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Today we have another red cross postcard from POW Erich Zerzawy in Eastern Siberia to his younger brother Robert Zerzawy in Brüx, Bohemia. Robert’s birthday was a month earlier, so I assume that is the birthday Erich refers to. Robert was now 18 and may be expecting to be drafted any day.

As always, receiving mail (or not) is the main topic. At this time, their grandmother Rosa (Helene’s mother) was taking care of the youngest Zerzawy children (Robert and Kättl) while their father and older brothers Paul and Erich were away at war. Another daughter, Klara, died in 1916.

If I’m reading the postmark correctly, this censored card did not arrive in Brüx until November. 

26/VIII.17

My dear ones!

I especially want to thank dear Grandma for her card. If she knew how happy it made me, she would write more often. Otherwise I don’t get much mail. I haven’t heard from Papa in a long time. I hope your birthday wishes will come true soon. That would be the best thing we have found out in 3 years. With greetings and kisses from

Your
Erich