Liebe Mutti,
We woke up this morning to cries of "die Ratten!" The veterans leapt from their beds with a practiced speed, but we poor newcomers had very little idea what was expected of us. When we first went outside I thought, such a fuss over a few men in jeeps. But I soon was forced to change my mind! They are so fast, Mutti! They move like phantoms over the sand, always a step ahead. Even Feldwebel Schuster can hardly track them, and he is the best shot in the company. He did manage one hit, but then how could he miss the man, wearing a cap that red? It didn't seem to matter, anyway—they only drove away as fast as they had come. Schuster was proud of us for keeping our heads, though I'm afraid we were rather useless. The old soldiers say we are a part of them now—we have been baptized by fire thanks to the Rats. They amaze me, Mutti! Hauptmann Dietrich has a fascination for them I cannot understand. One would think it was a competition for him rather than a war at times. Rolf tells me a man should always study his enemies to better know what drives them, but I think he is only defending a fellow flat-lander. You always said northerners were odd, but I realize now how right you are! I apologize for such an abrupt letter when there is so much to tell, but Feldwebel Schuster is yelling at me to stop writing and come help. We must move our camp five miles east before sundown or else these Rats will come back and finish the job they started. Do not worry for me—though the fight at El Alamein continues, we are far from real danger. The desert is beautiful at night. I miss you, and I look at the stars and wish I was at home. But then I remember that I am among the ones who are keeping the war from coming to you, and I am glad I'm here. Feldwebel Schuster is threatening to make me push Herr Hauptmann's Panzer all five miles of our move, so I had better finish this letter where it is!
Dein liebender Sohn,
Dieter
