5 January 1918
My dear ones!
Since an answer to my letter is not here, in the meantime I am just sending you this card to tell you that I am well. The change of name of the military unit … has no significance for me because the course ends between the 18th and 20th. I will then return to my company. From there I will be deployed.
Write to me as soon as possible so that it will still reach me here and only to the included address.
With kind greetings and kisses,
Your Paul
This letter was written just a day after the one posted yesterday. One striking thing about these letters is how quickly and easily mail seemed to travel between soldiers and their families – it was as if they were having an ongoing conversation. Almost like email! It was much different for my grandmother 30 years later when the mail had become completely unreliable. Paul has been training to be a machinist.
Photo of soldier Paul Zerzawy taken in January 1919