Gordon Williamson

Thanks for posting this one Michel. (I don't have a Zimmermann yet !) Michel will know the answer to this, but I wonder if anyone can spot the difference ( very slight) between the Zimmermann U-Boat Badge and the two similar ones from Mayer and Schickle shown earlier in this thread.

What makes this last one particularly interesting is that is an "Airmail" letter with the Luftfeldpost stamp. One of the last letters to get out of Stalingrad as the Germans lost their last airfield just a few days after this letter was written. This group had clearly been kept together by the family after the war. Sad that at some point they must have decided to dispose of it all, especially these letter from the two brothers killed in Stalingrad !

But the records were wrong. Here is Willy's last letter home. Note the date, eleven days after he is posted as missing believed killed. Of course its not so strange with Stalingrad on the point of collapse and in utter chaos. Strange that in what must have seemed like hell on earth, his biggest worry is not having any Cigarettes.

Soon the Edel family will be receiving more bad news. Once again, note the place of death in the GWGC data sheet. Also note the date he is listed as missing believed killed.

Wonder where Willy is serving ? Oh dear ----- Stalingrad !

But Rudi still has another brother, Willi, still alive. Also serving in the Army. Here is a Christmas Greeting from him on an Army feldpost card

Its unlikely that his commander survived him by much. The German War Graves Commission data shows where Erich was killed ........Stalingrad !

It was to be the last letter Erich would write. The attack next day goes ahead, but Erich is killed in action. The Edel family receive this condolence letter from his commander.

His next letter however, shows him "Im Osten". He mentions receiving a photo and that he will carry it with him as a talisman. He mentions that tomorrow morning they will attack the enemy again. The talisman didn't bring him luck.

Unusual to find documents relating to the soldiers wife and her war service as well as his. But there's more. Rudi has a brother, Erich, and Erich is serving in the Army. Lucky guy, his first letter shows he is serving in the West. Note that its addressed to her at the Heeres Munitionsamt

More relating to her work at the Heeres Munitionsamt

In Germany during these times, everyonme had to notify the Police of any change in residence. This document refers to her staying at a womens accomodation camp (for war workers at the factory).

Like many women, Frau Edel ends up in war-work. In her case she will work for the Heeres Munitions Amt in Zeven

Laurence, No, the set came from Detlev. Believe it or not, I missed the Friday update at that time, and the set was still available on the following Monday !!! I guess everyone else must a just assumed that it would have already gone. I was gobsmacked when I got the "its yours" message. I will post the rest when I get home from the office tonight. My favourite piece is the very last ite, just a little thing, but to me the most fascinating ,and probably the rarest.

And her qualification papers More to come

But that's not all. You see, Edel had a wfie. Frau Edel did business studies as shown by this document

After the war this proud crew member of the Admiral Hipper ends up washing dishes on a US Army Base - but hey, better than enjoying Soviet "hospitality"

His DP (Displaced Persons) Card

Income Tax Papers

Seems like after the war, Edel got confirmation of various aspects of his military service ( perhaps to do with applying for a military pension ?) from the Deutsche Dienststelle

Edel's Soldbuch

A few snaps from his time on Minesweepers. More to follow tomorrow !!

And then goes on to win the Iron Cross First Class

After leaving Admiral Hipper he served on Minesweepers in the Adriatic, where he was wounded in action. Note that this doc is issued by an SS Field Hospital !

More