Soldaterbrev fra Somme, 1916

I have been sitting in this trench since the 5th February. And fighting against the Frenchmen, in a whole week we have been having a Truce right up here to x-mas. But still we are not happy here. We freezing, we are hungry. Remember that I took of with [NAVN B] and [NAVN C]? They are not here anymore, they are both dead. One day was [NAVN B] gone, that was in the spring. You know how he acts in the spring, so he took of at he’s way home. We both know what the punishment is for deserting. [NAVN C] was shot in his leg and captured by the Frenchmen. He was never seen since April 15th. Our officer: [NAVN D] was promoted to Trainings corporal and now is in München. The same place I was trained by Feldwebel [NAVN F], He is still there. But now when I write this letter for you my beloved wife, I am in good shape, there was a Huge Gas attack when the Frenchmen tried to chase us out. That succeeded for many of the companies, but we had to sit in 3 days in gas and attack from the Frenchmen until reinforcements arrived at the bunker. But when it was the 24th December were everyone a little happier, actually we got gifts, Brand new helmets without those horrible spikes on. That’s just wonderful, how are you doing, and how about the kids? After the X-mas evening we was replaced by younger infantry from the 83rd so I will soon be back to you, and I think the war soon is over. Then everything will be like it was before the war.