Part of The KB41 Collection On This Day Series

This is the second Feldpost letter that Herbert writes home to his family in 1944. The previous being written just three days earlier on the 2nd January 1944. Both are written from Russland (Russia) as Herbert updates his family back in Kiel of his time in service.

The Feldpost reads as:

Russland. 5.1.44

Ihr Lieben!

Gestern erhielt ich Hanne´s lieben

Brief vom 21.12. Das ist ja Pech, daß seiner

Bühnenlaufbahn durch die Bombenangriffe

ein so plötzliches Ende gesetzt wurde. Ich

kann mir vorstellen, daß so etwas Spaß

macht. Es muß ganz interessant sein mal

hinter die Kulissen des Theaters zu blicken.

Ich bin schon gespannt auf den nächsten

Brief.

Mir geht es immer noch gut. Gestern

bin ich in einem anderen Bunker gezogen.

Ich habe schon immer auf einer Bank in

der Mitte von unserm Bunker geschlafen,

und trotzdem hielt ich es nicht aus

vor Wanzen, ich war immer froh wenn

ich auf Wache mußte. Dieser Bunker ist nun

klein und gemütlich, wir liegen mit 3 Mann

hier, und vor allen Dingen fast Wanzenfrei.

Ich glaube Ihr könnt Euch garnicht vor-

stellen, was für eine Plage die Wanzen sind,

lieber will ich 10 Läuse haben wie 1 Wanze.

Heute erhielt ich einen Brief von Holger

Heuermann. Es war noch ganz begeistert

von seiner Aufnahme bei Euch.

In den nächsten Tagen gehe ich auf einen

Kradmelder-Kursus. Sonst gibt es

nichts neues.

Viele Grüße

Euer Herbert

The Feldpost translated in English reads as:

Russia. 5.1.44

Dear all!

Yesterday I received Hanne's dear

letter of 21.12. That's too bad that his

career on the stage was brought to such a sudden

end by the bombing. I can imagine that something like that

is fun. It must be quite interesting to look

behind the scenes of the theatre.

I'm already looking forward to the next

letter.

I'm still doing well. Yesterday

I moved to another bunker.

I've always slept on a bench in the centre

of our bunker, and yet I couldn't stand it

because of the bugs, I was always happy when

I had to go on guard duty. This bunker is now

small and cosy, we lie with 3 men

here, and above all almost bug-free.

I don't think you can even imagine

what a nuisance the bugs are,

I'd rather have 10 lice than 1 bug.

Today I received a letter from Holger

Heuermann. He was still very enthusiastic

about the warmly welcome by you.

In the next few days I'm going on a Kradmelder

course. Otherwise there is

nothing new.

Best regards

Yours Herbert

Herbert starts this Feldpost letter by addressing a letter he received from 'Hanne' of 21st December 1943. Hanne suggested as a family friend. Hanne appears to be an actor or some kind of stage performer as its written his performance was drawn to a close due to allied bombing. Allied bombing had been written in previous letters between Herbert and his family. Herbert writes how he is interested by Hanne's career and imagines what the fun at the theatre must be like. Herbert writing that he is already looking forward to learning more in the next letter he receives from him.

Next Herbert writes how he is currently doing, to which he explains he is doing well and has moved to another bunker. Herbert writing how he used to always sleep on a bench in the centre of the bunker, despite this Herbert couldn't stand sleeping in the middle on this bench because of the bugs. Hebert writing he was happier when on guard than when in his old bunker. Mention of pests and vermin have been written in previous letters, bugs were a pest to Soldaten across all fronts. The Eastern Front in the terrain that Herbert found himself in, dense woodland with swampland, cold damp conditions would make mosquitos and other bugs unbearable. Herbert detailing he would rather have 10 lice that 1 bug. Herbert writing he is thankful that his new bunker is small and cosy. Three men lie in this bunker and it is bug free which Herbert is happy about.

Herbert then writes about how he has today (5.1.44) he received a letter from " Holger Heuermann" a family friend as Herbert writes he is still enthusiastic and feels warmly welcomed by his family. Possibly helping back home in Kiel with Hebert's family shop.

Herbert drawing this letter to a close with important news that in the next few days he will be starting a "Kradmelder course". A Kradmelder (Known in English as a dispatch rider) is a military messenger who would either ride a horse or a motorcycle, in this case its imagined the latter, who would send messages from position to position containing strategic and unit information. This would require Herbert to drive from frontlines to unit positions, often driving through enemy territory to deliver messages. It is notable that during World War One, Adolf Hitler was a dispatch messenger, delivering messages between the lines in Belgium and France. Adolf Hitler, a young Gerfreiter at the time in the Bavarian Army undertook this role in what was considered safe to many as the staff headquarters were far behind the front lines. Adolf Hitler later becoming Führer of Germany in 1933 and in power as Herbert writes this letter.

Herberts role as a dispatch rider could be considered more dangerous than Adolfs as the lines of warfare where not as well defined due to a much different format of combat. It is hoped Herberts details of this course will be mentioned in the next letter. Herbert signing off as always to his loving family back home in Kiel, Euer Herbert, Yours Herbert.