Die Reichspost-Kriegsweihnacht

Frohe Weihnachten & Happy Christmas to all our followers. Thank you for your support throughout 2024 !

This is part of the KB41 Weihnachten Series

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The Grouping here shows a poem written at Christmas by the Reichspostdirektion (RPD) also known as the Reichs Postal Directorates. The Reichspostdirektion was the administrative unit in charge of the the postal service within Germany and later occupied territories of the Reich. The poem is dated during the Christmas period of 1939 in Refensburg and the attached photograph doesn't have a specific date however it does depict members of the Deutsche Reichsposts from Stadthagen suggested to be around the same period. Whilst there is differences in regions of which these two separate pieces from the collection we have pieced them together through a connection of a similar theme. Weihnachten/Christmas.

The Poem is titled " Kriegsweihnacht 1939" which broken down is "Kriegs" (War) and Weihnacht (Christmas) which together translates as "War Christmas 1939". This part is written in ink and the poem is seen typewritten on a piece of paper. The Poem reads as:

Kriegsmeihnacht 1939

Liebe Kameraden!

Klein ist die Gabe nur bemessen.

Jedoch, wen immer sie beglückt,

der weiß, daß wir Euch nicht vergessen,

wenn allesnach den Fronten blickt.

Gewiß, in diesen ernsten Tagen

steht auch die Heimatfront nicht schlecht.

Ihr aber müßt das Schwerste tragen

im Kampf um unser Lebensrecht.

Einst haben wir umsonst gelitten.

Jetzt wird das Volk den Kempf bestehn.

Der Führer drohte, daß den Briten

die Augen auf- und übergehn.

Stets hat er noch sein Wort gehalten,

was immer er dem Volk versprach.

Wir glauben an sein großes Walten,

was auch die Zeit uns bringen mag.

Das aber wird es nicht mehr geben,

daß einmal noch die Front zerbricht.

Wir sind erwacht! Wir werden leben,

denn mit uns geht die Zuversicht!

Noch vierzehn Tage! Dann beschließen

wir dieses kampferprobte Jahr.

Vereint laßt uns den Führer grüßen,

die Heimat und die Kämpferschar.

Regensburg, im Dezember 1939

Die Kameraden vom Bezirk der Reichspostdirektion

The Poem Translates into English reads as:

Dear comrades!

The gift is only small.

However, who

always makes her happy,

who knows that we won't forget you,

when everything looks towards the fronts.

Certainly, in these serious days

The home front isn't looking bad either.

But you have to bear the heaviest

burden in the fight for our right to life.

We once suffered in vain. Now the

people will pass the Kempf.

The Führer threatened that the British

eyes open and pass over.

He always kept his word,

whatever he promised the people.

We believe in his great power,

whatever time may bring us.

But that won't happen anymore,

that the front will break once again.

We are awake! We will live,

because confidence goes with us!

Another fortnight! Then decide

us this battle-tested year.

United let us greet the leader,

the homeland and the fighting group.

Regensburg, December 1939

The comrades from the Reichspostdirektion district

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The poem was written by the " Kameraden Reichspostdirektion" which are the "Comrades in the Reich's Postal Service" from "Regensburg" which is a city in Eastern Bavaria, Germany. This Poem was wrote in the December period around Christmas that reflects the feeling and patriotic thoughts of the Reichspost and the nation during the year of 1939.

The year of 1939 saw Germany build on what foundations it had started in 1938, what has be termed the prelude to war. 1938 saw the Reich incorporate Austria in what became known as the Anschluss, on 12th March. The Sudetenland, the northern, southern, and western regions of Czechoslovakia that bordered with Germany that the "Sudeten Germans" inhabited. The "Sudeten Germans" partially comprised of those left over from the former Austro-Hungarian empire that. The Munich Agreement was held on the 30th September 1938 This agreement saw Germany, Italy, France and Great Britain meet in Munich to discuss Hitlers advances in Europe. The appeasement of Germany was settled by a mutual agreement between all parties except Czechoslovakia, this concluding in the Sudetenland being seeded to Germany.

Neville Chamberlain of Great Britain, later landing back home from the agreement holding a piece of paper of which was signed by Adolf Hitler for what became known as the "Peace for our time" speech. With this the Sudetenland was annexed on 1st October 1938. Later In 1939 the rest of Czechoslovakia invaded and occupied on 15th March 1939. This occupation going against the Munich Agreement, which saw the atmosphere within Europe change and become tense.

The biggest event of 1939 saw the start of the Second World War when Germany invaded Poland on the 1st of September 1939 in a deal with the Soviet Union, which later became known as the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. This Poem being written during the Christmas period some two months later.

The Poem starts by describing the poem itself as a gift to the kameraden of the Reich all be it a small one. Showing gratitude for their service and that they are not forgotten when the focus is to those in service on the frontline. The Homefront not looking too bad either during "Serious days" shows the positive view of the war and the growing nation away from the frontlines. But more thanks and respect is given by the words "But you have to bear the heaviest

burden in the fight for our right to life". This showing the responsibility that those in the Wehrmacht have for the freedoms and those in supporting roles such as the Reichspost and civilians alike can have.

The Poem details that the nation has suffered in vain, this is referring to the defeat of World War One and the limitations imposed on Germany with the Treaty of Versailles Post World War One. The People passing the "Kempf."or Struggle of this and the rights to be free within "Lebensraum" (The need for living room in occupied territories of the Third Reich)

The Poem talks of "Der Führer" (Adolf Hitler) who "Threatened the British". This is in reply to Hitler threatening Britain with revenge in reclaiming its territories that were taken from it Post World War One. Germany was not afraid of repercussions from doing this and if that means war, then so be it. Hitler hoping that Britain would be threatened by this and stay out of their territorial expansion. With this the poem shows the admiration to the Führer, that he kept his word with whatever he has promised the people of the Reich. There is belief in what he does as the leader of their nation and their belief in his power strong for whatever time may bring them.

The Second World War starting on 1st September when war the Invasion of Poland began. The front will break eventually as written in the poem "We are awake! We will live, because confidence goes with us!" This showing the might and morale of the people of the Reich. The belief of the people in what their nation and its government can achieve is shown in the poem. With this the Poem draws to a close showing that in a fortnight the year will conclude. The nation will be united and to greet the Führer and the "fighting group". This drawing the Poem to conclusion showing the unity of the people with the Wehrmacht and the Führer. Signed off by "Kameraden Reichspostdirektion" Comrades of the Reich's Postal Service from Regensburg. Regensburg, A German city in Eastern Bavaria.

Such poems and other forms of scripture were wrote to stir up not only a sense of pride within the Reich but to generate strength within those of the Reich. For those on the home front in unity with those in service.

The attached photograph shows Reichspost officials. The Reichspost "Briefträger" (Postmen) seen in the photograph attached were not those who wrote the poem attached, however it does show the type of people that would have. The Briefträger are seen standing by a wooden Reichspost carriage drawn by a horse. This carriage is a old style with large wooden wheels and caged window and door. This being a dated version to what forms of transport were available in the 1930s and 40s. The carriage is seen detailed with wreath buntings across the top. This decoration is seen across this Reichspost carriage is simar to the theme associated with Christmas. It is not confirmed in any way but i suggested as a novelty as a way of delivering Christmas letters and packages. This is supported by the sign that can be seen hanging across the top of the carriage that reads "Letzte Fahrt der Pferdepost, Stadthagen"; This translates as " Last Trip of the Horse-Drawn Post, Stadthagen". The gothic text on the sign suggesting the last Horse Drawn post of the year as the Deutsche Reichspost wraps ups its deliveries for the year. The word "Stadthagen" seen bellow on its own is where the Briefträger are situated. Stadthagen is a city in Lower-Saxony, Germany.

The four Briefträger stand Infront of the carriage as they pose of the photograph, two on the right stand with their satchels and large parcels in hand. These two are of the rank of "Postbetriebassistent" wearing the 1939 pattern service uniform. When on duty male employees were entitled and obliged to wear full uniform as seen here consisting of a dark blue jacket and black trousers, detailed with rank of small orange stars on the collar with Orange piping around the tab. Seen here in Three stars. The two Postbetriebassistent are also seen wearing a Einheitsmütze, this of the EM/NCO’s visor cap variant. The cap is constructed of a smooth dark blue wool with a black doeskin cap band. Detailed with dual bands of bright orange Waffenfarbe piping that trim the band at the top and bottom. The cap details a smaller aluminium Reichsadler separated by a thin orange waffenfarbe piping that details a central wreathed tri-colour cockade constructed of cupal, aluminium, and a red felt centrepiece. The cap is also detaiiled with a thin leather chinstrap in similar design to other peaked caps across the German forces and paramilitary.

To the left standing in a large leather apron is suggested to be a "Arbeitsmann", a worker of some description. This "Arbeitsmann" associated with some local industry of which sadly cannot be identified. Possibly a local butcher.

To the left of the Unknown Arbeitsmann is a bands member of a local Feuerwehr (Fire Department). Seen wearing a Feuerwehr helmet detailed with a metal crest on the front, suggested to be a metal eagle detailing the front with a tall decorative plum. The Feuerweh stands with a trumpet in hand with the stage-coach horse behind. Seen hidden between the four men and the stage-coach can be seen a small boy "Photo-bombing". A top the carriage also notably (sadly cropped by the photograph) appears to be a woman. Women were also part of the Deutsche Reichspost, it is possible that they are in service in addition to the men but sadly they cannot be identified due to the way the photograph was captured.

The scene being set outside a building, possibly a post office, a small notice board can be seen on one of the walls above the civilian car parked up. A joyous photograph, captured to show the happy Postbetriebassistents in active service at this time of year. Serving the local area during the festive period, a photograph that would likely feature in a family album showing their contribution to the German Reich.