SECOND WORLD WAR POSTCARDS

This page was last updated
17-Mar-2025 08:41

59. HEERES BETREUUNGSKOMPANIE
59th ARMY SUPPORT COMPANY

The following set of postcards is titled "Aus der E-Anstalt der 59. Heeres betreuungskompanie (E) Przemysl Gemeinschaftsarbeit: Ozhlm. H. Hoock, Uffz. Herbert Riede, Uffz. Emil Seiz" - 'From the E-Institution of the 59th Army Support Company (E) Przemysl. Joint work: Ozhlm. H. Hoock, Uffz. Herbert Riede, Uffz. Emil Seiz'. Przemyls (Przemyśl) is a city in the southeast of Poland on the Polish-Ukrinian border.

After the invasion of Poland by German and Soviet forces in 1939 the town of Przemyśl was divided between the German held north and the Soviet held south. During the initial German occupation the town was the scene of the Przemyśl massacre which saw the murder of 600 local jews.

I don't know very much about this strange series of cards, but the contents are quite disturbing. What was the purpose of these cards? How many are in the series? When were they published etc?

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1. AT THE BUFFET

This card depicts a soldier re-united with his wife/girlfriend. The text reads "Am Büfen, Den man lang entbehrt. Das Urlaubsglück sich erst bewart" - 'At the buffet, which you have long missed. Holiday happiness will be preserved'.

2. HOMEWARD BOUND

The next card shows a soldier returning home on leave. The text reads "Nach hause geht's das herz-es flapft, die weiles hinten gelblich trapft". - 'Home goes the heart - it flutters, the yellowish traps behind'.

3. BEATING THE TRAIN

This card shows a soldier flying home, beating the train. The inscription reads "Voraus dem zug, voraus der zeit entschwebt das hirn der Lauslichkeit" - 'Ahead of the train, ahead of time, the bad thoughts float away'

4. BEING HUMAN

The following card is inscribed "Mas menschlichist wird gern geubt, desonders wenns das herz nicht trubt" - 'Being human is something one likes to practice, especially when it doesn't trouble the heart'

5. VISITED BY MONKEYS

The text on this next card reads "Der mensch, im innersten geniert, fühlen affenseits sich visitiert" - 'The human, embarrassed in the innermost, feels visited by the monkeys'

6. TAKING A SHOWER

The text below the image of the naked man reads "Belautert durch den Strahl der Brause darfst endlich jetzo du nach hause" - 'Enriched by the shower jet, you can finally go home'

7. FREED

The inscription on this card reads "Befreit von laus sind Rock und Glieder, nun stimmt der laden endlich wiedel" - 'Freed from lice are skirt and limbs, now the shop is finally right again'.