Super Interesting WW2 Era Letter Written by Greek Mother the Day After Germany’s Invasion of Greece. She writes of the invasion, Hitler, Greek Soldiers heading to the Front and more. Details in comments. [OC]

4 comments

1. This letter was written by a Pregnant Greek Mother named Lenaki. She lived in Thessaloniki, Greece. Not long after this letter was written, her city would be occupied by the Germans. The letter reads:

   “Thessaloniki, 7/4/41

   My beloved Iro,

   This morning, young Aggelakis came to us and brought his hat (/helmet), coat, and weapon with two grenades. The laughter we shared when we received his mask through the Red Cross was indescribable. Mom put on the coat, hat, and mask and made an appearance. Imagine the voices. Elizabeth was there too, she came today to gather courage because her waist was sore from yesterday’s war alarms. Nevertheless, she rejoiced at our smiling faces and the confidence we all have in Victory.

   The recent news that Germany attacked us, well, the whole world accepted it with a great deal of apathy/indifference, as if they expected it from someone like Hitler and his machine, which are not human, yet they are called Germans. I am hoping for war alarms only, without us experiencing air raids in our shelter. Here, we all read newspapers and discuss, but none of us is filled with the fear that so many pro-German individuals had tried to “plant” in us before the war.

   This morning, once again at 6:30, we went down to the shelter, but by now, at 1:00, there hasn’t been another alarm. We took the folding screen down to the shelter, and if an alarm happens while I’m in labor, we have the service bed ready with a mattress and sheets, and medical supplies for the baby to be born in the shelter.

   You know, both Mom and I take everything in stride, and complaints are rare, especially now when we endure all the hardships for the homeland and for Victory, which will undoubtedly be ours.

   Yesterday, cars filled with young soldiers passed by our house, heading to the Greek borders, filled with enthusiasm and voices, singing…imagine the applause…we threw them flowers, it was a truly moving scene.

   At home, we are now accommodating Stelios Mourtzopoulos too, so that he wouldn’t be alone and melancholic. He eats and sleeps in the formal dining room, and he gives Mom 2,000 drachmas per month for the food, as the environment in our home is much more pleasant for him.

   I received a letter from Spyros, from Athens as soon as he arrived there. I hope that in Patras, where they will be trained, they won’t face any attacks. I wrote to him not to worry about us and especially about me, that I’m well, and apparently I will give birth around the 10th- 12th of the month. I really feel that he has a strong affection for me; I mean everything to him. In his letter, he constantly advises me not to worry because it can negatively affect our child or result in a difficult birth. Finally, my beloved Iro, I wish that you are loved by your husband as much as I am by my Spyros. May God and the Virgin Mary help us win this war and may our home be filled with laughter and joy again, really soon.

   I can’t even describe the joy we felt when you finally left Korytsa. You will live a bit more peacefully at least for now, my beloved, and I’m really happy for you. However, I’m quite sure that it’s just a matter of time for the filthy Italians to bombard the unarmed population, when they realize they are losing the game…

   As for me, I’m doing fine. Right now, I’m embroidering a cyan square doily with 6 little cyan sets for Corinna. Mom will give it away as a gift. I’m making the garland with little wreaths motifs. Whenever I finish it, I’ll attach 6 small towels to it, using the appliqué method…. We also received a letter from Aretoula, who luckily came the day before Korinna’s wedding. Spyros read us this first letter that aunt Aretoula sent to him as her newly son-in-law, full of simplicity and kindness. (?) left with the 8th Hospital for Spetses, and thus, we lost his good company.

   We sent you a package with Mr. Siniosoglou; you haven’t written to let us know if you received it. Also, you haven’t written if you received the stamps from Giannis, with the 150 drachmas that Lucía gave you. We are sending you the certificate as well. Her sister, Paraskevoula, brought it, so I hope you will receive your monthly allowance. We are also sending you the 110 drachmas from the officer’s double pay.

   This package is for Paraskevoula’s brother. I hope you can give it to him quickly because it contains eggs. We will send you whatever we can for Easter, depending on what we find.

   I don’t know if I mentioned to you that Elenitsa Chatziioannou sent me 2 beautiful little jackets, one pink and one blue, along with 4 pairs of knitted socks, excellent. Besides those, she sent me a blue hairbrush with a box for soap, another one for talcum powder, and a little bell. Heroula, I’m thrilled. So, the gifts are arriving even before I give birth to our child, though I know he won’t receive gifts in this wartime situation. Let’s hope his father comes back, and he can get them later…

   As I’m writing to you now, I have some aches in my waist and lower abdomen, and everyone tells me it will be better because I will give birth soon, and I’m easily in pain.

   Now, I’ll leave you to write a bit to Mom and Marina. Please write to us often, even if you hear that Thessaloniki is being bombed. Don’t worry; you should know that we have a good shelter.

   I send you sweet kisses with all my love. Giorgos is currently here on reserve. Giannis will be re-examined as an auxiliary on May 17th.

   Many kisses to Meni and Lucia. With love, Lenaki.”

   This next section was written by a different person but on the same letter. It reads:

   “ Dear Iro,

   I am writing you just a few words as well because Lenaki left almost nothing for me.

   Our latest news is that we get very excited every time one of the numerous warning sirens go off every day. Yesterday, thank God, we managed to go down to the shelter in time, 6 times in total. Mom is exhausted. She cries constantly with the slightest noise that can resemble a siren! You get the feeling, don’t you?! Grandma is in a bad mood and doesn’t intend to disturb her peace; she wants everything for herself and quarrels with everyone over nothing.

   The day before yesterday, we sent you a package with Mr. Siniosoglou. Among other things, I included a jar of sweets for you, one for Nitsa, and a little package for Petros. Also, a few hand-made candies from mom. However, you haven’t written to us at all if you received it…

   Last week, I sent you a little card, asking you to send me Dad’s suitcase as soon as possible because he wants to leave for Athens. I don’t know if you received it, but please send the suitcase with someone you know when you get the chance. That’s all for now.

   Lots of kisses, your little Marina”.

   Unfortunately I don’t have any information on what became of all the people mentioned.

2. Hard to read it without thinking what was going to happen to them.

   Less than two years earlier, many people here in Poland were just as hopeful and confident that our brave soldiers and airmen will make short work of the enemy, with a little help of our allies. They have worked so hard and gave so generously to the National Defense Fund! Alas…

3. Thank you so much for that!

   I’m quite an addict for letters from privat and civilian people regarding historical events.

   It’s one thing to read a text of an Historian about an incident, but a completely other, quite more “human” thing to read how “real” people have experienced it.

   Thanks for sharing!

4. So many names and deliveries. I can imagine how close-knit the community must have been, most of the time they never even mention the last names