Diary of a Prisoner of War

DIARY OF A PRISONER OF WAR.

August 3rd 1944 until May 27th 1945.

by

ex Flight Sergeant Henry Jones

625 Squadron Royal Air Force.

Part One of Six.

3rd.August 1944.

Today landed by parachute in North of France, about 2.30 in the afternoon. Jock and I were picked up together and taken to German billets, searched etc. My gold Waltham watch and Ronson lighter taken by the soldiers - a loss I feel more than anything as the watch was a 21st. birthday present from Mother and the lighter was given to me by D.M.P. In the late evening we were taken by car to Forges les Eaux where we were put in a cell already occupied by Prof and Geordie. Was relieved to find them there and even more so when Jobbie came in an hour or two afterwards. Informed that Jimmie and big Geordie had crashed with the plane - later confirmed by the Germans. Conditions not too good four beds for five of us, ventilation, one brick knocked out of a wall. No food issued.

4th.August 1944.

Moved by road to Beauvais today. J. and G. with us we believe, Geordie, Prof, Jock and I sharing a cell. Food not too bad. Allowed out for about ten minutes daily for exercise. Water for washing provided but no soap. Lav. accommodation very primitive - one pail per cell emptied once daily - weather very warm and stench pretty awful. Remained here until about midnight 6th.August when we bundled with about 20 more Americans and English into trucks.

7th.August 1944.

Arrived in Brussells about 11 o’clock today and put in separate cells. Conditions greatly improved. Had my first wash with soap and use of w.c. Food also improved, soup very tasty. Rations 2 slices of bread and jam for breakfast, soup mid - day 2 cheese about 6 o’clock.

10th.August 1944.

Moved to Oberursal for interrogation today by train via Aachen, Cologne and Frankfurt. Interrogated twice, moved from solitary to communal on 17th.

17th August 1944.

Feeling very much better this evening, re-united with the boys. Had a good wash and shave today met Harry Yorke from whom I borrowed some shaving soap. Feeling much better and happier. Some fellows badly burnt about face and hands, not at all a nice sight. Am thankful I am whole and uninjured.

18th.August 1944.

Moved in a crowd to Wetzlow today. Hot showers for all on arrival - what joy. Issued with an American Red Cross capture case, a great and very welcome surprise. Just like kids at an Xmas party looking at our presents. It feels fine to have a clean set of underclothes. Meals exceptionally good from Red Cross parcels we feed communally.

19th.August 1944.

Today we have been sunbathing and chatting amonst ourselves, plenty to eat and smoke. In the evening we entrained, for our permanent camp, in Italian coaches, P.O.W.Camp at Bankau. The officers are in separate coaches and we have said au revoir to them for some time now. One parcel between two of us for the journey. Very hot travelling in the train. Managed a shower under the engine filler during the trip, our only wash. Sleeping accommodation deadly, eight in a compartment and all
of us glad to reach Bankau station at last.

22nd.August 1944.

Arrived in Stalag Luft 7 today. Searched and given billet for six; Harry Yorke, Laurie Benson, Johnnie Perkins, Bill Swinson ( Kiwi ), ‘ Red ’ Tarlton. Cold showers and plenty of sunshine. Life promises to be better from now onwards. Met some old friends whom I know from previous R.A.F.camps. About 600 fellows in this ‘ lager ’ when we arrived - camp extended at each intake. Most of the time spent in reading and sunbathing. Everyone’s spirits and health improves as the days go by
helped by sunshine etc. Food on the whole good - Red Cross parcels cut to one per fortnight from weekly issue - various cookhouse rackets exposed but improvements likely when moved to our new compound. Lav. accommodation very poor - pole squatting not to my liking. ‘ There are times when one wants to be alone. ’ Various commissions etc paid us visits, when Germans gave probable date of move. Towards end of September the nights were getting very dark early and cold in the mornings. Outstanding features - sleeping on the floor - margerine lamps - dogs now patrol at night.

13th.October 1944.

Friday up with the dawn and moved to new compound - Hut 50/3. Original six plus four S.A.A.F. and two more R.A.F. Parcel combine now Harry, Laurie, Johnnie and self. Brought about by awkward attitude of Kiwi and Red on occasions. We are now settled down in our winter quarters. Electric light and beds are appreciated by all. Stove eventually installed and coal issue is better than I had expected. Rations, although reduced by the Germans are better apportioned consequently reductions not noticed to a great extent. War news about this time is very heartening. It is the general opinion in the camp that we shall be home for Christmas. As days and weeks pass however, we all become more resigned to Christmas in S.L.7. Canadian parcels for Christmas ordered about the middle of November. Various rumours regarding probable moves. Parcels increased temporarily to one per week. The Germans are getting more nervous and restless and restrictions are being enforced. viz: No stocks of food. Cigarettes reduced to 100 per man, all tins fully opened and not punctured as before. Chocolate supply 4 bars only. Entertainments are coming along nicely. The ‘ Little Theatre ’ opened November 15 with a variety including ‘ Rookery Nook ’. This was preceded by a dance run by Laurie. Our first sight of a ‘female’ for months, quite a laugh and rated an enjoyable evening. Next show featuring a Concertina Band very well received by the boys the highlight being ‘Geraldine’.

Weather deteriorated about middle of the month, some snow, first seen by S.A.A.F.’s. Plenty of rain and mud in the compound.

Geordie heard from home 23/11. Am eagerly awaiting my first letter anytime now. Have written home weekly since August when arriving here. All our letters go by Air Mail now.

30th November 1944.

16 men in 50/3 now. Rather full but get on quite well together. Have habit of walking each evening with Norman Swale ( S.A.A.F. ) and talking over old times which is very interesting and revives many old and treasured memories. Have purchased watch from Stan Wright for £6 thus in some way making up for my late loss. Showers at about 10 days intervals.

Mice in the billet. Recently scare of lice necessitating a good clean out all round. Out door games held up by the weather. Canadians making two ice rinks. It is increasingly obvious how constant company gets on one’s nerves, tempers become so very easily frayed. A number of ‘ words ’ passed during the day.

4th.December 1944.

To a play reading of Journey’s End this evening. It was much better performance than I had anticipated.

5th.December 1944.

We are now a full compliment of 16 in our room with McWilliam moving in today. He and ‘ Tito ’ Perini will have to sleep on the table and stools as they have no beds.

6th.December 1944.

Norman finished the oven today. We are now cooking all our own meals except dinner in Klim tins and home made dishes. Double ration of bread - hence bread pudding all the rage. Yesterday there was a good amount of mail in Camp, ‘ Shorty
Enfield ’ was the only lucky one in 50/3 receiving three. Potato ration again reduced.

7th.December 1944.

Our first camp cinema show ‘ The Corsican Brothers ’. How it brought back memories of the time I saw it previously with Gwen at the Ritz, and the last film show I saw on the 2nd.August in Louth with Prof and Jock. Had luck at the stores today collected a pair of army boots for my others. I wonder what is their history.

8th.December 1944.

Our first F.F.I. today. No result in our room thank goodness, after our recent scare. Our parades today have been adjusted to suit the performances at the pictures. The Germans have been getting very considerate towards the boys.

11th.December 1944.

This evening the play reading of Journey’s End was interrupted and stopped by the Germans owing to the use of the word ‘ Boche ’. Rather a coincidence in view of my previous remarks.

12th.December 1944.

We are on our last fortnight of parcels and the position appears none too good at present, the last issue will be about 27th.December.

13th.December 1944.

Camp Leader, Man of Confidence and Admin. Staff resigned this afternoon. Meeting this evening at which I attended to hear whys and wherefores. The result being that the charges were in the opinion of the majority, very weak and a Vote of Confidence will be taken in a few days. There were also suggestions of a change in our Leader for 7 Div. Quite unnecessary in my opinion. G. checked through barracks about 10-30 this evening.

14th.December 1944.

Ballot for new Div. Leader resulted in no change.

15th.December 1944.

Pictures this morning. ‘ Life Begins for Andy Hardy ’. Sound apparatus greatly improved. Snow during the night and bitterly cold. Wrote home and to C.E.R. this evening. Parcel situation becoming more acute, they will last only until about the end of the month, and no further supplies are in sight at present.

17th.December 1944.

Sunday G.High Commission paid a visit to Camp this a.m. All up bright and early and cleaned up by 8 a.m. Church at 11 o’clock. Sirens cancelled barrack inspection. Bombs heard in vicinity, leaflets also dropped, but we were confined to Barracks while guards searched the compound. Show this evening ‘ Moods Modernistis ’. It was not so good as the previous show. Kiwi sang a couple of Maori songs.

18th.December 1944.

A.R.W.at mid - day again today. Bombs in near vicinity. The cigarette situation is becoming more and more drastic. There is even chocolate on the exchange for cigarettes - a thing I have not seen before.

19th.December 1944.

A.R.W.again mid-day to-day.

20th.December 1944.

Our Div. to pictures ‘ Dixie Dugan ’, did not go myself not feeling too good. The recent ballot for new Man of Confidence resulted in a win for W/O Mead who took up his duties today. New intake of 60. Also some bulk parcels from Wetzlow which has set everyone’s mind at rest for a few more days. Consignment of mail - quite a number in billet, but no luck personally.

22nd.December 1944.

Very cold these past few days. The snow has cleared and the Canadians are busy filling the rinks they have made with water.

The parcel situation is assured for another two weeks. This week we have been drawing soup from the cookhouse daily. This is easing our meat situation considerably. G. ration of margarine has been above average.

23rd.December 1944.

Saturday. Have made Xmas pudding for the combine today - it looks nice and fruity - hope it tastes as good. Ingredients - bread, egg, packet of raisins, klim, sugar, flavoured with cocoa. The boys in the panto have a dress rehearsal this evening - sounds to be a good production.

24th.December 1944.

Christmas Eve. A lovely cold sunshine today. A parcel this morning putting us O.K. for Xmas festivities. Menu prepared as follows :

Christmas 1944.

MENU.

Breakfast Bacon a la Bankau.
Pain Brun.
Dessert.

Tea Anglais.

11 a.m. Biscuits.

Cafe au lait American.

Dinner. Boeuf Ros. Porc Ros
Pommes de Terre saute.
Stalag Xmas Pudding aux creme.
Fromage.
Biscuits.

Tea Anglais.

Tea. Soup a la Maitre d’Hotel.
‘ Treat ’ or Sausage.
Pommes de Terre.
Salade de Fruit aux Creme.
Pain Brun.
Dessert.

Cafe Allemagne.

Supper. Pattie a l’American.
Pain Brun.
Christmas Pudding.
Fromage.
Sauerkraut.
Biscuits.

Cocoa Anglais.

To Carol Service this evening, rather a queer service - quite unique. Lights tonight extended until 1-30 a.m. Argentine bulk parcel will be issued next week, according to Man of Confidence detail. Holy Communion at 11 o’clock to-night with Norman - very high church but equally impressive.

25th.December 1944.

Early parade at 8 a.m. got everyone out of bed quickly. After which we all settled down to our first item on our bill of fare.

After lunch everyone was really full - the first time since our detention in enemy hands. It is most surprising to find how one’s stomach has shrunk and is quite unable to take what would normally be much less than a usual meal. Quite a number of our boys have been ill as a result of this. Wrote a P.C. home this evening as my thoughts have continually been there all the day.

Our first Xmas and mine particularly being my first away from home, has passed very well and even in our cramped surroundings the spirit of good cheer and good feeling has been felt by all.

26th.December 1944.

Tummy trouble and sickness still very prevalent in Camp. M.O. suspects Xmas Day soup issue as cause. Two more fellows into 50/3. One, ‘ Spud ’ Day well known from S.A. days. This makes 18 in our room which is getting very crowded.

27th.December 1944.

One fellow shot outside during A.R. mid-day today. He has since died.

28th.December 1944.

Issue of Uruguay slippers today.

31st.December 1944.

New Year’s Eve, a big party in the theatre for Scots. 2 Bands. Lights out 1 a.m. Drank New Year in with coffee - what a change from previous years at home and what memories of previous times at Dunstall Hall etc. it revives. Our slight celebrations consisted of a fruit pudding and porridge for supper. Looking back, what a lot has happened in twelve months, both personally and in respect of the War. Everyone including myself, are confident that this year will see the end of the war and Victory for the Allies. Still no news of home - I had been expecting to hear before the close of the year especially as both Geordie and Jock have had letters.

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.