1939 german letter

I pressed a relative into service on this one! (She does professional translations for a fee, but I got a rough one for free for you).

It's a letter from a German Political Area leader, roughly equivalent to a MLA (in Canada) or Governor (in USA), one Joseph Burckel. It's a Christmas letter, addressed to his people (read: 'constituents'), referring to a token gift of appreciation being given to the families of the area, asking them to pass it on to someone who needs it if they don't. It also asks them to take in the German Troops in the area, and put up with any mess they create as it's good for the people, the country and Hitler.

The only historical components appear to be in the first two paragraphs.

The area he speaks of is a border area to France. It starts out with a reference to WW1 and the fact that German families were forced out when the French crossed the Rhine back then, in the first paragraph.

The second paragraph talks of a September 3rd battle that could have been worse (more killed) if they hadn't gotten pre warning of an impending French attack.

The rest is basically as I described above.

It certainly would have local interest for that area, for either side.

Sorry, I am not a collector specifically of war correspondence memorabilia, so hopefully others can give you a valuation.

This should give you a start though!

Garry