Letter 132

Russia Aug 18th 1942

Dear Parents and Grand Dad:!

I am not sure but I believe there is not much in mail coming your way and the other way round is the same. I had no letter for 3 weeks and that is because of the bad roads , all transports got stuck in the mud, FP can not get through, it rains every day but we have to march on, let us hope we reach a dry place and a winter quarter soon. The talk is that we stay over Winter in the Donetz Region as occupational troops. And next spring the attack will resume. Soon the furlough time will start too, From Kiew in the Ukraine, German trains can now run to home. I am not on the list for furlough , others will get 3 weeks . If only I could go home and have a good few days eating, life here is hunger, hunger and work anything that a soldier has to go through. There is plenty of rye and wheat but all stuck in barns . No sleep at night , Lice, Rats and Mice, we scratched the skin from our rib cages you have the best life in the world at home. But lets not complain, I am well, what are you doing now at home? Make sure you get the planned electric cooker soon. Make sure the pantry is full, and make plenty of apple wine. Well, I had 20 years good living and look what we got now. Now the my Parents, wishing you all the very best Your Heinrich.

From: Pvt 1st Class Heinrich Bredemeier , FP # 10331 = Art Regt 117

To: Family Heinrich Bredemeier, Rehren A.O. # 12 near Rinteln Weser.