[European style] go home

When I gradually finished recalling these pictures, I had come to Lublin in southeastern Poland.It is not convenient for me to stop here, because the train to Poznan (①) leaves in only half an hour.After another few hours of bumpy rides, I finally reached my destination at night.

Here, I'm going to the receiving station to spend the night.I went to the office first to get a meal voucher and a dorm bed number, and at the same time, the staff there told me that I need to come tomorrow morning to validate my vacation pass.I glanced at their work schedule: "7:00-11:00".Experience has taught me that I have to line up early in the morning or face the same long waits that I experienced when I first entered boot camp.It turned out that my thinking was very wise. When I walked in here at 6:[-] the next morning, there were already dozens of people in line in front of me.After a while, there was a long line behind me that could not see the end.

I successfully completed the effective formalities at 10 o'clock.Holding the pass with the red seal tightly in my hand, I walked out of the building triumphantly under the envious eyes of the unlucky ones who couldn't keep up with the time.The Berlin-bound train leaves at 1:[-] p.m., which means I gain another brief moment of precious freedom.

The streets of Poznan have an obvious Central European style. Walking on some narrow and old medieval streets, you can also appreciate the elegance of this place 1000 years ago.Poles like to paint buildings in various colors, which makes the whole street look colorful, like a real fairy tale world.When I saw the catholic church with a towering spire at the end of the street, I felt as if I had returned to my hometown in a trance.

I went around to a small restaurant and ordered a Bigos (②) for lunch. The strong taste finally made me realize that this is not the Germany I am familiar with.I must keep going west, as we did when we marched east.But I know that this long journey is not far from the end.

After resting for a while, I got on the train to Berlin.Close to Germany, even the passengers on the bus have a strong "German style", I mean, everyone is doing their own thing, not like the enthusiastic Russians I met in Ukraine before Gather together and have a carnival.The sudden indifference caught me off guard, and God knows how much I wanted to chat with the old woman opposite to pass this difficult and boring time.But obviously, my wish is hard to come true after all.The lady took out a ball of wool and two knitting needles, and knit the sweater one by one.

I couldn't help looking at her trembling, wrinkled and skinny hands, and saw that she was wholeheartedly controlling the direction of the knitting needles to weave the desired shape.Her expression was so focused and serious, and her movements were so slow and careful that I fell asleep after watching it for about a quarter of an hour.

During this sleep, I had a very rare good sleep without dreams.If it wasn't for the sudden screeching of the brakes that knocked my stomach hard against the edge of the table in front of me, I think I would have slept all the way to Berlin.

"What's wrong?" I opened my eyes, and curiously poked my head out of the window to look at the outside world.Unexpectedly, as soon as I glanced at it, I was pulled back forcefully by the old woman opposite, and was ordered to close the car window.

"Young man, why are you so impulsive! What if the enemy outside sees you poking your head out and shoots you straight away?" the silver-haired grandmother complained worriedly, "I heard that the man named Bills All Jewish guerrillas from the Brotherhood blew up the front track and it's being repaired now. Damn the Jews!"

"Oh, that's really terrible." After hearing her words, I realized how stupid I had just done!Our train was forced to stop in a dense snow-covered forest, surrounded by tall, thin trees with intertwined branches that completely blocked out the sun.It's not a problem to hide a dozen people in white camouflage here.If, as she said, the guerrillas noticed my dangerous movement and pulled the trigger on my forehead, I would have been sent to the emergency department long ago.

I can't help but feel ashamed and blamed for my negligence.I haven't fought against the guerrillas in just two months, and I have completely forgotten all these taboos!I still remember that in the first three months of my joining the army, the enemies I saw and the dangers I encountered all came from these civilian armed forces running around in the forest or grassland.Since we were sent to the real front line area, I rarely fought them again.

When was the last time you encountered a guerrilla?I thought about it, it should have been two months ago...

On January 1943, 1, according to the habits of Orthodox Christians, this day was their Christmas (④).Originally, I heard that atheist Bolsheviks did not celebrate these festivals, but judging from the devoutly praying Russian prisoners of war I met along the way, this rumor is self-defeating (⑤).Therefore, this also means that this should be a lively and warm day.Of course, this is all about peacetime. In a cruel war, all human activities that can be used for celebration are completely banned.

Since we were attacked by the Russians on Catholic Christmas Day, the superiors decided to seize this rare opportunity to hit the Bolsheviks hard.I think they're just looking for revenge.War is always a hotbed of horrors under the guise of vengeance by stupid idiots.

But as an ordinary private, I have nothing to do but carry out orders.Early in the morning, we were assembled and ready to go. In fact, many of the vanguard troops that directly participated in the battle left here as early as last night and went to the front line. The only ones left in this barracks are our logistics company , leaving only a few limping wounded.The major in charge told us that an SS mechanized unit had been assigned to cover us because of the danger of the operation.Of course, after escorting us safely to the front, they were to join the rescue of the Sixth Army trapped in Stalingrad.

15 minutes until assembly.I glanced nervously at my watch, tremblingly took out a pack of cigarettes from my trouser pocket, picked one out of it, lit it, and took a deep breath with all my might, blurring my vision around.I have to admit that at such a critical moment, I have the idea of ​​backing down.Just now I hastily wrote a suicide note in 10 minutes. Writing these sad words requires great courage to support, and I was obviously overwhelmed by the fear brought about by death.I want to live, I love this world.I folded my hands and prayed for God's blessing, but I knew it was futile - because God never came to hell.

"Albert!" a voice behind me called out to me.Probably Erich, damn it, if he finds out that I secretly bought cigarettes made of plain tobacco from the Russian peasants, he will yell and take more than half of them from me.Therefore, when the person behind me approached me, I reluctantly took a last puff, and quickly squashed the cigarette butt thrown to the ground.

But for the first time my guess was off.When I looked back, instead of Erich's haggard blond hair, I saw a brilliant, luminous blond.Captain von Kagneck dusted the cap from his hands, and put it on his head again.

The author has something to say: ① Poznan: a city in central and western Poland.

②Bigos: Polish traditional food, stewed with a variety of cabbage and a variety of meat, with a unique taste and a striking aroma.

③Bilski Brotherhood: A famous Jewish guerrilla group in Belarus, established by the three Jewish Bilski brothers.

④Orthodox Christmas: The Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, and Christmas falls on January 1.

⑤ "Believe in atheism...the rumors are self-defeating": The Soviet regime believed in atheism and prohibited citizens from participating in religious activities, but this ban was lifted during World War II.