BACKGROUND: Basic human instinct dictates that soldiers in the field, regardless of nationality, long for their loved ones at home. As a result it was very common for these soldiers to purchase, or appropriate, "sweetheart" items and send them home. Although there was almost an unlimited selection of "sweetheart" items one of the most popular items were the photograph postcards which were relatively inexpensive, easily mailed and distinctly personal. As today, there were also numerous other reasons to pose for a photograph, new appointments, promotions, weddings anniversaries etc., etc..

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Roughly, 3 7/8" x 5 5/8" mid-weight, card stock, postcard features a posed, black and white photograph of a young, Gefreiter wearing an M43 field blouse sitting with two women, (mother and sister or wife?), in civilian clothing. The visible uniform details include, shoulder straps and collar tabs, a breast eagle and a Gefreiter’s sleeve rank chevron. The reverse of the postcard has handwritten script in German and some additional script in English. The German script appears to indicate the photograph was taken in "Oktober 1943", while the Gefreiter was home on furlough and lists the names of the individuals in the photograph. The script also has an additional date, "6. Nov. 1946", followed by the English script, "Fanny died last year before Heinz came home as prisoner from Russ.". The postcard also has the embossed photographer’s name and location, "Foto-Schultz Spandau". The postcard shows moderate age yellowing and a few light fold creases.