MvR sends a card

I received a card from Manfred. He is well and cheerful. I had to think about him a lot, but now I'm reassured and happy again. We had a war service in the church. It struck me how many people were already in mourning - and yet the war has only been going on for a few weeks. A serious and almost oppressive mood would not go away. When we came out of the church as darkness fell, we saw a newspaper with a big victory announcement. We all went to the newspaper, where the extra sheets were being distributed, still damp with pressure. Ten French army corps had been defeated by our crown prince's army between Reims and Verdun. That was still a nice Sedan joy. We went home happier now. The victory of Colonel-General von Hindenburg in East Prussia also turned out to be a magnificent feat of arms. We read that 100,000 Russians were pushed into the Masurian Lakes, of which 70,000 men and 300 officers surrendered. The entire Russian northern army has been destroyed.