Transcription of the letter from Anna to Paul Lefmann on 21 June 1915:

“Bremen, 21.6.16

9 o’clock in the morning

Dear Paul,

Your two cards arrived this morning, I thank you very much for your congratulations, the card arrived just in time. Yesterday also your letter came, which brought us joyful news about your condition. Above all I am worried about your rupture; that you have chafed your feet is still to be overcome, although Papa told me that this pain is a very nasty one. Just change your socks often. Emma has discovered very thin underpants to wear under the socks, she will send you a parcel today. With this letter a tin of rhubarb, grown in our garden, is being sent off for you, parcel VI. Tomorrow I will send you socks, writing paper, etc.

This morning Mr. Wacker, Westphal, must be at the Brook on the barracks yard, those are the 38-year-olds, so it will soon start with Uncle August as well. On the battlefield in Galicia things are now going forward in storm, there are all sorts of rumors about peace negotiations, our enemy in the East surely cannot hold out any longer—may it come true.

From August Lefmann we also received a card, he asked for your address, in July he will get 10 days’ leave. Our neighbor Büsching had all his beans frozen last night, also on our land the beans suffered somewhat. No rain since Ascension Day.

If you should have any wishes, write, and they will be fulfilled immediately. My greatest joy is that you have received the parcels, now you will surely also get the others. Two are from Emma and one from Miss Kühle, already on the way.”

Transcription of the letter from Granz to Paul Lefmann on 19 March 1916:

“Bremen, 19 March 16.

Dear Paul!

From your last letter I see that things are going well for you in your present position. It is very reassuring for us to know you in a place where one only hears the war from afar; and on the other hand you have an occupation somewhat closer to your profession. Surely all your comrades would gladly exchange places with you; one may well say that you have had damned good luck. Just see that you do not lose, through some carelessness, the confidence of your superiors. A further promotion is after all not out of the question.

So Uncle August is at Arras, a very perilous area. To accompany him to the station was not pleasant for me at all. After two hours of waiting in front of the barracks in cold weather we finally set off. It was a troop of 100 men. Despite the lively marches that Ewald had the band play, the mood among the soldiers was depressed. They were all men who had already served more than 6 months, and thus would certainly soon be used at the front. When the lieutenant marching next to Uncle August heard that I was a relative, he made room for me, and so we could march to the station in the same step. Unfortunately the platform was closed, but I had already taken my leave of him beforehand with a firm handshake. Our common wish is that August will return safe and sound.

Yesterday evening I procured for him, through the Teachers’ Association, the first “love parcel.” I heard at the Museum that the commission was packing in the hall; I quickly handed in August’s address, and Mr. Petersen soon told me with radiant joy: parcel for August dispatched! (cigars and chocolate).

Tomorrow, on the first day of the holidays, I will inquire with the section for reading material how the chest with the books is to be sent off.

Because of fatigue from farm work I close for today with my best greetings to you.

Your father.”