Link to Family Tree to understand family relationships.

Today we have a Red Cross postcard from POW Erich Zerzawy addressed to the “Zerzawy Siblings” in Brüx, Bohemia (with no street address!).

Beresowka 5/VIII.17

My dear ones!

Recently I received some cards from all of you. From Robert, Käthl, Paul and from Aunt Lene. The most recent are from May. I’d really like to write to Paul but it’s quicker to write to you and ask you to tell him about it, as usual. That you are all hoping for peace soon, I certainly believe — who isn’t? There are two groups here — consistent optimists and incorrigible pessimists. It’s not a surprise when you realize that these people have spent the last 3 years here in Beresowka. As far as I know now, the 50 rubles are certainly late in arriving. As far as the sending, Robert’s (#51205) is still in Petersburg. Kisses,

Erich

It appears that both POWs and soldiers relied on money and care packages from home. We saw in the August 4 post that in 1916, Erich’s brother Paul was asking for money from home to help support him. Although Erich was able to write to civilians, POWs were not able to write to people serving in the military.

We see again how central Helene is to the life of the Zerzawys - both nephews often talk about hearing from Helene (Aunt Lene).