Two more DSWA postcards need translating. German to English

[calaski8123]

Here are two more postcards front and back from my great great uncle. He was a soldier in German South west Africa in 1908. The first postcard is postmarked 1907 and is from Cuxhaven. I think it may be as he was shipping out for Africa. the second one is a DSWA postcard. If I could trouble you guys once again for the German and English translations.

Thanks,

Jim

[calaski8123]

PC1 front.

[calaski8123]

PC 1 back.

[calaski8123]

PC 2 front.

[calaski8123]

PC 2 back.

[Niwre]

1.

Code: Select all

L. Elise
Sende Dir
die letzten Grüße
aus Deutschland
+ hoffe daß wir
uns in 3 1/2 Jahren
wieder glücklich sehen

Lebe wohl
Dein Bruder
     Emil

L. = Liebe

2.

K'hoop 5.12.

L. Schwester.

Sandte Dir gestern
p. Postanweisung M: 20.-.
die Du als Weihnachtsge-
schenk von mir nützlich
verwenden sollst + bitte
um Bestätigung nach Eintreffen.
Wünsche Dir fröhl. Weih-
nachten + glückliches
Neujahr + bitte Frau ...
von mir herzl. zu grüßen.
Es grüßt Dich aus weiter
Ferne Dein Bruder Emil.

p. = per?
M = Mark
fröhl. = fröhliche

address:

Code: Select all

Abs. Reiter Hettich
5. Komp. in
Kabus bei
Keetmanshoop
...

Abs. = Absender

[calaski8123]

WOW!!! Thanks.. I had a feeling this was a farewell postcard as he left for DSWA and I was right... Very cool find. Was 3 1/2 years a normal tour?

Translated:

L. Elise
Send you the last greetings from Germany + hope that we us in 3 1/2 years see again lucky Probably live
Your brother
Emil

[calaski8123]

second PC

K'hoop 5.12.

L. sister.

Sent you yesterday p. Postal order M: 20. -. which you as Weihnachtsge (What is that???) give from me useful to use are + please around confirmation after arrival. Desires you fröhl. Weih nachten (whats this?) + lucky New Year + asks woman… of me herzl. to greet.
It continues to greet you out Far
your brother
Emil.

[calaski8123]

Niwre,

One thing I keep noticing in my English translation is Emil always says something like "greetings to you and woman". I'm sure the translation isn't the best (Google), but frau means woman, yes? Is this normal to say something like that? It is an odd sentence in English. One would say "Greetings to you and Rosa" or "you and mom" or "you and your sister", but to just say "you and woman" makes no sense to me... who is woman? Can you make it out?

Thanks again for all your efforts.

Jim

[Niwre]

Probably live

Nice. But "goodbye" would be the right translation for "Lebe wohl".

Weihnachtsge (What is that???)

For online translations you should replace abbreviations and remove hyphens. A "Weihnachtsgeschenk" is a Christmas present.

fröhl. Weih nachten (whats this?)

Same here. It's "Merry Christmas".

give from me useful to use are

She should buy only useful things with the money.

"greetings to you and woman"

In every letter there is sth. like:

Code: Select all

Grüße auch an Frau ...

That means "Also greetings to Mrs. ...". I think Mrs. ... is the landlady. I'm not sure with the name, should be "Röhmler" - therefore the dots.

[DSWA]

Hi Jim

What was your great great uncle`s name and surname? Do you know in which regiment he was in?

Regards
DSWA

[calaski8123]

Hello DSWA,

I only know what was written on the postcards. He was in the Schutztruppe (5th Komp, Garrison Command, Keetmanshoop) in DSWA from 1907 to 1910. I believe his unit was a MG unit based on the research I have done. Also, the towns or farms named Chamis and Churutabis seem to come up with this regiment a lot. I'm not sure if he was stationed there or if that is just the area for this company. His name was Emil Hettich. Are you just curious or do you have access to some records? I see you are in Namibia.

Take Care,

Jim

[DSWA]

Hi Jim
Sorry I`m only replying now. Yes I`m doing research on the Schutztruppen who died during the uprisings in DSWA.
I can go through what I have and let you know.
Kind regards

[calaski8123]

That would be great! Thank you and happy new year.

Jim

[DSWA]

Hi Jim

I have nothing yet on Emil, but I will keep my eyes open for you.

Just to let you know I have not forgotten you.

Kind regards

Charl