Apology to subscribers: For some reason the June 15 post got sent twice — once combined with the June 14 post and once on its own yesterday. Sorry for the repetition! I’d like to blame the technology but it’s probably me. Or it was my grandmother and the rest of the family wanting to make sure you all understand the importance of music to their lives!

Link to Family Tree to understand family relationships.

Today we see another Red Cross postcard from POW Erich Zerzawy in Siberia to his siblings in Brüx, Bohemia.

Monday 16 June 1917.

My dear ones!

I can’t tell you anything new. After all, nothing happens. I have only gotten mail from Paul from Gablanz [?]. I would have liked to write to him but the card was from April 19. Of course, there could be no answer card to send there. I hope he is doing well. I wish him the best in case he might have left. That’s right, only now do I know who Hedl’s husband is. Even though such knowledge does not serve me well, I still want to send a kiss of the hand to Mrs. Hedl. A thousand kisses to all of you.

Erich

From Paul Zerzawy’s letters, we learned that as a soldier he often was not allowed to write to Erich directly. Paul had to make do with sending messages through his family members. I don’t know where Gablanz is, but found a town in Germany named Gablenz (also known as Jabłońc) which has an amazing bridge built in the 19th century.

As I read my family’s letters, when the letter provides more questions than answers I often find myself creating stories. That’s the case with this card from Paul’s brother Erich. In this letter, he mentions a woman named Hedl who has recently gotten married. Perhaps she was Erich’s girlfriend before the war. Another reminder of the disruption of war and how easily one’s hopes and dreams can be dashed and the world turned upside down. At this point, Erich is just 19 years old, has been a POW in Siberia for at least 6 months, and will not survive the war. Despite his situation, his letters home are always sweet and positive, trying not to cause more worry than necessary to his family.