A Prisoner of War’s Diary from Stalag VIIIB — July to September - 1941

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

July 03, 1941
Poring down with rain, non-stop for last two days. Russian planes dropped leaflets in towns nearby.

July 04, 1941
Our rations have been cut down again; we shall be getting nothing soon. Latest propaganda ‘Thousands of Russians said to have been captured and tanks’ Italian troops said to have been seen by working parties near here.

July 05, 1941
The Dollmetscher sent his best wishes to us before leaving he’s not been bad to us. Latest news ‘Russians burning all their crops before Jerry gets them.

July 06, 1941 - Sunday
Wrote a card to wife. Received five letters from her. Can’t get over the one dated 25 February 1941. The days and months are passing nicely now but what a horrible waste of life. Nothing to look at here but barbed wire and guards. Roll on. No news to put down.

July 07, 1941
Latest rumours to hand from the Czechs. “Nearly one million Germans killed in Russia”. Big air battles over the Atlantic. Germans frightened of Britain landing troops in France again.

July 08, 1941
Weather lovely. German newspaper reports that they have advanced on Besarabia, nothing else worth noting.

July 10, 1941
“Russian delegates receive hearty welcome in London.” Berlin and Hambourg bombed by our air force, civilians complaining about their food and working too many hours a day. Still browned off.

July 14, 1941
German newspaper states that Russia is short of arms. Stalin says that they have more than they need.

July 16, 1941
These last few days we have had our bread issued it has been mouldy and half of it has been thrown away. Latest rumour is “American troops landed in Denmark.” “Churchill and Stalin won’t listen to pacts or peace terms, but are determined to smash Hitler.” Predicted that this winter will finish Germany off. This remains to be seen.

July 17, 1941
Raining all day but quite warm. Latest propaganda, “Germany thrown nine million men in the field against Russia”. Our working party reported for being idle. What a life this is, working from dawn to dusk each day, and praying for the time when we can say farewell to this country. I wonder what is happening in England now, hope the war finishes before this diary or I shall have given up hope.

July 18, 1941
Yesterday’s rumour denied. The nine million men mentioned are including the Russians, and they are said to be in conflict on the border. Reported capture of 250,000 Germans by Russia. Today, German paper gives the war three months to finish, some of the guards think it’s only a matter of weeks.

July 20, 1941
The old Sunday round once again, bringing with it memories, the old club day, a few pints and then home to dinner. All the time I’ve been prisoner I’ve been waiting for Bestwick to write, which is the least he could do. Never mind, one finds his pals in circumstances like this. Someday I shall be able to find out why he has acted like he has towards Alice. No news to put down.

July 21, 1941
Weather grand. Poles causing trouble and civilian police called in to camp. Four were taken away under escort. Today’s propaganda, “Goering under arrest”. Said to be great unrest in Germany. Japan signed pact with Russia.

July 22, 1941
Marshall Gadingen arrested last night in Germany. Sabotage in France, Belgium and other countries. Goering imprisoned in his own home. New Czecho-Slovakia government formed in England for after the war. War in Africa finished, German soldiers withdrawn. Hitler ill. Weather lovely.

July 23, 1941
Guards went to a funeral this afternoon in the village. Eighteen men up to now have lost their lives against Russia. “Goering’s wife said to have shot him.”

July 24, 1941
Received letter and photograph from wife. Latest news confirmed, “Armistice signed in Syria and British troops have taken possession”. About time we started doing something. Roll on a long time.

July 27, 1941
Nothing to report, except to say that thirty Germans are reported killed at Troppau, and above a hundred wounded. Listened to camp, bad at night.

July 28, 1941
Latest propaganda, “Two German ships sunk in Atlantic by Americans”. Dr Benisch says that the time is near when the Germans will start retreating and not stop. Defeat of Germany will be this year.
Forty million Russians to be put in the field and Russian women to be called up.

July 29, 1941
Germans retreated to a place called Minsk, which is the first place near the Russian border. Nothing else to report.

July 30, 1941
“American troops said to have landed in France at twelve o’clock yesterday, on the ship ‘Columbia’”.

July 31, 1941
News just been received from Lamsdorf that some of our lads have been shot trying to escape. Our medical officer has to undergo three weeks detention for being too easy with the men. Guards stood by for the front. Had to wait hours today for the bread to come in for our tea. What a state Germany is in for food.
Britain give Italy seven days to pack up.

Never Grumble
Why has a man a longing for things he has not got,
when so many would be happy with only half his lot?
So often are they wishing, if only other things they had,
Our motto now should always be “for the things we’ve got be glad”.
The use of his eyes, or legs and health, and that precious gift to hear,
Some of our comrades may have lost just one, but yet so dear.
So if ever we should grumble, just think over what we’ve got,
For those that lost what we still hold, would be happy with our lot.
By Prisoner of War.
***************
A few notes:
October 15, 1940
Received information that friend (Arthur Lund) is also a prisoner of war in Germany.
L/CPL Singleton was shot on the line of March while prisoner, for striking a German guard. He had bad feet and stopped to rest, a German was kicking him to make him get up, and he struck at him, thereby losing his life.

June 25, 1941
The camp being organised by the Sergeant Major, and made into sections etc, names of machine gunners, riflemen and everything taken in case of emergency. Should the Russians advance and come right through, our job is to overpower the guards and make good use of their weapons.
**************

August 01, Friday, 1941
Not a deal to put down except to say that “Japan has broken off all relations with Germany”. Weather terrible, raining all day.

Saturday August 02, 1941
Latest rumour, “Germans withdrawn three hundred kilometres into Poland”. No more news.

Sunday August 03, 1941
Today as I sit here on the grass I just can’t help my thoughts straying back to the old homeland. Lovely weather like this brings back memories, it seems I must be fated to spend my time out of England. Being here is just like being cut off from the outside world, and it makes one realise just how much home means to him. All I can say is “roll on”. May the day of unity be fast approaching for us all.

August 04, 1941 - Bank Holiday Monday
Lovely weather all day but raining at night. Latest news, “Big offensive to be launched this week by Russia”. Two million men armed with tommy guns ready in England. Every two planes made in America, one goes to England. English officers leading the Russians.

August 05, 1941
“Americans said to be in England”. The Czechs told us at work today they give the war about seven weeks to finish. Fifty German planes shot down yesterday near Russian border.

August 06, 1941, - Wednesday
“Colonel Letz of the German army recalled from Russian border, to Yugoslavia where trouble has broken out. Germans claim to have recaptured Minsk and taken 30,000 prisoners. Weather rather cold today.

August 07, 1941, - Thursday
Received eight letters from the wife. Not much news to put down except to say that the Russians have taken another town, weather pretty cold, roll on peace and home.

August 08, 1941 - Friday
The old proverb goes that “no news is good news”, so I hope so. Today’s weather forecast, “cold and raining”. In bed eight pm.

August 09, 1941 - Saturday
Wrote a letter to wife. Still no news.

August 10, 1941 - Sunday
The usual weekend round once again. Today’s propaganda “German newspaper report 150,000 Russians captured”. Weather dismal and raining. What a life, nothing to see but barbed wire.

August 11, 1941 - Monday
Today’s news from English speaking Czech “Smolensk, Minsk are now Russian. Nine German divisions finished, no’s 11, 62, 15, 111, 19, 168, 16, 193, 18.” States radio controlled by Gestapo. Germany asked aid from Italy for ten divisions immediately. Japan expected to strike anytime, Turkey will strike at Japan or Germany if they fight against Russia. 200,000 Rumanians killed. Russian air force bombed Berlin on Friday.

August 12, 1941 - Tuesday
Germany claim to have brought down six of our new planes, denied by the Czechs, for they say they continued on to Russia and bombed on the way back. All cars and buses from Protectorate commandeered by Germans. Still no hopes of peace, roll on a long time.

August 13, 1941 - Wednesday
Latest news “Russia said to have got Poland”. Thirty Poles were given a bashing a few days ago for something. Today we saw nine German planes chasing another, couldn’t distinguish markings but said to be Russian. Russia given Germany seven days to withdraw her troops from France and other places, or she’s coming straight into Germany. Received eight letters and one parcel of cigarettes from wife.

August 14, 1941 - Thursday
Raining all day. One of the Poles on the job got three years through trouble with the police. Russia using thirty metre tanks against Germany. War going good for us in the East. Five German troopships sunk leaving Lybia.
One of the lads had a full bowl of soup fit over his head for a twenty cigarette bet.

August 15, 1941 - Friday
Royal Air Force visited this end yesterday dropping leaflets. Nothing else to report. Weather lovely.

August 16, 1941 - Saturday
Received fresh straw to sleep on and lads complaining that it’s full of fleas. Got three letters from wife, done very well for I’ve had nineteen this week, the latest one dated 19th last month, should be receiving third clothing parcel anytime according to her letter.

August 17, 1941 - Sunday
Laid on the grass outside, weather lovely. Wrote a card to Alice. Roll on Sheffield. It’s a wonder a man doesn’t get barbed wire fever here, same routine, day in, day out. Wonder how much longer this prison life is going to last. Better get in bed, for one finds contentment there.

August 18, 1941 - Monday
All Germans up to the age of forty called up. English troops said to have landed in France. Big move said to be going on between Turkey, America and Russia. Weather lovely.

August 19, 1941 - Tuesday
Russia doing well, and the Germans are retreating. New government being formed in France, this is against Germany. Weather lovely all day but rained at night. Roll on.

August 20, 1941 - Wednesday
Received two letters from wife. No news whatsoever to put down.

August 21, 1941 - Thursday
Went to bed as soon as I came from work, had a touch of malaria, laid on the grass all afternoon at work with the parties’ clothes over me, still no news.

August 22, 1941 - Friday
Felt terrible at work today. Latest news to hand, “Representatives from Britain, America and France met in Turkey for discussion”. General Franco declared that Spain will come in with Britain. We are expected to move into Poland shortly to work, as Russian prisoners are coming here.

August 23, 1941 - Saturday
Just been told that we are leaving for Poland in a weeks’ time, German officer says that the men in this camp are a fine body of men and it’s a shame we have to leave. No news, weather grand.

August 24, 1941 - Sunday
The old usual weekend of monotony, wrote a letter to wife. “Something big expected to happen for Germany in the next three days”.

August 25, 1941 - Monday
“Russians said to be advancing fast.” Germany lost a few divisions of men near Leningrad, they were surrounded. Bremen was bombed yesterday. Weather fine.

August 26, 1941 - Tuesday
Latest news, “Britain has taken over Ireland”. Germany losing heavily. Received one letter from wife. Weather dismal, browned off.

August 27, 1941 - Wednesday
“British troops said to be in Iran.” More divisions of Germans cut off near Leningrad. Civilians complaining of shortage of tobacco and cigarettes.

August 28, 1941 - Thursday
Nothing to report. Received one letter from wife. Weather lovely.

August 31, 1941 - Sunday
Information list just been brought round, regarding over seven thousand men and three hundred officers reported missing in England. Quite a lot of news was given by different men who had seen some of them killed. Another month over, thank the Lord, hope this is the last August I see in this country.

September 01, 1941 - Monday
Latest propaganda, “Greeks and Yugoslavs revolting”. Japan says she is keeping out of the war. Germany asked Italy for aid but have been refused. Fierce fighting near Leningrad. British troops in Turkey.

September 02, 1941 - Tuesday
Received second parcel of cigarettes from wife. No news today, roll on Sheffield.

September 03, 1941 - Wednesday
Two years today since war was declared, how time passes. Wonder how much longer I’ve to be caged up. Received third clothing parcel from Alice. Roll on that boat.

September 07, 1941 - Sunday
Received two letters dated 10th and 11th June from wife. No news whatsoever.

September 08, 1941 - Monday
“Germany made two big attacks on Leningrad and failed”. American battleship sunk. That is all.

September 11, 1941 - Thursday
Russia doing well. German troops at front dying through cholera and fever. Confirmed report, “seven thousand Russian prisoners at Lamsdorf and some are being shot. They’re sleeping in the open and rushed the cookhouse through hunger”.

September 18, 1941 - Thursday
Latest news, “British and American troops said to be in Norway and Denmark”. Three thousand British and colonial troops in Lamsdorf from the Balkans and the East. The Russian prisoners there are getting nothing to eat but potatoes once a day.

September 22, 1941 - Monday
German newspaper report says that they have lost 80,000 men and others are missing. Russians have recaptured Smolensk. 1,400 German planes bombed England over the week-end, biggest air raid since war started and they lost 400.

September 25, 1941 - Thursday
One of our lads from another camp escaped and captured in civvy clothes. Asked to be recognised in case he’s shot. Name is Corporal Radcliffe, Buff Regt, registered as Pole, speaks Polish and German.

To His Mother
1) In the dark womb where I began,
my mother’s life made me a man.
Through all the months of human birth,
her beauty fed my common earth,
I cannot see, nor breathe nor stir,
but through the death of some of her.

2) Down in the darkness of the grave,
she cannot see the life she gave.
For all her love she cannot tell,
whether I use it ill or well,
nor knock at dusty doors to find,
her memory dusty in my mind.

3) If the graves gates could be undone,
she would not know her little son,
I so grown. If we should meet,
she would pass by me in the street,
unless my soul’s face let her see,
my sense of what she did for me.

4) What have I done, keep in mind,
my debt to her and woman kind,
what woman’s happier life repays
her for those months of wretched days?
For all my mouthless body leach’d
‘ere births releasing hell was reached.

5) What have I done, or tried, or said,
in thanks to that dear woman dead?
Men triumph over women still,
men trample over women’s rights at will,
and man’s lust roves the world untamed,
O’ grave keep shut lest I be shamed.
By John Masefield.

September 26, 1941 - Friday
Received parcel of cigs from the wife. No news and nothing to report, same old routine from one day to another. Roll on Blightly. Time 8.45pm.

September 29, 1941 - Monday
Germany said to be suffering heavy losses. Big air battle over France, we lost 13 planes and Germany 19. Stalin says the war hasn’t started yet, and Germany will be finished by Xmas. New officers taken over the camp today, we’re not sorry.

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