Letter 284
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Transcription
The author’s English translation, machine-read from his typed copy (scan); may contain small errors
Russia June 28th 1942
DearParents and Werner.
We have arrived at the position we supposed to go, and I will send a few Greetings from here. I am well so far, the day we left for here, I had parcels from home # 49 to 60 an da bunch of Cigarettes too # 24 and 28. Also the first letter from Udestedt and 1 letter from Artur Dornberger in the hospital. We shall not get any mail now for a while until it has itself sorted out here. Right now we in a large Village between Wjasma and Smolensk, the village is still not ruined. At the time the Russians retreated from here, the people were left behind . We made camp between the huts and buildings in tents, and our job is to hunt the partisans. It is not a bad area , there and then the Villagers swap things with us for Tobacco or Cigarettes. We get Milk, Eggs or Potatoes. You said that it has been raining a lot at home, like it did here but now it has turned hot here. We sit in the sun, there is not much to do for us, but we have to be on guard at all times. I hope that Hilmar will be drafted soon so he learns how the life is on the eastern front. About time he be teached a few lessons. Leo has gone too, well he never was a good youngster not even in school. You asking when the war will end here? It will take some time yet, ask Artur Dornberger when he comes on furlough, he tells you what he thinks. It has to end this year, I myself hope that I am not here next winter maybe we done here in the fall. What is new at home? Weeding over ? Are you doing the potatoes now? How is the grain doing? If you want to send me something, send me some Cigarettes, some tea and sweetener. Don’t run around to get these things, you have enough to do now. Did Papa get the tobacco I mailed? I hope they were not damaged in the mail. Are you still employing that Serbian and is he doing a good days work? Is Maria still mad at times or has she settled down a bit.
Nothing else I can tell you, write soon, and give my Greetings to all of you.
Your Artur.
Greetings to Ritters & Ketschaus Greetings from Ernst.
From: Pvt Artur Ketschau, FP# 21764 = Panzer Grenadier Regt 112
To: Family Erich Ketschau, KleinmGlsen, -Erfurt Thurg.