1946 Post-WWII German Correspondence Detailing Food Shortages and Refugee Situation

Item Details

Germany, 1946

This is a fascinating postcard sent from a man in Germany to a woman in Austria during the post-WWII period of Allied occupation (December, 1946). In it, Eduard Neumahr describes the effects of food rationing/shortages and the mass displacement and movement of evacuees ("Heimatvertriebene") across Europe in the aftermath of the war.

Specifically, Eduard says the “situation is bleak” and that they are “have all shriveled up like old potatoes”. To make things worse, he still hasn’t found a job. He reveals that in his town (Wurttemberg) of 16,000 inhabitants, about 6,000 are displaced persons and refugees. Control of Wurttemberg was split between the Americans and the French, with displaced persons being Germans from Eastern Europe, former German prisoners and Holocaust survivors. It’s unclear which (if any) of these groups Edward was in. Most of the rest of the correspondence notes the current locations of other individuals that he and the recipient (Felicitas) apparently know.

Also of note is the handwritten notation below the address (translated): "Request to the homeowners! Please forward the card to those named if they have been relocated/evacuated in Eduard was worried that Felicitas might have been moved from her address in Austria before the card arrived.

The postcard includes a “U.S. CIVIL CENSORSHIP" and "STUTTGART" stamp indicating the mail was reviewed by American military authorities, and a 45-pfennig stamp from Allied Military Post. There is also a separate envelope to Felicitas from another man, but alas, the letter is not inside.

Translation of the postcard below:

Nürtingen, December 16, 1946.

Dear Liserl! Please excuse me, dear Liserl, that I am only today answering your long letter from August 30th. I only received your letter on December 11th. Ms. Lade sends thanks via a friend who also lives on Lake Constance. We are leaving on January 14th. But for 10 days we were in Wiesbaden since July 5th. Here I am now in a town with 16,000 inhabitants, of which about 6,000 are displaced persons and refugees. To Stuttgart we have only 35 km; we bathed down the Neckar [River] during the warm summer. Until now I am still without employment, so I would have liked to have written to you sooner, but I am still waiting to see if you are in Austria. The situation here is bleak, as is the food supply. I am in correspondence with the Falkenstein family and Willi Wolfrum, as well as the Ed. Hartmann family in Bondorf near Herrenberg, about 50 km from us. I have already visited the Hartmann family once. We have all shriveled up like old potatoes. News from Uncle Karl, also the Bay family and the 2 Gschwandtner sisters from Bönig. Lydi Gschwandtner lives with her parents and son very close to us. She has no help anymore, is tall and very strong. Since October 29th, my mother has also been [with us]; we found her from Rome at midnight [?]. I wish you and Mother very good health. Your hairstyle really surprised me. How is your brother, is he still not released? Write again sometime. It always makes me happy to hear news.

Big greetings from Mother and from me. A pleasant Christmas and warm regards to you and Mother, Edi Neumahr.