Field post.
On this page, you will find military field postcards related to Dordrecht and its surroundings.
Card Moerdijk bridges.
The above card is a field postcard of the Moerdijk bridges. The card appears to be addressed to an address in The Hague, which is noteworthy. In the bottom right corner, it says Moerdijkbrücken 10.5.1940 - Fallschirmjäger Regiment 1 - 2. Battalion. The card seems to have been glued in an album at some point. Currently, there is no further information available about the card, but it is likely that it was in the possession of a paratrooper from FJR 1.
Dordrecht Main entrance M.T. school - May 20, 1940.
The above card was written on May 20, 1940, just a few days after the Dutch surrender. It is an interesting card. Like most military field postcards, the card is not stamped but instead has "Militair" written in the top right corner. postcard was sent from Dordrecht on May 21. The text reads:
"I am doing well and hope you are too. I hope to see you all again soon. Greetings to everyone. I am staying at Dordrecht, Stationsweg 4. Take care for now."
The card was likely sent by a soldier who was (slightly) wounded in Dordrecht or the surrounding area. The MTS depicted in the photo was a military hospital during the May days, serving both sides. You can find interesting photos of the MTS as an emergency hospital on the website of Dordt Open stad. *1
Dordrecht - Grote Kerk Voorstraathaven - June 17, 1939.
The above card was sent on June 17, 1939, during the mobilization period. The card was sent by a family from Dordrecht to a soldier belonging to 1-III-39 RI Logistics Battalion. It is highly likely that there is a mistake, as the mentioned unit does not exist. (RJ typically stands for Regiment Jagers). However, there was a 1-III-39 RI (Infantry Regiment) stationed in Rotterdam, which was a Logistics Battalion. *2
Moerdijk Bridges, military 1-I-28 RI - April 12, 1940.
12th April 1940.
Dear family… With this message, I inform you that I have arrived in Willemsdorp from Werkendam. We woke up at 2 o'clock last night, and now I am in Willemsdorp. It is a very small town near the Moerdijk Bridge, which we will have guard along with the surrounding positions. I hope to leave this place soon, as I am already fed up with it. It's quite boring here. We have to sleep at a farmer's place where everything is a bit crowded, but we manage to sleep together and it's not too bad. 1-I-28 RI, Vesting Holland.
The sentence "Nu ik hoop dat ik hier weer gouw vandaan zal wezen, want ik heb het hier al gezien, het is maar een negerij" is notable. It expresses the dissatisfaction that the soldier feels about the conditions in Willemsdorp.
As described by Mr. G.L. Van der Hum in his personal account of the May days of 1940 in the book "Dordrecht 1939-1945 Deel 1", a company of the 28th Infantry Regiment was stationed at "de boerderij van Kaijen." Some weeks prior, the ammunition had been confiscated upon the orders of the garrison commander of Dordrecht. This action was taken due to the discontent among the stationed soldiers regarding the living facilities. Almost all the soldiers of that company were captured by German paratroopers on May 10, 1940. *3
Dordrecht Voorstraathaven - September 1st, 1939.
This field postcard was written on September 1, 1939, during mobilization, and posted from Dordrecht to an address, presumably of a family member, in Gouda. It might be from a member of the Army Maritime Engineers Depot, who were stationed in Dordrecht. However, there are other possibilities. The soldier writes:
Dear child,
Just a quick letter, I received your letter just after I had posted mine. You should give me Gijs's address so that I can write to him as well. I bought a new pair of high shoes this morning because we had to buy a nice pair of shoes for the clothing inspection. F4.95 (guilders). Now I will receive a reimbursement of 5.50, so I'm lucky. I stayed in the room all evening because I didn't feel like going out. I wish I had a nice book or some puzzles. Then I would have something to do. Wim will probably tell you about what I wrote as well. If he ever comes to Dordrecht, you should come along. Maybe he can pick you up in the evening, and during the day, you can visit Aunt Griet or something. I have free time from 12 to 1:30 and after 5 p.m. The food is good, you know. Tonight, we had haché with rice. No further news. I'll just wait to hear from you.
Field post envelope Zuidendijk Dordrecht.
Above you can see a field post envelope. Unfortunately, there is no letter inside. An interesting detail is that the letter is addressed to an address on Zuidendijk in Dordrecht. Additionally, a stamp from the military postal service, the Expedition, is visible. The top line of the sender is unfortunately unreadable but is followed by: Cadre training - F exercise detachment - Hof west front - Fortress Holland - Field Post Office.
Field Post Dordrecht - December 14, 1939.
Above is a field postcard from a military person who was most likely stationed in Dordrecht. The letter is dated December 14, 1939. Presumably stationed in the Benthien Barracks. He mentions, among other things, that he is sick.
Field Postcard Dordrecht - April 30, 1940.
Another interesting field postcard. Unfortunately, the recipient's address has been scratched out. The photo is dated on April 30, 1940, just a few days before the outbreak of the war. Unfortunately, there is no sender mentioned, and the card is barely legible. Nevertheless, it remains an interesting field postcard from Dordrecht.
Field Postcard Willemsdorp - October 11, 1939.
Another field postcard from Willemsdorp. This one is particularly interesting as it is dated October 11, 1939. At that time, the machine gun company of the 1st Battalion, 39th Regiment Jagers, was still part of the covering detachment at Willemsdorp, which would no longer be the case during May 1940. The sender writes: "Conscript Pvt. …… M.C. I. 39 RI Covering Detachment South Front Field Post Office H.J.P - Greetings from a Kwatta soldier." ( Kwatta was chocolate especially made for the military ).
Rotterdam, South Station, Pontonnier Dordrecht - 1939.
The above field postcard is addressed to a soldier in the Pontonniers Corps ( Army Maritime Engineers Depot ) stationed in Dordrecht. The card was sent in the winter of 1939, and it mentions whether "Gerard" can come home. Naturally, traveling may be difficult due to the wintry weather. The field postcard is written by the soldier's sister and sent from Rotterdam.
Field Postcard Dordrecht - Winter 1939.
This military field postcard is also written in the winter of 1939 by a soldier stationed at the Benthien Barracks. Even the room number (48) is mentioned. The soldier is writing to family in Zwolle. It is highly likely that this soldier was also a pontonnier or perhaps a torpedist ( Army Maritime Engineers Depot ) and fought against the Germans in May 1940.
Dordrecht Bankastraat - May 2, 1940.
This field postcard, a postcard from Bankastraat, was written on May 2, 1940, a week before the outbreak of the war. The letter was written by a Military Police soldier and sent from Dordrecht on May 3 to his father. He writes:
"Dear Father, I have finally been granted leave, and I have four days off at once. A separate arrangement has been made for us now, but we haven't really gained anything. Anyway, you'll hear all about it. Are you coming home on Saturday? We can still see each other then because I will be going back on Sunday evening. Everything else is the same. Mother, sister, Louis, and Jo send their warm regards, and I'll see you soon. Warm regards from your son, Frans."
Dordrecht, Nieuwe Haven - April 12, 1940.
This field postcard, a postcard of the Nieuwe Haven in Dordrecht, was sent on April 12, 1940, to family in Steenwijk by a soldier from the staff of III 14 RA. He writes:
"L Boukje, We have just arrived in Dordrecht and are heading to Dubbeldam. We're leaving right away, but I wanted to quickly squeeze in a letter to you. Lots of love, Jan. Field Post, Staff III 14 RA."
Field Postcard Army Cyclist - April 28, 1940.
The above field postcard is from a soldier of the 2nd Regiment Cyclists, a unit that fought near Dordrecht. He writes on April 28, 1940:
"Dear wife and children, If nothing comes up, I will be home on May 12th and 13th, so come on May 11th, but that's still 14 days away. I hope nothing comes up. The letter was already sent, otherwise I would have written it there. There is still no news about freedom of movement. Well, my darlings, take care of yourselves. Greetings from father. Goodbye until May 11th… .. … Yours sincerely, Cyclist J. v/d Ende I-1-2RW Light Division Field Post 5."
It is remarkable to read back, as Cyclist v/d Ende would not go on leave on May 11th. On May 10th, the war broke out and he was moved to the South Front-Holland. The war became a reality.
Field Postcards Sergeant M. de Zee - May 1940.
The above two field postcards were both written by Sergeant M. de Zee of the Staff of the 2nd Regiment Cyclists. As described in the previous card, this unit fought near Dordrecht. The first card was sent on May 13, 1940, from Sliedrecht. He writes to his wife and children:
"Dear wife and children, I am well and everything is still good. Are you all well too? Kisses from your Max, address on the other side. The boys are also doing well."
The second card was written on May 15, also to his wife and children:
"15-5-1940 Dear darlings, everything is fine and in order. Are you all well? Stay strong. You will hear more from me. Many kisses for you and the children. Lots of love, your Max and father. Take it easy and stay calm."
Both cards are also remarkable, especially when considering the dates of the letters. They serve as signs of life for the family.
Dordrecht, Wolwevershaven during High Tide - February 12, 1940.
The above field postcard is one from the soldier's wife to the soldier. Not much is clear in this letter, but the stamp stating "Do not write about military affairs" is interesting.
Dordrecht, Train Station - June 6, 1939.
The above field postcard is a letter from soldier W. Philipse to his wife. He writes briefly but directly:
"I am doing well, everything is okay. Goodbye, from W. Philipse, Dordrecht."
Unfortunately, there is no unit mentioned in the card. He might have been a Pontonnier or Torpedist. ( Army Maritime Engineers Depot )
Dordrecht, Krispijn Music Temple - September 15, 1939.
The above postcard of the music temple in Krispijn is a field postcard to soldier J. de Waal. The card was sent from Dordrecht:
"Dear brother, we have received your card and everything is okay. Mother and father send their regards, and if there's anything you need, just let us know. Anyway, you will be coming home soon as you will get leave soon. Greetings from all of us, Kees and Annie and Keesje."
Dordrecht, Groothoofd - September 2, 1939.
The above postcard "Greetings from Dordrecht" is written in Dordrecht by a soldier from the 2nd Milician Group of Pontonniers ( Army Maritime Engineers Depot ) (likely from the Benthien Barracks). It is a birthday card.
Dordrecht, Krispijn Tunnel - March 13, 1940.
The above field postcard is written by a Sergeant Major Instructor of the Police Troops Corps in Oud-Beijerland. He writes:
"Dear Wim, a neat photo of the tunnel in Dordrecht. Next time, I will send a card from another place. Until then, we'll have to wait and see. Lots of love, Dad."
Dordrecht, Wolwevershaven high tide - date unknown.
A field postcard of the Wolwevershaven in Dordrecht to a soldier in Bergen op Zoom.
A postcard of the Krispijn neighborhood.
The above card is sent by a civilian from Rhijnvis Feithstraat 18 in Krispijn, Dordrecht. The sender writes to an address in Oss:
"Everything is fine here, but still no news from my brother. He is likely a prisoner of war. Seen him alive after the surrender. Kind regards."
Two cards written by a German soldier in Dordrecht.
The first card is from the Kweekschool met de bijbel. On the back, it is written in German:
"We enter and leave this house every day. Today, there is a guardhouse on the left entrance; civilians are not allowed in anymore."
The second card is from the Secondary Technical School in Dordrecht. On the back, it is written in German:
"Villa House Thüringen" "This technical school is now converted into a hospital. Huge red crosses are placed on the roof, but the hospital is empty.
Field postcard from Tentcamp Chassékazerne Breda 3-II-6 R.I.
The above field postcard from Chassékazerne in Breda is sent by a soldier from the 3rd company, 2nd battalion of the 6th infantry regiment to an address in Dordrecht. Many soldiers from Dordrecht served in the 6th infantry regiment.
Field post "Brave Civilians" - Sergeant from Dordrecht.
A field postcard from a Dutch sergeant to an address in Dordrecht. The surnames are the same, suggesting that this sergeant is from Dordrecht. He writes: "I will be on leave again on Saturday. Warm regards from Sergeant J.K. v.d. Giessen."
Field postcard to Dordrecht - March 8, 1940.
The above field postcard is sent by presumably the same soldier as the previous one. The card is also addressed to Mr. A v.d. Giessen at Balistraat in Dordrecht. The soldier writes: "I am doing particularly well, you know. I hope you all are too. I will probably come to Dordrecht on Sunday if nothing comes up. Best regards from your son Jens. M.C. I-3 R.I."
Veldpostkaart naar Dubbeldam - 16 juni 1939.
De bovenstaande veldpostkaart is verstuurd door een militair vanuit de Engelbrecht van Nassaukazerne naar een vriend in Dubbeldam. Hij schrijft:
"Beste vriend, eindelijk zal ik weer eens wat van me laten horen. Ik ben nog steeds gezond en ben nog steeds Rod. Misschien kom ik van de week met verlof maar ik weet het nog niet zeker. Nu moet weer verder zo, schrijf eens gauw terug. Hoe gaat het? is het goed? " De rest is niet meer leesbaar.
Geschreven door: Dpl. soldaat A. Jonkers. 4e compagnie - 6e depot bataljon - 3e sectie.
Field post Park Merwestein 3-II-28 R.I. - May 22, 1940.
The above card is sent by a soldier from the 3rd company of the 2nd battalion of the 28th infantry regiment in Dordrecht. It is likely that there was a previous card as the message seems to be a continuation of another card: "But couldn't manage it and you have to be careful, of course. Now all that remains is the hope that we will be discharged soon because this life is so sad and lasts so long. For me, it feels like I've been away from home for months. I hope everything is still going well with all of you at home. See next card. Goodbye, Bep, goodbye father."
Field post Merwedestraat Dordrecht - May 11, 1940.
This field postcard was sent during the May Days of 1940. The soldier writes: Everything is okay here. I hope the same for you. Stay calm if possible. Jan.
Field post Moerdijk Griftweg - April 25, 1940.
The above card is sent by a soldier from the 3rd Platoon, 3rd Company, 28th Infantry Regiment. He writes:
"Dear wife, I want to let you know that I am still healthy and I hope the same for all of you. You probably heard on the radio that leaves are allowed again, albeit in limited numbers. Anyway, I will probably come home next week. I don't know the exact date yet, but I will let you know. Tomorrow, I will write a letter so you will have it before Sunday. Warm regards from C. Hoogeveen, Conscripted Soldier, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Company, 28th Infantry Regiment, 2nd section, field post 7."
Field post Papendrecht Town Hall - May 17, 1940.
The above card was sent by a soldier from Dordrecht on May 17, 1940. He writes:
"Dear people, a of life… it's over. Everything… has affected me deeply. It has been terrible. How have you been? Is everything okay in Bilthoven too? We are here waiting to see what will happen, hopefully, we will be sent home. But no one knows anything yet. Well, my friends, all the best and let's hope to see each other soon. Many greetings… "
Field post Sliedrecht - January 8, 1940.
The above card was sent by a Torpedist (Army Maritime Engineers) to Sliedrecht on January 8, 1940. He writes:
"Scheveningen, January 8, 1940. Beloved wife and daughter. I received and read your letter, and I see that you are having a bad cold. How are you now? Write to me again soon. I am glad that Lenie is feeling a bit better. And what did the doctor say about your mother? Write to me again soon because I am very curious. Did you receive my letter? I will write you another letter tomorrow. Warm regards and get well wishes from your husband and father. Goodbye, Lenie, until we meet again. Koppelaar, Torpedist."
Field post Sliedrecht - January 18, 1940.
The above card was sent by a Torpedist ( Army Maritime Engineers )to Sliedrecht on January 18, 1940. He writes:
"Scheveningen, January 18, 1940. Beloved wife and daughter. I want to let you know that I am still healthy, and I hope the same for both of you. I received your letter yesterday. Tomorrow, you will receive another letter from me. I also received a letter from Kors this morning, he mentioned that he visited you on Monday for the balaclava. Give my warm regards to him. Also, send my regards to your father and mother. Goodbye, Lenie. Are you still eating a lot? Are you a good girl? Best wishes to everyone, and see you soon. J. Koppelaar, Torpedist."
Field post Moerdijk.
The above field postcard was sent from Moerdijk by a soldier from the 6th Infantry Regiment. He writes:
"Warm greetings, your love B."
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*1 Zie Beeldmateriaal - Oranjelaan.
*2 Source: Zuidfront-Holland1940.
*3 Source: Dordrecht 1939-1945 Deel 1 door de Werkgroep Expo-document 1940-1945 Dordrecht. - K.P. Makkelie.