Help needed with handwriting...

[Prosper Keating]

I have the names of some of the men in these wartime photos but I am having difficulty reading the comments on the cards.





I believe that the cards are postwar and that survivors from the group in the two photos signed and dedicated them to the man in whose album the photos were.

Prosper Keating

[Jürg]

comments on cards

Hello Prosper

here we go:

- do you think of jolly times than think of the comrades of the second

- In old memories and constant good comradeship your mate ....

- in memories of companionable hours, your buddy....

- In good old comradship and in ever gracious memories, your comrade....

The secondlast I can't read sorry but I hope this helps you.

Greetings

Jürg

[Rick Research]

Jayzus! None of them gradjiated from calligraphy school!!

1) H. K(?engo/empe?)s, Hptfw.

2) Harms (that was easy)

3) (X)orsch

4) Jupp (Something ending in) s(o or e) n
below that Scribble Scribble
below that Scribble Harms
and off on the right all over... ???

You are spot on about post-war, I think too-- this is that mess of "old style" and "new style" when adults were relearning handwriting like grammar school kids again.

It's possible more Hard staring might pull some more out of this, but I'm sitting in the middle of a thunderstorm and the lightning flashes are reflecting on my screen.

[Prosper Keating]

Thanks Jürg!

That is very helpful. The "Second" refers to 2./SS-Fallschirmjäger-Btl 500. As Scheu, kneeling on the right of the photo, was in the Field Training Company when this photo was taken in the summer of 1944 in Papà, this proves beyond doubt that these are postwar comments from old comrades next to wartime photos. And as Rick points out, it's a mixture of old and new style German handwriting. One wonders how these guys managed when sending written messages to one another on campaign! Thanks Rick! I hope you're wearing rubber gloves and All-Stars. Lightning through an internet connection could be lively!

PK