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Rare Batch Of German Soldier's Letters Acquired By Jersey Archive
By Richard Moss
20/12/2006
Image: a photograph of a document with writing on it
From the boredom of army life to the joys of Calvados - the letters offer a valuable insight into German soldier's lives in wartime occupied Jersey. © Jersey Archives
A collection of poignant letters penned by homesick German soldiers in the week before Christmas 1941 has been deposited with the Jersey Archive.
The letters have, for the past 66 years, been in the possession of a man, who as a youngster on the German occupied Island, liberated them from the German field post office (Feldpostampt) in an act of passive defiance against the enemy.
Consisting of nearly ninety letters from ordinary German soldiers to friends and family, the collection includes many Christmas greetings cards and letters containing fascinating descriptions that reveal the views of the occupying soldiers on Jersey.
“We’ve got lots of items that show the Jersey point of view – we have Red Cross messages and diaries but this is the only personal material we have from the German forces,” explained Senior Archivist Linda Romeril.
“The letters are very personal and they’re not going to change our perception of the war or anything like that, but what’s interesting is the way they show perceptions among the troops on the island – many of them were written shortly after they arrived here and it’s very interesting.”
Translated by a German post graduate student from St Helier’s twin town in Germany, Bad Wurzach, the letters have allowed the Jersey Archive to build up a fascinating picture of Jersey at Christmas through the eyes of the occupying force.
Image: a photograph of an envelope and a postcard showing a winter scene
Sent just before Christmas the letters contain many festive items for family and friends in Germany. © Jersey Archive
Many of them are dated December 16 or 17 and appear to have been written by soldiers recently arrived. One letter talks of the journey to the island.
“We left Granville harbour on Tuesday at 5pm and finally arrived in Jersey at 10.30pm. Dear parents it was dark when we were on the ship but I never endured something like this. Wind force was about nine and you know well what this means. The waves were so high our ship could go no further, the waves even bounced over the ship. We all got seasick and had to grasp each other.”
But the most poignant letters reveal thoughts that were turning to family, friends and loved ones as German soldiers stationed in Jersey faced up to a lonely Christmas away from the fatherland.
“I wish you a merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year. But what I hope most is that the war will come to an end soon, so that we can all enjoy life again… At Christmas we are going to have a celebration, but I’ll think of you all the time and hope that I can still see our traditional Christmas tree when I come on holiday.”
Another letter enquires about the Christmas parcels sent by the soldier to his family.
“I sent you, dear uncle, two bottles of French schnapps. I couldn’t get any cognac, but I think you’ll also like the schnapps. I’ve already tasted it and I liked it although it is a bit strong. It’s a Calvados (60%). I hope you’ll enjoy it at Christmas or on New Year’s Eve. It’s the best medicine when you’ve got a cold.”
At the time these young German soldiers were penning their letters – as 1941 drew to a close – the Channel Islanders were facing their second difficult Christmas under the German occupation.
Image: a photograph of a handwritten letter in German
© Jersey Archives
An occupation diary written by Leslie Snell held by the Jersey Archive reveals however that the Islanders were not as downhearted as some of the German soldiers.
“The end of the year finds us quite cheerful and quietly optimistic for the next twelve months although local conditions have greatly deteriorated; there is still a lot to be thankful for.”
A German letter reveals the boredom of army life and how the wet winter weather of the Channel Islands was sapping the spirit of the occupiers.
“The only disadvantage of the storms is that the ships usually arrive one or two days later, so we have to wait longer for news from you. Life will soon be too boring for us. There is nothing to do here and playing cards gets boring too.”
Most of the new arrivals had come to the island for a specific task. In October 1941, Hitler had ordered the Organisation Todt – the Nazi construction and organisation group that organised slave workers from the occupied territories – to the island to build up her defences.
On November 7 1941 Sinel’s diary notes:
“Germans are absolutely pouring in.” It also records the spirit of the German troops at the time. “The Germans appear to be very depressed and they are all wishing for a quick finish to the war.”
By the end of 1941after 18 months of Occupation, islanders were beginning to show signs of defiance against the occupying forces. After a BBC campaign in July, V for Victory signs began to appear around Jersey, individuals were increasingly being prosecuted for insulting the authorities and in September 1941, Denis Vibert made a morale boosting escape when he rowed to the English mainland.
It was amidst this background of defiance that the young man, who now wishes to remain anonymous, decided to liberate the letters from the German post box.
Jersey Heritage
The Weighbridge, St Helier, JE2 3NF, Jersey
Open: Every day from March through to November 2008
Closed: Christmas Day and Boxing Day
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