Connections in Wartime: Postcards From the German Front
by
MB
Postcards were the most common, if not sole, form of communication provided to the German army during World War I. It is estimated that the 28 billion pieces of mail which were delivered by the Feldpost, the German field postal service, by the end of 1918, were overwhelmingly postcards[1]. Although this number takes mail sent to soldiers into account, it makes each German soldier responsible for approximately 7,500 pieces of mail, on average, throughout the war. These statistics are only educated guesses, but they demonstrate the importance of the post to the front lines, and so it comes as no surprise that the German army issued stationery to its soldiers.
This particular set of postcards seems to be a series of at least six parts, titled “Am Rhein Da Liegt Ein Städchen” or “There Lies a Town Upon the Rhine”, numbered W S+S B 1022/1-6. The W S+S B insignia appears to be a line of wartime cards by the German publisher O. Schaefer & Scheibe, active in Lichtenberg near Berlin during those years. The S&S symbol and four-digit series identifier are typical of that publisher.[2] It may be inferred from Postcard III that the postcard series differed based on location. The borders are composed of a clockwise repetition of the tricolor of the German Empire, and each postcard’s piece of artwork consists of a photograph upon which is inscribed one stanza of the poem for the series. The photographs are most likely hand-colored (instead of products of the more recent Autochrome process), which would account for the variations across postcards in the color of the model’s gown in the absence of any difference in cut. The subjects appear to have been photographed in various poses standing in front of a painted backdrop which accounts for the line at floor level behind the models. As indicated by the soldier’s uniform, he is a common infantryman[3] of unknown regiment. The female model is clothed in a sort of romanticized peasant girl costume cut on the fashionable Directoire line, over which she wears a short apron.
These postcards were written by a Jacob Ganns from 12 December 1915 to 19 February 1916 and sent to Emma Siegel, who lived in Becherbach, a town on the Nahe River, and had, as can be inferred from the text in the postcards, a brother named Ernst Siegel[4]. Her parents were still living at the time of the war, and were intimate enough to Ganns that he mentioned them in three postcards of the six. Ganns was a musketeer in the sixth company of Infantry Regiment 29, First Battalion, Second Army, and was posted at Koblenz, where he sent Postcard I, Weissenthurm (Postcard II), and Engers (Postcards III-VI) during this period of time.
The contents concern themselves only with the health and well-being of Ganns, the Siegels, and his new location. Some other girls of Ganns’ and the Siegels’ mutual acquantaince are mentioned in Postcard II. Aside from these passing references, however, they are devoid of any other details of his life.
Every army during World War I appears to have had some sort of officially issued stationery provided to its soldiers. The French included some postcards in a more risqué style (one common theme is a woman in a state of undress gazing adoringly at a soldier) [5]. The British were permitted to send letters, however, these normally underwent heavy censorship to remove seemingly innocuous information such as the weather (which could, if intercepted, aid the enemy in ascertaining trench conditions). A soldier who wished to lower his chances of having his post blotted out had the option of sending it in a green envelope, with which he swore a mighty oath that it referred to nothing but family matters[6]. It is in their postcards, however, that the full extent of blatant military censorship during the war is shown.
The Field Service Postcard was composed of phrases to be circled or crossed out, as appropriate. After the sender had selected, say, “I am well” and “I have received your letter/telegram/parcel”, he could then sign his name at the bottom, performing the only act of actual script allowed to him[7]. The guidelines of censorship that the postcards examined in this paper were written under are unknown; considering their fairly bland contents and associated risks in absence of such a guideline, it is likely they were tightly controlled. It is fortunate that some text was allowed, giving some insight into the sender’s private life. The most astonishing detail of the postcards is that Ganns was permitted to state his location, and, incredibly, have it confirmed by the postal service.
POSTCARD I
This particular set of postcards seems to be a series of at least six parts, titled “Am Rhein Da Liegt Ein Städchen” or “There Lies a Town Upon the Rhine”, numbered W S+S B 1022/1-6. The W S+S B insignia appears to be a line of wartime cards by the German publisher O. Schaefer & Scheibe, active in Lichtenberg near Berlin during those years. The S&S symbol and four-digit series identifier are typical of that publisher.[2] It may be inferred from Postcard III that the postcard series differed based on location. The borders are composed of a clockwise repetition of the tricolor of the German Empire, and each postcard’s piece of artwork consists of a photograph upon which is inscribed one stanza of the poem for the series. The photographs are most likely hand-colored (instead of products of the more recent Autochrome process), which would account for the variations across postcards in the color of the model’s gown in the absence of any difference in cut. The subjects appear to have been photographed in various poses standing in front of a painted backdrop which accounts for the line at floor level behind the models. As indicated by the soldier’s uniform, he is a common infantryman[3] of unknown regiment. The female model is clothed in a sort of romanticized peasant girl costume cut on the fashionable Directoire line, over which she wears a short apron.
These postcards were written by a Jacob Ganns from 12 December 1915 to 19 February 1916 and sent to Emma Siegel, who lived in Becherbach, a town on the Nahe River, and had, as can be inferred from the text in the postcards, a brother named Ernst Siegel[4]. Her parents were still living at the time of the war, and were intimate enough to Ganns that he mentioned them in three postcards of the six. Ganns was a musketeer in the sixth company of Infantry Regiment 29, First Battalion, Second Army, and was posted at Koblenz, where he sent Postcard I, Weissenthurm (Postcard II), and Engers (Postcards III-VI) during this period of time.
The contents concern themselves only with the health and well-being of Ganns, the Siegels, and his new location. Some other girls of Ganns’ and the Siegels’ mutual acquantaince are mentioned in Postcard II. Aside from these passing references, however, they are devoid of any other details of his life.
Every army during World War I appears to have had some sort of officially issued stationery provided to its soldiers. The French included some postcards in a more risqué style (one common theme is a woman in a state of undress gazing adoringly at a soldier) [5]. The British were permitted to send letters, however, these normally underwent heavy censorship to remove seemingly innocuous information such as the weather (which could, if intercepted, aid the enemy in ascertaining trench conditions). A soldier who wished to lower his chances of having his post blotted out had the option of sending it in a green envelope, with which he swore a mighty oath that it referred to nothing but family matters[6]. It is in their postcards, however, that the full extent of blatant military censorship during the war is shown.
The Field Service Postcard was composed of phrases to be circled or crossed out, as appropriate. After the sender had selected, say, “I am well” and “I have received your letter/telegram/parcel”, he could then sign his name at the bottom, performing the only act of actual script allowed to him[7]. The guidelines of censorship that the postcards examined in this paper were written under are unknown; considering their fairly bland contents and associated risks in absence of such a guideline, it is likely they were tightly controlled. It is fortunate that some text was allowed, giving some insight into the sender’s private life. The most astonishing detail of the postcards is that Ganns was permitted to state his location, and, incredibly, have it confirmed by the postal service.
POSTCARD I
Text:
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen Kirn?
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29 6. Korps Coblenz [sic] Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn. Nahe
Koblenz 12.12.15
L[iebe] Freundin Emma!
Wie versprochen send ich Dir, eine schöne ???? hier. Hoffentlich gefällt sie Dir! Die besten Grüße aus Koblenz ??? ??? sendet Dir Dein Freund J Ganns.
Translation:
[Sent by] Musketeer J. Ganns
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29, 6th Company Koblenz, the Rhine
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach near Kirn-on-the-Nahe[8]
Koblenz, 12 December 1915
My dear sweetheart Emma!
How to say what I send you, what a lovely [postcard they have] here. Hopefully you like it! My regards from Koblenz, [undecipherable] send you. Your friend Jacob Ganns.
Poetry:
Am Rhein da liegt ein Städchen,
Das kennt wohl jeder Mann,
Die allerschönsten Mädchen
Trifft man darinnen an.
There lies a town upon the Rhine
Well known to every man,
The prettiest little maidens,
Could anyone find within.
POSTCARD II
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen Kirn?
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29 6. Korps Coblenz [sic] Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn. Nahe
Koblenz 12.12.15
L[iebe] Freundin Emma!
Wie versprochen send ich Dir, eine schöne ???? hier. Hoffentlich gefällt sie Dir! Die besten Grüße aus Koblenz ??? ??? sendet Dir Dein Freund J Ganns.
Translation:
[Sent by] Musketeer J. Ganns
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29, 6th Company Koblenz, the Rhine
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach near Kirn-on-the-Nahe[8]
Koblenz, 12 December 1915
My dear sweetheart Emma!
How to say what I send you, what a lovely [postcard they have] here. Hopefully you like it! My regards from Koblenz, [undecipherable] send you. Your friend Jacob Ganns.
Poetry:
Am Rhein da liegt ein Städchen,
Das kennt wohl jeder Mann,
Die allerschönsten Mädchen
Trifft man darinnen an.
There lies a town upon the Rhine
Well known to every man,
The prettiest little maidens,
Could anyone find within.
POSTCARD II
Text:
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ???????
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn. Nahe
Weissenthurm, [9] 12.1.16
Liebe Emma! Bin gesund wieder hier angekommen. Es grüßt Dich u[nd] Ernst Einst[?] Jacob. Gru[ß?] an die andern Mädels. Wiedersehn.
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29
Translation:
[Sent by] Musketeer J. Ganns [undecipherable]
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach near Kirn[ -on-the-] Nahe.
Weissenthurm, 12.1.16[10]
Dear Emma! I am well upon returning here. Greetings to you and Ernst Einst [undecipherable].[11] Send my regards to the other girls. So long (until we see each other again)
Jacob
Poetry:
Das Städchen dort am Rheine
Hat seine Garnison
Von schmucken Füsilieren,
Ein ganzes Batallion.
This town upon the Rhine
Had filled its garrison[12]
With decorated fusiliers,
A whole battalion.
POSTCARD III
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ???????
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn. Nahe
Weissenthurm, [9] 12.1.16
Liebe Emma! Bin gesund wieder hier angekommen. Es grüßt Dich u[nd] Ernst Einst[?] Jacob. Gru[ß?] an die andern Mädels. Wiedersehn.
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29
Translation:
[Sent by] Musketeer J. Ganns [undecipherable]
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach near Kirn[ -on-the-] Nahe.
Weissenthurm, 12.1.16[10]
Dear Emma! I am well upon returning here. Greetings to you and Ernst Einst [undecipherable].[11] Send my regards to the other girls. So long (until we see each other again)
Jacob
Poetry:
Das Städchen dort am Rheine
Hat seine Garnison
Von schmucken Füsilieren,
Ein ganzes Batallion.
This town upon the Rhine
Had filled its garrison[12]
With decorated fusiliers,
A whole battalion.
POSTCARD III
Text:
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen K?????
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29 6. Korps Engers Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn / Nahe
Engers a[m] Rhein 19.1.16
Liebe Emma!
Bin nach Engers übersi[e]delt, ist sehr schön hier hoffentlich gefallen Dir doch die Karten. Es grüst [sic] Dich, Ernst u[nd] Eltern Jacob Wiedersehn
Ernst soll mal schreiben
Translation:
[Sent by] Musketeer J. Ganns [undecipherable] Genesen K[undecipherable]
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29, 6th Company—Engers, Rhine
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach near Kirn-on-the-Nahe
Engers, The Rhine 19 January 1916
Dear Emma!
I have been moved to Engers; it is very beautiful here, and hopefully you will like the cards[13]. I greet you, Ernst, and your parents. –Jacob Until we see each other again!
P.S. Ernst should write
Poetry:
Im Städchen dort am Rheine,
Im Städchen lieb und traut,
Hat von den Füsilieren
Ein jeder seine Braut.
In the town upon the Rhine,
In this lovely, cosy town,
Had each and every fusilier
A sweetheart[14] there within.
POSTCARD IV
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen K?????
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29 6. Korps Engers Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn / Nahe
Engers a[m] Rhein 19.1.16
Liebe Emma!
Bin nach Engers übersi[e]delt, ist sehr schön hier hoffentlich gefallen Dir doch die Karten. Es grüst [sic] Dich, Ernst u[nd] Eltern Jacob Wiedersehn
Ernst soll mal schreiben
Translation:
[Sent by] Musketeer J. Ganns [undecipherable] Genesen K[undecipherable]
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29, 6th Company—Engers, Rhine
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach near Kirn-on-the-Nahe
Engers, The Rhine 19 January 1916
Dear Emma!
I have been moved to Engers; it is very beautiful here, and hopefully you will like the cards[13]. I greet you, Ernst, and your parents. –Jacob Until we see each other again!
P.S. Ernst should write
Poetry:
Im Städchen dort am Rheine,
Im Städchen lieb und traut,
Hat von den Füsilieren
Ein jeder seine Braut.
In the town upon the Rhine,
In this lovely, cosy town,
Had each and every fusilier
A sweetheart[14] there within.
POSTCARD IV
Text:
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen K????
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29 6. Korps Engers Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn a[n] / d[er] Nahe
Engers, 21.1.16
Liebe Emma!
Dein liebes Kärtchen habe ich erhalten, dafür meinen herzlichsten Dank. Es grüsst Dich, Ernst, u[nd] Eltern recht herzlich Musk. Jacob Ganns.
Auf Wiedersehn!
Translation:
[Sent by] Musk. J Ganns [undecipherable] Genesen K[undecipherable]
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29, Sixth Company
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach by Kirn on the Nahe
Engers, 21.1.16[15]
Dear Emma!
I received your dear little card, for which I send my most heartfelt thanks. Best greetings to you, Ernst, and your parents. Musketeer Jacob Ganns
Goodbye!
Poetry:
Zum Abmarsch ward geblasen
Hinaus zum blut’gen Krieg,
Zu streiten für den Kaiser,
Zu kämpfen für den Sieg.
To Arms! and with the cry,
They rushed to bloody war.
To battle for the emperor,
To struggle for the palm.[16]
POSTCARD V
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen K????
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29 6. Korps Engers Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn a[n] / d[er] Nahe
Engers, 21.1.16
Liebe Emma!
Dein liebes Kärtchen habe ich erhalten, dafür meinen herzlichsten Dank. Es grüsst Dich, Ernst, u[nd] Eltern recht herzlich Musk. Jacob Ganns.
Auf Wiedersehn!
Translation:
[Sent by] Musk. J Ganns [undecipherable] Genesen K[undecipherable]
II First Battalion Infantry Regiment 29, Sixth Company
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach by Kirn on the Nahe
Engers, 21.1.16[15]
Dear Emma!
I received your dear little card, for which I send my most heartfelt thanks. Best greetings to you, Ernst, and your parents. Musketeer Jacob Ganns
Goodbye!
Poetry:
Zum Abmarsch ward geblasen
Hinaus zum blut’gen Krieg,
Zu streiten für den Kaiser,
Zu kämpfen für den Sieg.
To Arms! and with the cry,
They rushed to bloody war.
To battle for the emperor,
To struggle for the palm.[16]
POSTCARD V
Text:
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen K????
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29 6. Korps Engers Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel Winkel? Becherbach bei Kirn. Nahe
Engers, 12.12.15
Freundin Emma!
Will mir erlauben wieder eine Karte zu schiken [sic], von Dir hört man ja gar nicht mehr. Sonst geht es mir noch sehr gut [es ist?] auch hoffentlich noch bei Dir der Fall. Es grüst [sic] Dich Ernst Eltern Jacob
Auf Wiedersehn
Translation:
[Sent by] Musk. J Ganns [undecipherable] Genesen K[undecipherable]
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel Winkel (?), Becherbach near Kirn-on-the-Nahe
Engers, 12 December 1915
Emma, sweetheart!
I want you to allow me to send you a card again, no one hears anything from you anymore. Aside from that, I am getting on well, and hopefully you are too. My regards to you, Ernst, and your parents –Jacob
Poetry:
Da gab es vielen Jammer
Im Städchen dort am Rhein,
Es weinte manches Mädchen
Sich trüb die Aeugelein[17].
There was much lamentation
In this town on the Rhein,
Every girl was weeping,
With dim and cheerless eyes.
POSTCARD VI
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen K????
II Ers. Batln. Inf. Rgt 29 6. Korps Engers Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel Winkel? Becherbach bei Kirn. Nahe
Engers, 12.12.15
Freundin Emma!
Will mir erlauben wieder eine Karte zu schiken [sic], von Dir hört man ja gar nicht mehr. Sonst geht es mir noch sehr gut [es ist?] auch hoffentlich noch bei Dir der Fall. Es grüst [sic] Dich Ernst Eltern Jacob
Auf Wiedersehn
Translation:
[Sent by] Musk. J Ganns [undecipherable] Genesen K[undecipherable]
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel Winkel (?), Becherbach near Kirn-on-the-Nahe
Engers, 12 December 1915
Emma, sweetheart!
I want you to allow me to send you a card again, no one hears anything from you anymore. Aside from that, I am getting on well, and hopefully you are too. My regards to you, Ernst, and your parents –Jacob
Poetry:
Da gab es vielen Jammer
Im Städchen dort am Rhein,
Es weinte manches Mädchen
Sich trüb die Aeugelein[17].
There was much lamentation
In this town on the Rhein,
Every girl was weeping,
With dim and cheerless eyes.
POSTCARD VI
Text:
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen K???? Engers Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn a[n] / d[er] Nahe
Engers a[m] Rhein 19.2.16
Liebe Emma!
Deine liebe Karte habe ich erhalten Danke Dir recht herzlich dafür. Sonst geht es mir noch sehr gut ? [es ist?] auch hoffentlich noch bei Dir der Fall.
Es grüst [sic] Dich recht herzlich Dein Freund Jacob.
Translation:
[Sent by] Musk. J Ganns [undecipherable] Genesen K[undecipherable]
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach near Kiern-on-the-Nahe
Engers on the Rhine, 19 February 1916
Dear Emma!
I have received your lovely card Thank you very much for sending it. Things have been going very well for me, and hopefully for you as well.
My most heartfelt regards to you Your friend Jacob.
Poetry:
Wenn ziehn die Füsiliere
Im Städchen wieder ein,
Wird jeder sich sein Schätzchen
Fürs ganze Leben frei’n.
And if the fusiliers return
To this town once again,
Each his entire life will have
To court and wed his girl.
Primary Sources
Secondary Sources
Footnotes
[1] Kathleen Tuck, “Letters from Home: Unlocking Secrets from Fading WWI Postcards,” FOCUS On Boise State, n.d. <https://focus.boisestate.edu/article/letters-from-home-unlocking-secrets-from-fading-wwi-postcards-2/> (accessed 16 February 2018)
[2] Helmfried Luers, “Otto Schaefer & Scheibe Nachfolger,” The Postcard Album, 30 June 2007 (believed), 18. Short information page available here. <http://www.tpa-project.info/html/body_schaefer_scheibe.html>
[3] William H. Tantum and Edward J. Hoffschmidt, German Army and Navy Uniforms & Insignia
1871-1918 (New York, New York: WE, Inc., 1968), 13.
[4] Postcards II, III, IV, and V. He is assumed to be her brother, as he is mentioned by Ganns in close relation to Emma’s parents whenever he appears.
[5] Onion,“The Romantic, Hopeful French Pictorial Postcards of World War I.”
[6] Tuck, “Letters from Home: Unlocking Secrets from Fading WWI Postcards.”
[7] Ibid. These rules were not impossible to circumvent—J.R.R. Tolkien famously notified his wife of his location by a pattern of dots around the border of his letters, corresponding to marks on a map at his home. See page 144, Tolkien and the Great War, by John Garth.
[8] As the actual method writing of Miss Siegel’s address appears to vary throughout the postcards, the most complete version found has been used throughout.
[9] Note the absence of an Eszett or scharfes S (ß).
[10] 12 January 1916, in keeping with the German style of dates.
[11] Miss Siegel’s brother, presumably. (Ernst Siegel)
[12] This is not a literal translation. The text reads, “Had a garrison of an entire battalion of decorated fusiliers,” or, as it stands in the text, “Had its garrison/[Composed (implied)] of decorated fusiliers/An entire battalion.”
[13] All of the cards have verses on the fronts pertaining to the Rhine, therefore, we may assume that he got them at his new encampment. This implies that the stationery differed based on location.
[14] A girl who was affianced to the fusilier.
[15] 21 January 1916
[16] Denotes victory.
[17] Archaic spelling of Augelein.
Abs. Musk. J Ganns ? Genesen K???? Engers Rhein
Feldpost
Fräulein Emma Siegel, Becherbach bei Kirn a[n] / d[er] Nahe
Engers a[m] Rhein 19.2.16
Liebe Emma!
Deine liebe Karte habe ich erhalten Danke Dir recht herzlich dafür. Sonst geht es mir noch sehr gut ? [es ist?] auch hoffentlich noch bei Dir der Fall.
Es grüst [sic] Dich recht herzlich Dein Freund Jacob.
Translation:
[Sent by] Musk. J Ganns [undecipherable] Genesen K[undecipherable]
Field Mail
Miss Emma Siegel, Becherbach near Kiern-on-the-Nahe
Engers on the Rhine, 19 February 1916
Dear Emma!
I have received your lovely card Thank you very much for sending it. Things have been going very well for me, and hopefully for you as well.
My most heartfelt regards to you Your friend Jacob.
Poetry:
Wenn ziehn die Füsiliere
Im Städchen wieder ein,
Wird jeder sich sein Schätzchen
Fürs ganze Leben frei’n.
And if the fusiliers return
To this town once again,
Each his entire life will have
To court and wed his girl.
Primary Sources
- Six postcards issued or endorsed by the German army during World War I and sent through the German Field Post, from the private collection of H. Gardner. Transcribed by JEB and translated by MB.
Secondary Sources
- Garth, John. Tolkien and the Great War: The Threshold of Middle Earth. New York, NY, Houghton Mifflin Co. 2003
- Leuers, Helmfried. “Otto Schaefer & Scheibe Nachfolger.” The Postcard Album, 30 June 2007
- Onion, Rebecca. “The Romantic, Hopeful French Pictorial Postcards of World War I.” Slate Magazine, 20 June 2014. <http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vault/2014/06/20/french_culture_world_war_i_pictorial_postcards_sent_to_and_from_soldiers.html> (accessed 16 February 2018).
- Richards, Anthony. “Letter Censorship on the Front Line: Keeping the Home Front posted, with
- millions of carefully censored letters zipping between soldiers and loved ones, was vital for maintaining morale.” The Telegraph, 30 May 2014. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/inside-first-world-war/part-ten/10863689/why-first-world-war-letters-censored.html> (accessed 17 February 2018)
- Tantum, William H., and Hoffschmidt, Edward J. German Army and Navy Uniforms & Insignia 1871-1918. New York, New York: WE, Inc., 1968.
- Tuck, Kathleen. “Letters from Home: Unlocking Secrets from Fading WWI Postcards.” FOCUS On Boise State, n.d. <https://focus.boisestate.edu/article/letters-from-home-unlocking-secrets-from-fading-wwi-postcards-2/> (accessed 16 February 2018)
Footnotes
[1] Kathleen Tuck, “Letters from Home: Unlocking Secrets from Fading WWI Postcards,” FOCUS On Boise State, n.d. <https://focus.boisestate.edu/article/letters-from-home-unlocking-secrets-from-fading-wwi-postcards-2/> (accessed 16 February 2018)
[2] Helmfried Luers, “Otto Schaefer & Scheibe Nachfolger,” The Postcard Album, 30 June 2007 (believed), 18. Short information page available here. <http://www.tpa-project.info/html/body_schaefer_scheibe.html>
[3] William H. Tantum and Edward J. Hoffschmidt, German Army and Navy Uniforms & Insignia
1871-1918 (New York, New York: WE, Inc., 1968), 13.
[4] Postcards II, III, IV, and V. He is assumed to be her brother, as he is mentioned by Ganns in close relation to Emma’s parents whenever he appears.
[5] Onion,“The Romantic, Hopeful French Pictorial Postcards of World War I.”
[6] Tuck, “Letters from Home: Unlocking Secrets from Fading WWI Postcards.”
[7] Ibid. These rules were not impossible to circumvent—J.R.R. Tolkien famously notified his wife of his location by a pattern of dots around the border of his letters, corresponding to marks on a map at his home. See page 144, Tolkien and the Great War, by John Garth.
[8] As the actual method writing of Miss Siegel’s address appears to vary throughout the postcards, the most complete version found has been used throughout.
[9] Note the absence of an Eszett or scharfes S (ß).
[10] 12 January 1916, in keeping with the German style of dates.
[11] Miss Siegel’s brother, presumably. (Ernst Siegel)
[12] This is not a literal translation. The text reads, “Had a garrison of an entire battalion of decorated fusiliers,” or, as it stands in the text, “Had its garrison/[Composed (implied)] of decorated fusiliers/An entire battalion.”
[13] All of the cards have verses on the fronts pertaining to the Rhine, therefore, we may assume that he got them at his new encampment. This implies that the stationery differed based on location.
[14] A girl who was affianced to the fusilier.
[15] 21 January 1916
[16] Denotes victory.
[17] Archaic spelling of Augelein.