[Bayonetcollector]

Feldpostkarte
1 Jan 1915
An Fraulein
Emma Helsen
in Clossa
Post ???
???

Liebe Freundin,
Nun entlich (correct = endlich) ist mein Wunsch erfüllt. Habe am 2. Weih(nachts) Tag Frankreichs Irden betreten.
Wil den heutigen Tag in die Feuerlinie liegen auf 80 m aus einander.
Den Ron..?? ist man s??... g??..t.
In den Hoffnung auf ein gefreuten Wiedersehen dein Willy.

Text upside down: Liebe Grüsse an alle, Freundin und Freunde.


In English

To:

Miss Emma Helsen
Clossa


January 1st, 1915


Dear Girlfriend:

Well, I finally got my wish. On the second day of Christmas [ed: December 25th], I trod on French soil. I am once again in the firing line. [The trenches] lie only 80 meters apart. The [-?-] [-?-] is to one already [-?-]. In the hope of a joyful reunion, I remain,

yours,

Willy.

Affectionate greetings to all my friends.

It is a bit difficult to see, but the shoulder board is a cyphered one with a crown over the letter "A". There were two Garde Grenadier regiments in the 1.Garde Division that had "A's" on their shoulder straps. One was the 1.Garde Gren.Rgt. and the other was the 4.Garde Gren.Rgt. The first had white piping and the second blue piping. Your photo makes it look like the piping is white, so I will go with the 1.Garde Gren.Rgt. The crowns on the two straps are different (different Chefs), but I cannot really tell which one it is from your photo. I have attached a picture of the corresponding shoulder straps below. These are M15 examples, as opposed to the M07/10 straps being worn in the picture, but the cyphers and crowns remained the same. You can see why is is difficult to tell which it is.

 

[Bayonetcollector]

Dugout or something else?

den 8.12.17
Liebe Ida, Jul und ?
Auch Euch zur Erinnerung eine kleine Aufnahme mal wieder von unsere Unterstand.
Was macht Euer kleine Hering wirst du dann fertig damit?
Wie geht es Euch sonst noch? nun bald kann ich Ihn ja mal kennen lernen, hoffe dass, dass ich Weihnachten zu Hause sein kann.
Sie dafur sind recht herzlichst gegrüsst und geküsst von Eure anst(ehenden) Bruder, Schwager & Onkel.
Rupert

In English:

December 8, 1917

Dear Ida, Jul., and ? [sic]!

Thinking of you, I'm sending to you another picture of our bunker. How is your little herring doing? Are you finished with it, yet? How are you doing otherwise? I'll soon be able to meet him. I hope that I'll be able to be home for Christmas. I send you the warmest greetings and kisses.

Your Brother, Brother-in-Law, and (soon to be) Uncle,
Rupert

 

[Bayonetcollector]

Geschrieben d(atum) 21.3.18
Liebe Schwägerin u(nd) Trudele
danke bestens für deinen Brief das du an meinen Namenstag gedacht hast, bin Gottlobe immer gesund hoffe Ihr auch, will nur sehen wie lange ich noch Soldat sein muss.
Es grüsst dich u(nd) Trudele dein Schwager Jos(eph)??

In English

Written the 21st day of March, 1918

Dear Sister-in-Law and Trudele [little Gertrude]:

Best thanks for your letter that you thoughtfully wrote to me on my namesake saint's feast day. Am still healthy, praise be to God, and hope you are the same. Will have to see how much longer I have to be a soldier.

Sending you and little Getrude greetings, your brother-in-law,
Josef.


The tunic he is wearing appears to be an Ulanka, the tunic worn by Ulans. The Ulan's were lancers.

 

[Bayonetcollector]

wounded man on his way to a first aid station

 

[Bayonetcollector]

First picture is a field dressing station.

Second picture is a dugout for medical personnel, named "die Lauenburg", in "Blottnitz allee".

Paul Bloch von Blottnitz was commander of the 18th infantry division.

Commanders
18. Infanterie-Division 1914-1918
Generalleutnant Max von Kluge
From June 1915 Paul Bloch von Blottnitz
From March 1918 Generalmajor Reinhard Freiherr von Massenbach

 

[Bayonetcollector]

The hindenburg line. The first pic shows a trench with a rifle stand used when firing rifle grenades.

 

[Bayonetcollector]

Fist picture, an english 200 kilo bomb.

Second picture, a ruined church in Barralle (near Arras)

Third picture, germans hit by a shell.

 

[Bayonetcollector]

First picture, fortifications, Langemarck.

Second picture, trebch near Arras. Ein Stück aus unseren Schiessengraben. Der Stein bezeichnet den Stelle an der Ltn. Wersen gefallen am 10.5
11 Komp

The stone marks the spot where luitennant Wersen fell on the 10th of may, 11th company.

Third picture: The text: Grabenstück in Stellung vor Ro
Posten im neuen Stahlhelm. Piece of trench in Ro(?), guard in new steel helmet.

 

[Bayonetcollector]

Tank in cambrai, ruins, fallen images

First picture, captured tank in queant near Cambrai

Second, ruined church, Queant.

Third picture, dead, Cambrai

 

[Bayonetcollector]

Jüterbog Neues Lager

Mit Grüss Grenad. Reg. Kanon(?).
2. Komp. 1. Ersatz Battl.
Grenad. Reg. N.12

Feldpost
An Herrn Gustav Kaücet
in Niebel
Lüchfeg Zaüche 5

G(e)sch(rieben) den 18.5.17
Liebe Eltern,
Sind Heute Morgen am 4 Uhr von Frongfurt(sic) abgefahren.
Befinde mich augenblicklich hi(e)r. Wir gehen heute Abend noch weiter. Ich habe ein Brieffe(?) mit der Post gegeben.
Auch habe ich noch ein Paket mit

und

abgeschickt.
Schreibt mir ob Ihr dasselbe erhalten habt, wann ich Euch von meinem neuen R(e)g(iment) Schreibe.

 

[Big commander]

I can't leave it that way . "ein Paket mit Schnürschuhe und Hosen".

 

[Bayonetcollector]

btt