Object numberM2014/017:001
DescriptionThis are an envelop and an one page letter from Private Hermann Garlipp, likely serving in the German Army in Russia, to his wife Lina in Hannover. Hermann is describing the conditions in which they have to stay which are poor but an improvement to which they are, about the entertainment during free time and about food they have and not have. Hermann is calling his wife 'little mouse'. It appear that he his hinting at the difficult conditions of life in the military.
Most letters between Hermann and his wife are numbered to see missing letters (this letter is no. 40).
The envelope is addressed to Mrs. Lina Böll, Knochenhauerstr. W 41, Hannover. Shows two stamps: One stamp dating 8.8.41 and saying 'army postal service'. The other one shows the unit no.: 'Einheit 06410'. Reverse side has sender address: Private Garlipp army postal service no. 06410.
The letter is a hand-written letter, written in German, from Private Hermann in Russia dated 6.8.1941 to his wife Lina Böll in Hannover. It is written in black fountain pen and is one A5 page long.
A full translation of the letter is attached in 'inscription'.
Most letters between Hermann and his wife are numbered to see missing letters (this letter is no. 40).
The envelope is addressed to Mrs. Lina Böll, Knochenhauerstr. W 41, Hannover. Shows two stamps: One stamp dating 8.8.41 and saying 'army postal service'. The other one shows the unit no.: 'Einheit 06410'. Reverse side has sender address: Private Garlipp army postal service no. 06410.
The letter is a hand-written letter, written in German, from Private Hermann in Russia dated 6.8.1941 to his wife Lina Böll in Hannover. It is written in black fountain pen and is one A5 page long.
A full translation of the letter is attached in 'inscription'.
Production placeRussia
Production date 1941-08-06
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- envelope width: 145.00 mm
envelope height: 92.00 mm
envelope depth: 1.00 mm
letter width: 132.00 mm
letter height: 180.00 mm
letter depth: 1.00 mm
Language
- German Letter No. 40
Russia, 6.8.1941
MY LOVELY LITTLE MOUSE
I haven’t received any mail from you for several days but hope I will soon. I hope my mouse that you are well and happy as I am also. My little one I will write so you can understand the condition we are living in. We are in a large hall, the floor is made from tiles, the bed you cannot imagine it, is a wardrobe that we laid on its back and it is wet and cold at night but a lot better to sleep in then in a ditch in a field at night. We just cooked some rice that we seldom have available to us. There is a piano here but it is not in good condition, but some one is trying to play it. If I could have a half liter of beer I would pay $5 for it but I have to go on without it until the time when we can have it again. It would be much better if I could be with you again I would forego all else but since it is not possible one has to go without. I will close for today. A thousand greetings and kisses from your ever loving
HERMANN
[Translator is unknown]
[Johannes Unger Transcription, September 2014]
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr. A. & Mrs. V. Weidler