:47:02
No, sir, I didn't.
:47:04
How far would you say that was?
How many metres?
:47:08
I advanced as far as I could.
:47:11
- How many metres?
- Not many.
:47:16
Not many.
:47:21
Now, Private Arnaud.
:47:23
Before you were ordered back, did you
urge your fellow soldiers forward?
:47:30
Most of them were dead or wounded
before they'd taken three steps.
:47:33
- Reply to the question.
- I didn't urge them on, no, sir.
:47:41
Thank you.
:47:48
Private Arnaud.
:47:50
At ease, please.
:47:54
Aside from your sad failure
to give throat to spirited battle cries,
:47:58
did your behaviour differ from
that of other men in your company?
:48:01
Objection.
That's a matter of conjecture.
:48:04
Sustained.
:48:09
Did any men in your company
get beyond our wire?
:48:12
No, sir.
:48:13
Have you been designated a coward
:48:15
simply because you drew
a slip of paper marked "X"?
:48:18
- Yes, sir.
- I don't see that that's significant.
:48:21
It's accepted practice in the French army
to pick examples by lot.
:48:24
This entire company
advanced only a few metres,
:48:27
so picking by lot
was eminently fair in this case.
:48:30
This soldier has distinguished himself in
some of the bloodiest battles of the war.
:48:36
With your permission,
I'll read citations for bravery
:48:39
that he's already earned
on two occasions.
:48:42
- First, citations in the orders in the army...
- That's immaterial, Colonel.
:48:47
The accused is not being tried for former
bravery, but for his recent cowardice.
:48:51
Medals are no defence.
:48:56
- May I call witnesses to his character?
- You may not.