KARL 430613

Written May 13, 1943 to Thea Boehm in Braunschweig

Envelope postmarked June, 16 1943

Note: (Pfingsten- religious holiday in May ascension day)

My Darling,

So that the gap is not so big since yesterdays air mail letter, I want to write you today on PfingstSunday. I received so much mail from you yesterday and today, that I would have written any, because we don’t get anything out of Pfingsten other than a small ration of alcohol. Maybe the Russians had assigned a few more soldiers (fire power) than usual in the area, but it is not noticeable as long as we remained unharmed. I want to tell you everything that I have received from you, both letter from the 29 and 31 of May, a package with crackers and cheese, a package with a cake for Pfingsten, and two packages with bouillon cubes. It was a blessing, and I would like to give you a sweet kiss that would tell you how grateful I am. Now I would like describe how I spent PfingstMonday. First I need to write that I hardly slept at all the night before last. We had a small officers party that I took part in. There was a little alcohol and then lots of “real ground” coffee. That was enjoyed by all and therefore almost no one slept well that night. So I took a walk almost the entire night with my boss and it was beginning to get light when we finally went to bed. The response yesterday was positive. I went to bed early in the morning and slept till 8 o’clock. Then the loud announcement that the mail had arrived woke me up. The mail brought the Pfingstcake so I at least could have a real coffee break. For lunch there was potatoes and cabbage and pudding. Unfortunately cooked in water and therefore not at all good. In the afternoon, I played cards and won. I could even pay for the cigarettes that I had got with my winnings. Now I am sitting at the table, with a glass of wine in front of me, smoking a cigarette and writing the Pfingst holiday letter to my bride, as is my boss who is across from me. So admit it when you read this description, you would have to say, “I wish I had it as good.” The people always talk so much about the bitter battle at the front. I have to comment, that I spent my whole day in a bathing suit, only when an officer stops by is the uniform put on quickly.

Darkness kept me from finishing my letter yesterday, therefore you get greetings on Pfingst Monday as well. Now I would like to answer your two letters. You had planned to take a trip to the country on May 30 but instead you were in _____. Was that planned or supposed to go differently?

I’m looking forward to seeing the photos, but I probably won’t see them until I am with you. It is not for sure, but everyone in the division is saying that I will get out on July 1^st, but inspite of the fact that I am with my boss every day, he hasn’t said anything about it. You are probably curious to know where I will end up. I wasn’t going to write about it, but you should know about it. I am writing to stress that it is not official yet, but probably I will come to Germany for at least four months for officer training. The officer school course will take place in [illegible] near Berlin, and we would probably have the opportunity to see each other.

Yes darling, the situation brings us unexpected possibilities. There is leave before and after course. Besides you could visit every now and then or I could come home on a Sunday. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic present for our [illegible] marriage.

It must be decided in the next few days, then I will send you an airmail letter immediately, so that you get the news as soon as possible. If it works, then I would really be with you at the beginning of July and would not have to return to Russia after leave, but rather could always count on being with you again soon. I am sure it will work. My comrades are all convinced, only I am a little pessimistic and will wait for the final orders. One thing I know, it won’t be long until I am with you and then I will be able to tell you how long I long for my “little woman” I send tender kisses and I am always yours, Georg.