FIRST WORLD WAR
(1914-18)

This page was last updated
19-Aug-2023 10:20

LUDENDORF SPENDE
LUDENDORF CHARITY

This series of un-numbered postcards is titled "LUDENDORF SPENDE FÜR KRIEGSBESCHÄDIGTE" - 'LUDENDORF CHARITY FOR WAR DISABLED'. The cards were published and sold to raise money for Germany's war wounded. I don't know how many different cards were published (they are un-numbered), but below are the four that I have in my collection.

No. 1

This unused card features two soldiers planting a tree and the inscription "HELFT ALLE FÜR LUDENDORF SPENDE FÜR KRIEGSBESCHÄDIGTE" - 'HELP EVERYONE LUDENDORF CHARITY FOR WAR DISABLED'.

No. 2

This card depicts two soldiers apparently being shown how to till a field in preparation for planting seeds.

No. 3

This third card has been postally used and was cancelled on the train from VISSELHÖVEDE to ROTENBURG on train No. 893, on 22nd Jun 1918 (about 6 months before the end of the war). The journey time was less than 30 minutes. The image on the card has a one-armed ex-soldier re-learning how to use tools now that he only has one arm. Behind him is an angelic cherub and the text "Wir alle wollen helfen" - 'we all want to help'.

No. 4

The fourth card was also postally used, this time in FISCHBACH on 1st Oct 1918, just 5 weeks before the end of the war.