Part of The KB41 Collection On This Day Series
This is the 19th & 20th letters in the series of Feldpost's that Herbert writes home to his family whilst away from home in service. This is a special two letter posting as both were written by Herbert on the same day, 31.3.43 but addressed to different people. One his "Mutti" or Mother and another his "Pappa" or Father. The separate letters will make sense as detailed below but as bother written on the same day it made perfect sense that we combine them for this special and first two letter posting! This isn't the first letter that contains an individual addressing, as Herbert wrote on the 13.1.1943 to his "Mutti" also. These letters shown are both written on the same day however are both on different paper types. The letter addressed "Mutti" is written on a Feldpost-Briefe (a smaller letter that when folded formed the envelope that can be sent). This Feldpost-Briefe also features reverse information that Herbert has managed to write on and include details. This Feldpost-Breife is slightly damaged but preserved and in a good condition that we can read what is written! This is in contrast to standard squared A4 paper that his "Pappa" letter has been written on. This showing the types of materials that were available to Herbert in 1943 with a mixture of supplies. This post being shared exactly 80 years since they were written!
The first post we will be sharing will be "Mutti" then "Pappa" both will be shared with individual translations and individual interpretations then collectively discussed at the end. As always a huge thanks to Tamara and of course you the reader. All your likes and comments of feedback are really appreciated and hope you are enjoying the series so far!
The letter reads in German as:
Braunschweig, 31.3.43
Liebe Mutti!
Heute Morgen erhielt ich die lieben Briefe von Pappa und
Dir. Ich hatte eigentlich schon angenommen, daß mit
Pappa etwas nicht in Ordnung war. Da er ja keine Grüße
mit auf die Karte von A. Verpflichtungsfeier geschrieben hatte.
Aber doch bekam ich einen ziemlichen Schreck, als ich heute
morgen Eure Post durchgelesen hatte. Ich habe mich bei der
Schwester erkundigt, was man unter Korna verstehen könnte, und
eben hat sie es mir erzählt. Demnach scheint es ja nicht so
schön zu sein; aber es ist sicher zu heilen sagte sie.
Nun, liebe Mutti, Du hast ja allerhand Sorgen. Erst
Pappa krank, dann auch noch ich und außerdem das
Geschäft. Nur gut, daß wir Freunde genug haben, die auch
wirklich miteinspringen, wenn es mal not tut. Ich glaube,
daß ich, wenn ich hier entlassen werden, erstmal mit
Genesungsurlaub rechnen kann. Dann werde ich Dir auch
manches abnehmen können.
Von den Packeten ist bis jetzt erst eins angekommen. Es
ist das wo außer dem Kuchen noch die Manikürtasche und die
Feldpostbriefe drinnen waren; aber das andere wird wohl auch
noch kommen. Die Post hierher scheint ziemlich unregelmäßig
zu gehen. Oh, ich muß mich ja auch noch für das Geld und
die Marken bedanken, vorläufig kann ich mit den Marken
ja noch nichts anfangen, die Verpflegung ist hier ganz gut; aber
(Reverse)
nachher werde ich sie wohl noch gut gebrauchen können.
Denn erstmal muß ich ja, wenn ich wieder ganz gesund
bin, zu meinem Ersatz-Batl. nach Rendsburg. Aber nun
will ich schließen, an Pappa habe ich auch schon geschrieben.
Herzlich grüßt Dich und Hanne
Dein Herbert
N.S. Besuch brauche ich wirklich nicht mehr, Oma soll mal da
bleiben
The letter in English reads as:
Brunswick, 31.3.43
Dear Mom!
This morning I received the dear letters from Pappa and
you. I had actually already assumed that something was wrong with
Pappa. Since he did not write any greetings
on the card from A. Commitment party.
But nevertheless I got quite a fright,
when I read your mail this morning. I asked the nurse what
one could understand by Crohn's and she just told me.
According to her it's not pleasant but it should be
possible to heal, she said.
Well, dear mom, you have all kinds of worries. First
Pappa is sick, then I got sick, and then there's the business.
It's a good thing that we have enough friends who can really
help out when it's needed. I think that
when I'm released from here, I can count on a convalescent leave.
Then I will be able to take some things off your hands.
Only one of the packages has arrived so far. It
is the one where, in addition to the cake, the manicure bag and the
and the field post letters; where in, but the other one will probably also
come soon. The mail here seems to go rather irregularly.
Oh, I still have to thank you for the money and the stamps.
For the time I'm staying here I can't do anything with the stamps.
The rations here are quite good; but later on
I'll probably be able to put them to good use.
For now, when I am completely healthy again, I have to go to my
replacement battalion in Rendsburg. But now
I will close, I have already written to Pappa too.
Best regards to you and Hanne
Yours Herbert
N.S. I really don't need visitors anymore, grandma should stay there.
Mutti Letter
Herbert writes this letter on a small Feldpost-breife and reverse, unfortunately damaged but this holds vital information sent home with family wishes. The news Hebert receives is answered in this letter, and follows onto the next letter that is addressed to his Pappa.
Herbert starts this letter "Liebe Mutti!", as Hebert addressed his mother in previous letters, detailing how he received the letters that were sent from herself and Pappa. Herbert writing from hospital himself expresses concern as he comments on how he assumed something was wrong with Pappa as he didn't sign a commitment party letter he received from the family and that it gave him quite the fright. Herbert then discussed the news of his unwell Pappa with a nurse asking what could be expected of a "Korna" (Crohn) to which the nurse responded and Herbert details " According to her it's not pleasant but it should be possible to heal". As we know Crohn's disease is a long-term condition where the gut becomes inflamed. Crohn's disease in todays world is treatable due to anti-biotic medication that is available but in the 1940s and in 1943 such treatments were not available to treat such specific illnesses. Such infections would have been taken more seriously that in todays world, whilst such diseases and infections still lead to fatalities the risk of fatalities in this period were more than likely. This infection being of great concern for Herbert and his family but they still hold on to the hope he will recover.
Herbert expresses his concern and emotion as "Well, dear mom, you have all kinds of worries. First Pappa is sick, then I got sick, and then there's the business." Which would have quite the concern and stress on the family as both his mothers son who is in active service away from home is ill in hospital and her husband also now in a critical condition all whilst having to stay focused and composed as she runs the family business in Kiel. The exact family business is unknown but what is known it is a shop that the family owns and have friends who help at the shop. Herbert details that he is thankful they have friends who will help the family in this difficult period where he adds that when he is released from hospital in Brunswick he will be able to rely on the convalescent leave that he believes he is entitled to as someone who is recovering from an illness and come home to help with some stresses as a result of his Pappa being unwell whilst being able to visit his Pappa in hospital.
After this Herbert addresses the mail (That in a letter written on the 29.3.43) he recalls waiting 5 weeks for any form of mail that was sent, here Herbert details how only one of the packages his family posted has arrived so far. Herbert expresses thanks for the cake, the "manicure bag" (Assumed wash bag/ toiletries) and Feldpost's that were sent whilst recounting that the others will also probably arrive soon. Herbert also thanks his Mutti for the money and stamps sent to him, the latter he cannot use currently as they are food stamps which he would spend in service and be given rations as Herbert details current rations are of good quality at the Hospital.
Herbert then draws the letter to a close, giving news that when he is back to full health he will have to return to his "replacement battalion in Rendsburg". This comes as replacement as his previous battalion is either still on the Ost front where he was pulled out of due to his illness or has been unfortunately killed or taken prisoner by Soviet forces. Rendsburg is on the Kiel canal (Westwards of Kiel, where the family lives). Herbert closes the letter telling his Mutti that he has written to his Pappa (As below) and sends best wishes in this letter to his Mutti and Hanne (Hann is assumed as in previous letters as the family friend who helps at the family owned business. Herbert also details in as PS also seen on the reverse that he doesn't need any visitors at this time and that his Grandma should stay there and not visit. This may be sent in reassurance to his family that he is getting better and with a focus on support for his family at home and his unwell Pappa. With final words of "Dein Herbert" Yours Herbert.
The letter reads in German as:
Braunschweig, 31.3.43
Lieber Pappa!
Heute Morgen erhielt ich Deinen lieben Brief
vom 27.3., ebenfalls den von Mutti. Du kannst Dir ja
vorstellen, daß ich einen schönen Schreck bekam als ich den
Brief gelesen hatte. Hoffentlich ist es nichts ernstliches und
Du kommst bald wieder hoch. Ich habe mich schon bei der
Schwester erkundigt, welche Krankheit mit Korna bezeichnet
wird. Leider wußte sie es nicht; aber sie will sich bei der Ober-
Schwester danach erkundigen und es mir mitteilen. Aber die
Hauptsache ist ja, daß du Dich so weit ja schon wieder
ganz gut fühlst und aufstehn kannst.
Daß Mutti es jetzt nicht leicht hat, kann ich mir
gut vorstellen. Nur gut, daß Köcher und Wiedemut etwas helfen
können, sonst hätte sie es doch garnicht schaffen können und
außerdem ist auch noch die Verkäuferin krank, wie Mutti
schreibt. Sie hat doch direkt zuviel Sorgen. zwei Kranke und
dann noch das Geschäft. Aber es wird schon wieder alles gut werden.
Mir wird es von Tag zu Tag besser gehen. Die Schmerzen
die ich immer noch in der Schulter hatte, sind jetzt so ziemlich
weg. Nur abends habe ich noch darunter zu leiden. Vor allen
Dingen fehlt mir die frühere Kraft; aber ich hatte auch
20 Pfund abgenommen als ich hierher kam. Ich wog nur noch
136 Pfund jetzt bin ich schon wieder auf 141 Pfund heraufgekom-
men. Wir sind heute Morgen hier gewogen worden. Wenn ich hier
entlassen werde, wird erstmal 14 Tage Genesungsurlaub
eingereicht. Ich glaube bestimmt, daß ich ihn bewilligt bekomme,
dann werde ich Mutti ja auch helfen können. Nun will ich
schließen, denn ich habe heute allerhand Post bekommen, die
ich gleich beantworten will.
Herzliche Grüße und gute Besserung
Dein Herbert
The letter in English reads as:
Brunswick, 31.3.43
Dear Pappa!
This morning I received your dear letter
of March 27, also the one from Mutti. You can imagine
imagine that I got a fright when I read the letter.
Hopefully it is nothing serious
and you will get up soon. I have already asked the nurse
which disease is called Crohn's .
Unfortunately, she did not know, but she will ask the head nurse about it and let me know.
But the main thing is that you feel quite well again and can get up.
I can imagine that Mum is not having an easy time now.
It's good that Köcher and Wiedemut can help a little, otherwise
she wouldn't have been able to do it at all, and in addition
the saleswoman is also ill, as Mutti writes.
She has too many worries right now. Two sick people
and then the store. But everything will be all right again.
I will get better from day to day. The pain
I still had in my shoulder is pretty much gone now.
Only in the evening I still suffer from it. Above all
things, I miss my former strength; but I also had
lost 20 pounds when I came here. I weighed only
136 pounds now I have already come back up to 141 pounds.
We were weighed here this morning. When I get
discharged from here, I will apply for 14 days of convalescent leave.
I am sure that it will be granted, then I will be able to help mother.
Now I want to close, because today I received a lot of letters, which I want to
answer right away.
Best regards and get well soon
Yours Herbert
Pappa Letter
Herbert addresses this letter to his Pappa as previously mentioned is unwell and in hospital with a condition that was diagnosed as potentially serious. Herbert addresses his Pappa (Spelt with double "P" which is considered by uncommon by todays standards) as Herbert received a letter from the 27th March and also received one from his Mutti. It is suggested that the family detailed in these letters the condition and situation where Herbert expresses his emotions and feelings to his Pappa by "You can imagine imagine that I got a fright when I read the letter. Hopefully it is nothing serious". Herbert is hoping that his Pappa will recover soon and he has spoke with nurses in the Brunswick hospital about his Crohn's disease. Hebert writes not much is commonly known and when he hears from the Head Nurse what issue is that he will write it to him but that the nurse explains how he should focus on getting better and well enough to be mobile.
Herbert expresses how his Mother is under stress now with the family business in Kiel as Herbert writes " can imagine that Mum is not having an easy time now. It's good that Köcher and Wiedemut can help a little, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to do it at all, and in addition the saleswoman is also ill, as Mutti writes. She has too many worries right now. Two sick people and then the store. But everything will be all right again" This showing that Herbert is thankful for the help that Köcher and Wiedemut can offer (Assumed family friends and fellow sales/ work staff employed at family business) Herbert expresses concern as a saleswoman who works with his mother is also unwell but expresses hope that it will be sorted soon enough.
Herbert also gives an update of his current condition in hospital to his Pappa as he writes "I will get better from day to day. The pain I still had in my shoulder is pretty much gone now. Only in the evening I still suffer from it. Above all
things, I miss my former strength; but I also had lost 20 pounds when I came here. I weighed only 136 pounds now I have already come back up to 141 pounds. We were weighed here this morning." Hebert here explains that he is still suffering from the affects of an infection in his Pleura (Which is linked to his current pneumonia). Herbert explaining this mainly comes into difficulty in the evening, as assumed this is when he needs to sleep and could be uncomfortable. Herbert missing his former strength, thus showing us how much of an impact this illness has on him. Hebert also details here how the illness has affected his weight as he has lost "20 Pounds" but recalls how he recently regained some as he was weighed this morning which is good news.
Herbert concludes this letter to his Pappa with information similar to what was mentioned in a letter to his Mutti as " When I get discharged from here, I will apply for 14 days of convalescent leave. I am sure that it will be granted, then I will be able to help mother." This being also like addressed to his Mother to not worry and he will be able to (If allowed in hindsight by the Wehrmacht) to visit and give some aid. Hebert finally concluding this letter with news that he has lots of Feldpost's and packages to catch up on and write replies to. With final words of "Dein Herbert" Yours Herbert.
In summary this is quite intense news to he family of Herbert Tank and can be assumed that the Pappa is called "Hans Tank" as would be the head of the household to which Feldpost envelopes have been seen written to before. It shows care and compassion for his family at this period whilst away ill at this time in hospital and should in some cases be concerned for his own well being still finds the time to write two separate letter to his family dressing best wishes and updating them also on his condition. Hebert showing that his own condition is looking much better than pervious letters and whilst in the period of writing this Hebert and his family were not aware of Korna disease (Crohn's disease) and the severity of it at the time. In hindsight medical procedures and treatments were not as modernised and successful in treating people but this isn't to say Herbert's Pappa wont recover but the belief he can be in better health whilst in the best place of aid will give hope to not only his Pappa but the whole family. Hebert's Pappa in the hospital also puts pressure on Herbert's family business which thankfully they have family friends and employees who can help the family business out. Which Hebert thinks ahead to potential and hopeful convalescent leave to help his family and visit his Pappa at this difficult time. However the Wehrmacht may not allow this as Herbert may need to be re trained and sorted into his replacement battalion in "Rendsburg" as mentioned in a letter. The war being on the decline for Germany at this period means that this possinility of not having convalescent leave would be likely. But hope for the family that this could be happen and the health of the family both his Pappa and Herbert's' health would be restored to what it once was.