Letter 194

In the East Sept 3rd 1943

Dear beloved at home !

At last, after 3 weeks of deadly battle we are able to write again. Yes Dear Parents that I am able to write this letter and on top of it with whole limbs, I can only attribute to Gods help and your prayer. How many of us left here 3 weeks ago and we returned with a few that were left. We had a good position on the Ril Road line Uspenskaja but other Divisions from us fled and then the Russians closed the cauldron. What that means I can not write in a few words I can only tell you later at home. We put all our strength together and finally managed to break out to the south. I was one of the believers of the Stalingrad tragic but here I saw the first time masses of Russian Fighter bombers. They were poised to wipe us out, I don’t know yet whether this letter will go out but I had to write it. If I hadn’t been on the Gun at the time and on my wagon, I would be one of the missing now. The best place is to stay with heavy weapons. We had plenty of ammunition and that was our luck . But our mail is left with the Russians. But there will be change coming here too, I have slept the first time last night I pity the 100 Cigars and Cigarettes I lost everything was shot to ribbons by the fighter bombers.

Now Greetings and all the Best from your

Heinrich.

From> Heinrich Bredemeier FP # 10331 Art regt 117

To: Family H. Bredemeier Rehrn A.O. #12 near Rinteln Weser.