Cleaning Out Grandpa's House

we came across this letter from a German PoW that befriended him.



Anyone have any idea? I spent a few hours looking at various things online, and could not find anything remotely close to it.

and for anyone who cares about some info of life after the war, heres links to the letter he sent my Grandfather.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c...ak/Page1.jpg
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c...ak/Page2.jpg

Thanks for any and all help!

Jason

A real nice piece of History... Thats a real keeper

Hello Jason.....,


Welcome to the club.........as Bob mentioned, it's a great piece of history...sorry to say there is not much value, just a few dollars.........But, it would be a great item to pass on to any of your decendents. Not many of the younger generation understand the hardships endured by the residents of post-war Germany. One word of caution, don't place it in a photo album, the gums used in them will ruin the cover/envelope.

Yea, we were really excited to find it, Grand Pa never mentioned this to anyone so we have no Info on it at all. I have started looking into various WW2 sites that discuss the PoW Camps here to see what Info I can start to track down on this Mr Deutscher, was an amazing find.

Yea, I already collect autographs and what nots, so I am familiar with what to use and what not to use. I'm already thinking of framing it in an Acid Free set up, to pass down the lines.


Thank you very much for the info =)

Very nice Jason.

Thanks for sharing and welcome to SCF forums.

Was your grand father in the Navy, if so, I have a friend who belongs to a naval club, and they may be able to shed some additional info.

No, he was in the 45th Infantry Division.


http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.ph...eId=10006163

Little Tidbit here for the ones who do not like clicking unfamiliar links.

In 1940, the "Thunderbird" division was reactivated and deployed in late June 1943 to North Africa. The following month, the division landed in Sicily, where it engaged Axis troops in combat. After advancing up the Italian peninsula, the 45th landed at Anzio in February 1944, where it withstood repeated German assaults against its positions. Cutting across the country, the unit was sent to southern France in August 1944. It quickly advanced through western France, reaching the German border by the end of the year. In March 1945, the "Thunderbird" division crossed the Rhine River and headed southward. On April 20, it captured the city of Nuremberg and on April 30, Munich.

A very special piece of history to cherish within the family. No intrinsic value could match that.

My grandfather was the fire chief at Camp Maxey outside of Paris
Texas during WWII, my mother as a youngster has very fond memories
of the German soldiers assigned to Pops supervision. A few were
assigned to maintain the very old Ward LaFrance pumper firetruck,
and do general maintenance around the rather large property.
She and my grandmother also tell me that for a few years they never
had any problem gardening. Dozens of the German POWS would gladly
volunteer to work in the "side garden". Mom has told me it was about
an acre and the work was all done with a fork, shovel, and hoe.
Of course my grandmother is a grand cook, her fried chicken and
whipped potatoes are to die for. Even at 93 she makes a wicked
three bean salad.

Sorry to be off topic, just thought I'd mention
that belongs to my top 10 movies of all time.
That haunting guitar of Ry Cooder, Like Wow.

well when I read the heading I thought kirk would be unhappy that someone cleaned his house but I am glad to see that it is not so :)

Actually, I've got closets that haven't been opened in years -- I could use the help --Kirk

[edit for typo]

you heard the man :D