Following are the complete letters from which the quotations were taken:

Letter from Paul to Hedwig Lefmann, 7 June 1917

"7 June 1917

Dear Heti,

I have just one more hour before bedtime, so I want to quickly write you a few lines. First, I can tell you that things have improved a little for me. I no longer have to do the manual labor but instead supervise a small group at the pioneer park. This is very valuable for me because my hands would have suffered enormously from the rough work in the long term. I am enormously glad that I no longer have to touch the cursed barbed wire, roofing felt, and cement. The saddest thing about our new work is that we have hardly any free time for ourselves anymore.

Yesterday was sheer torment for us. We worked all day in the blazing sun at a temperature of 45°C.

Thank you so much for your postcard from your sailing trip. You cannot imagine how lucky you are to be spending these wonderful days at home with Father and Mother. For two years now, I have been roaming around France. I can tell you, I am sick and tired of all this stuff. I’m beginning to think we won’t get peace this year either.

If you see Mr. Brunssen, please send him my regards and tell him I will write to him in the next few days.

Sending warm greetings to you, dear Heti, 
Your brother Paul."