This German photographic postcard depicts a Landsturm guard detail posing outside a wooden building, probably at Wappingen near Metz, now Woippy in northeastern France. The chalkboard placed at the seated soldier’s feet identifies the group as a “Russenwache”—a detail responsible for guarding Russian prisoners of war—and dates the photograph to 3 December 1916. The reverse associates the card with the 4th Company of a Bavarian Landsturm infantry replacement unit.

Dear Father and Babette!
I am letting you know that I will probably be allowed to come home on twelve days’ leave this week or next week. Hans wrote to me yesterday that you and he are still doing well, which I can also say about myself!
On Christmas Eve there was a Christmas celebration in Wappingen. I was not there because I had to stand sentry.
Each man received one and a half litres of beer. I also received a book, German Legends. Others received pocket lamps, braces [suspenders], and so on, as well as money—50 pfennigs—from the canteen surplus.
Today we received another twenty cigarettes, sixty grams of tobacco [the type is unclear], and seven cigars.
Tomorrow I have to [report or present myself; this passage apparently concerns a machine-gun candidate or assignment, but I cannot securely decipher the complete sentence].
At the same time, I wish you a very healthy New Year and send you heartfelt greetings.
Yours,
Georg.