A collection of letters without envelopes from Knight’s Cross recipient Helmut Haeuseler (1916–1945). Not a lot is known about this man. The available sources say that he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on Feb 14th, 1945 when he was the commander of the Grenadier-Regiment 399 of the 170th infantry division. However, in one of the final letters, he states that he was given the Knight’s Cross on Feb 17th, 1945, “for the outstanding accomplishments of my regiment”. Sources also state that he died on Feb 25th, 1945. However, the final letter is dated Mar 8th, 1945. The handwritings match. The earliest letters are from 1935, the final ones from 1945. Usually there are several per month, just from 1944 and 1945 there are only a handful. All letters are written in the then standard script of Kurrent, an old type of German handwriting. They are addressed to his mother (“Liebe Mutter”, dear mother). A few postcards have the name and address of the recipient, but most of it is very hard to decipher. It is clear, however, that she lived in Neuzittau near Berlin.
Content: Most letters start with thanks for the previous received letter or for a package. A few give thanks for clothes sent, later during the war also for cigarettes. Haeuseler talks about his service in the army, pre and during war, about what he does in his free time, when he’ll be coming home for vacation, and, during the summer of 1936, the olympics. During the war there are often complaints about the weather, mostly the rain. Sometimes the conditions in the field or in the trenches are described. The letter from Aug 16th, 1943 says: “Die vergangenen 6 Wochen waren die härtesten, die ich in den bisherigen 4 Kriegsjahren miterlebt habe.” (The past 6 weeks have been the toughest that I have witnessed in the so far 4 years of war.) Haeuseler talks about the relentless air raids on the eastern front, but states: “Mein Bataillon hat sich gut geschlagen.” (My battalion has done well.) The few letters from 1944 and 1945 are very short. He states that he doesn’t have a lot of time, but: “Everything is ok.” In Feb and Mar of 1945, even in the period of pulling back to East Prussia, Haeuseler is surprisingly confident and upbeat, stating that “Ivan” (the Russians) wants to get them, but they are not making it easy for him, and that “our valiant men are fighting marvellously”. The final letter from Mar 8th, 1945 says: “I’m still ok.”
Next to the letters, there are some postcards in the bundle. They sometimes have motivational sentences printed on them:
- “Wo wir England schlagen können, werden wir England schlagen.” Der Führer am 30. Januar 1941 (Where we can beat England, we will beat England. The Führer on Jan 30th, 1941)
- “Das deutsche Volk ist sich bewußt, daß es dazu berufen ist, die gesamte Kulturwelt von den tödlichen Gefahren des Bolschewismus zu retten und den Weg für einen wahren sozialen Aufstieg in Europa frei zu machen.” Aus der Note an die Sowjetregierung. (The German people are aware, that they are assigned to save the entire cultural world from the deadly dangers of Bolshevism and to free the way for a true social advancement in Europe. From a note to the Soviet government)
- “Es gibt in diesem Schicksalskampf für uns nur ein Gebot: Wer ehrenhaft kämpft, kann damit das Leben für sich und seine Lieben retten!” Adolf Hitler. – Unsere Parole: Tapfer und Treu! (In this fight of destiny there is only one imperative for us: Who fights with honour can save his own life and the lives of his loved ones! Adolf Hitler – Our slogan: Brave and loyal!)
Dates and places: Initially the letters arrive from Sorau, modern day Żary, western Poland. During 1935 and 1939 Haeuseler moves around to different cities: Halberstadt, Quedlinburg, Hammelburg, Blankenburg, then Munich for a long time. On Apr 20th, 1937 he is promoted to lieutenant. When the war starts, he is immediately deployed to Poland (Sep 1939). At that point he already holds the rank of Oberleutnant (senior lieutenant). Haeuseler gives his mother a new Feldpost (field mail) number in Jan 1940: 04740 C, later E. This stands for the 6th, then 8th company of the 12th infantry regiment, the “Regiment Halberstadt”. It participated in the Poland campaign, but in Feb 1940 it had to cede the II. battalion (which included both the 6th and 8th company) to the infantry regiment 517. In mid 1940 Haeuseler writes: “Ich sitze mit der Kompanie in einem kleinen Ort in der Bretagne.” (My company and I are in a small town in Brittany.) Haeuseler’s new regiment, the infantry regiment 517 was part of the 295th infantry division. From May 1940 until June 1941 it fought in Belgium and France, then, starting in June 1941, in Russia. And indeed, starting in mid 1941, all the letters are sent from “Rußland”, Russia. His new Feldpost number is 09878 E. In Oct 1942 it changes again to 08020. During that time this Feldpost number was given to the Bataillons-Führerschule Mourmelon (leader school). Mourmelon-le-Grand is a small city in the department of Marne in northern France. In Mar 1943 it is 09878 A. The A usually stands for headquarters. By now Haeuseler holds the rank of Hauptmann (captain). In Aug 1943 he holds the rank of Major. In July 1944 his number has changed to 10436 A. No information for that number at that date is available, same as for his next number, which is in use in Aug 1944: 11691. Finally, in Feb 1945, he holds the rank of Oberstleutnant (lieutenant colonel).
Letter from Ostpreußen (Eastern Prussia), Feb 7th, 1945: Dear Mother! Everything ok! The war goes ever on. Ivan (means Russia) wants to get us. It is very difficult for him though, because we’re also having a word to say in this. For father the best wishes for his birthday. I can’t write long letters right now, because I have very tired … in my face. Greetings, Yours, Helmut.
Letter from Feb 19th: Liebe Mutter! Habt ihr meine Briefe bekommen? Es geht mir immer noch gut. Hoffentlich könnt ihr Vaters Geburtstag heute ein bißchen feiern. Vorgestern hat man mir für die hervorragenden Leistungen meines Regiments das Ritterkreuz gegeben. Herzliche Grüße, Euer Helmut Dear Mother! Did you get my letters? I am still fine. Hopefully you can celebrate dad’s birthday a little today. The day before yesterday, for the outstanding accomplishments of my regiment, I have been awarded the Knight’s Cross. Greetings, Yours, Helmut
BRIEF VOM 8.3.!!!!! Liebe Mutter! … immer am … der Kämpfe in Ostpreußen geht es mir immer noch gut. Unsere wackeren Männer schlagen sich fabelhaft. … mit uns nicht fertig machen. Seid ihr gesund? … immer noch … Herzliche Grüße Euer Helmut Dear Mother! … still at … the fights in Eastern Prussia I am still well. Our valiant men are fighting marvellously. … with us not exhaust us. Are you of good health? … still ... Greetings, Yours, Helmut
Item: Letters from Knight’s Cross recipient Botho von Frantzius, envelopes: 16.1 x 11.5 cm. Date of items: 1939-1942. Condition: good, signs of aging.
A collection of letters in envelopes from Knight’s Cross recipient Botho von Frantzius (1898–1942). He took part in the campaign against Poland, then was stationed in the northern part of the Eastern Front, in charge of the Aufklärungs-Abteilung 161 (reconnaissance division) and the infantry regiment 151. Because of his distinguished services during the taking of the Baltic islands of Muhu, Saaremaa, and Hiiumaa he was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross on Nov 4th, 1941. In March 1942, he became the commander of the infantry regiment 504. Von Frantzius died on Dec 10th, 1942, during the battle for Velikiye Luki, near Nevel, Russia. At his death he held the rank of Oberst (colonel), but was posthumously promoted to Generalmajor (major general).
The first letter is dated from 1939. It is the only letter from that year. The letters from 1940 start in early May. From then on until Dec 1942, despite a few gaps, they have been sent almost every day, sometimes even two a day. Every letter is addressed to Mrs. Hertha von Frantzius, his wife. She lived in Groß Gotteswalde near Sonnenborn, Ostpreußen (East Prussia), modern day Koszwa∤y, Poland. All letters are written in the then standard script of Kurrent, an old type of German handwriting.
Content: Von Frantzius is talking in some detail about his troop deployments and experiences in the field, but is also interested in hearing about his wife’s life at home. He usually addresses her by an affectionate nickname, like “Mausi” (small mouse). The two are very close, the letters show a certain level of romanticism: “My thoughts are with you.”, “Greetings and many kisses, …”, “In great love, missing you, Botho.” It is a tale of love in times of war, cut short by his death.