My dear Bielein,

It has happened very quickly and now I am since yesterday here. I have not yet run into anyone I know, but there are so many here that it is impossible to see everyone. One can have here everything that one needs, if one has the money. Write to Hugo that he should send me something.

Hopefully it goes well with you and you reached your goals at the Oversea Department. Have you heard anything from the consulate about the summons? It would be correct if you were to send the immigration papers etc. to Holmes.

I will need warm things if I have to stay here long. I am somewhat worried about you and want to see if we cannot once again come together from here.

Perhaps I can earn some money here as well.

Naturally, it is all very new and unfamiliar. I live together with two others and now my Torquay habits come to me. The household costs are [shared] together and the food is whatever our cook makes. There remain therefore many experiences to have.

Send me please a suitcase with my warm things, rain slicker; the weather is lousy. It will make much work for you, but it is for the best. You let yourself get everything from Dean, and also wait to see with the box, maybe even the good suits in the box. Send me some labels (luggage labels).

And now, much as we wish that we very soon will come together again, is it sometimes very difficult. For today, my beloved beloved Bielein, with many heartfelt greetings and a thousand kisses,
Yours,
Lutz.

My dear Bielein,

If the weather weren’t so cold and nasty, and if I were not thinking of you so much, then this place would be almost bearable. But it is such as it is, and now I hope only for our America case.

Hugo [=L’s brother] can send me some money; write to him my address. We will also write about it to Mrs. Griffith today.

We Torquayers do not dwell together, but encounter each other daily. But there are only four of us here, that were all interned on the same day. I am together with nice people and from today I am working with them in the kitchen. We are 24 people in the house and we are all trying to make it very nice and clean. Today I have already washed my laundry. Perhaps you can send me a package of Oxydol. My first letter with the other wishes you certainly have received in the meantime. Hopefully it won’t make too much work for you.

How does it go with our friends? Are you satisfied with the room? Send everyone greetings.

And now, my beloved little Bie, I hope that you have a good time and are not too sad. Have you gotten money? If you make preparations, only warm (?) I hope that it is not necessary. Hopefully I will get __ soon a detailed letter from you and will hear how our case stands. Starting today, we also get newspapers and thus know what is happening “outside”.

For today, it’s over again. Very many heartfelt kisses and greetings and keep up the good work.

Ever yours, Lutz.

Friday evening we had religious services in the house. I was there and thought about you so much.

[Based on context, I’m assuming this was actually written when he first arrived at Onchan, but didn’t actually get processed by the Post Office until some days later.]

My beloved Bielein,

Now every day must the first Post arrive from you, and you cannot imagine how I wait for it.

Now two weeks have gone by, and it is fortunate that I have work. Otherwise it would be deathly boring. My intestines are rebelling somewhat, but otherwise I am at the peak.

For now, please do not send clothing; on the other hand, some chocolate and 10s in a Postal-Order. Packages need only 3 days.

Besides that, there is nothing to report here; we are all waiting here and are actually hopeful that soon something will happen for us. We have here a complete number of artists and also a cabaret. On Sundays we have organized a friendly coffee-afternoon, for a little bit we try to distract ourselves. It just occurred to me that some pastries would be very welcome, maybe also some margarine and orange marmalade, but only in a tin. All desires for improving the food, my dear.

Now I must make an immediate end, so that this letter will still make it out today. Let me hear from you very soon and in detail, and give Gogo and her mother heartfelt greetings. Surely they have taken you in. Many loving kisses and greetings,

Your
Lutz

My beloved Bielein,

I was not at all surprised by your telegram, because a lot of comrades received the same request. It is very unfortunate that you have not received all my letters, because much is made out-of-date by this delay. Hopefully in the meantime you have received the first letters and calmed down somewhat. We are very hopeful here and expect that our situation will change completely. Hopefully it’s not just rumors and we will finally be properly released. A lot of comrades have now received their summons to the Consulate and are expected to arrive there at the specified period. What’s wrong with us? It is unbelievable that we should hear nothing. Please look for something to undertake. Have you mail from Hugo? Hopefully he’ll take care of you.

I have figured out that these days I must get the first mail from you, and you cannot imagine how one waits for it here. Otherwise it would be bearable, as a person can get used to anything. Do not let your sprits sink, hopefully we will be together again soon.

Until then, I am already a perfect cook and tell you that one can make anything out of porridge. Our food is unfortunately very one-sided and requires the addition of fat, etc. But this also makes a man humble.

I just heard about the ruling of the House of Commons and we are now very eager: what effect will it have? Cross your fingers [lit: press your thumbs] that the sh** will soon be over.

For today, with most heartfelt kisses and see you very soon, your Lutz.

[AMG notes: For House of Commons 23 Jul 1940, see the official minutes]

17 Oct. 1940

My darling Bielein,

Your mail of 11 Oct. arrived and heartfelt thanks. Hopefully you remain healthy and brave. If you found a promising lawyer, then risk the money. But I am very concerned that the money not again be lost. By the way, have you really written to Hugo that he also should once more to our mother [illegible]?

The poor are usually the most nervous. From today, a discharge would make everything nice, but I do not believe in a success.

You write nothing about how it goes with you. You’ve only mentioned that you are in medical treatment. I write you as a result that I see more of a possibility of release and perhaps you have undertaken something in this respect.

Here there is nothing new. For days at a time, I hardly left the house. The holidays require much work and if you want to earn something, you already have your work cut out for you.

One has always but a single thought. What is with the Bie? What is happening in London – hopefully it’s not too bad at all. Everything else is irrelevant and about release one thinks barely at all. One becomes hopeless about it. Days, weeks, and months go by, one makes no difference and one wishes that one could have everything English be behind one.

Hopefully, I will soon have mail from you.

With loving greetings and kisses, forever yours,
Lutz