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This letter is a written statement in German, composed in the old Kurrent/Sütterlin cursive script, dating from the World War I era. It is signed by Count Felix von Bothmer, a prominent German general.
Here is the transcription of the original German text, followed by an English translation.
Original German Transcription
Galizien, Neujahr 916.
Wenn es eines Beweises für
die Richtigkeit des Ausspruchs
unseres großen Kanzlers bedurft
hätte:
„Wir Deutsche fürchten Gott, aber
sonst nichts in der Welt“,
das deutsche Volk hat ihn in
diesem furchtbarsten aller Kriege
einer Welt von Feinden gegenüber
erbracht.
Gott helfe weiter!
Graf Bothmer G.d.I.
Oberbefehlshaber der Kaiserlich
deutschen Südarmee
(Note: "G.d.I." stands for "General der Infanterie", his military rank).
English Translation
Galicia, New Year 1916.
If proof had been needed for the correctness of the saying of our great Chancellor:
"We Germans fear God, but nothing else in the world,"
the German people have provided it in this most terrible of all wars against a world of enemies.
May God continue to help!
Count Bothmer, General of the Infantry
Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial German South Army
Historical Context
• The Quote: The letter references a famous quote by the former German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, delivered during a speech to the Reichstag on February 6, 1888.
• The Location: Galicia (historical region spanning modern-day Ukraine and Poland) was a major Eastern Front theater during WWI where Count von Bothmer's forces fought against the Russian Empire.
This document is an authentic World War I German military postcard (Feldpostbrief) sent on December 17, 1915. It was mailed by the prominent Bavarian general Felix Graf von Bothmer, who was serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial German South Army (Südarmee).
Here is the complete transcription and translation of the handwritten and stamped text:
✉️ Front Side (Recipient Address)
• Feldpostbrief: Field post letter (military mail)
• An: das Internationale Nachrichten Büro (To: The International News Bureau)
• in: München (in: Munich)
• Wohnung (Straße und Hausnummer): Columbusstr. 3 (Address: Columbusstraße 3)
• Circular Postmark: KGL. BAYER. RES. KORPS / FELD-POSTAMT a / 17.12.15 (Royal Bavarian Reserve Corps / Field Post Office a / December 17, 1915)
• Rectangular Purple Stamp: S. B. / Kaiserl. Deutsche Südarmee / Armeeoberkommando (Imperial German South Army / Army High Command. "S.B." stands for Soldatenbrief-Stempel, verifying it as official military mail exempt from postage).
🖋️ Back Side (Sender Information)
• Absender (Sender):
• Dienstgrad (Rank): General der Infanterie (General of the Infantry)
• Name: Graf Bothmer (Count Bothmer)
• Armeekorps / Division: Kais. Deutsche Südarmee / Oberbefehlshaber (Imperial German South Army / Commander-in-Chief)
📜 Historical Context
• The Sender: General Felix Graf von Bothmer (1852–1937) was a highly regarded Bavarian military officer. In July 1915, he took command of the Imperial German South Army (Südarmee), leading it through key actions on the Eastern Front against Russian forces.
• The Purpose: The card is addressed to the Internationale Nachrichten Büro in Munich, which operated during the war as a clearinghouse for information regarding military personnel, war reports, or prisoner-of-war updates.
