MvR’s mother picks up Manfred’s things in Ostrowo

“Ilse drove home via Breslau at seven o’clock, I drove to Ostrowo, Manfred’s old garrison, to pick up his things. The journey was supposed to take two and a half hours, but it lasted six. The weather was glorious, in other years it was St Hubert’s Day. It was often freezing then, but today it was warm, sunny and delicious. When I arrived in Ostrowo, the railway station was packed with refugees. I was advised to move on immediately, as Skalmierzce had already been stripped of all its inhabitants and the order to clear the town could come at any moment in Ostrowo. But I didn’t want to abandon Manfred’s things and decided to go to his flat and take everything with me. Despite the terrible crowds at the railway station, Manfred’s landlady, a friendly elderly woman, found me. The flat was close to the station and we packed up together. A lieutenant billeted there joined us and helped with great enthusiasm. There was room for all his uniform items in the large suitcase – a house of suitcases – and in a box. I finished at three o’clock and was back at the railway station. You could hear the cannon thunder of the battle that was to take place near Kalisch…”