Frohe Weihnachten & Happy Christmas to all our followers. Thank you for your support throughout 2023 !
This is part of the KB41 Weihnachten Series
The postcard here shows German showing enjoying Weihnachten (Christmas) in a barn whilst in service, somewhere on the western front . The German Soldaten are seen seated in a barn, warm and dry celebrating together. The Soldaten seen are of the Füsilier-Regt. Generalfeldmarschall Graf von Moltke (1.Schlesisches) Nr.38, as seen by the number "38" on the shoulder boards of those seated. This is a rare crisp photo Feldpostcard showing an Early World War One Weihnachten scene, with a reverse written by someone seen in the photograph as they write of their festive event away from home home.
The Feldpostcard reverse reads as:
Umstehend die Halle in der wir die
Weihnachtsfeier hielten. Sie ist
provisorisch und über einem Unterstand
in der Scheune. Rechts die Gewehrstutzen. "Krieg
und Frieden". Die Lampen sind Acetylenlampen
mit rotem und blauen Papier drum. Stimung
wie im Bahnhofshotel bei d. Tronbesteigung.
Leider hat der Buchhändler in Metz mich mit
dem Buch im Stich gelassen.
Herzliche Grüße
Ihr Theo Müller
Frl. Hella Schulte
The Feldpostcard translated in English reads as:
Surrounding the hall where we held the
Christmas party. It is provisional and above a shelter
in the barn. On the right, the rifle stocks. "War
and peace". The lamps are acetylene lamps
with red and blue paper around them. Atmosphere
like in the railway station hotel during the Tron ascent.
Unfortunately, the bookseller in Metz let me down with
with the book.
Best regards
Yours, Theo Müller
(Addressed to) Miss Hella Schulte
Context Labelled example of the above Feldpostcard
This Feldpostcard showing Füsiliers Nr.38( identified above by the labelled black box) can be seen seated around tables with food and canteen cups right to the back of a packed barn where those who cannot be seated stand. Those seated closest to the photographer can be seen holding official Carole leaflets (identified by the blue circle above) These leaflets would be issued by Kompanies around the Weihnachten period, featuring well known hymns and songs to lift the spirits of those in service. Feeling united through songs, those of which many would have sung at home with their families, now can sing with their new family, their Kameraden. Those they knew from back home from their respected villages, towns and cities, to those who they have just become friends with in their Regiment. The period of Christmas was difficult as feelings of home would be at the forefront of all Soldaten in service. The songs of their respected faiths and of Weihnachten tradition would raise the morale and relax the minds of those during this special day.
The Füsiliers of Regiment Nr.38 are seen wearing a mixture of M1907 and M1910 tunics, and a varied style of tape on their "Feld Mutze" (cap). The different styles of tape can be seen by the labelled photo above. These tapes were used to hide the bright red band on the Feld Mutze, seen with variations of cotton (as seen labelled above by green and red) Two variations of cotton are seen with one that covers the whole band and another that shows a buttonhole variant which shows the cockade of the FeldMutze. This can also be seen labelled in red which shows the wool variants.
The Feldpostcard has "Weihnachten 1915" written in ink across the front, this likely by Theo Müller (the Füsilier who is somewhere in the photo and who wrote the reverse) There is details of a Weihnachten throughout the photo, not just the Weihnachtsbaum (Christmas Tree) that can be seen in the centre of the barn. Decorated with candles and tinsel. As the reverse also details this event was a Christmas party, a provisional one but the atmosphere and warmth at this festive event can be seen. In a sheltered barn the Füsiliers.
The reverse also details more of what is in the photograph with "On the right, the rifle stocks. "War and peace" this can be seen as detailed, rows of rifles stocked in the far right corner. These being on standby if the party becomes interrupted but as detailed by Theo, its a contrast between "War and peace", the war being the rifles and peace being the celebration of Weihnachten, singing and laughter. The large lamps that are seen hanging from the ceiling of the barn are also mentioned on the reverse of this Feldpostcard with "The lamps are acetylene lamps, with red and blue paper around them." These lamps detailed as acetylene lamps, these are a particular type of lamp that is powered by water and calcium carbonate that is found in rock form. These lamps are detailed with decorations around the lamps that similar to that of paper chains, a decoration often made to decorate homes during the Christmas period. Decorated with red and blue paper, these colours would illuminate the barn as the lights are on.
The atmosphere is detailed in a memory that both Theo (The Füsilier writing this) writes to the recipient of the Feldpostcard , Miss Hella Schulte. Possibly a friend, Hella experienced this memory that Theo mentions "Atmospherelike in the railway station hotel during the Tron ascent" This is in mention of the suggested ascent to the mountain known as "Tronfjell" A memory of their time together during the pre war years. This being at the railway station hotel before the ascent to the mountain. Both and likely more friends or family spent time skiing around the Norwegian mountains of Tronfjell. Tronfjell is a 5,463 ft tall mountain, located in the Alvdal region of Norway, within the traditional district of Østerdalen. Tronfjell's name deriving from the Old Norse word "þróndr" which means "Hog", It is common for Norway to compare and name its mountains due to their shape similarities to animals.
The exact location of where this Photograph was taken and also were the Feldpostcard was written but it is somewhere on the Western Front in the "Metz" region of France. This is seen with the mention of "Unfortunately, the bookseller in Metz let me down with the book" this being in reference to where Theo likely went to acquire a book (Either for himself or to send home as a gift) that Hella mentioned in a previous correspondence sent to him. Metz is a city located in Northeast France, in the region of Lorraine. Metz was famous during World War One for its many defensive forts, the area during World War One was owned by the German Empire and had been since the Treaty of Frankfurt of 1871. Metz's forts were spared bombardments in World War One (After WW1, The region or Lorraine was given back to France as part of the Armistice. The forts would see defensive use later in September 1944)
The Feldpostcard is drawn to a close after the mention of the book that wasn't acquired in Metz. Theo Müller somewhere in this joyous event seen in this Photograph. Somewhere among the many happy and high spirited Füsiliers. This can also be seen as an early war photograph by the sporting of many facial hair styles. Most common the "Imperial Moustache" which was made famous by Kaiser Wilhelm II and adopted by many as seen here. A way to show admiration and patriotism whilst sporting this stylish facial hair style, others can be seen with full beards and some clean shaven. It wasn't to be known until later in the war but facial hair such as the Imperial Moustaches and beards seen sported here by many would stop the seal of the gasmasks when worn during a gas attack. This ultimately leading to many more affected and subsequently many to die as a result as gas would leak into the gasmask due to the facial hair getting in the way. Such facial was later phased out and clean shaven was adopted when this became common knowledge.
This being a crisp photograph and detailed Feldpostcard showing Füsilier-Regt. Generalfeldmarschall Graf von Moltke (1.Schlesisches) Nr.38 enjoying a warm and well attended Weihnachten event. The atmosphere can be felt from the photograph with the decoration and lights to the Kamaraderie among Füsiliers, this supported by the detailed reverse of Theo Müller. Theo writing this to document his experience at a event that would be celebrated at home. Letting Hella (suggested friend) know how life was at the frontlines and what they were doing during this national holiday. Festivities didn't stop because of the war and such traditions would carry on at every opportunity. Raising morale and strengthening the bond among the Füsiliers. The harsh and bitter frontline fighting awaiting these young Füsiliers. Cold, bloody and destructive frontline trenchwarfare, involving heavy artillery bombardments and gas attacks would affect the lives of the young Füsiliers. Many seen here likely survived the first year and this would be their second time celebrating Christmas away from home. Where as equally this could be the first for some newer enlisted men.
It is not known if any of these men, includinh Theo Müller survived. But if is hoped they did. This post is dedicated to the memory of those during World War One.