I came across this postcard almost by accident. It was sent in December 1917 to Maurice Salmon, a French prisoner of war held at Altengrabow in Germany.
There is very little written on it — just a few affectionate words from a friend — but somehow that makes it more moving. A century later, Maurice’s name is still here, written carefully on a postcard that once travelled across wartime Europe to find him in Barrack 13.
I was so touched by it that I wanted to share it, simply so that Maurice might live for a moment again and his name would not disappear into the margins.
If anyone knows anything about Maurice Salmon, his military service, his capture, or his life before or after the war, I would be very grateful to hear from you.
Transcription below, as best that I can understand –
This is a French postcard sent to a French prisoner of war in Germany, dated 16 December 1917.
The address reads approximately:
Monsieur Maurice Salmon
Bataillon 1er Compagnie 3
Baraque 13 No. 399
Mannschaftsgefangenenlager
Truppenübungsplatz
Altengrabow
Deutschland
That last part is the key: Altengrabow was a major German prisoner-of-war camp and military training area in Saxony-Anhalt.
The message itself is wonderfully simple:
Bons Baisers de votre Ami
Roughly: “Fond kisses / best kisses from your friend.”
–
Such a touching message, I hope that he received it, and that it brought him some comfort.
