One hundred and seven. Testimony of the British
"Commander of the 43rd Battalion of the 42nd British East Reims Division - Lieutenant Colonel Lawson!"
When this voice sounded, countless incredible exclamations rang out.
Lieutenant Colonel Lawson! That Lieutenant Colonel Rosen who was let go by Baron Alexon!
Before this, no one, including Wang Weiyi, would have thought that British Lieutenant Colonel Rosen would actually appear in Berlin and appear in the courtroom.
And now the unthinkable has happened.
Rosen looked very calm: "I'm sorry, I should have come earlier, but you know how difficult it is for an Englishman to enter Germany, especially Berlin. Thankfully, the policemen we met gave us the utmost convenience when they heard that we were here to testify on Baron Alexon's behalf."
"The German police are the best in the world, and you are in luck, Lieutenant Colonel Rosen." Felix, the serious Marquis of York, actually made a joke that was not very funny, which made the atmosphere of the courtroom a little lighter, but then Felix returned to his serious expression:
"Did you know that an officer from a belligerent country would be arrested if he appeared here, Lieutenant Colonel Rosen?"
"My companions and I both know what we're up against, but we feel like we're going to do something for Baron Alexon to show our gratitude." Lieutenant Colonel Lawson said calmly.
"Well, then, please come to the witness stand."
Felix put Lawson on the witness stand, while his companions were seated separately, and Felix asked, "Can you tell me why you're here?" ”
"Yes, Lord Marquis." Lieutenant Colonel Rosen didn't care where he was now: "I was recuperating from my wounds, but I got the news that the enemy's Captain Ernst Bream had been captured for treason. I'm surprised, how could the creator of the miracle of the Somme be treasonous? Later, when I learned that he had been arrested on suspicion of being a British spy for the release of us, my conscience was condemned, and I felt obliged to tell me all that I knew."
"I don't believe your words, Lieutenant Colonel Rosen." Macklin interrupted him: "How could a high-ranking officer of an enemy country risk his life to testify for his enemies? ”
"We are soldiers, and soldiers fight for their country. On the battlefield I would not hesitate to shoot Baron Alexon if I had the chance, but now it is not about war, but about the honor of a soldier, about the conscience of an upright man. If I don't come, I don't deserve to be an upright person, and I will be spurned by all who know the truth! Mr. Lawyer, I don't think you may understand the idea of an upright person! Lieutenant Colonel Rosen replied unceremoniously.
This is another humiliation for Macklin today.
Rosen no longer paid attention to him: "But I also hesitated, I thought about what would happen if I came to Berlin? I would be arrested and then in a prisoner of war camp until the war was over, should I do that? I told myself that if I chose to escape, then I would spend my whole life in shame and self-blame. I gathered all the wounded who had returned to the hospital that day on the battlefield and told them about it, and to my surprise they all agreed to come to Berlin to testify for Baron Alexon."
At this point, Felix said, "Allow me to express the respect of a German for you, Lieutenant Colonel Rosen. You have nothing to blame in your conduct, and you are a gentleman of integrity no matter what the outcome faces you. ”
"Thank you, Lord Marquis." Lieutenant Colonel Rosen didn't seem to think it was a big deal: "Let me tell you what happened that day."
He carefully told everything that had happened that day. How the Germans suddenly launched an artillery bombardment, how Ernst Bream's army occupied the defensive positions of the 43rd Battalion, how he and his companions were wounded, and how Ernst Brem granted their request and personally escorted them back
"I praise God from the bottom of my heart that we have met Baron Alexon." By this time, Lieutenant Colonel Rosen's voice had become choked: "I never thought that I would encounter such an enemy. It's like when I was in the darkness of desperation, an angel suddenly appeared and saved me. No, it's us! Thank you, Ernst Aleksen von Brem. All the officers and men of the 43rd Battalion of the 42nd East Reims Division of the British cannot forget you, no matter what kind of verdict the court general makes, you are our eternal benefactor! ”
Some of the women in the audience had tears in their eyes, and even the strong-willed men couldn't help but sigh.
What an honor it is to be so praised by the enemy?
Lieutenant Colonel Rosen stabilized his mood: "These people I brought are willing to testify for Baron Alexon, and at the same time, I also brought a personal letter from General Monrington, the commander of the East Lance Division. ”
With that, he took out a letter and handed it in.
Felix read the letter carefully, and then told everyone: "This is General Monrington's letter, in which General Monrington testified to Baron Alexon's words and Lieutenant Colonel Rosen's testimony, and said that if necessary, he could personally interview our representatives at the junction of the two armies."
A sigh rang out.
Baron Alexon was wronged, he was not treasonous, he was just doing what a gentleman should do.
"What makes me wonder why do you suspect Baron Alexon?" Lieutenant Colonel Rosen said at the end: "If there is such a hero in England, we will cheer for him, and no amount of gossip can offset our respect for him." It was incredible for Baron Alexon to be in the courtroom at this time. ”
There was silence in the courtroom.
After a while, Felix sighed, "I'm a little ashamed of myself."
At this time, Schlaf suddenly stood up and asked, "Lieutenant Colonel Rosen, allow me to ask you one more question, what do you think of Baron Alexson's series of performances in the 'Somme Miracle'?" ”
"Genius, or rather, the devil." Lieutenant Colonel Rosen did not hide his emotions in the slightest: "You call him a miracle worker, and we call him the devil, God, this is a miracle that only God can create!" ”
Speaking of this, he suddenly thought of something: "Why, do you still doubt this miracle?" ”