Sad story

[Eric K.]

As i was at a flea market a couple weeks ago I saw an old lady with the usual stuff you find,as i was flipping thru some old papers I ran into a neat letter dated 1944 I saw a photo taped to the back, lucky me Wehrmacht! as i was reading the letter I saw that it was a MIA letter i asked how much ,she told me 2 euro's ,not bad for 2 photos and a cool letter.

[Eric K.]

here he is again

[Eric K.]

My wife was talkiing with her over some dishes ( her German is MUCH better than mine) anyways,to make a long story short This was the letter this Lady received from her husbands C.O.,I couldn't believe she would sell something like this so i told her she should hold on to it,she just shrugged and said if you don't buy it someone else will,she also said times are tough for her and 2 euros is 2 more she didn't have.So i walked around a little and finally came back to her stand ,handed her 50.00 euro bill and took the letter and photo.I figured it would be in better hands with me than some other guy that would probably throw the letter away and split the pics. on ebay.

[Eric K.]

Here's the translated version of the letter:


Dear Mrs. Karl
I have the difficult task to inform you that your husband Grenadier Johann Karl
has been reported missing since the last fights by Pompey,8km. north-west of Nancy
on September 8th 1944.
Returning comrades reported he may have been taken a prisoner of war.
Mrs. Karl,I know your pain and especially how hard it is to cope with your husband's fate,
but i want to assure that I and the Entire company share your sorrow and pain.
With your husband we lost a good comrad but just so we have to close our rows tightly to fill
the gap, to regain strength that will lead us to victory,it is essential to you to be strong
and overcome your sorrow and pain,hopefully our hard work will re-unite you with your husband.
Again,our deepest sympathies,with me the whole company salutes you and we hope you find the
courage and strength to cope with the difficult times ahead of you

Signed (unreadable)

[Eric K.]

OH yeah she also said her husband never came back, and still MIA

[Eric K.]

Thanks for looking..


Eric.

[gilles]

Sad story

[julesmc]

That really is a sad story,

You did a very honourable think ERIK K, I have great respect for what
you did in this awkward situation.




Jules.

[D. Löwenhamn]

Thanks for sharing this Eric. Although it's sad to hear that she had to sell the letter and photos I think you did the right thing.

Best regards/ Daniel

[Rick Research]

.

[kennethc]

A good Deed! I think, she really in need of money.

[bodes]

In a world where it's sometimes hard to find any good human interests stories and a hobby which sometimes puts $$$$ ahead of people, it's really good to hear of a kind deed....Good job Eric!!!!

[Wayne f]

Sad Letter

EK - A honorable gesture to a war widow in need. I guess she had no children to past picture and letter on. I would have loved to have anything belonging to my father. This 60 years old letter and pictures - eventually helped her in her hard times. A very, very generous gesture. Was this in old East or West Germany? Thank you for sharing this sad story.
Wayne

[Yannis]

Really, a sad story...

You did an honourable deed!
Well done Eric!!!

All the best
Yannis

[Giel VW]

Respect Eric, respect!