Item MM 117059 Postcard - German Soldiers Relaxing Near Dugout, 7 Aug 1917

Summary

Postcard depicting a group of eight German soldiers relaxing at the entrance of a dugout, on the edge of what appears to be a battlefield.

The postcard is inscribed with the date 7 August 1917. Its provenance is unknown. The writer, a German soldier on the battlefield, addresses his brother-in-law, who is also a German soldier, and asks him about to meet each other. He writes in an old-fashioned and simple style.

The card reads: 'Dear brother-in-law! I am sending you a picture of mine as a memory. Already wrote you a card, did you receive it? You can also send me a picture of yours, if you've got one. Would like to visit you once, so write where about you are lying. Where is your Bn. [battalion]? Is your Bn. connected with ours or are you in the middle or at the far right? Write therefore soon reply. [i.e. Write back soon.] Yours sincerely ... [name is missing]'

Description of Content

Goup of eight German soldiers standing at entrance to dugout beneath grassy slope - its roof reinforced with logs. Some of the soldiers are smoking and there is a X or a cross inscribed under the moustachioed soldier in the middle of the photo. Very faint handwriting on the side of the photo.

Physical Description

Black and white photographic print - now sepia appearance. Printed smaller than photographic paper, leaving a white border that is longer at one end, which has been inscribed (now illegible). Printed with lines indicative of postcard, and with two postal stamps.

Significance

One of a group of photographs and postcards that document the experience of German soldiers during World War I. Although the group has no provenance, the images show a human side to soldiers of the Central Powers. Pictures by or of World War I German soldiers are relatively rare in Australian museums. These are particularly significant as they were apparently taken by German soldiers, showing them engaged in everyday activities.

The images chronicle German soldiers' wartime experience, from serving with Armeegruppe Schaffer in Romania up until the Romanian surrender in 1917. The group includes an image of a war-damaged French church/cathedral, probably taken after the Germans were moved from the Eastern to the Western front. Of particular interest is the image of celebrating German troops in Romania - documenting a victory that was to be short-lived for the Germans.

Further research - including translation of the German hand-written texts - will shed more light on the significance of these photographs and postcards.