February 16th, 1945
Dear Oma and Opa,
If you have not already heard, there has been a terrible bombing on Dresden. It started three days ago on February 13th and continued until yesterday, February 15th. I have Henny and Anneliese with me. I do not know where Mama is and I am scared. As Mama told you in previous letters, Papa has died of a sickness and Heinz has died in battle. It it just the three of us and I am writing this letter outside of one of the military hospitals. I do not know which one because I can hardly recognize it, it has been ruined. Right now Henny and Anneliese are laying by the side of the building, sleeping. I see many wandering the street, turning over bodies, looking for loved ones and it makes me sad. The last time I saw Mama was before she left to work at the factory. The three of us have no where to go but to your house in Tubingen. I hope it is safe there because we will be there shortly. I have some money that Heinz gave us right before his death that I will use to take the train there (once the train station is running again.) For now we will try to find a safe place for lost children to stay. Please expect us there any day. I hope you receive this letter in time for our arrival.
Love, Grethe Bambach
Dear Oma and Opa,
If you have not already heard, there has been a terrible bombing on Dresden. It started three days ago on February 13th and continued until yesterday, February 15th. I have Henny and Anneliese with me. I do not know where Mama is and I am scared. As Mama told you in previous letters, Papa has died of a sickness and Heinz has died in battle. It it just the three of us and I am writing this letter outside of one of the military hospitals. I do not know which one because I can hardly recognize it, it has been ruined. Right now Henny and Anneliese are laying by the side of the building, sleeping. I see many wandering the street, turning over bodies, looking for loved ones and it makes me sad. The last time I saw Mama was before she left to work at the factory. The three of us have no where to go but to your house in Tubingen. I hope it is safe there because we will be there shortly. I have some money that Heinz gave us right before his death that I will use to take the train there (once the train station is running again.) For now we will try to find a safe place for lost children to stay. Please expect us there any day. I hope you receive this letter in time for our arrival.
Love, Grethe Bambach