A Prisoner of War’s Diary from Stalag VIIIB — October to December - 1941

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A Prisoner of War’s Diary from Stalag VIIIB — October to December - 1941
By
George Irving Beck

October 01, 1941 - Wednesday
Three German generals shot yesterday for causing mutiny. Small riots in Berlin. Received one letter from Alice. Weather dismal. Still browned off and hanging on for peace, that little word with such a big meaning.

October 02, 1941 - Thursday
Latest rumours, “Ten divisions of British troops said to be in Russia. German troops being withdrawn from France. Sabotage in different parts of Germany”. No more fats to be issued here for three months to the German soldiers. What a state things are getting in.

October 06, 1941 - Monday
Started on new job at Niklasdorf stone factory. Hardest job I’ve been on, in fact it’s horse work, shoving big stones to the crane, six of us, straining and heaving.

October 08, 1941 - Wednesday
German officer gave his men a lecture for being dirty, said the Englishmen were smarter, cleaner and more cheerful than the guards. One guard taken to bath house and scrubbed. Two Englishmen asked to scrub him, but refused.

October 12, 1941 - Sunday
Winter arrives again. Snowing once more. Wrote a letter to wife. All the camp to be punished fourteen days, reveille 4.30 am and locked up as soon as we come in at night. The lights have been taken out of the huts so we’re in darkness.

October 13, 1941 - Monday
Latest rumour, “Germany said to be making no progress”. Stalin says he’s only used front line troops up to now, and could do so for a long time yet without using his reserves.

October 15, 1941 - Wednesday
Our air force visited Berlin yesterday dropping leaflets with Hitler on and other prop. Saw a fellow at work today drying cigar ends on the fire — what a state the civvies are in. Collected money round camp for gravestone for comrade who died.

October 20, 1941 - Monday
Received fourth clothing parcel from wife. No news to put down.

October 29, 1941 - Wednesday
Three million Japs said to be in Russia fighting against Germany. Weather terrible, snowing like hell.

October 31, 1941 - Friday
Received two parcels of cigarettes from wife. No further news about the war. Roll on.

November 15, 1941 - Saturday
Went to the civilian canteen and saw a German film called “Kannst du Pfeifen Johann”. Just been told the camp is breaking up as Russian prisoners are coming here. This time it is right, for machine gun posts have been put up, and barbed wire. The civilians dread the Russians coming, for Englishmen are well liked now.

November 23, 1941 - Sunday
Holding farewell concert prior to leaving Sudetenland for other part of Germany, where we are going nobody knows, but I hope we strike lucky. No news regarding the war.

November 26, 1941 - Wednesday
Had trouble at work — the crane driver fetched the guard, and the main manager came also. Two of our lads were fighting and I was sparring up to the employer, he raised his fists first. He’s the worst German I’ve ever met.

November 27, 1941 - Thursday
Reported my case at the office and got off the job, the employer should have been a slave driver, better off working somewhere else. Anyway, lets roll on and see where we are moving to.

December 03, 1941 - Wednesday
About a hundred men left camp for work in other parts. We have all to be away from here for the New Year. Never seen so much barbed wire as they’re using for the Russians — even the cookhouse is wired off.

December 07, 1941 - Sunday
Had our photographs taken, and ordered half a dozen. We are allowed to send one home for Xmas. No news.

December 08, 1941 - Monday
Latest news, “Japan said to have declared war on America”. Things are certainly happening. I wonder how long this war will last now.

December 16, 1941 - Tuesday
Moved from Niklasdorf to a place called Zwittau. Two days train journey and locked in all the time, very little to drink.

December 19, 1941 - Friday
Working in a sawmill, twenty of us. Good billets, but we have to leave our topcoats and boots downstairs before we retire for the night. Terrible guard.

December 25, 1941 - Thursday
Xmas day
Christmas day and in bed at eight o’clock. What an existence. Haven’t been in England for years on this occasion, but promise myself that I will make it a happy one when I do get one. Sent a card home to the wife. Roll on Civvy Street.

December 31, 1941 - Wednesday
What a day, no cigarettes, cabbage soup for dinner, and bread and butter for tea. In bed early as usual. It’s just like being cut off from the outside world here with no mail or anything. Sleep is the best thing and hope for better things in the near future.

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