April 18 1945 WW2 German Bombing Wounded Survivor Letter Document Wiesbaden

Original two-sided German wartime document dated April 18, 1945, written during the final weeks of WWII and addressed to the Landratsamt at Kufstein, Tirol.

This is an unusually detailed civilian account concerning a man who had been seriously wounded during an Allied bombing raid on September 19, 1944, while working at Chemische Werke Albert in Wiesbaden-Biebrich. He states that two street suits were destroyed during the attack and that witnesses could verify the loss.

The historical timing is particularly noteworthy: April 18, 1945, only weeks before the end of the war in Europe. The writer describes having left Wiesbaden-Biebrich on March 18, 1945, unable to retrieve his belongings because of his injuries. His entire luggage had to be left in a hotel cellar.

He explains that he had worked there for more than three years and therefore had kept his room in Wiesbaden-Biebrich, leaving his clothing and laundry behind. He further states that he had originally returned from France in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of the war, also without his luggage, after having maintained a residence there since 1930 because of repeated work assignments.

The purpose of this April 1945 application was to obtain official Bezugscheine (ration/purchase authorization certificates) to replace desperately needed clothing.

Translation / Content

The letter states in substance:

He encloses a certificate from Frau Ellmerer concerning the return of his purchase certificate for one street suit.

On September 19, 1944, he was seriously wounded during an air raid on Chemische Werke Albert, Wiesbaden-Biebrich, during which two street suits were destroyed. He states that this loss was confirmed by witnesses.

On March 18, 1945, he departed Wiesbaden-Biebrich, but because of his injury he could no longer carry luggage and was only able to take his document/briefcase. His remaining luggage therefore had to be left in the cellar of a hotel.

Because he had worked there for more than three years and had retained his room, his clothing and laundry remained behind. He was now left at his new location essentially without his possessions.

He additionally explains that in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of war, he had returned from France without luggage. He had maintained a residence in France since 1930 because of repeated assignments.

Clothing Requested

Because of his circumstances, he requests purchase certificates for:

1 Straßen-Anzug – 1 street/civilian suit
2 Oberhemden – 2 dress/outer shirts
2 Unter-Hemden – 2 undershirts
2 Unter-Hosen – 2 pairs of underpants
2 Paar Strümpfe – 2 pairs of stockings/socks
2 Taschentücher – 2 handkerchiefs

He closes by expressing the hope that assistance can be provided soon and that he looks forward to receiving further news.

The document concludes with the period “Heil Hitler!” closing and a handwritten signature.

Historical Significance

This is a particularly interesting late-war German home-front document because it gives a firsthand account of the practical consequences of bombing: serious injury, destroyed clothing, abandoned luggage and the necessity of obtaining government authorization simply to replace basic garments.

The April 18, 1945 date adds considerable historical context. By this point the war in Europe was rapidly approaching its conclusion, yet the writer was still attempting to work through the German administrative and rationing system to obtain basic necessities.

The references to Wiesbaden-Biebrich, Kufstein/Tirol, France, Chemische Werke Albert, the September 1944 bombing, personal injury, lost property and clothing ration certificates provide numerous avenues for additional historical research.

Condition

Original two-page period document showing normal age and handling wear, including folds, toning, minor edge/corner wear and some fading/unevenness to the typewriting. The important text remains readable. Original handwritten signature is present on the second page.

Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.

Guaranteed original wartime historical document.

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