Just found this Dutch-language prisoner’s letter from my late grand-uncle who passed away in 1942. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could help make out what it says.
by DJ_Unovis
Just found this Dutch-language prisoner’s letter from my late grand-uncle who passed away in 1942. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could help make out what it says.
by DJ_Unovis
7 comments
Context: My grand-uncle was part of an Allied intelligence network in Antwerpen during WWII. He was caught and jailed as a spy by the Nazis. This is the letter they let him send from captivity to his family on October 7, 1942. He had actually been sentenced to death on arrest, and he was shot a month and a half later. My Dutch is rusty at best (our branch of the family since relocated to Wallonia) and I struggle to make out most of what it says — something about his kids, I believe. Names edited out for privacy. Assistance would be greatly appreciated. Cheers!
Very quick, bit stilted. Language is a bit dated and couldn’t read a line because of the fold, but in general terms:
Dear all,
I long intended to write to you though I don’t have much (news) to tell. However, writing is a passtime if it is permitted to do in unlimited measures. It is redundant to tell you the days are dreadfully boring, the sleepless nights equally so. Today marks the fourth month I enjoy a residence without paying rent. Those four months seem to me to be four centuries long. Not in the least because I do not know my destiny and always have to wait to see what will happen without being able to get support from it, even if it was just to keep track of my senses. I do not give up courage and I always hope for better days. I suppose it will end well for you. I thank you for what you do for me. Say thanks to the X family for the tasty bread. Tell them I hope mister/miss Y will take care of the residents of Belfraidestraat during the winterdays and I thank them in advance. I heard Z went for a walk for the umpteenth time. It cannot be accepted because of such dumb circumstances and it shows little sound of mind. W should talk to her and make her see sense she can’t keep doing this. My kids are no babies anymore. They think and I (do nit like what) they become in my absence. Saying thus, I think it best not to dwell on sad affairs and have the pleasure of enjoying reading your letters. Awaiting those, I thank you again and a fraternal “shake-hand”.
Quickly done, but something like this:
My dear [blank]. I have long wanted to write you, although I do not have much news to report. However, writing is a means to kill time when allowed to do so in unlimited quantities. I do not have to tell you that the days are tediously long, just like the nights, which are sleepless as well. Today marks the fourth month of enjoying a roof above my head without paying rent. Those four months seem like four ages. I do not know a thing about my future and I must constantly wait what is about to happen without any form of support or something to hold on to. Even just imagining something would be good to keep my nerves healthy. I will not abandon my courage, however, and always hope for better days. I assume you are doing well. I thank you for all you do for me. Thank the family [blank] for me for the delicious bread that I enjoyed so much. Also tell them that I hope that Mr [blank] will take care of the inhabitants of the Belfairestraat during the winter days and that I thank him profusely for it in advance. I have heard that [blank] has gone again for the umpteenth time. I cannot fathom that during these days one can act with such little common sense. I hope [blank] speaks to her and makes it clear to her that it should not be possible to act in the manner that she has chosen to. My children are no longer babies. They can think for themselves now and I don’t like the sad [unclearly written] that they have become in my absence. Having said that, I think of less sad things and hope I have written you something amusing to read. Waiting for your reply, thank you again and I offer you a brotherly hand to shake.
Some parts were hard to read or illegible, but I think it gets the message across!
Verbatim transcription, as far as I could read. Feel free to correct if you see a mistake, or help me fill in the few blanks I couldn’t make out.
Mijn besten <naam> & <naam>. Ik ben reeds lang zinnens u te schrijven alhoewel ik niet veel nieuws te vertellen heb. Nochtans is schrijven een tijdverdrijf indien het toegelaten was van het te doen in onbeperkte maten. Onnodig van u te zeggen dat de dagen vervelend lang zijn, de nachten even lang en slapeloos. Vandaag is het de vierde maand dat ik geniet van woonst zonder huishuur. Die vier maanden schijnen mij vier eeuwen. Niet het minste weet ik over mijn toekomstig lot en immer afwachten wat er gebeuren zal, zonder zich op het een of het ander te kunnen steunen om al was het maar iets te kunnen voorstellen, is niet van aard om de zenuwen gezond te behouden. Moed geef ik echter niet op en hoop altijd op betere dagen. Ik veronderstel dat het met u goed afloopt. Ik bedank u voor wat ge voor mij doet. Bedankt mijnen ‘t wegen de familie <naam> voor het lekker brood dat mij ten beste smaakt. Zeg hem ook dat ik hoop dat mr <naam> zal zorgen voor de winterdagen der bewoners der Belfrairstraat en dat ik hem op voorhand hem alle dankbetuiging er voor betoon. Ik heb vernomen dat <naam> voor de zoveelste maal op wandel is. Het is niet aan te nemen dat in zulke smerige omstandigheden met zo’n bitter wijnig (weinig) verstand kan gehandeld worden. Dat <naam> ze aanspreekt en haar aan het verstand brengt dat het niet mogelijk is van die toestand te laten duren welke zij verkregen heeft. Mijn kinderen zijn geen baby’s meer. Zij redeneren en ik houd <start moeilijk leesbaar deel, mijn beste gok is de volgende> niet als het droevige voorbeeld <einde moeilijk leesbaar deel> dat zij in mijne afwezigheid bekommeren. Dit gezegd, denk ik op wat andere dan droevige zaken, en hoop het genoegen te hebben van wat plezierig te lezen van uwen-‘t-wegen. In die afwachting normaals dank en een broederlijke shake-hand.
Someone tldr what was the crime?
Plenty of translation, so I’ll just go for content praising. He kept his letter lighthearted to keep the family from worrying. “It’s been 4 months I get to live rent free”, quite the statement 🙂
Thank you all for your kind help, I wouldn’t have been able to do it all on my own. Cheers!