《全新版大学英语第2版综合教程》Unit1TextA课文文本.pdfVIP

《全新版⼤学英语第2版综合教程》Unit1TextA课⽂⽂本《全新版⼤学英语综合教程》Book 4 Unit 1 Text A The Icy Defender Nila B. Smith 1In 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, led his Grand Army into Russia. He was prepared for the fierce resistance of the Russian people defending their homeland. He was prepared for the long march across Russian soil to Moscow, the capital city. But he was not prepared for the devastating enemy that met him in Moscow — the raw, bitter, bleak Russian winter. 2In 1941, Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, launched an attack against the Soviet Unio n, as Russia then was called. Hitler ’s military might was unequaled. His war machine had mowed down resistance in most of Europe. Hitler expected a short campaign but, like Napoleon before him, was taught a painful lesson. The Russian winter again came to the aid of the Soviet soldiers. Napoleon’s Campaign 3In the spring of 1812, Napoleon assembled an army of six hundred thousand men on the borders of Russia. The soldiers were well trained, efficient, and well equipped. This military force was called the Grand Army. Napoleon, confident of a quick victory, predicted the conquest of Russia in five weeks. 4Shortly afterwards, Napoleon’s army crossed the Neman River into Russia. The quick, decisive victory that Napoleon expected never happened. To his surprise, the Russians refused to stand and fight. Instead, they retreated eastward, burning their crops and homes as they went. The Grand Army followed, but its advance march soon became bogged down by slow-moving supply lines. 5In August, the French and Russian armies engaged at Smolensk, in a battle that left over ten thousand dead on each side. Yet, the Russians were again able to retreat farther into Russian territory. Napoleon had won no decisive victory. He was now faced with a crucial decision. Should he continue to pursue the Russian army? Or should he keep his army in Smolensk for the approaching winter? 6Napoleon took the gamble of pressi