Marching Soldier Postcard, Feldpost

Barry Hoffman Nazi Postcard Collection

May 10, 2023

Accession Number: 2022.02.11.4.19
Date: (Likely) 4/3/43
Postmark: Lower center postmark includes Nazi War Eagle and partially visible label “sammel-konto,” meaning “collective account.” Indistinguishable feldpost mark in top right corner.
Artist: Georg Sluyterman von Langeweyde
Historical Background: The artist of this linocut print hailed from a German-Dutch family and embraced the National Socialist Party (NSDAP) in early adulthood. He contributed to Dusseldorf’s NSDAP political mobilization as a graphic designer for their “Neuen Front” newspaper, frequently depicting soldiers and workers much like this. His work was featured in the “Great German Art Exhibition” at the Haus der Deutschen kunst consistently between 1937-44.

[Back]

Front

Soldier marching print. Caption reads, “frei auf Deutchem Grunde walten lafit uns nach dem Brauch der alten leines Segens selbst uns freu’n: Oder imler Grab ihn lein!” or “Presiding freely over German soil, let us go in the ways of old, to be happy in its blessing: Or it be our grave!” – Heinrich von Kleist

Translation:

Mrs.
Ursi Esdorn
At present [living] at/with R. Radwitz
Berlin/Neukölln
Lichtenradenstr. 21a II

(The address is Lichtenradenstr. 21a. The II indicates the floor, meaning she lived on the second floor, which equals to the third floor in America)

Back

Addressed to “Dear Ursi” located in Berlin. Ursi is a female relation to the writer since they share the same last name. The author (Heinz) is a member of a motorized division located in Western Pomerania (a historical region on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in Central Europe). It was an administrative division of Nazi Germany from 1933 – 1945.

Translation:

Gr. Born, March 4, 1943

Dear Ursi! [short for Ursula]

Today I want to quickly write a few lines to you. I can share with you that I am strong and healthy, which I hope to hear is the same for you. You probably recently had an alarm again. Tommy has lived well with you. Have you heard anything from Verden recently? Now I want to quickly give you my address. It is:

Uffz. [short for Unteroffizier (corporal), ] H. Esdorn
Vehicle Depot Company, Greater Born
Westphailia Port, Pomerania

I will finish up. Many many heartfelt greetings

Yours,
Heinz

Sender:

Uffz. H. Esdorn
Kraftfahrsammel Kompanie
Gross-Born (Westfahlenhof)
(Pommern)

(Translation thanks to Nicole Toedtli)

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