WWII German Feldpost 1943 Soldier Letter Russia Eastern Front to Alsace Eschau

Item Specifics

Country

Russia

Condition

Unused

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Grade: Ungraded
Address Verification: Sender: Name: Grenadier Rudolf Petermann Feldpostnummer: 37816 /E Verification: Feldpostnummer 37816, in early 1943 (specifically from 25 January 1943 to 31 July 1943), was assigned to Stab II (Staff, 2nd Battalion) and "Einheit" (Unit, likely referring to the companies) of Grenadier-Regiment 437. This regiment was part of the 257. Infanterie-Division, which was heavily engaged on the Eastern Front during this period, particularly in the southern sector (e.g., battles around Kharkov and the Donets River). The "/E" likely denotes a specific company or sub-unit. The sender's location was therefore the Eastern Front. Recipient: Name: Familie Renatus Petermann Address: Eschau (Elsass), Lb Karl-Roos-Strasse 250 Verification: Eschau is a town in Alsace (Elsass in German). During WWII, Alsace was annexed by Germany. "Karl-Roos-Strasse" is plausible; Karl Roos was an Alsatian autonomist figure, and streets were named after him by the Nazi administration in occupied Alsace. The street and town existed during this period. The "Lb" preceding "Karl-Roos-Strasse" is unclear but transcribed as written; it might be a local addressing detail or an abbreviation. Translation: Front of Envelope: Printed: Feldpost (Military Mail) Addressed to: An Familie Renatus Petermann (To the Renatus Petermann Family) Address Line 1: im Elsass Eschau (in Alsace, Eschau) Address Line 2: Lb Karl Roos Strasse 250 (Lb Karl Roos Street 250) Postmark: Circular stamp: FELDPOST Date: 18.2.43 (February 18, 1943) Eagle and Swastika emblem. Back of Envelope: Printed: Absender: (Sender:) Handwritten Sender: Grenadier Rudolf Petermann Handwritten Feldpostnummer: Feldpostnummer 37816 /E Letter Content (Image 3): Top Right (Date written): 17.2.43. (February 17, 1943) Salutation: Liebe Mutter, (Dear Mother,) Main Message: (I just want to briefly share a few words with you today. How are things with you all? Are you all still healthy and cheerful??? I am still very sad and would just like to be on leave for 4 weeks again with you, dear Mother. You wouldn't believe how well I feel with you and my dear little rose [Röschen - term of endearment, possibly for a sister or sweetheart, or a general feeling for home]. It's not nice here, it's raining everywhere!! Yes, we were talking about leave. You hear it when one experiences it, a year and longer in Russia, yes, I was like struck dead there. My Lord God shall protect me. I don't want to die without having seen you all again. Where has Louis gone, and Antoine, the poor fellows. The poor devils, how we must atone while others are having a good time. How many could still be like that where we are. Hopefully our Lord God...) Left Margin (written sideways): (think about your joyfulness over this. My greetings and kiss to you / your dear son Rudolf.) Brief Summary: This item is a Feldpost (military mail) letter written on February 17, 1943, and postmarked February 18, 1943. It was sent by Grenadier Rudolf Petermann, serving with Feldpostnummer 37816 E (Grenadier-Regiment 437) on the Eastern Front, to his family (Familie Renatus Petermann) in Eschau, Alsace, which was then annexed by Germany. The letter expresses the soldier's deep sadness, longing for home and leave, concern about the harsh conditions in Russia ("raining everywhere," "struck dead"), and his desire to see his family again. He also mentions acquaintances named Louis and Antoine, calling them "poor fellows/devils," and reflects on the suffering of soldiers.

Seller Information

Seller

2wayrus (771)

Registered Since

03/05/2019

Feedback

99.5%

Store

2colllect

• Sales

Item Location

Florida, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

Public Questions