Who would have ever believed that a war could last so long

"Dear Mum! Thank you very much for the lovely Easter eggs. We enjoyed them very much in the shelter amid the thunder of cannon fire. Things have been pretty lively here lately. The French are now trying to attack us, after having pretty much lost their hair in Champagne. The Woevre Plain, Combres Heights, Pont-a-Mousson are all here in our area. People here believe that Russia won't last much longer. Unfortunately, I can't visit you yet; war is not the time to go on holiday, the situation is too serious for that. Everyone believes we will win, but no one knows when. That's why we have to persevere. Who would ever have believed that a war could last so long?"