Item HT 31405 Postcard - 'Spille Bei Zabern', German, World War I, 13 Jun 1916

Summary

Coloured postcard depicting 'Zabern', dated 13 June 1916. The handwritten letter on that back of the postcard is from a German soldier to his wife and children, thanking them for sending post, and expressing longing for his famiy. The letter hints at the tedium of life on the battlefield. It is not known how this particular postcard came to be in Australia.

'Zabern' is the German name for the French town Saverne, located in Alsace, outside Strasbourg. The place became known due to the Saverne Affair (German: Zabern-Affäre), a crisis of domestic policy in the German Empire at the end of 1913. It was caused by political unrest in Zabern, where two battalions of Prussian Infantry Regiment 99 were garrisoned, after a second lieutenant insulted the Alsatian population. The affair not only put a severe strain on the relationship between the imperial state of Alsace-Lorraine and the remainder of the German Empire but also led to a considerable loss of prestige for the German Emperor.

During World War I around 11 billion letters or postcards were sent from the front free of charge through the German Army Postal Service. Millions more letters were sent to the front by families and friends at home. From 29 April 1916 onwards postal service stations were set up at every army command station in order to monitor the content of the mail and to create reports on the content. The transmission of classified military or rebellious and discouraging information was prohibited.

Physical Description

Colour postcard showing a rock formation in a forest. A small track leads up to the rock formation. Inscription names the place as "Spille bei Zabern". On the back is handwritten text. Postcard shows signs of wear around the edges.

Significance

The colour postcard is an invaluable record of a contemporary witness from the First World War. The postcard is send through the German army postal service to communicate with family and friends at home. The message depicts themes such as longing for loved ones and life as soldier at the time of the Great War.