Letters From Germany
Köhler cousins (page 9) 1948
Letters sent by Elfriede Köhler to August Maas in Walnut Grove, MN. Elfreide was the daughter-in-law of Carl Friedrich August Köhler, a brother of Emilie ( Köhler) Maas. Her husband, Fritz, was August Maas' cousin.
See page one for additional information about these letters. [The accession numbers (A/N) are for reference and cataloging purposes.]
A/N - KOH025 - Letter from Elfriede Köhler who was living in Lübeck/Israelsdorf, Germany. [translation by Monica Spicker of Spokane, WA]
Israelsdorf (Lubeck)
11 April (1948)
My dear Family Maas,
Since I received your address from Franz Köhler, I wanted to describe to you dear ones about our conditions in Germany. First I want to introduce myself: I am the wife of Fritz Köhler, so Fritz is a cousin to you.
Unfortunately my husband cannot write to you himself, since the Russians captured him and we are all fearful for him. I only know that father Köhler used to tell of you and a sad depressing time has come over us, that we had to search and find closest relatives in America. Now I want to first write about what happened to Fritz. It was at the end of March, 1945, two days before Gründonnerstag (Maundy Thursday), the Russians came and took men, youths and girls along, including Fritz and our son Günter, he was then 15½ years old, to work for them for 3 hours. They were gathered from our town and from the surrounding area and transported off into the unknown, all on foot. Our Günter was deemed too young and they let him come home. But Fritz, who was a craftsman, was especially gladly taken. We always had our own smithy in Klein-Wellen near Dramburg, which was modern and installed with machines, and it was going well, since it was built near the main street. It was Fritz's pride to have such a large area to satisfy. But unfortunately the war has robbed us of everything and we have become as poor as beggars, as well as without a home. We suffer most, that we don’t know where our father is and cannot begin to set any goals without him. [Note: she is referring to her husband, i.e. the father of her children]
We have 3 children. The oldest daughter is married and lives with her child near us, separated for 5 years from her husband; but he has been released from French captivity and is coming to us. The second daughter, 20 years, lives quite a ways away from us. Before she was working for the post office, but now is in the household of a director's family. And the third is Günter, Fritz's Stammhalter (family name holder) who is now 18½ years old, with whom I am now together and who is my support. He already had learned smithing for a year, but had seen to it that he was already a journeyman. He is now working for the British as a car mechanic. I would like it if he still gets something to eat at lunch and that he could dress better, it is all so terribly hard not to be able to give him something better to wear. The whole mode of living, rarely a day goes by that he doesn’t say, would that our father be here; but we don’t give up hope, that we will hear from him one day. But how will they come from Russia: sick, miserable and totally broken, that you, dear ones, cannot imagine.
Now I will describe our current place. We both live in a welfare home and have a very small room, very primitive and furnished with the barest necessities; what a comparison with before. But I thank God I am not in a camp. All around us are refugee camps, it is hard to imagine the misery and want. We have our peaceful little room, even if it is very modest, but we have gotten used to it. Now Family Maas, it is therefore very hard to write, and please do not be offended, but our Günter has no Sunday suit. Do you have, if it is possible, a worn suit for him? I am so bitterly sorry for him, to see him run around like this, and I cannot help him. He also needs shoes. He stand 1.7 (meters) tall, middle sized. We had to leave our property within 10 minutes. (We traveled) 3 months on foot until we were in Mecklenburg. We were too exhausted to go further. We were 4 months in Mecklenburg, and then we went into the British Zone. We experienced and survived much, which we remember with terror. I, as a mother, am especially happy that my 2 daughters could escape the Russians. I hope things will become different, but it is so dark in the world. Otherwise we are healthy. Fritz is 56 years old and I am 51. How is your family? I am in contact with Berta and Anna Köhler, who try to comfort me, but they at least have their husbands.
I send you warm Sunday greetings from far away Germany,
Your Elfriede and Günter.
If you should send something, that ______ in ________, much is not expected, as our want is so great.
Greetings, Elfriede.
A/N - KOH032 [Translation by Siegfried Krause]
Israelsdorf, the 14.
October (1948)Dear Maas family!
Quite unexpectedly, information came that we should pick up a CARE package, what happiness and surprise. Günter, who now is19 years old, was not back yet from his work, but when he came and could see the content, his eyes were shining. We can’t calm down at all over the beautiful things , because mainly we didn’t know it anymore and other foods we get only in grams, if it is offered on food cards. Therefore, you dear ones, we can’t thank you nearly enough for it, and be grateful.
Enclosed is a little picture of me so that you, dear ones, can see to whom you sent it. I’m standing in front of my window, and I’m living in a small makeshift-home. From Günter, I have no picture at the moment, I will send it later. (click on photo to enlarge)
Our eldest daughter, married, who lived in our close proximity, has moved far away from us before ¼ year to Westphalia the ............
[Note: the next page is missing; the year the letter was written is based on Günter's age]
A/N - KOH021 and KOH035. [translation by Siegfried Krause]
Israelsdorf
6 December (1948)Dear Maas family!
I can give you dear ones the joyful news that your package is safely and completely in our hands. We can not fully express our joy at getting such wonderful things from you dear ones. And how happy and surprised we were. Quite marvelously, the clothes fit me, and the blouse, as if it were made for us and the light coat, so suitable. For Günter, the beautiful suit matches so beautifully, the pants are made only somewhat short, otherwise quite perfect,
and he is quite stylish in it. There, you won't believe how proud he is with it. And the beautiful underwear and shoes for Günter. Günter was completely beside himself with joy. The matching skirts, blouse, shoes, and undergarment for our 21-year old daughter, I have sent to her. How happy she will probably be. I believe I have enclosed a picture of her already once as well.
We can not thank you loved ones with words enough for all that you have given us so amply for the dear Christmas celebration. In our thoughts, we will think much about you. May God bless you that you gave us such great help.
Our Günter is currently depressed because he loses his job in a few days. He was working at the British army as a car-locksmith and the unit is being dissolved. 1,200 people will be unemployed, exactly now before Christmas. From our daddy (referring to Fritz) there is still no word, on the 20th of December, he will be 56 years old; soon, it will be 4 years since we have learned anything of him.
Now all you dear ones, I would like to greet you quite heartily and thank you from my whole heart. I will never forget this.
Your Elfriede Köhler
[Note: The picture embedded here was identified as Elfriede's second daughter who is believed to be Hildegarde, presumably the 21-year old mentioned here] (click on photo to enlarge). Note: The year of this letter is based on how long Fritz has been gone. He was taken away by the Russians on 27 March 1945
A/N - KOH038 - Undated letter from Günter Köhler to August Maas [translation by Siegfried Krause]
Dear Maas family!
I would also like to sincerely thank you myself for the beautiful suit, as well as for the shirt and Unterhose (pants or underpants). You don’t know at all, what great joy you afford us with these beautiful things. The suit fits me quite well, after a small alteration of the pants. I am so very happy to once again possess a good piece of clothing. Also, the beautiful low shoes, which I also needed very urgently, are of very great importance for me. I would like to express to you, therefore again, my most cordial thanks. Simultaneously, I wish with all my whole heart a blessed and merry Christmas celebration, as well as a good New Year.
wish you,
Günter K.
[Note: This letter most likely was included with his mother's letter of 6 Dec 1948 when his mother, Elfriede, mentioned receiving the clothes.]
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Descendants of Christian Friedrich Koehler
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