The Generals Read Online Free PDF

reading exercises.
    Commander Kampenmann
: Yes, I was listening, as a matter of fact. But it wasn’t really necessary for me to do so. Actually, I’ve already read through my copy of the preliminary investigation.
    Major von Peters
: All of it?
    Commander Kampenmann
: Yes.
    Major von Peters
: That says a lot for service in the Navy. Must be tremendously busy.
    Colonel Orbal
: I was just wondering about one thing.
    Major von Peters
: Captain Schmidt, you’re in the Navy, aren’t you?
    Captain Schmidt
: Yes, but for the moment I am posted to the General Staff Judicial Department.
    Major von Peters
: Why aren’t you in uniform?
    Captain Schmidt
: There is no such instruction in the regulations.
    Major von Peters
: That’s possible. All the same, we would appreciate it very much if you would do so.
    Colonel Orbal
: Yes, there was something that interested me. The woman with a moustache who was mentioned at the beginning. Who’s that? Do you know?
    Captain Schmidt
: Yes, she has been identified. She was called Rodriguez and was Janos Edner’s secretary and closest personal collaborator. Most of the journey that fragment deals with is also known about. It took place on the day a week before national liberation. Janos Edner was on his way to Prague to hasten the ratification of a secret agreement on arms deliveries to the militia.
    Colonel Orbal
: Did she really have a moustache?
    Captain Schmidt
: I don’t know, but I can investigate the matter. In the decoded diary notes, in all likelihood L stands for Joakim Ludolf, A for Aranca Peterson and H for Justice Tadeusz Haller, who is present. O is presumably General Oswald.
    Captain Endicott
: Excuse me, but … Brown, give me a hand here, will you …
    Colonel Orbal
: What now? Has he died? That mustn’t happen.
    Captain Endicott
: Unconscious, probably fainted from the strain of standing upright for so long. Better call in the guard.
    Major von Peters
: The parties may leave the room. You stay, Lieutenant Brown, but see to getting the men with the stretcher out first. This extra-ordinary court martial will now deliberate in private.
    Colonel Orbal
: What a day!
    Major von Peters
: Yes, and we’re not a step further on, either. This will go on for months. I’m also very dissatisfied, very dissatisfied, with Schmidt and his way of presenting the prosecution. Too bloody soft.
    Colonel Pigafetta
: On that point, I’m prepared to agree with you.
    Major von Peters
: We’ll have to do something about it. It wasn’t exactly the interrogation that made that swine pass out … if he fainted at all.
    Commander Kampenmann
: I’m sorry if I openly question the method, but is there really any point in making the accused stand to attention for so long?
    Colonel Orbal
: Damn it all, standing to attention never hurt anyone, did it? On the contrary, good for a man’s bearing.
    Commander Kampenmann
: Considering the man’s physical condition …
    Major von Peters
: Aren’t there any malingerers in the Navy?
    Commander Kampenmann
: This is like an old joke. Yes, there are malingerers in the Navy, but they don’t pretend that their left eyes have been removed, or that their kneecaps have been smashed or that all the fingers on their right hands have been amputated.
    Colonel Orbal
: Oh, yes, the man was wounded, wasn’t he?
    Commander Kampenmann
: Yes, in the neck. That’s why he finds it difficult to hold his head up. The rest are of a more recent date.
    Colonel Pigafetta
: Don’t start getting soft now, Kampenmann.
    Commander Kampenmann
: I’m not. I’m just telling you a few facts.
    Major von Peters
: May I ask one thing? How the hell do you know all this?
    Commander Kampenmann
: I told you. I’ve read the record of the preliminary investigation.
    Colonel Orbal
: I’m getting tired of all this now. Am I the only one who wants to have a pee? Where’s that instruction thing, Carl? Good. This extra-ordinary court martial is herewith adjourned until eleven o’clock on