87 - Prellbock, 22 September 1915

Prellbock, 22 September 1915

[Wednesday]

Dear family,

I just remembered something that I very nearly forgot. So today a few lines, I’ll write more extensively tomorrow when I have receied something from you again.

So: on the occasion of mother´s birthday my most heartfelt congratulations.

Feldwebel Scheffel told me yesterday that you are all doing fine, and I hope it will remain that way.

Here same old same old. Tommy is making a lot of noise though with his guns since yesterday, and behaves as if something very special is going on.[*1] But we don’t believe him, and we’re not worried about all the shooting. He should spare his munition for more suitable occasions.

Feldwebel Scheffel wants to distribute the sigarettes and sigars he got from you amongst the Bärmer [= guys from Barmen] at the Prellbock. I also got a few, as smokes are a very rare commodity at the moment.

Many warm greetings send you

Your Fritz

[*1] Preliminary bombardment for the Battle of Loos.

From http://www.1914-1918.net/bat13.htm
21 September 1915
British bombardment of German positions opens and continues without break until the morning of the assault. Observation of the effect of the shooting was hampered by fine weather and wind throwing up clouds of chalk dust, and on 23rd and 24th by a change to dull weather with mist. Various localised feint attacks were conducted, to persuade the enemy to man the forward trenches during the shelling. These ruses included the use of dummy troops, bayonets showing above the British parapets, bagpipes playing, men shouting hurrahs, etc.

The original letter: