Letter 16

Großbothen Dec 30th 1942

Dear Gerhard.

Thank you for the letter from Dec 6th that I got yesterday. Christmas is gone and we had no snow, only a few flakes came down, I got a book, a pair of socks and Traude knitted me a pair of Gloves. Grandma gave me 20 Marks, I hope that you received my Christmas letter. We had to write them in school, but we are now at half term and no school. We got no snow and that is terrible. Gey Alfred is home on furlough, he had not been home for 2 years. He says all is well on the eastern Front. When you did not write, I thought you did not care but now I know you needed a rest too, you poor boy, just now a big Airmail letter from you arrived with an Air mail Stamp. Grandma has send us a New Years card too, this morning it snowed but it is not enough , but ice skating is ok as it freezes each night. Papa and I went to the Forest yesterday for firewood. I wanted a pair of soldiers Pants for Christmas , yours are to big for me, but for my size they will be ready by Mid February. I need a special Permit from the Hitler Youth to get the, they are stupid cows there, they wanted to give me a pair of half long Jungvolk Pants, that is plain stupidity . It is 4.30 PM now, and now it started snowing. I will close now and hope to see you soon.

Your Brother Helmut.

Parents and Traudel