Mail Correspondence with Soldiers at War (“Feldpostbriefe”): Letter of 18-year old American soldier Morton D. Elevitch, telling his mother how he is being taught to kill (Published on 29/10/2024)
Feldpostbriefe and their significance today
When researching Julius Erasmus, one inevitably comes into contact with letter correspondence between soldiers at war and their families from the time of the Second World War, such correspondence being called “Feldpostbriefe” in German. Be it messages about the death of a soldier, written by his superior to his relatives, which were later sent to Mr Erasmus as a hint for a grave search, or other correspondence between soldiers at war and their families at home. Since then, I have also been dealing more closely with field post letters from that time.
Feldpostbriefe are valuable contemporary documents that unfold their timeless message, especially in times like the present, and convey a vivid impression of what war means to all involved. They are a valuable tool to ward off the very beginnings of a renewed striving for war and perhaps to help prevent history from repeating itself once again and with yet more gruesome consequences for mankind. At present, war, weapons and the killing of people on a large scale are once again being drummed up forcefully, although for decades one could have had the vague hope that mankind had finally learned its lesson to some extent from the painful experiences of two world wars in particular. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case once again.
With this in mind, appropriate letters or letter excerpts from various sources will be published here from time to time in the section “Mail Correspondence with Soldiers at War (Feldpostbriefe)” as a reminder of what war means to man and mankind. To provide food for thought and in the unshakable hope that this may make a difference.
Feldpostbrief from US soldier Morton D. Elevitch to his mother from his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia, informing her he is learning how to shoot, beat, stomp, and bayonet another human being (source: Carroll, War Letters – Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars (2001), p. 195 ff.):
“Dear Louisa:
(…)
This week they are teaching us to kill. Now you probably looked away and shuttered. Well, mom, I don’t like the idea, either, but we all know it’s for our own good. The most strenuous work we do takes place as we stand in one place – bayonet drill. We lunge about in definite movements and are required to growl, grimace, and look at each other with hate. Five hundred of us dance about, screaming, shouting and snarling. A rifle seems to weigh a ton more with a bayonet on. Our arms feel as if they’re going to drop off as the Lt. holds us in one position and talks! Our bayonets have sheaths on them so that no one has his head cut off. They teach us how to withdraw our bayonets in a certain manner, too, because steel sticks to warm human flesh. (This sounds awful bloodthirsty, but everyone keeps serious minded about it.)
We are learning jiu jitsu holds – and to put it bluntly – plain dirty fighting. This will be invaluable in case anyone ever tries to pick on me. Maybe I shouldn’t put this in – in fact I know I shouldn’t – but it is going on so – Our instructors emphasize that we should be quick or be dead – always try to kill a man – break his arm first – then clip him under the nose – throat, neck or kidneys to kill him.
I’m afraid I’ll never be an expert at this, because I just can’t bring myself to go at this in earnest. Surprise is a very important element – I know how to break any hold, grip and throw a m an flat on his face – They even teach us how to scientifically stomp on a man. I’ve left out many gory details.
By the way everything is done in double time this week. We move in place and from place to place on the double – puff puff.
Confidentially, I’m tired.
S’long
Mort”
Morton D. Elevitch was born on 23/07/1925 in Germany, living in Duluth, Minnesota, at the beginning of the Second World War. He served there as a member of the 94th US Infantry Division and fought in Europe. After having been wounded by mortar fragments in the Battle of Sinz in Germany on 27/01/1945, he was hospitalized for six months, returning to the US by Christmas of 1945. He died on 30/09/2006 in Rockland County, New York, USA.
(Head picture: Grave crosses at the American military cemetery in Hamm/Luxembourg,
September 2024)
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