Soldier Walter Sparing

Barry Hoffman Nazi Postcard Collection

Soldier Walter Sparing

December 4, 2024

Accession Number: 2022.02.11.5.91

Stamp: During 1937-39, the German Wehrmacht had a military mailing service that provided free postal services within Germany.

Historical background:

The soldier who sent this card was Walter Sparing. He was a marksman in battalion 04737D. He was born December 9th, 1919 in Delligsen in Lower Saxony and died June 29th, 1941 in Szejpiaki, Belarus. He is buried in the German war cemetery Berjosa in Belarus.

The timing and location of Walter Sparing’s death aligns with the German invasion of the Soviet Union under Operation Barbarossa. The operation started on June 22nd, 1941, and lasted until December 5th. It was the largest and costliest land offensive in human history, with around 10 million combatants taking part, and over 8 million casualties by the end of the operation.

German War Cemetery Berjosa

Berjosa

[Back]

Operation Barbarossa Map

Front

A sketch of a 15cm Schwere Feldhaubitze 18 cannon. This weapon was secretly developed from 1926–1930, allowing German industry to deliver completed design at the beginning of German rearmament in 1933. It was the first artillery weapon equipped with rocket-assisted ammunition, which increased the firing range by 4.5 kilometers. The gun was officially introduced into service on 23 May 1935, and by the outbreak of war the Wehrmacht had about 1,353 of these guns in service. The postcard is captioned “Deutsche Wacht am Kanal,” meaning “German guard on the canal.”

Back

[Addressed]

Frau Else Sparing
Delligsen bei Alfeld
Hirhofen 241

Liebe Mutter!
Sende Dir zu deinen Geburtstag, die allerbesten Glück und Segenswünsche. Später im brief mehr.
Es grüßt, Walter
Soldat W. Sparing
Feldpost n. 04737D

Dear Mother!
My best wishes and blessings for your birthday. More later in a letter.
Regards, Walter
Soldier W. Sparing

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