Part of The KB41 Collection On This Day Series

This is the 32nd letter in the Herbert series and the second letter sent in format of a Feldpostkarte, a Feldpost in the form of a postcard. This Feldpostkarte is sent 4 days after the last. As mentioned in the previous letter sent from Herbert home to his family, Hebert's supplies of stationary is running out. Which is surprising considering how Herbert was detailing that he was hoping to get more and would make what he has left last. It isn't anything new to learn that Herbert contradicts what he says in letters. Not that he isn't smart but it is seen before when Herbert was in hospital recovering from his illness that he would quit smoking as it was mentioned it to worsen his condition yet as many letters suggest otherwise. Despite this Here is a letter that Hebert writes whilst billeted in a house somewhere on the Ost front, Suggested still in the Leningrad region.

The Feldpost In German reads as:

O.U. 24.9.43

Ihr Lieben!

Nun will ich mal wieder zur Feder

greifen. Ihr werdet sicher schon warten, aber die

Freizeit ist hier nicht so reichlich, das Briefpapier

ebenfalls nicht, jedenfalls nicht die Umschläge.

Und hier passiert ja auch nichts Neues. Es ist

alle Tage das selbe was hier getan wird. Jedenfalls

geht es mir gut. Ich habe mich schon an das

Leben gewöhnt. Die Zigaretten werden auch alle.

Ich habe noch ein bisschen Tabak; aber es

muß ja bald Marketenderwaren geben. Eines

hab ich Euch noch gar nicht berichtet.

Günter Lamp ist auch hier, wir sind in einer

Gruppe. Von ihm habe ich auch von Müller

und den anderen Kameraden gehört. Sie

sind noch alle da. Er liegt im Hause nebenan.

Wie geht es Euch denn? Hoffentlich

gut. Ich muß jetzt ja auch bald Post bekommen.

4 Wochen habe ich nichts mehr von Euch gehört.

Nun will ich schließen, in der Hoffnung, daß es

Euch dreien gut geht.

Gruß

Euer Herbert

The Feldpost in English reads as:

O.U. 24.9.43

Dear all!

Now I want to take up my pen again.

I'm sure you're already waiting, but

free time here is not so plentiful, and

neither is the stationery, at least not the envelopes.

And nothing new is happening here. It is

the same thing every day. Anyway I'm fine.

I've already got used to this life. I'm running

out of cigarettes too. I've still got a little tobacco left;

but there must be suttler goods soon. One thing

I haven't told you yet. Günter Lamp is also here,

we are in the same group. I also heard from him about Müller

and the other comrades. They are all still here.

He's lying in the house next door.

How are you then? Hopefully well. I must get some mail soon.

I haven't heard from you for four weeks.

Now I will close, hoping that the three of you

are well.

Greetings

Your Herbert

This Feldpostkarte details Herbert Billeted in another house on the Ostfront, this time written and sent within one day, showing a much greater efficiency in the Feldpost service from occupied Russland back to Germany. Hebert before mentioned how daylight and time to write being very limited. Hebert re detailing that the stationary isn't very plentiful but the envelopes are what seems to be in demand.

Hebert then goes on to summarise his time in the billeted house writing how nothing new is happening and most things are the same. Hebert detailing that he has got used to the life in service in Russland and with this Hebert reminds and hints to his family that he is running out of cigarettes. This a common message by Hebert. Hebert recounting that he has some tobacco but again recalls hope that the Suttler goods will be available soon for his tobacco and stationary.

Herbert then remembers that he hasn't mentioned who he is staying with. Günter Lamp is in the same group as is Müller who has been mentioned by Günter that he and his comrades are still in the area, laying in the next house. These names possibly known to the family from when Hebert has discussed his service in person when at home of known from a region in Kiel where Herbert and his family are from.

Herbert draws the letter to a conclusion asking how his family back home in Kiel are, hoping they are well whilst hoping Herbert receives some mail soon as he hasn't heard from home in four weeks. This showing the backlog and logistical difficulties that the Reichspost faced getting Feldposts from and to places of residence for Soldaten in service. Herbert closing hoping that his family is well. Greetings "Gruß, Euer Herbert"

A brief Feldpostkarte showing the difficulties that Herbert faces with low supplies of stationary in addition to how long its been since he has received a letter. This way of writing keeping his mind and morale high, thinking of his family back home, a way for Herbert to keep the memory and thoughts of home alive. As mentioned it is boring at times for Herbert as not much is happening as a reserve unit and with this his mental health and thoughts can lead to a decline in morale writing and waiting for mail keeping up the routine we know of Herbert writing to his family. We hope the next letter details more of Herbert and that he recives news from home soon.