The postcard is dated May 9, 1945 — one day after Germany’s surrender — and the postal stamps indicate that it was likely sent two days later.
It is signed by Alice, who lives in Porto, North Portugal, and is addressed to her sister, Madame Wautelet, who lives in Gosselies, near Charleroi, in Belgium.
The author of these lines does not hide her joy and excitement at the announcement of the end of the war, while at the same time showes difficulty in accepting the death of their uncles, months or weeks earlier, at a time when the end of the conflict was already so close.
Below is the transcription of the postcard, in a free translation:
Note: The reading and translation of the postcard - in French - was made by the author of the text, also using Artificial Intelligence resources.
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May 9, 1945
My dear beloved ones,
On the 7th, I received your postcard dated April 15. Oh! What a memorable day, what joy! On the day of the armistice, to have the pleasure of finally reading from my dear sister! Here, it was sheer delirium—you should have seen our dear girls!
They laughed, sang, jumped for joy, and also cried, thinking of their grandmother and Rosa, would you believe it? They still know nothing about Uncle or Aunt. I do not have the courage to tell them anything, as both are celebrating and hoping that they will come to be near us! Poor children! And poor them. I cannot believe this sad reality! And Uncle, of all people, so cautious—how could he have been so forgetful.
And poor Georges who had to endure such great misfortune all alone! But what I cannot understand is how they died and it was only discovered eight days later. Oh! How alone they must have been! Believe me that this deaths leaves me beside myself, since on November 15, 1943, we had already suffered a fright, and now, this time, it truly was death! You are right—do not say anything to the Baby, try to keep it from her until the return. The trio is well and, despite everything, they are recovering. I write to you every week.
Receive from all of us our affectionate kisses.
Alice
Carlos Guerreiro
