Postcard of the day for April 26, 2020

[Howard Weinert]

A postcard sent by a soldier on maneuvers to another soldier in Sophia, Bulgaria. Postmarked "Field Post and Telegraph Office of the 20th Army Corps", "Main Field Post and Telegraph Office of the Southern Army", in Verro on 4 August 1903, in postal wagon 125 (Pskov-Pernov rail line), in Roustchouk on 8 August, and in Sophia on 10 August. The sender (a Bulgarian) wrote his message in the Estonian village of Rauge (between Valk and Pskov) on 3 August. It reads, "Third day on maneuvers. I'm an orderly at the headquarters of the 20th Army Corps of the Southern Army. The Southern Army consists of the 1st and 20th Army Corps, and the Northern Army consists of the Guards and 18th Army Corps. We have a day's rest after almost dying. You can't imagine - on the first day we marched 30 kilometers, and the second day another 30 kilometers, all at the quick march. Only ten-minute breathers. The village of Rauge contains Estonians and Germans - a beautiful place. We meet the enemy in the morning. Warm regards to everyone at home." The grand maneuvers of 1903 took place from 1 August to 9 August in an area around Pskov.