Object numberM2014/017:003
DescriptionThis are an envelop and a 3 pages letter from Private Hermann Garlipp, likely serving in the German Army in Russia, to his wife Lina in Hannover. Hermann hopes that his situation get's better soon as otherwise he is not able to cope with it anymore. He writes about his worries when he's getting back home, how it would be at home again. A comrade is going home and will deliver the letters for him. He is waiting for letters from her wife and mentioned that he was at the dentist in the camp. Very cold weather (minus 42deg). Conditions in camp, especially beds.
Most letters between Hermann and his wife are numbered to see missing letters, but this one is not.
The envelope is light blue and is addressed to Mrs. Lina Böll, Knochenhauerstr. W 41, Hannover. Shows two stamps: One stamp stating the date 31.1.41 and 'army postal service' is written above the stamp. The other one is a nazi stamp which is clearly blue and says 'unit 06410'. Reverse side has sender address: Private Garlipp army postal service no. 06410.
The letter is hand-written on squared paper, written in German, from Private Hermann in Russia dated 24.1.42 to his wife Lina Böll in Hannover. It is written in blue fountain pen and is one A4 page folded to A5 size.
Translation can be found in 'inscriptions'.
Most letters between Hermann and his wife are numbered to see missing letters, but this one is not.
The envelope is light blue and is addressed to Mrs. Lina Böll, Knochenhauerstr. W 41, Hannover. Shows two stamps: One stamp stating the date 31.1.41 and 'army postal service' is written above the stamp. The other one is a nazi stamp which is clearly blue and says 'unit 06410'. Reverse side has sender address: Private Garlipp army postal service no. 06410.
The letter is hand-written on squared paper, written in German, from Private Hermann in Russia dated 24.1.42 to his wife Lina Böll in Hannover. It is written in blue fountain pen and is one A4 page folded to A5 size.
Translation can be found in 'inscriptions'.
Production date 1942-01-24
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- envelope width: 155.00 mm
envelope height: 124.00 mm
envelope depth: 1.00 mm
letter width: 285.00 mm
letter height: 211.00 mm
letter depth: 1.00 mm
Language
- German Russia, 24.1.42
MY LOVELY LITTLE MOUSE
Desperately waiting for mail but none will arrive prior to Tuesday. I hope you are still healthy and happy and I can confirm that to be on my side. I visited the dentist to day and it went better then I expected. The work on one tooth was completed with a silver filling because the old filling was loose and there are several other teeth that need work on them. I am no longer concerned to have the rest of them done. It always happens that when one needs to see a dentist we are moved on or do not have the time due to much work in progress. It is Saturday today and how lovely it would be if I could be with you but must continue to get through without you my little one. We are hoping that it will get better soon because I don’t think I can cope much longer but there are many others that don’t went to show there despair and hope that our current situation will change for the better soon. We experienced the lowest temperature so far as 42deg minus but we are only in January and by end of February we hope that it will get warmer. This letter will arrive sooner because one of us going home and will deliver it to you. I am sorry that it won’t be me but it is a Bergman who is being retired all together. How will I feel when I finally come home, it will seem strange after all this time away. It has been nine month so far and how many more will pass before I’ll be home. My hair will turn grey, just thinking about it. The infestation of bed bugs is terrible. Before you go to bed you must turn and shake the bedding because within 48 hours they multiply including what you are wearing at the time. I will mail your shoes shortly or it will miss out on transport. I will close off for today, it is 11pm now and I need to go to bed so good night my little mouse. Thousands of greetings and kisses from your forever loving Hermann.
PS: Also greetings to your parents and siblings.
[Translator is unknown]
[Johannes Unger Transcription, September 2014]
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Dr. A. & Mrs. V. Weidler