Sharing copies of WWII Documents

Letter from girl in whose home my father was billeted Dec 1944 in Nijmegen. This is in Dutch. The translated version is in the next post. I have yet to take a photo of the little wooden shoes with Holland 1944 on them.

 

From Riet Braam, translated to English during the war.

 

Hello..


View attachment 1239


I'm really sorry to disturb your discussion (hope u don't mind)..

I'm trying to look for ANY help I can get in regards to the attached painting? I'm looking for anyone who would possibly know any details regarding this painting as it has come into the family but unfortunately we know nothing about it which is such a shame... As I think u'd agree??

Hope u can help me! Thanks...

 

Hi Welshgirl,

My apologies for the delay in replying - I was away holidaying in the Caribbean and then ill.

I'm sorry I don't know anything about the painting. I wonder if the flag would suggest the country of origin. Also the figure in his arms must have a cultural significance.

Michelle

 

I just bumped into this thread, it's is excellent. Thanks for posting this personnal letter Michelle. Are you still in contact with Riet Braam? I figure this is her maiden name, but she could possibly still be alive in the Nijmegen region.

 

It's been awhile! This is a booklet that was given to the Canadian Troops when they entered Germany. There are 64 pages - with most being 2/pg. The booklet is approximately 4" x 4". Pages 42 to 61 contains information on the German language with instructions on pronunciation and phrases that may be most often used.

Cover through page 7:

 

Hi Skipper,

No, as far as I know my parents did not maintain contact. They obviously treasured the letter and gifts as the gifts were always prominently displayed in their home, as they are now in mine. In December I tried searching for the name Riet Braam online narrowing it to the Nijmegen region. I found an obituary notice for September 2007 for a woman whose maiden name was Riet Braam who might have been the correct person. At the risk of impropriety I did leave a message in the online funeral message book with my sympathies and advising of the possible connection and requesting contact. I have not had a response. I'm hoping that even posting about her here, might lead to some connection. I hope to make the Normandy, Belgium, Holland, & possible Germany trek within the next couple of years and will probably try calling every Braam in the Nijmegen region then - hoping there will be someone from at least my generation who might know the story.

Michelle

 

More - Pages 8 through 17

 

I really hope you will find Riet Braam alive or at least her children. They will certainly love to hear form you. There aren't so many Braams in the Nijmegenarea and they might possibly be related. I suppose you have kept the address from the funeral. If it mentions the chuch you may ask the priest for the identity of the children. if not you may request a death certificate at the townhall.

 

Thank you for the suggestion - I'll have to follow up further. I'm torn between hoping this is a lead to her family yet regretting how recently she would have still been alive and also hoping it is not her and that I might yet find her alive and able to tell me her story!

I accidentally closed out from the site when I first found this and apparently did not save in my favourites. I saved the English version of this but can't seem to locate it at the moment, but this is the Dutch version that I just found again after searching now.

Geheel onverwacht is van ons heengegaan onze lieve moeder, schoonmoeder en fantastische oma

Riet Braam-Steijlen
Geboren: 25-09-1929 / Overleden: 20-09-2007
Was woonachtig te: Nijmegen, Nederland
Geboren te: Harderwijk, Nederland ​

De uitvaartdienst wordt gehouden op woensdag 26 september om 11.00 uur in de kapel van het H. Sacrament, ingang aan de Pastoor Wichersstraat 4 in Nijmegen. Aansluitend begeleiden wij haar naar de begraafplaats gelegen aan de

 

Pages 18 to 29

 

pages 30 to 39

 

More of the instructions to Canadian Troops on entering Germany.

Pages 40 to 49

 

Pages 50 to 59

 

Pages 60 to 64 - and the finish of this document!

I was fascinated by what I read. I assume that other Allied countries provided their troops with some type of similar information? Does anyone have a copy, as it would be interesting to compare.

 

Thanks Michelle the reading is fascinating! It's obviously propaganda, but so interesting and that's the way it was then. I love the "there are signs that Germans are preparing a third world war that must be prevented at any cost" part. I also like the way they are preparing solidiers to deal with indoctrinated Germans.

 

National Identity Card both adult and under 16. I didn't include the inside of the child's as it give's too much information that would still be applicable to someone living.

I'll see what else I can get scanned in the next while.

Michelle

 

Awesome reading - thank you.

 

Here's an interesting document from my Grandfather's papers. It's an Application for Appointment as Warrant Officer, and was never filled out. Thought you guys might enjoy seeing it.

 

Wow! I would love to see some of those documents!