Letter from Leopold Pliczka to Wife Jarinka Pliczka

Leopold (Paulie) is Polish, as is his wife, but he is forced to write in German so the censors can read what he wrote. 

 

Pre-printed small text by date: The day of release of the person cannot be announced yet. Visits at the camp are prohibited. Inquiries are senseless.

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Pre-printed large text in red: Brief note excerpt of camp rules: Every prisoner is allowed to receive or send two letters/postcards per month. Incoming letters are not allowed to be longer than four pages, 15 lines per page. They need to be orderly and easy to read. If they send money, they can do that only through money orders through the post office. Need the first name, last, birthdate, prisoner number, but no other notes. Money, photos, and clips in letters are prohibited. If you do not follow these rules, your prisoner will not get the money. Badly written letters will be destroyed. Prisoners can buy everything in the camp. Prisoners can read Nazi party newspapers but these need to be ordered. 

 

Handwritten:

March 12, 1944,

My beloved Jarinka,

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Many thanks for your lovely letters of March 1st. Unfortunately, the one from February 1st, did not arrive so I do not know who is renting our apartment and what happened with that person Rehorlosit. Thank you from my heart for the package from Kuccru and Majerka.  Greetings and thanks for the cigarettes. The one who sent it is one of the few who hasn’t forgotten me yet. Unfortunately, I have to tell Majerka that the package with the shirt did not arrive, but she shouldn’t get upset about it. Hopefully, Tona is healthy again. Something from Tona reminded me of happy times. What are Stoklasa and Rodoxaps doing? They forgot me. And Vesnovc forgot me also. Zlata, in three weeks we have our 11th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, that will be the fifth one in confinement. I hope that the next one we can celebrate together. Sorry that I cannot bring you joy like Marina. She is a brave girl and a good companion. Those were beautiful times darling. How is Mama’s hand doing? Isn’t she scared of terror attacks? I am curious about Meda’s baby. I cross my fingers for her. Gerta is waiting until I am home. Dear, dear greetings to everybody and to you for the wedding anniversary.

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Greetings and kisses, Paulie (Leopold)

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Paulie has been a prisoner for five years. Imagine having to write to your spouse in a language that you both struggle to read and write. Imagine writing a letter that you know will be read by your captors. How do you think Paulie feels?