Letter 79

Russia Dec 31* 1941 Dear beloved All at Home 1

31st of December today and it was the big Battle Year 1941 that will end at midnight. . With uncertainty we will look now to 1942 and all our hopes are with it. This last year the German people went through some good and bad times , for many it was

happiness, for others it was pain. For us here it was the bad luck that we had to stick out this winter here aon the front. How happy some would be if they could now be in France or Belgium or Holland instead in this icy Russia. I have never seen anything like the Blizzards and ice in all my life like I seen here. Imagine where I am tonight, I have an invitation to a posh Russian Family in Adenow , I sit in a room, with electric lights, . I am here 75 Kilometers behind the front with a sledge and horses and have to fetch the mail and supplies at the rail head. You can not imagine to go on a trip like that with hungry horses , they live on water and straw, every day many horses in the Army die, and when you out in the snow in daylight, every enemy plane can see you and aims his Machine guns at you. Then he drops the Bombs too, , Dear Parents, look after our horses well, make sure none dies. I am glad that Father has the chains for the tractor, and the new fertilizer Spinner as well. Dear Father, tonight you can drink plenty of beer and schnapps , I would do the same if we had anything to drink . As I am writing here, the Lady of the house is washing and they do it with hot water whereas most Russians wash in cold water. They made me coffee too. By the time I get back to the Battery there will be many mail for me again , can you send me some Pudding Powder Vanilla flavor and Sugar and we can cook some here. It never gets as thick as back home but it is ok for us You can also send Plums, Pears or such in screwed down cans I am sorry I can not send the empties back from here. Apple sause is not worth sending, Dear Mother, you wrote that you fatten the Bull Calves but be sure nothing happens and put them behind strong steel bars. Dear Father, don’t forget that there is my mororcycle in the barn, try and get a liter of gas and check the tires, and start it up. So for now and New Year I wish you all the very best stayed all in good health, and keep praying to God that he protect me. Lets hope we see each other in the new Year.

From: Pvt Heinrich Bredemeier, FP # 10331 Art Regt 117.

To Family Bredemeier , Rehren A.O.#12 near Rinteln Weser.