Word War II: A Letter from the Battlefront

Wilhelm Street 15

10507, Poland

September 14, 1939

Dear Barbara,

These past 2 weeks were probably the most exhausting days of my whole life. I can’t believe I even have time to write you this letter. Since I only have little time, this letter will be rushed, but I just had to tell you about my new experiences. A few days ago, on September 1^st, the Germans invaded us on three fronts (can you believe that?), the East Prussian Front in the north, the German Front in the west, and Slovakia in the south. They used their new, unknown “Blitzkrieg” method; it was quite remarkable, but also devastating. We held them back at Kutno, and then went to regroup by the Wisla and Bzura rivers. They also had all the weapons you could possibly think of and the biggest military as well; 2600 tanks, and more than 2000 aircraft, against our 180 tanks, and 420 aircraft! To be honest, I was scared to death. And my biggest dream is for this war to end and for you, and our dearest daughter, Lola, to never have to experience something like this!

You asked for my feelings and how I am? Well, yesterday we fought, and I wasn’t unscathed. Telling you this isn’t easy, but after the fight, my left hand was injured severely. They sent me to a hospital after several hours, too many if you ask me, and the nurses said that my hand won’t mend, it had to be amputated. I’m sorry love, but don’t worry too much, I won’t die and I will come home to our beautiful house soon. We all have changed, I noticed it on the very day the Germans invaded us. We, the soldiers, now have a stern look and a spark of revenge in our eyes. I wonder if I could ever go back to our old, simple but comfortable life? Now that I’m used to such harsh conditions, bad weather (it’s been very cold lately), and food and water shortage, it’s hard to imagine the life I once lived.

I have to tell you this, though I doubt that you didn’t know this, we lost the battle. The Germans now are controlling us. We held on longer than anyone would have thought, but in the end, we still lost. Not hard to believe when you look back at the numbers of military and weapons they had! Most of us were on horseback as well, I never even thought we would win, but I wouldn’t give up. We fought till we really couldn’t go one more step without dropping dead; and more dead soldiers was the last thing we needed. On the 3^rd of September, Britain and France declared war on Germany, but we still received no help.

Yours for eternity,

Juri Pavlov

P.S. I hope that this all ends well and that I get to live yet another couple of years, to watch my beautiful daughter grow up and to spend time with my loving wife. Oh I miss you both so bad, now I know how it feels to loose someone. Please do not worry too much and if something does happen, do not let it change your life, I’m sorry. Remember, I love you forever.

P.P.S. Tell all our friends I said hello. And take care of my mother please.

Information from: http://www.kasprzyk.demon.co.uk/www/history/WW2.html

Picture from: http://pro.corbis.com/images/NA002776.jpg?size=67&uid={A97388D9-53C0-47E7-B106-372533AD6091}