WWII German Feldpost Postmark Letter 1943 Russia Front to Annexed Alsace Eschau

Item Specifics

Country

Russia

Condition

Unused

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Grade: Ungraded
Address Verification: Recipient: Familie Renatus Petermann, Eschau (Elsass), Karl-Roos-Str. 250. Eschau (Elsass/Alsace): This town exists in Alsace, France. During WWII, Alsace was annexed by Nazi Germany (1940-1944/45). Karl-Roos-Str. 250: Karl Roos was an Alsatian autonomist executed by France in 1940 and subsequently portrayed as a martyr by the Nazi regime. Many streets in annexed Alsace were renamed after figures like him or other German personalities during the occupation. Google Maps today shows Eschau with French street names (e.g., Rue du Général de Gaulle, Rue de la 1ère Division Blindée). The existence of a "Karl-Roos-Strasse" in Eschau during the German annexation period is highly plausible. Verification: The recipient address is plausible for the WWII period in German-annexed Alsace. Sender: Abs: Soldat K. Petermann, Feldpostnummer 37816/E. Soldat K. Petermann: A German soldier. Feldpostnummer 37816/E: This number identifies the soldier's military unit. A quick search for Feldpostnummer 37816 indicates that in 1943 (the year of the letter), suffix 'E' was associated with Stab Pionier-Bataillon 666 (Staff, Pioneer Battalion 666) and other Pioneer units, which were active on the Eastern Front. The letter itself is dated from "Russland" (Russia). Translation: Front of Envelope: Recipient: Familie Renatus Petermann Address Line 1: Eschau (Elsass) Address Line 2: Karl-Roos-Str. 250 Postmark Text: Top: FELDPOST Date: -9.5.43 (May 9, 1943) Center: Eagle with Swastika (Hoheitszeichen) Bottom (partially legible): Letters/numbers, possibly a postal code or sorter's mark, difficult to decipher fully, looks like "tan" or similar. Back of Envelope: Sender: Abs: Soldat K. Petermann (Sender: Soldier K. Petermann) Feldpost Number: Feldpostnummer 37816/E Message (Letter Content): The letter is handwritten in Kurrentschrift, a German cursive script. Detailed Translation of the Letter Content: Page 1 Top Right: Russland den 2.5.43 (Russia, May 2, 1943) Salutation: Liebe Mutter, (Dear Mother,) Because I am answering your letter today, I received your letter from April 26th as well as the previous one with great joy, many thanks. I also received both your cards with joy, which I will keep. Yes, you must have been glad when the holidays [likely Easter] were over again; it is also nice at home. Well, if I had to stay here so soon, hopefully next Easter won't be [like this] anymore. The day before yesterday the weather was also like that, only for a few nights there is rain at the moment. The snow is gone, but it had snowed once and the snow disappeared again right away. Yes, so it was in any case too monotonous with only boys for communion, I mean especially in the village. Well, I think for your boys it was also nice. They must have had to have clothes as well as Renée. Page 2 Translation: Yes, I believe in this communion where I had this day, and these times will not come again. Yes, that was something, even dear Father [Vati] who ran around with the second jug [Trag - could also mean a carrying frame or load] with the schnapps bottle and with the chicken coop, ha ha, that was funny. Dear Father, if you are still alive, you were also good, in any case, I endured it [or it was tolerated for me]. In any case, it [something valuable, perhaps documents or belongings] has been kept safe in the Dordogne [region in France] if you do not return. If only I were home for Renée's or Béatrice's communion, it would certainly be fun too, well, it is not meant to be, so we will celebrate seeing each other again when the time comes. May dear God protect and preserve us. Yes, the Busche family, you were there, that pleases me in any case, it doesn't matter, the Gelsen [could be a family name, or a misspelling/local term] were probably still from me [meaning, he knew them or they were his acquaintances]. Yes, he is an only son, his father was a Gendarme [policeman], but I didn't think that either, what you write to me about his successor candidate, he was so proud and also spoke many times in this manner with me, in any case, he also told me a lot about his father. Page 3 Translation: his service time with the Gendarmes and so on. But he wasn't clever, or then perhaps also made such a mistake. In any case, his brother wasn't clever either, as far as you had advised against. Yes, as I know him, he is a fine fellow, he had to go into the "Ofenring" [literally "furnace ring," slang for a very dangerous front sector] because he is at the shoe branch/supply point. Everyone makes mistakes, many are made nowadays. Yes, many comrades are alive and no longer with us, but those who remain are lucky. Then, what I already say, I will celebrate seeing them again too. Well, hopefully, it [the package] arrives, these aforementioned pockets/bags [Taschen] as well as the three items of clothing [Kleidern - could be dresses or general clothing items]. The main thing is that everything arrives well. Yes, then I will certainly, when I receive them, write again about the "reunion goods" [Wiedersehenwaren - items for when they meet again]. Now Longinus, you declined, that is still on, yes, it is a big deal/business. Well, that's also good. How is the wine, good or bad, what kind is it? Well, for many runners [Läufer - could mean messengers, or people frequently on the move], it's good that something was closed, on the other hand, it's also bad if there's nothing left for the others. Thanks for the greetings from Zimmermann, greet him back likewise, that we Page 4 will see each other soon. Yes, I am sometimes agitated, but what can you do, [keep up] great courage, not at home, here at the front you are powerless. Things and cases happen that are even hair-raising. No way is it funny like at home, here it is serious, be careful, cautious, above all this pain from family worries, but I won't fall asleep so quickly because of that. When I come, when I come, when I come again, then we will make everything simple and cozy for ourselves, dear life. Well, so I want to believe it for you, when you are healthy and cheerful again, I wish for you that it [illness] doesn't last long. Yes, dear Mother, therefore always good news, and you were wise, but before I should lose myself. Yes, thank you in advance for your package, you can let it come [send it] as I am currently at this place and location, because otherwise I ordered from Rapp and I don't get [things from] Rapp. Your special package, just no cake, cheese, or sausage, what is not non-perishable, but send something nice or something that keeps. Yes, my farewell was just mail, slowly from full travel [meaning, he's been on the move a lot, or the mail travels a lot], I will go, it is not something to have, for good comrades are not so easy to find. Is the "head of letters" [Kopf von Briefen - possibly referring to a letterhead, a collection of letters, or the style of the beginning of letters] still with me? It is changed, looks different, truly yes. Now, greetings dear Mother and siblings, many never-ending [niemals in this context means endlessly/very much, not literally "never"] kisses and hugs, your dear son. K. Petermann Brief Summary: This is a Feldpost letter with its envelope, written by German soldier K. Petermann from "Russland" (Russia) on May 2, 1943, and postmarked May 9, 1943. It is addressed to his family (specifically his mother) in Eschau, Alsace, which was then annexed by Germany. The soldier expresses longing for home, reminisces about family, discusses news of acquaintances, describes the grim realities of the Eastern Front, and gives instructions for a care package, hoping for an eventual reunion.

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