Letter Dated 10 August 1940

[Andy Saunders]

I have in my possesion a mis-filed photo copy of a letter that I am certain is from a Luftwaffe airman. At some stage I have marked "8/8/40???" and so I suppose that I must have thought it was something to do with air operations that day.

I can neither read the handwriting, fathom out who it is from and to, nor work out what it says! If I could read the writing, then translation would be the easy bit.

I have a vague idea it could be something related to V./LG1, but am not sure.

Can anyone help me work out what it is?

[tcolvin]

It's annoying that this "Sütterlin Schrift" is so difficult to read, and even for modern Germans. It was taught in school from the late 19th century until the 1950s. Now only Latin script is taught.

If you can wait a few days, Andy, I have a German friend who says he'll transcribe it. Then I'll post both transcription and translation, unless someone does it sooner.

By the way, it is written to his grandparents; the first words being, Liebe Eltern.

Tony

[Rasmussen]

Hello Andy,

here is my version (I miss four words but I hope they aren't not so imprtant):

"Liebe Eltern!

Vielen Dank für den Brief von Vater und Herta.

Inzwischen ist auch meine xxx wieder vorbei und ich fliege wieder mit meinen Kameraden. Vorgestern als so viele Schiffe versenkt wurden war ich mit dabei. Mir gelang es auch einen englischen Jäger abzuschießen, das ist mein dritter Luftsieg.

Sonst ist hier ein ruhiges Leben. Wir fliegen nur, wenn sich irgend welche Schiffe am Meer zeigen.

Von dem Zufall mit Franz und xxx habt ihr ja schon gehört. Franz hab ich kurz vor dem Flug nach England noch gesprochen. Er ist inzwischen wieder weggekommen von hier. Er hat mir auch unseren Brief von Herta gezeigt, die mir Freude machte. Inzwischen hab ich ja auch von Herta einen xxx bekommen und danke ihr nochmal dafür.

Schade daß Franz nicht mehr da ist. Ich wollte gerne mal mit ihm fliegen. Lt. Drieg (?) ist inzwischen ja weg, aber bei uns ist er noch immer nicht. Ich bin sehr neugierig, was er erzählen wird.

Sonst ist hier nichts los.

Herzliche Grüße
Euer Helmut"

Best wishes
Rasmussen

P.S.: Not his grandparents but his parents.

[Andy Saunders]

Thank you both! Extremely grateful.

My suspicions about V./LG1 are strengthened. However, after one beer more than I should have had at the pub this evening (felt I needed it!!) I will leave it until the morrow to investigate further.

Thanks again.

Andy

[Andy Saunders]

I think, but am not sure, that this could be Ltn Helmut Strobl and the queried name could be Ltn Daig? JG27.

Need to check out the dates to see if it all makes sense, although I thought Daig was an Oblt.

Tomorrow.....when the head is clearer!

[Rasmussen]

Daig is correct.

Best wishes
Rasmussen

[Andy Saunders]

Thanks Rasmussen!

Having had a look this morning, this is certainly a letter from Helmut Strobl, 5/JG27. The key to unlocking it was the deciphering of "Daig" and "Helmut" after your helpful translation.

Thank you again.

Andy

[tcolvin]

For completeness sake;
The first word is "Seefahrerei", the second one can only be "Herta" (but written with a wrong "a" at the end), the third one is "ähnlichen" (similar), while the last is actually written "Drig" - but that's not German.

Tony

[Sealander]

Andy,
while I was working on your Suetterlin text I saw that other people are faster.

have you seen this from Kracker's site?
quote:
"MIA 5 September, 1940 after being shot down during aerial combat over Tenterden, Kent, by Sgt C.A.L. Hurry, in a Hurricane of RAF No. 43 Sq.. The AC crashed at Appledore Station. The remains of Oblt Strobl were recovered from his AC 5 September, 1986, exactly 46 years after his death, and returned to his home in Austria."

It fits your suggestion about the identity of Helmut

regards
Sealander

[Andy Saunders]

Sealander

Yes, thanks very much!

I did quite a bit of work on Strobl many moons ago, and a chapter by me is in "Blitz Then & Now" on the background story. I was in touch with Strobl's sister, so this is how this came my way. Somehow, it got mis-filed and I couldn't puzzle out who or what.

Thanks to some superb assistance from forum members I can now put this one to bed...or....rather, back into the right file!