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

A Selection of Excerpts
Third Year
February 1944

Letter No. 244.

The East, February 1, 1944

... So, my photos are ready now. You think I look very thin? Well, I wouldn't say that. I’m actually doing very well and feeling quite fit.

The only thing I’m missing is you, my precious treasure. Well, I think you’ll soon have the chance to see for yourself. After all, it’s obvious you can’t exactly put on weight here.

My dearest darling, the weather is still good. There is about 10 cm of snow again. Today there was glorious sunshine. It isn’t cold.

So, my letter from January 8th was opened. Well, that’s not so bad. There certainly wasn’t anything military in it, but they couldn’t have known that—otherwise they would have saved themselves the trouble. ...

Letter No. 246.

The East, February 6, 1944
My dearest treasure!

Today I finally have a moment to write. My dearly beloved treasure, I am still doing very well. We are actually on the move, and because of that, I rarely get a chance to write.

But you don't need to worry about that, for nothing is going on. Everything is quiet here. ...

Letter No. 247.

The East, February 8, 1944

After a somewhat shorter march, I still have time this evening to write a quick letter to you. ... We are having wonderful weather again now. It has turned a bit colder, to be sure, but the sun shines nice and warm during the day. ...

Letter No. 249.

The East, February 18, 1944
My dearest H...!

Please forgive me for only writing to you again today; unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to do so in the meantime.

On the 11th, I had to take command of the 2nd Platoon, and on the 12th, we relocated. The march and transport covered a total of around 100 kilometers.

Things are a bit more lively in our current sector, but it’s still going quite well. At the moment, I have a sore throat and am with the baggage train.

Today I tried my hand at cooking again. I fried nearly 400 meat patties—three per man for the entire company. Oh, what a job that was. It took me over four hours. ...

The sore throat isn't anything serious; it will pass soon enough.

Yes, I get to keep my Freia. She is doing very well. I actually have her with the baggage train in the care of a good handler, since I can't use her up at the front. She is turning into a lovely animal.

My dearly beloved darling, the prospects for leave have unfortunately become very poor, since we are constantly on the move. ...

My dearest darling, I have to close now, as the order to move out has just arrived. So, off we go again. ...

Letter No. 250.

February 23, 1944
My dearest darling!

Today I finally have a little time again, so I simply must write you a few lines.

We are constantly on the move here, leaving no time for writing. I would so love to write more to you, if only I could.

My dearest darling, I am still doing very well. My throat infection has cleared up. Things are a bit quieter now, too. I am currently stationed a few kilometers back with the *Führer-Reserve* [reserve pool], yet we still have so much to do that we are constantly busy. But at least it is less dangerous, and that counts for a lot.

Today we are receiving extra parcels intended for days of heavy combat. ... Oh, if only the time would finally come for me to go on leave. Unfortunately, that is a problem at the moment, since we are on the move almost constantly.

There is no telling how much longer this will go on, but hopefully not too much longer.