The way in which the Russian soldiers will risk their lives for
comparatively small luxuries is evidenced by the following story:
During the fighting in East Prussia, a corporal asked permission to
take a couple of his comrades and try to surprise one of the German
scouting patrols. When he returned and reported that his effort had
been successful, his officer asked him why he volunteered for such
risky work. The corporal replied that the previous night a friend
had relieved a German officer of a good supply of chocolate and a
flask of brandy, and he wanted to "try his luck," too.
"And what did you get?" asked the officer.
The corporal grinned and showed two cakes of milk chocolate and five
cigars.