Summary

Postcard in German, written on 12 January 1917, during World War I. The postcard is inscribed 'Gedenkstein in Lowitsch'. During World War I the Polish town Lowicz (Lowitsch) was occupied by Germany. The memorial stone depicted is inscribed 'Durchhalten' ('Hang on') - directed at German soldiers and/or the German public. The postcard is numbered '101' and may be part of a series.

The postcard was written from Netta Frölich in Poland to her brother-in-law Wilhelm Cress on 11 January 1917. The sender of the postcard is possibly conveying birthday greetings to Cress, and hopes that the war will have ended before another year (and birthday) passes.

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.

It is not known how this particular postcard came to be in Australia.

Physical Description

Black and white postcard with an image of soldiers at the memorial stone in Lowitsch, Poland. The inscription on the memorial stone "Durchhalten" (keep up) encourages the soldiers to keep fighting. The back is inscribed with printed text naming the publisher, and also handwritten text. It is in a moderate condition.

Significance

The black and white picture postcard is an invaluable record of everyday life during World War I. It depicts a landmark in the German occupied city of Lowitsch in Poland.

More Information

  • Collecting Areas

    Public Life & Institutions

  • Acquisition Information

    Purchase

  • Date Written

    Lowitsch, Poland, 11 Jan 1917

  • Place Named

    Frankfurt, Germany

  • Author

    Netta Frölich

  • Addressed To

    Herr Wilhelm Cress

  • Inscriptions

    Front in print: 101, Durchhalten, Gedenkstein in Lowitsch (translation: 101, Keep up, memorial stone in Lowitsch) Back in print: Herausgegeben von der Ostpreussenhilfe 1915. Der Krieg 1914/16 in Postkarten; Feld=Postkarte; Deutsche Hilfstaetigkeit fuer Ostpreussen E.V. (translation: Published by the East Prussian Aid Organisation 1915 / The war 1914/16 in postcards). Date stamp: Frankfurt (Main) 18; 12.1.17. 10-11V. 7 1/2 Deutsches Reich post stamp. In handwriting: Herrn / Wilhelm Cress hier Bergenstr. 298 Frankfurt M., 11.1.17. / Dem lieben Schwager / meine herzlichsten Glück- / wünsche zum heutigen Tage. / Hoffentlich haben wir an / deinem nächsten Geburts- / tag Frieden. Herzliche Grüße / an dich, Elise und die / Kinder! Wann werde ich sie / einmal sehen? Ist Gorgi /wieder gesund? Nettafrölich Translation: Mr / Wilhelm Cress here / Bergenstr. 298 Frankfurt M., 11.1.17 / To my dear brother in law, / my very best wishes / for this day. / I hope that by your / next birthday we will / have peace. Warm greetings / to you, Elise and the / children! When will / I get to see them? Is Gorgi / well again? / Netta frölich

  • Classification

    Military history, Souvenirs & mementoes, Postcards

  • Category

    History & Technology

  • Discipline

    History

  • Type of item

    Document

  • Overall Dimensions

    140 mm (Width), 91 mm (Height)

  • References

    Information on World War I German postal service from German History in Documents and Images (GHDI) web site [Link 1] accessed 9/2012. Translation undertaken by Museum Victoria volunteer Kate Davison in March 2014.

  • Keywords

    Wars & Conflicts, World War I, 1914-1918, German Occupation