This letter was written by a German prisoner of war named Gottfried Seidel. After his capture, he was transported to the United States and processed through the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation in Virginia, a major reception and transit center for POWs arriving by ship during WW2. This letter was written on January 7th, 1945, and was likely sent shortly after his arrival in the United States.”
It reads:
>“ U.S.A. 7.1.1945.
>My dearest Kamilla, Erika, and Roland!
>The first Sunday in the new year, and my thoughts dwell with you, especially with my good Erika and my Roland, how long will everything still last until we see each other again. It has now been 7 months that I have had no mail from you, and I am longingly waiting for it. What is my mother doing, is she well? She should not worry about me. Is Fritz still at home? I have so many different thoughts about everything.
>It will be your mother’s birthday soon, I wish her all the best, and God’s blessing. I cannot write to her myself, otherwise you will receive one less letter, as everything is prescribed, how much one is allowed to write. But all of you can write me a letter every week. Is there anything else new in the village? Has anyone fallen? Are the two Gerisch boys still alive? Where is Albrecht? Just write me everything. I am healthy and in good humor, and I must always admonish you again, that you should not worry about me. I must stop now.
>To all of you I send many heartfelt greetings from your good Papa. “
After processing at Hampton Roads, prisoners were sent inland to larger, long term POW camps across the United States, often in the South or Midwest, where they would spend the remainder of the war socializing, playing sports, working on farms for a wage, and other recreational activities to pass the time.
After the war ended, German prisoners were gradually shipped back to Europe, where they were eventually released and allowed to return to their homes.
An interesting note about this letter: at the very top, the recipient wrote “Received 2nd of January 1946”, meaning it took nearly a full year for Gottfried’s letter to finally reach his family in Germany.
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This letter was written by a German prisoner of war named Gottfried Seidel. After his capture, he was transported to the United States and processed through the Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation in Virginia, a major reception and transit center for POWs arriving by ship during WW2. This letter was written on January 7th, 1945, and was likely sent shortly after his arrival in the United States.”
It reads:
>“ U.S.A. 7.1.1945.
>My dearest Kamilla, Erika, and Roland!
>The first Sunday in the new year, and my thoughts dwell with you, especially with my good Erika and my Roland, how long will everything still last until we see each other again. It has now been 7 months that I have had no mail from you, and I am longingly waiting for it. What is my mother doing, is she well? She should not worry about me. Is Fritz still at home? I have so many different thoughts about everything.
>It will be your mother’s birthday soon, I wish her all the best, and God’s blessing. I cannot write to her myself, otherwise you will receive one less letter, as everything is prescribed, how much one is allowed to write. But all of you can write me a letter every week. Is there anything else new in the village? Has anyone fallen? Are the two Gerisch boys still alive? Where is Albrecht? Just write me everything. I am healthy and in good humor, and I must always admonish you again, that you should not worry about me. I must stop now.
>To all of you I send many heartfelt greetings from your good Papa. “
After processing at Hampton Roads, prisoners were sent inland to larger, long term POW camps across the United States, often in the South or Midwest, where they would spend the remainder of the war socializing, playing sports, working on farms for a wage, and other recreational activities to pass the time.
After the war ended, German prisoners were gradually shipped back to Europe, where they were eventually released and allowed to return to their homes.
An interesting note about this letter: at the very top, the recipient wrote “Received 2nd of January 1946”, meaning it took nearly a full year for Gottfried’s letter to finally reach his family in Germany.