Postcard 3:

30 May 1915

My dear little one,

I am writing as soon as I got up and after having had my juice. I am in the forest, in the house of a forest guard; we are comfortable but it is not as good as being next to you nevertheless. I am on watch with the bugle and when there is a boche plane I warn the colleagues by sounding the bugle; the work is not painful but it is boring.

[the rest is about a parcel he sent and about the garden- he is asking whether the cherries and strawberries are good]

Postcard 6:

Legend: The war in Lorraine in 1914

Lunéville: Before they left Lunéville the Germans blew up the Viller bridge - on the right is the burnt down cereal processing plant

27 October 1914

Very dear mother,

I have just received your parcel today - 2 pairs of socks and a jumper and a bar of chocolate. I am very pleased to have received them so that I am not cold. Very dear mother, at the moment we are in Prussia - that means in Germany - we are roughly 10 [meters? ] from the frontier further on. I am still in good health and I hope that it is the same for you. Pass on my greetings to Roch[…] [..] I have seen him again yesterday and to B[…]. Here it is, that’s all for the time being. Receive from your son his best wishes. [name]

Note: Lunéville was the first French town to be attacked by the Germans. It was bombarded by a German plane one hour before the official war declaration on 3 August 1914. Lunéville was subsequently occupied by the Germans for three weeks from 22 August until 12 September and both inhabitants and buildings greatly suffered not only from the German occupation but also from collateral damage during its liberation by the French troops. Being close to the German frontier,  the town has been repeatedly occupied by German troops who stayed there for three years after the 1870-1801 war and for more than 4 years during WW2.  

The occupation during WW1 only lasted three weeks but had a lasting impact on the population as the Germans terrorised the locals by starving them to death and by taking thirteen civilian hostages from all social classes to discourage any acts of rebellion. They cut off all food supplies from outside and many children and adults died as a result. On 25 and 26 August they also executed civilians in the street, burnt down the Hotel de Ville and 110 private dwellings as retaliation for the killing of German soldiers.

Postcard 12

Saint Brieuc 7 February 1916

Dear Aunt,

I have just received your letter and I answer immediately. I let you know that I am still in hospital but I am well now although they are not sending me back to military quarters yet as I am still weak as I have not eaten for eight days. I must also tell you that yesterday, Sunday, we went for a stroll in town and then we went to see the sea with one of my friends who was in hospital with me. We were lucky as the sea had just gone down and we were able to look for shells. Ah it is a beautiful view - you can see a vast stretch of water – it looks like it touches the sky. I would like you to see that..

Postcard 19: 28 February 1915

Dear little darling Lucie

Thank you once again for the kind words you have sent me. You are so good and how you are delicately nursing my poor injured heart. What comfort you bring to my heart, you can’t imagine; and your duty leads you to continue providing such care. Yes, little Lucie, write to me often; dedicate me, if that’s not asking too much, a little moment every day. Maybe I am asking a lot but I am so happy when I receive your missives that are so desired. They help me to occupy with less sadness days that are so sad and monotonous. I will write to you  at more length in 99 days. We have so much work at the moment and we are so badly set up at L. Ch. We are all in an attic on straw; kitchen, office, meeting room are all in the same room, a large campaign room, cold and humid where we are shivering the whole day even when standing next to the fire. Since the last  few days it has been freezing cold;  it is icy and we have to walk around to warm up a bit. It will be even worse apparently if we move forward. Luckily the good weather should come soon. Good bye darling friend. I have accepted with pleasure the little kiss that you have sent me and I answer by giving you my lips languorously. Paul

Postcard 20

…in a moment of  illusion, life is so bizarre. Whatever happens my great friend, I will always remember you, your eyes so good, all these little things that came from your gracious person and that have charmed me from the very first moment. When will that war finish; my God how sad this is; so many dead, wounded, left disabled. We are now in full battle and the canon is incessantly sounding its big voice. In the region where we are, they use, apparently, so they say, around thirty thousand shells every day. We are still in that little place. We are ready to get onto  the ambulance. Meanwhile  we are killing time: wake up at 7; have a wash; walk in the fields (the countryside is quite picturesque); back again; accounting then lunch. Then walk again on foot, or sometimes horse-riding when I need to go somewhere for service  which is quite frequent. The accounting, correspondence; at 6pm diner; traditional game of cards and go to bed. Moments of freedom are used for reading (have you received Popole) and for thinking about all sorts. In the evening before falling asleep I picture Nillotte and my Lucie and I fall asleep dreaming about you. Write to me quickly and give me plenty of news. What’s new over there. Have you got troops. What is happening to Madame Mangeot. The photo is a little bit dark. I am waiting for a print out to send to her. Bye my dear little Lucie and whilst waiting for your next letter I kiss with love your little eyes that I love. Paul.

Note:

http://bibliobs.nouvelobs.com/documents/20130927.OBS8895/1914-18-ce-qu-on-lisait-dans-les-tranchees.html

Postcard 21: 15 April 1915

My dear little Lucie

Do not think that I have forgotten you, on the contrary, but our life now is so different from before that I have not had time to write to you. On the contrary, I regularly receive your dear missives and thank you very much. We are right on the front line in the region of Sparges, Marcheville, and the fighting is hot. We have large quantities of injured (4 to 5 every day) to care for and it is exhausting. One should not complain of one’s fate. Shells and bombs are falling on our village but until  now no one among our staff has been injured. My God, it is so long; what sad scenes you see and when is all that going to end. What a relief,  I am in good health if a little tired. After a period of wind and rain the beautiful sun, that had abandoned us, is coming back to visit  and bring some consolation in this sad spectacle. With this good weather, one would be happy having a rest in Villotte near a dear little friend about whom you think very often. I hope that you are in good health dear little Lucie; how much I envy your calm and monotonous life. I don’t have time to read at the moment; I miss it; this was my only distraction. I hope for better days. We might see each other during the next leave; because of our heavy losses they might have to send us home? Maybe again on your side? Bye dear little friend and let me give you a long, very long kiss. Paul

Postcard 25: postmarked 25 Oct 1916

Postmark 26:

Legend: The Military Chauffeuse (female driver)

With me, the direct approach is always welcome

The spark is provided by the chauffeuse and the contact is at the soldier's place

The brakes are taken off and there is no holding back from the plunge ... as wished

The car has lights but these aren't needed

The soldier must pay attention to his little carburettor

His distributor gets only kisses

The bends are taken very slowly with no shaking

He always steers a straight course

In the mountains her car always reaches heaven

In retreat they prefer to go forward

Her costume is very simple and even in bad weather she doesn't want a hood

When speeding there is no fear that the wheels will fail

Message: My dear beloved 6-9-18

My tender heart is always good for you. After coming back from drinking a litre of wine with my comrades I am coming to share a couple of words with you.

My sweet souvenirs and my sweet kisses are always for you. I have been keeping patient for a long time but I hope that our happiness will come. I never cease to think about you my beloved who does not forget and longs to see each other. Your good friend for ever who kisses you. Farewell my beloved.

Top right corner: Your little love for ever. Paul

Top left corner: Going on a march tomorrow.

Note: A postcard from a soldier pouring out his heart to the love of his life after a drinking session with his mates.

Postcard 28

Legend:

- Once for all could you tell me why they always  show us their behinds?

- Easy!!! That’s all that their officers have taught them to show….

Tuesday 8 May 1919

My dear little Adrien

I think that you were happy to see your Marcelle and your maman; there’s only one thing- it’s too short; never mind that’s better than nothing. My dear little one you must have courage and most of all you must be careful and not drink water especially when you have been walking. My brother came this morning..[text continues on second postcard?]

Note: Water was distributed every day to soldiers but queues were sometimes long and it was  tempting for thirsty soldiers to drink water from shell holes. This seemed to have happened a lot during WW1 and resulted in severe illness.

Postcard 31

Legend: Permission to love

Due to his good behaviour the soldier sending this card  is authorised to join you soon if yourself, in return, give him the permission to do so.

The commanding office: A. Tenmoi

Note: This is a word play on the French term for military leave, “permission”. The French means both “military leave” and “permission” (like in English).

The commanding officer’s signature is A. Tenmoi, phonetically the same as “attends-moi” which means “wait for me”. The stamp continues with the same theme and reads as follows: Shock battalion of love.

Postcard 35

Legend: One to one yes all is forgotten, and we adore each other madly

Hand-written legend

29.12.1917 Saturday evening

My dear beloved little wife

I have not received any news from you for several days but I expected  this little delay due to the extra mail generated by the New Year and also perhaps because of the lack of time caused by work. Today I have received news from our parents. Tomorrow Sunday I will write more at length to attenuate, as much is possible, this intolerable life, being far from you!
Receive my little Ninette from your little man his infinite caresses. I kiss you very tenderly just I love you. To you for life. Fernand

Comments: This particular correspondent named Fernand liked to add his own hand-written legends to this particular series of cards. This way of personalizing a mass produced card was not uncommon and handwritten comments are quite frequently found on the front of postcards.

Postcard 36: 26th December 1917

My dear little beloved wife

May this letter bring you my very best wishes for the New Year; wishes of happiness that I would very much see realised by my return, bringing you all the hope, joy and happiness that you dream about through our legitimate union of love and fidelity. I will write to our parents tonight. At the moment I am on guard duty at the explosives for 24 hours. Snow is falling and fingers are slightly frozen. I am tracing these lines ..like a grenade. Waiting for news from you, please receive my dear little wife whom I love my infinite kisses and my mad caresses. To you for life. Your beloved. Fernand.

Note: A postcard from a soldier reminding his wife of her marriage vows perhaps. The mention of “fidelity” is important here. Marital infidelity was a great concern for soldiers. Women suddenly enjoyed a lot more freedom and financial independence. Some made the most of it (quite rightly).

Postcard 37: 21st November 1917

Legend: handwritten- After a long wait

If the offensive is rough on the front

[rest is not legible]

B…21 Novembre 1917

My dear little wife whom I adore

I have received your lovely card from Mon[…] this morning and it brought back lovely memories that soon, I hope, will come back alive  again like in happy days. It is still likely that we will depart at the end of the week or at the beginning of next; so we will soon have the joy to see each other and to love each other tenderly.

Receive dear little Ninette my infinite caresses and sincere kisses.

Your little man for life

Fernand

Postcard 38: 23rd July 1916

Dear Helen,

Warm embraces to all the family on my behalf and receive my most tender caresses from the bottom of my heart.

Note: A very amusing postcard. The chubby babies are depicted doing what the poilus would have done during quiet times: washing, cooking and cleaning their settlement. The rural setting is interesting as it does reflect the fact that troops would have sometimes stayed in barns or other buildings owned by the locals. This card was obviously made to amuse and delight the receiver with all its entertaining little details like the baby peeing on the roof. A tender perspective on what was really a very grim war. A very suitable postcard to send to children and family to cheer them up and make them smile in difficult times.

Postcard: 39: 11/12/1917

Awaiting translation

Postcard 40:

Postcard 41:

Postcard 42:

Postcard 43:

Postcard 44:

Camp D'Auvours - Une Halle

To Fred Wilshire, Hanham, Bristol - Service Militaire

from Jean Verlaecke, Camps Auvours, 8 Compangnie FcCI

1e Telefon 2e Section

Sartlse [?], France