71 - Uhrgraben, 16 August 1915

Uhrgraben, 16 August 1915

[Thursday]

Dear family,

I received mother’s letter of the 11th, and parcels nrs 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72.

Many thanks for everything. Then I also received 2 parcels from Reverend Herbst’s wife, and one from Aunt Bonert. Please thank them for me. Aunt Bonert wrote about two parcels, one with cognace, but that didn’t arrive. The preserved vegetables always arrive in good order, except for the peas in parcel nr 62. And in parcel nr 65 the bottle was broken.

As a special recommendation I request a repeat sending of parcels, 61, 63, 66, 67, 70, 72.

And I’d like a bit of cognac too. It’s often very cold at night here, even with a coat, especially when you have to stand still for a long time. And I could use a new pair of socks one of these days. You don’t have to send immediately. And I’d like some Sacharine too. At the moment I have no ther wishes. Maybe a nice Korinthenplatz or something [= round yeastcake with currants] .

Then something else: I receive a parcel now and then from Otto Merten’s sister, and I’d like to repay her for that. I heard she has a photoalbum in which she collects warphoto’s.  As such an album can only take photos of a certain size, I wrote her today to ask her to contact you regarding the format.  I believe Paul [Bonert] has an enlarger with which you can print any format.

Or you can have them printed at Jansens [*1]. Please do me that favour.

It’s of no use sending parcels to Otto Mertens. He receives só much from home, that I have to help him every time, in order for him not to overeat.

Don’t know what else to write you. Everything is still the same. The English are still keeping quiet. I don’t think they will try to attack here any time soon, I really don’t believe they’ll come anymore.

But then we won’t attack any time soon either. Again troops left from here to go to Russia.

And I find that, for obvious reasons, a very good thing. Im’sure you can imagine why.

H.Mais, A. Heede etc. returned from the course yesterday. It seems they learned a lot, even horse-riding.

But I got to end it now. It is the highest time this letter leaves today, otherwise you start thinking all sorts of things again.

Many warm greetings sends you:

Your Fritz

[*1]  Photography shop Jansen in Barmen:

The original letter: