Skip to content

Memories of a Lost Generation: German War Letters, 1939–1945

Letter 414

Letter 414, page 1 of 2; transcription alongside
Page 1 of 2

Use ← and → to turn pages.

Transcription

The author’s English translation, machine-read from his typed copy (scan); may contain small errors

Feb 20th 1945

Dear Parents and Margarete.

I have not heard from you for a long time because mail from home has not arrived for a very long time. This because of all the air raids we have. My only wish is, that with all the bombing raids on Chemnitz you are still alive and well.

I wait every day to hear from you or what happened at home, ,it makes me ill, let me hear from you.

There is not much I can write about me, I cant hear much of the war, so do not worry if mail is not forthcoming. I can tell you that the end of the war will surely come this year.It can not go on like that, a change has to come sooner or later.

Heartfelt Greetings from Erich.

From: Corp Erich Köhler, FP # 00778 Grenadier Regt 394

To: Mr.Richard Köhler, 10 Chemnitz, Leopoldstr 4

Panzer Grenadier Regiment 394 was a unit of the 3 Panzer Division and at the time of writing this letter (Feb 1945), the Division was fighting near StuhlweiSenburg in Hungary. The Regiment retreated to Austria were it surrendered to the Soviet Army in late April 45.