Comic Feldpost

[mpw]

Picked this up recently and would be very grateful if anyone could give me a translation. My very limited school boy German seems to suggest the cartoon is about a friendly sergeant. I have no idea what is written on the back. I am also quite interested to hear what is written where the stamp should be placed. Is this some kind of free post? Click the image to enlarge.

Thanks in advance,
Mark.

[HPL2008]

The cartoon on the obverse of the card is a humorous depiction of the kind of scene that every soldier would love to experience (but never will).

The smiling SNCO (instantly recognizable as a Hauptfeldwebel (Spieß) by the notebook tucked into his field blouse and the twin Tresse rings on the sleeves) enters the privates' bunk room, saying...:

"Darf ich zum Dienst bitten, meine Herren!" ["May I ask you out for duty, gentlemen!"]

...to which the soldiers reply:

"M.w. / Machen wir!" ["W.d. / Will do!"]
"Umgänglicher Mann, der Hauptfeldwebel!" ["Affable man, that Hauptfeldwebel!"]
"Ist ja ein gemütlicher Laden hier!" ["Now this is one easy-going place here!"]

The card was written by a private named Ludwig Klein and sent to his son Eugen back home at Hauenstein in the Palatinate.

The text on the reverse says:

"Lieber Eugen,

zu Deinem Geburtstag sendet
Dir recht herzliche Grüße Dein
Vater

Hoffe daß Du recht brav bist u. [= und]
der Mutter etwas mithilfst"

...meaning:

"Dear Eugen,

cordial greetings for your birthday
sent by your
father

Hope that you are good and
that you help mother a little"

The word next to where the stamp would be is "Feldpost". ["Field post"].

[mpw]

Thanks once again HPL for your in depth reply. It's nice to think even in times of war there is a little humour to be found. By sending a funny card to his young son I think he was trying to convey that he was in good company and good spirits all those miles from home.

Mark.

[KradSpam]

In the British Army this would be the Sergeant Major or RSM I am guessing? Nice little piece

[HPL2008]

In the British Army this would be the Sergeant Major or RSM I am guessing?

A Hauptfeldwebel (Spieß) was a company's senior NCO; so I guess the British equivalent would be a Company Sergeant Major?

[Paul D]

Correct Andreas CSM / WO II is the highest NCO rank at Company level .