I’ve been tasked with translating some letters from a father to his son. Written in 1944. In Germany. It’s interesting to go through the translation and then match things up with history. I figured somebody else might be interested, so here is the first letter I’ve completed.

November 14, 1944

My dear Manfred:

We have still not received a letter from you and are therefore very worried, as you can imagine. I am consoling myself with the thought that you’ve left Westwall and that there is no post to reach us.

For two days, we listened day and night to the booms of the cannons in the west; there must, therefore, be hard artillery battles under way. If only we knew where you were currently located. Maybe we have been too quiet? Or not, who knows!?

Wolfgang left quickly yesterday evening. He had to get back to his unit. He has written down your address so he can write. I hope you will send him heartfelt greetings in the meantime, Manfred.

Mother has once again been driven to sleep just after Degerloch. Walter is with me still. That’s our life, it’s actually not fun anymore.

Last Sunday, I was sworn in for the Volkssturm. It was an impressive crowd in Spitalhof. I belong to a company lead by Mr. Muller (Bookbinder). My conductor is Mayor Neunhoffer and I drove the group this time. Tomorrow evening, we have our training and I can easily say that these evenings are always very interesting.

Hado was here this afternoon as well, he is currently on leave. He brought mother an extra four eggs, so she can bake you something for your Christmas package. That is really lovely of him.

I have already written you that your certificate of maturity came yesterday. You can see, Manfred, what you have yet to accomplish. So, you have at least a degree. You will see it again one day. The most important thing now is that you come back, and for that we wish wholeheartedly. Everything else is incidental.

Dearest Manfred! I wish you all the best from the heart, and quite a bit of luck. Don’t make us worry, dear boy.

Sending you heartfelt greetings,

Your Father

Mother and Walter also leave you heartfelt greetings. Walter is already in bed. He still oversleeps.