FIRST WORLD WAR
(1914-18)

This page was last updated
19-Aug-2023 10:26

PAUL HEY
UNSERE FELDGRAUEN
(OUR FIELD GREY)

There were three sets of identical postcards under the title "Unsere Feldgrauen" (Our Field Grey). The images are the same in all three sets, and were illustrated by artist Paul Hey, who was well known for producing paintings, postcards and posters.

The first series was produced by "Verein für das Deutschtum im Ausland" - 'The Association for Germanness Abroad' or VDA, an organisation dedicated to the development of German business and culture in countries where German's had emigrated. The title has the text "Verein für das Deutschtum im Ausland" along the top left-hand edge, within the rectangle. Below this text is the title "Unsere feldgrauen". They were printed by the VDA's main office at Berlin W 62, Kurfürstenstrasse 105. These cards have the printer's details along the lower left-hand edge of the card.

The second series does not have the "Verein für das Deutschtum im Ausland" title in the rectangle, but it is also titled 'Unsere Feldgrauen' and this time the publisher's details are printed vertically along the central dividing line.

The third series features a rectangular box with an image of Germania facing to the left, and the following inscription "Volks Sammlung des Vereins für das Deutschtum im Ausland für die Kämpfenden Bruder u. die Verfriebenen aus Feindesland." - 'People's collection of the Association for Germanness Abroad for the Fighting Brothers and the victims from enemy territory.' [Requires a more accurate translation].

ABOVE LEFT: TYPE 1
ABOVE RIGHT: TYPE 2

ABOVE: TYPE 3

The postcards below are ordered by the Paul Hey number, not the 20XXX Number.

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TYPE 1

Paul Hey No.1
No.20727

This postcard is titled "Es braust ein Ruf wie Donnerhall ..." - "A call roars like thunder ..."

Es braust ein Ruf wie Donnerhall - Wie Schwertgeklirr und Wogenprall:
Zum Rhein - zum Rhein - zum deutschen Rhein - Wer will des Stromes Huter sein?

A call roars like thunder - like the clang of swords and the crash of waves:
To the Rhine - to the Rhine - to the German Rhine - who wants to be the guardian of the river?

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Paul Hey No.2
20730

Paul Hey No.3
No.20729

This postcard is titled "Der hauptmann, er lebe, er geht uns kuhn voran..." - "The captain, he is alive, he goes boldly ahead of us ..."

Der Hauptmann - er lebe - er geht uns kühn voran -
Wir folgen ihm mutig auf blut'ger Siegesbahn.
Er führt uns jetzt zum Kampf und Sieg hinaus.
Er führt uns einst. ihr Brüder - ins Vaterhaus

The captain - he lives - he goes boldly ahead of us -
We bravely follow him on a bloody victory path.
He's now leading us out to battle and victory.
He will lead us one day. you brothers - to the father's house.

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Paul Hey No.4

This postcard is titled "An der Weichsel gegen Osten ..." - "On the Vistula to the east ..."

An der Weichsel gegen Osten, da stand ein
Soldat auf Posten, Seih da kam ein schönes
Mӓdchen, brachte Blumen aus dem Stӓdtchen

On the Vistula to the east, there was a soldier on post
and a beautiful girl came and brought flowers from the town

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Paul Hey No.5
No.20732

This postcard is titled "Soldatenleben - ei - das heizt lustig sein ..." - "A soldier's life, that's being funny"

Soldatenleben - ei - das heisst lustig sein - Wenn
andere Leute schlafen - so musst du wachen - musst
Schildwach' stehn - Patrouillen gehn

A Soldier life - that's funny,
if other people sleep - so you have to watch,
have to Stand guard, go on patrols

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Paul Hey No.6
No.20728

This postcard is titled "Was blinkt so freundlich in der ferne..." - "What flashes so gently in the distance ..."

Was blinkt so freundlich in der Ferne-das-ist das teure Vaterhaus Ich war Soldat und war
es gerne - doch jezt ist meine Deinstzeit aus - Drum Bruder - stosst die Glaser an - es
lebe der Reservemann - der treu gedient hat seine Zeit - dem sei ein volles Glas geweiht

What is that flashing so friendly in the distance - that - is the dear father's house
I was a soldier and gladly so - but now my time is over - drum brother - toast the glasses
long live the reserve man - who has faithfully served his time - a full glass is dedicated to this

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Paul Hey No.7
20733

This postcard is titled "In der heimat da gibt's ein Wiedersehn ..." - "In the home there is a reunion ..."

in der Heimat - in der Heimat - da gibt's ein Wiedersehn -
at home - at home - there's a reunion

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Paul Hey No.8
No.20734

This postcard is titled "Ich hatt' einen Kameraden..." - "I had a friend..."

Ich hatt' einen Kameraden, einen bessern findst du nit, Die Trommel
schlug zum Streite, er ging an meiner Seite, in gleichem Schritt und Tritt

I had a comrade, you won't find a better one, the drum
struck at the quarrel, we walked together, step by step

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Paul Hey No.9
No.20735

This postcard is titled 'O'Deutschland, hoch in Ehren...' - 'O'Germany, in high honor ...'

Haltet aus! Haltet aus! Lasset hoch das
Banner wehn! Zeigt ihm, zeigt der Welt
wie wir treu zusammen stehn. Haltet aus, Haltet aus
im Sturmgebraus!

Hold out! Hold out! Raise the banner!
Show him, show the world how faithfully we stand together.
Hold out, hold out in the storm!

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Paul Hey No.10
No.20736

This postcard is titled 'Dragoner sind stets heiter ...' - 'Dragoons are always cheerful ...'

Dragoner sind stets heiter, sie haben
eichtes Blut, sie sind die flottsten Reiter
und voller Uebermut

Dragoons are always cheerful, they have light blood,
they are the briskest horsemen and full of high spirits

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Paul Hey No.11
20737

This postcard is titled "Wer hält im deutschen Osten ..." - "Who stops in the east of Germany ..."

Wer hält im deutschen Osten vor unsrer Türe Wacht
Wer steht auf seinem Posten, getreu bei Tag u. Nacht
Der Hindenburg, der alte Reck
Der Russen Tod, der Russen Schreck.

Who keeps watch in front of our door in the German east
Who is at his post, faithful by day and night
The Hindenburg, the old bar
The Russian death, the Russian fright.

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Paul Hey No.12

Paul Hey No.13
No.20749

This postcard is titled 'Wir treten zum Beten...' - 'We come to pray...'

Wir treten zum Beten vor Gott, den Gerechten; er waltet und haltet ein strenges Gericht
We come to pray before God, the righteous; he rules and holds a strict judgment

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Paul Hey No.14

Paul Hey No.15

Paul Hey No.16

This postcard is titled "Drum Mädchen weine nicht ..." - "So girl don't cry ..."

Drum Mädchen weine nicht - sei nicht so traurig
Mach deinem Musketier das Herznicht schwer.

So girl don't cry - don't be so sad
Don't make your musketeer's heart heavy.

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Paul Hey No.17

Paul Hey No.18

Paul Hey No.19

Paul Hey No.20
No. 20756

TYPE 2

Paul Hey No.1
20754

This cardis titled "Die Artillerie ist unverdrossen ..." - 'The artillery is undaunted...'

Paul Hey No.2
No. 20730

This card is titled "Wenn die Soldaten durch die Stadt marschieren" - 'When the soldiers march through the city'.

Wenn die Soldaten durch die Stadt marschieren
Öffnen die Mädchen Fenster und die Türen
When the soldiers march through the city
the girls open the windows and the doors

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