you have a chance to visit her during your last vacation? Yes, I stopped by Holt House on my way back to Dover. how is she?George tried to restrain his impatience. Just as beautiful as ever and appears to have been fully restored. full recovery?asked George anxiously. After giving birth to your second child.Yang said. my second child?George said. You mean, no one told you that you were a proud father?He paused: I think, that's a girl. George silently prayed to a god he didn't believe in.what about herhe asked. That's fine in my opinion, Yang said: "But, really, I can never tell the difference between the babies. What color are her eyes? Friend, I have no idea. Is she blonde or brunette? I guess it looks like something in between, but I could be wrong too. You are really hopeless.Has Ruth decided on a name? I have long had a bad feeling that you will ask me this. Will it be Elizabeth? I don't think so.more special than that.I will remember soon. George laughed.You really are an out-and-out bachelor. You'll soon find out for yourself anyway, Yang said, because the doctor told me he'd send you home.Just make sure you don't come back.You've done enough to tell your conscience, and there's no need to lower your chances of survival. Some dead corporal would agree with Young, George thought. Is there any other news?asked George. There is good news and there is bad news, I am afraid most of it is bad news.George waited quietly while Yang tried to sort himself out.Rupert.Brook died in Lemnos on his way to Gallipoli.He hadn't even reached foreign battlefields yet. George pursed his lips.He carried a book of Brooke's poems in his backpack; he had always believed that Brooke would be able to write memorial poems when the war was over.George didn't interrupt, waiting for other names to be added to the list of inevitable deaths.There was a name that he dreaded hearing the most. Siegfried.Horford got hurt at Ypres, poor guy, he lasted three days before he died.Yang sighed.If a man like that had to die young, it shouldn't be in the mud somewhere in no man's land, but on the great mountain he had just conquered. What about Somerville?George asked boldly. That poor man, he has seen how cruel this war is to people.It was impossible for him to be happy as a frontline medic, but he never complained. Ordell? Injured three times.The Ministry of Defense finally decided to send him back to Cambridge, but only after his former college offered a scholarship to do so.Those at the top finally understand that when this mess is over, we're going to need the best minds in our country. Where's Finch?I figured he'd find himself some kind of slack as a nurse. On the contrary, Yang said: He volunteered to lead a bomb squad, and his chances of survival were even lower than those of the boys on the front lines.Several times the government authorities offered him a safe position, but he turned it down almost as if he wanted to die. No, said George: he didn't want to die.Finch is a weirdo, and he doesn't believe that anyone or anything can kill him.Do you remember him singing Baggage on Back at the top of Mont Blanc? Yang Gege laughed.Anyway, they're going to give him an OBE at the end. God, laughed George, and nothing can stop him now. Only you can, Yang said calmly: Just wait until your ankle heals.I think you two will still be the first to reach the top of the world. under your leadership. I'm afraid that's impossible, old friend. why not?You are still young. That's right, Yang said: But with this on him now, obviously it won't be so easy.He pulled up his left trouser leg, exposing his prosthetic leg. Sorry, George said in shock: "I have absolutely no idea. Don't worry about that, dude, Yang said: "I'm so thankful I survived.However, when the war is over, I will recommend to the Everest Committee that you replace me as the leader of the climb. Ruth was sitting by the living room window when a khaki car pulled through the front gate.She doesn't recognize the person behind the wheel, only that he or she is wearing a uniform. Ruth was outside when the young woman driver got out of the car and opened the rear door.A pair of crutches first appeared in the rear door, then a pair of legs, then her husband.Ruth rushed down the steps, wrapping her arms around her husband.She kissed him like it was their first kiss, bringing back memories of the sleeper compartment on the train home from Venice.The driver stood at attention, looking a little embarrassed. Thank you, Corporal.George said with a grin.She saluted, got back in the car and left. Rose finally let go of George, who would not let her help him up the steps, and walked into the house by herself.As she followed him into the living room, George asked: Where is my little girl? In the nursery, with Claire and the babysitter.I'm going to bring them over. what is her name?George yelled after her, but Ruth was already on the other side of the stairs. With difficulty George made himself to a corner of the living room and sat down on a chair by the window.He didn't remember a chair being there before, and wondered why it was facing out of the window.He looked at his beloved English countryside and reminded himself once again how lucky he was to be alive.Brook, Herford, Wainwright, Carter Jr., Davis, Perkins. Before he saw his second daughter, he heard her cry from a distance.The cries interrupted his thoughts, and he pushed himself to his feet, waiting for Ruth and the nanny to come in with their two daughters.He hugged Claire for a moment, then took the baby into his arms. Blonde with blue eyes.He said. I thought you already knew, said Ruth: Didn't you get those letters from me? Unfortunately not.Only your messenger, Geoffrey.Yang, but he only remembered that it was probably a girl, and he couldn't remember her name at all. Funny, says Ruth, because when I asked him if he'd like to be the kid's godfather, he said yes. Daddy, so you don't know her name?Claire said while jumping up and down. No, I don't know, said George: Is it Elizabeth? No, Daddy, don't be silly.It's Belleji.Claire laughed. More special than that, George said to himself, thinking back to Geoffrey.What Yang said. Belleji was in George's arms for a moment before she began to howl, and the Nanny took her away.The child obviously didn't like being held in the arms of strange men. After Claire and Belleji followed the babysitter back to the nursery, George hugged Ruth tightly and said, "Let's have half a dozen more babies." George, be a little more polite, Ruth taunts him: Remember, you're not at the front with the army now. They are amazing men I have known.said George sadly. Ruth asked with a faint smile: Do you miss them? Not half as much as I miss you. Now that you're back, honey, what's the first thing you want to do? George remembered Private Matthews' answer to the same question.He smiled to himself, realizing that there was not much difference between an officer and a soldier. He bent down and began to untie his shoelaces.