... Nothing impressed me about that campaign as much as the incredible bad weather, and I am sure that for war historians it will be the most worthy feature of study. The cutting wind was especially harsh. Nothing served as protection against the freezing gusts that came howling from the north and that pierced all layers of clothing, however many. Our eyes were constantly filled with tears because of the intensity of the pain; Our fingers swelled and fell asleep and from our feet disappeared any sensation other than an unbearable glacial coldness.