Ilse’s birthday

    Event ID: 293

    Categories: 

    General Event
    Deutsch
    Die Erinnerungen der Mutter des roten Kampffliegers Kunigunde Freifrau von Richthofen. Im Verlag Ullstein - Berlin, 1937.

    08 August 1914

    51.64914584218983, 17.81639327607872
    Ostrowo
    Ostrowo

    Source ID: 10

    Die Erinnerungen der Mutter des roten Kampffliegers Kunigunde Freifrau von Richthofen. Im Verlag Ullstein - Berlin, 1937. p.  12 

    “Today was Ilse’s birthday. We didn’t celebrate it (who would have the sense for that now!). We used the day to sew the clothes she needs as a Red Cross carer. The formal dresses were packed in suitcases – they have no place at this time. Ilse is determined to help wherever she can, it’s in her active and happy nature. When things get serious and tough, we will need such companionable people. It’s really nice to see how much good will and willingness to act there is in our women. Everyone wants to contribute to the success of the great cause to the best of their ability. Many women and young girls go to all the military trains passing through the railway station to give the soldiers refreshments; rolls, sausages, cigarettes, malt beer and postcards are distributed. The last time I was at the railway station, the soldiers were already so full that they had to be literally forced to eat. There was only a constant demand for cigarettes and beer. One is downright grateful when the field grey expresses a wish that can be fulfilled. They should be aware that their homeland would like to do them all the good it can before they have to suffer the most terrible hardships. The garrison has now been stripped of its active troops. The 10th Grenadiers and the 42nd Artillery Regiment have also left. As they said, to the west. Nevertheless, the town presents an eventful and interesting picture. Instead of the usual taut, soldierly appearance, you can now see other faces, first individuals and then many, many others. The volunteers have appeared on the scene. I was very excited when I watched from the window as they marched through the streets singing; some of them still looked like boys to me, they hadn’t quite grown into their uniforms yet, they hadn’t been weaned from their parents’ house. But there was real enthusiasm in their eyes and in the way they marched singing, somewhat awkwardly but with great grit. – Our little servant Gustav Mohaupt also rushed to the flags and wrote how happy he was to have arrived with the hunters in Hirschberg. We live quietly and listen eagerly for any news from the theatre of war. The capture of Liège aroused great rejoicing. The newspapers caused an undoubted sensation with their reports that mysterious gold cars were on their way from France to Russia. This billion-dollar treasure on wheels slowly became a nuisance. Roads were closed, guards and firemen stopped every car. Here and there there were senseless and unfortunately not entirely bloodless bangs. It took tens of days for the psychosis to disappear. Instead, the bridge guards were increasingly nervous. Shots are heard almost every night. During the day, the most uncontrollable rumours run through the city. Yesterday, a pair of secret lovers, perhaps blinded by the bridge regulations, were the victims of the rules. ‘He’ got a good scare, ‘she’ a slight shot in the arm. Everything went off lightly. I received 700 marks from Manfred. He told me to keep it for him. He hadn’t left any debts behind him – he wrote – but had saved quite a bit. That’s just the way he is. His external and internal circumstances are always in such a state that he can give an account every hour. He is always clear, organised and ready.”

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