My dear, just imagine for a moment that the war is over.

A Selection of Excerpts
Second Year
January 1943

Letter No. 1

Russia, January 1, 1943
My dearest H...!

We have now happily arrived in the new year, even though—sadly—far away from you. Oh, my darling, the new year has begun so wonderfully for me, bringing such great joy that I cannot even describe it to you. This morning, a comrade came and woke me with the words: "Here, Lothar, you’ve got a few letters!" I was wide awake instantly, of course, and delighted when I recognized your lovely handwriting on an airmail letter. When I opened it, I could hardly believe my eyes—out came your beloved and beautiful photograph. Oh, my dearest sweetheart, I couldn't take my eyes off that beautiful picture; I thank you for it with all my heart. ...

Dearest H..., I want to write on quickly now. I was interrupted a little while ago for the meal. Today we had a real feast. First, chicken broth with noodles, then boiled potatoes with roast chicken, and for dessert, vanilla pudding with raspberry juice. If one isn't satisfied with that, then I don't know what to say. Oh, my sweet darling, how I wish I could have shared these good things with you. ...

My dearest H..., starting today, I am going to number my letters consecutively so you can keep track and ensure you receive every single one. How are you doing otherwise, my darling? I hope very well—as I can say for myself. It is very quiet in our current sector. Hopefully, it stays that way for a while. We are feeling quite comfortable here. ...

Letter No. 2

January 3, 1943
My dearest H...!

Well, today we have "finally" moved again. After all, it is Sunday, so it was bound to happen. Sunday has always been our travel day. We didn't go very far today; the command post was relocated by only about two kilometers. It is now 7:30, and we have lovely music playing on the radio. Your dear photograph stands on the table before me, in a frame carved by a prisoner. How lovely it must be at home right now. ...

Letter No. 3

January 4, 1943

... Today is just another one of those wretched Mondays, and on top of that, a fierce storm is raging—though it is thawing at the same time. ...

Letter No. 4.

WRITTEN ON RADIO/SIGNAL/FLASHING-LIGHT MESSAGE FORMS
Russia, January 6, 1943
My dearest darling!

Please forgive me for writing you a letter on this kind of paper today. I have a nice bit of time right now, but unfortunately no other writing material at hand, and I really want to send a few words your way.

My dearest H..., I have been sitting here at our forward observation post since 7 o'clock this morning with my radio set, relaying our observations to the commander. Things are really intense here today. Our artillery was raining shells right down on the Russians. It was an impressive spectacle when the shells arrived at 7:30. We are positioned about 400 meters in front of the Russian bunkers and could make out every detail with our scissor telescopes.

It was truly a gigantic spectacle: the way the bunkers were torn apart by the bursting shells, and trees toppled over and were hurled through the air. Then our machine guns opened fire and the assault squad launched their attack. We could follow everything closely.

Then they reached the bunkers; our demolition charges were attached, and one bunker after another blew up. The Russians suffered very heavy losses and a good number of prisoners were taken, while all our men returned safe and sound. It is now 11 o'clock, and in half an hour the same thing is going to happen a bit further to the right. This, too, will turn out well, for the first salvos are already whistling toward the Russian positions.

My dearest H..., now I have written to you a little about our life here. It is not nearly as dangerous as it looks; one simply needs a bit of luck— naturally, things don't work without it. And I have always had luck so far, and I hope it stays that way.

Oh, my dearest, sweet H..., I always carry your lovely, beautiful photograph with me; it is a talisman for me, and it will protect me always and everywhere. Yes, my darling, I often feel as though your love were surrounding me like armor, shielding me from every danger. ...

(unnumbered)
January 7, 1943

... It’s already 10 o’clock, and I’m going to turn in. Tomorrow morning at 5 o’clock, I have to go out on reconnaissance patrol. ...

Letter No. 10

January 14, 1943
My dearest H...!

Today is the day I was actually supposed to be in Poland. Unfortunately, however, that training course has been postponed indefinitely. It’s a real shame, but there’s nothing that can be done about it now. ...

My dearest H..., I was able to get a really good sleep today. I didn’t get up until 10 o’clock. That felt good. Well, not every day is like yesterday. In general, things are very lively here. ...

Letter No. 12.

January 18, 1943

... Yesterday, we were back at the supply train—about 7 km away—where we had a proper wash and our clothes were deloused. Oh, dearest H..., it makes you feel like a new person. If only one could do that more often. You really shouldn't think about how often you wash back home, or else you’d lose your appetite for the food here. But what else can one do?

My dearest darling, today marks three months since I had to say goodbye to you. Oh, my love, so much has already passed since then, and so much still lies ahead of us. If things continue as they have been, we should be able to get through the winter well. As for what comes in the spring—well, we shall see.

My dearest H..., leave roster updates have arrived again, and I’ve moved up three places. That brings the day closer—the one I long for so much—when I, too, will go on leave. ...

Letter No. 13.

January 20, 1943
My dearest darling!

I want to write you a few lines again this evening. I got back home a quarter of an hour ago. I went for a one-hour evening walk—the so-called "trench duty." That’s when the sentries are checked and everything is inspected to make sure it’s in order. ...

The weather is so beautifully mild. There is a very fine snowfall, and there is a wonderful stillness. ...

Letter No. 14.

January 21, 1943

... Oh, my dearest darling, the weather was so glorious today. There was such beautiful sunshine, and it wasn't cold at all.

...., now I have one more request. Couldn't you manage to scrounge up some writing paper somewhere? I have almost none left, and I can't get any here at the moment. ...

Letter No. 15.

January 23, 1943

... Yes, my dearest H..., thank God I, too, have only good news to report, and that is important for us, after all. No matter how bad things might be, if you are doing well and come through it all safely, then it doesn't seem quite so terrible.

My dearest H..., thank God your fear that we are encircled is unfounded. The Russians didn't catch us. We caught them on the flank, forcing them to retreat. That allowed us to move away from the main flashpoint and gave us some breathing room. Well, none of this would be so bad if only we could go on leave more often—so that I could be with you, my darling, quite frequently. ...

Letter No. 16.

January 25, 1943

... I am always eagerly awaiting the next mail day, which brings me so much joy with a loving greeting from you. You know, my darling, the mail only reaches us up at the front-line position every second or sometimes even every third day. ...

Letter No. 18.

29 Jan. 1943

... These days, you see, we are working primarily at night. We are laying mines and obstacles in front of our position so that the Russians don't catch us by surprise. That way, we have more peace from their reconnaissance patrols. ...

Letter No. 19.

30 Jan. 1943

... It is Saturday evening now. Today we listened to the speeches by Göring and Goebbels. Now, pleasant light music is playing from the Belgrade station. ...

My dearest darling, please don't worry if the mail fails to arrive for 8 or 10 days. I will always write to you as often as possible, but there are times when one simply doesn't get around to it. When we are on the march again, it takes a very long time given the deep snow, and one is so tired in the evening that one can hardly write anymore. Such a march can often take even longer, but there will surely be an opportunity to write at least a brief greeting. ...

Letter No. 20.

January 31, 1943

... My dearest darling, do you actually still remember when and where we saw each other for the first time? It was either in December 1940 or right at the beginning of January 1941. I was at the "Rose" with my friends Herbert and Kurt back then. We were sitting at the table to the right of the billiard table. Yes, and then I wanted to walk you home, but you had already left and I didn't know where you’d gone. Then, a few days later, I saw you while out shopping and asked you out. Unfortunately, you didn't want to and turned me down.

After that, I think I only saw you two or three more times, because then I had to go off to the military. You see, when I came home on leave in April, it was clearly meant to be that I ran into you right away. Even though it was a very brief encounter, it was lovely, and I will never forget that beautiful walk in April 1941.

Yes, my darling, and then on April 29th, I waited so long for you. I wanted to say goodbye to you. Then such a long, long time passed before I was finally back home again. ...