Letter 204

In the Field Oct 15th 1943

Dear Beloved All at Home.

Tonight I had some small parcels for the first time after a while where no mail arrived. That is a reason to write again, I am glad to hear that at home all is well, , Right now a defensive line is being build but nobody thinks it will hold the enemy. There are no strong lines , not enough men and weapons. We keep on believing but I see no immediate sulution that we can win this war and nobody believes in miracles here. Naturally the Russians have more losses in the attack than as they had in the retreat . If only this winter was over already it is freezing . The thing that bothers me most is that all the younger men from the Artillery are use for Infantry and the survial chances there are only 10 :1 I was lucky last fall that I had that stomach trouble and was in hospital or I would be infantry now. Well, with Gods help I hope to wander a bit longer on this earth. Gerhard Dickman is going on furlough end of the month, if the Russian do not throw a stone in the gearbox, I should coming next January - February. But I am unlucky and a furlough restriction will be there. Glad that you have finished the Garage for the tractor and make sure you change the oil in time. We had some new tractors here to pull the guns and the bearings are already gone. The Russians are not interested in them either, I will give Gerhard a parcel for you, 5 Parcels I had from you. Heartfelt Greetings

Heinrich.

From: Corp Heinrich Bredemeier, FP # 10 331 Art,Regt 117

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