6th February 1945
Repurposed feldpost letter sheet/envelope sent from FPN45057B (Stellungs-Beobachtungs-Abteilung 48) to a family member in Vienna. The envelope has the printed Latvian text, 'Zemkopibas minitrijas/ Mežu departamentam/ Rīgā' (Ministry of Agriculture/ Forestry Department/ Riga). Ref: 06.02.1945
Stellungs-Beobachtungs-Abteilung 48 (Position Observation Department 48) used primarily to locate enemy artillery and to spot for ones own artillery. Advance warning units were located close behind the front, and sound measurement troops who were equipped with microphones and recording devices, as well as telephone and radio teams were ready to inform the batteries.
'Position observation department 48' was set up on July 22, 1942 near Tschudowo in northern Russia (south of Leningrad). The department was created as an army troop from soldiers of 'Position sound measurement battery 643' and 'Observation replacement department 2'.
In October 1943 the department was renamed 'Observation Department 48 (tbew.)' At the end of the war, the division was in action with the L (50th) Army Corps in Kurland.
The corps was then enclosed in the Kurland Basin and deployed north of Mitau. At the turn of the year 1944/45, the corps fought in the Rubeni area to the northeast of Lake Lielauce. In March 1945 the corps was returned to the 18th Army. On May 8, 1945, the corps was captured in the Kurland kessel.