Diary of George William Edward Clark, January 1941 - September 1942 - Part 1
NX 1058
G.W.E. Clark
SPITTAL (AUSTRIA) ATHENS
548 metres above sea level 37° 58' 8" N.
1,800 feet. approx. 25° 43' E.
WOLFSBERG (AUSTRIA)
453 metres above sea level.
1,359 feet approx.
G.W.E. Clark
20 MONTAGUE ROAD
CREMORNE - SYDNEY -N.S.W.
AUST.
XM1843.
PAY BOOK No.11558.
ARMY No. NX1058
62699
?}
?} Am in the army!
?} and I wouldn't
?} know!!!!
9 st. - lbs.
5 ft. 5 ins.
A very eventful year. Have
travelled quite a lot. Christmas in
hospital New Year's Eve on a train
and very we dry! Back at base on
New Years day! In action. VICTORY?
I received this diary from
Margaret Reid on Monday
24" February 1940. 'God bless her'.
I hope to be home before it is full!
Re-joined unit 17/1/41 in action. Started on trip
back to EGYPT 18/3/41. Sailed for Greece 10/4/41
Arrived ATHENS 12/4/41 landed 13/4/41 Orders to
evacuate Greece 23/4/41. Captured as Prisoner of War
29/4/41. Left Corinth for Germany 7/6/41 VIA
SALONIKA 9/6/41 Left SALONIKA 15/6/41 arrived
Wolfsberg AUSTRIA 20/6/41. Posted to working camp 27/6/41
Hospital 25/7/41. Back to working camp. 16-8-41. back
to WOLFSBERG. 13-9-41 to working camp 30-9-41 Back
to WOLFSBERG. 6-10-41. To Spittal STALAG XVIII B 25/7/42
to GERMANY OFLAG III C 17/9/42
1 JANUARY 1941
PALESTINE
358
Travelling all night at Gaza 6.30AM
motor track to Beit Jinga, arrived at
7-30. Lieut. Hirschel here! They have
made Dier Sunied a big camp. 7th
Div. here in full force. No mail for
me. Tents are all close again! Not
worrying about air raids. Got paid
today, drew ₤2 Palestine. Have £4-10-10 in
paybook not including trade money
35/-. Total £6-5-0. Very tired.
Feet very sore. Went to pictures saw
"only 5 came back" Not a bad show.
They have two sessions now - '6' & '8'
Three on Sundays! 2-30 & 6 & 8PM. a.
different show in afternoon.
2 JANUARY 1941
PALESTINE
359
A special parade for Mr. Spender. General
Sturdee & Blamey. Lunch 11AM had
bludge in afternoon. I am not doing any 18pd
gun drill after 25 Pds! Went to pictures, saw
'Navy Blue & Gold.' Third time I have seen it
They have milk bars in the canteens now
as well as beer, of course!
3 JANUARY 1941
360
Brig. in charge of camp inspected this morning
Regimental guard for me tonight! Gun
drill in afternoon until 3P.M. Guard
mounts 4-30P.M. Am on 3rd shift 9-30 -
11-30, 3-30-5-30. I drew in lucky go off
tomorrow. FLASH. Australians in action
at Bardia! 3,000 prisoners!!! The
camp Brig. is like a human beer barrel!
I pity the poor horse.
4 JANUARY 1941
361
Administration day. 1st 2nd & 3rd
Regiments believed to be in action
8000 prisoners at Bardia.
Afternoon off. They tell me I am
getting fat. Wrote letter and
sent it to Mum. and Lennie.
Canteen opens at 4-30 until 5.
then 6 to 8. Went to pictures.
Saw "Bringing up Baby."
There is no discipline here!
The first parade in the morning
is held in darkness. Only 1/3 turn
out and they answer for the rest.
and the talking that goes on during parades is
really disgraceful! Not that I care at all, but
it seems so different after owns ones own
unit. Still that is us Australians all over I
suppose.
5 JANUARY 1941
PALESTINE
362
Had good sleep last night. Slept in!
breakfast 7-30. parade 9-30. went
to picture show for church parade.
Day off. Went to pictures in afternoon
"Ice Follies 1939" Spud? barber after
tea. 6-7-30. Went to pictures again
Saw "Souls at Sea" at 8PM. I would like
to see some news reels!
6 JANUARY 1941
363
Went for route march for one hour
then gas drill then visual training!
These young officers don't know very
much. Went to pictures at night.
"Viva Cisco Kid" A great life this
but would sooner be back with
Regiment! And doing my bit-however
small!
7 JANUARY 1941
364
Another short march followed by
organised sport. Medicine ball.
Had football practice. Rumor of
draft going up tomorrow night. 200
men. It's true! Draft out!!! I am on
it - 2/2 leave tomorrow morning
74 men for 2/1 - leave I don't know
when. Probably Thursday A.M. Went to
pictures "Public Hero No 1." aren't we all.
8 JANUARY 1941
365
2/2 left this morning had to march to
AL MAJDAL!! We are on 6 hours notice
Parade 1-30 P.M. with WEBB equipment
Pay, drew 5.00 (10/-). going to be some
drunks tonight! Farewells and all
that. And was there! Phew! One reason
I only drew 10/-. The canteen was packed
must have been a good 'take'
ON TRAIN
9 JANUARY 1941
366
We leave tonight 8P.M. and march to
MAJDAL! Wouldn't it! full pack. It's
only about 8 miles. We could easy catch
train right in the camp! Must be too
easy! Took us nearly 21/2 hours. to march.
Issue of tobacco and cigarettes, oranges
halfway. Cup of tea at station. Very
welcome! train left 12-30 A.M.
10 JANUARY 1941
367
Travelled all night arrived at Kantara 7
AM. Had good breakfast. No doubt about
these N.A.A.F.I. they get things done. Plenty
to eat. Crossed canal and had to wait
two hours for train, left 11 AM. Arrived
at AMIRYA at 9 P.M. at camp after
march of two miles 10 P.M. Twelve
months active service today.
£36-14-0 deferred pay. Saw 7th Div.
"men from Rats."
11 JANUARY 1941
AMIRYA
368
We were issued with two new blankets
last night, ours did not come from
here train. Had good sleep. Got up
in time for breakfast. Are eating
with 2/1 Anti Tank Regiment. They
have been in England. They think they
are just it. Have all their guns and
trucks. We are doing nothing except
wait. Shower parade 2-30 felt
much cleaner. very cold. Had quite a
few beers. A beautiful night. We
got our blankets today.
Saw the 17th Battalion while waiting at
Kantara yesterday. They were coming from Pt.
Said. and going to Palestine.
12 JANUARY 1941
AMIRYA
369
Phew! The wind got up in night and at
daybreak you couldn't see 10 yds. did
not go to breakfast or lunch. They could
not even cook. 6 tents down. eased off
about 4 P.M. tea was only bully beef. In
bed 6. Woken up 9, thought it was morning
and told of move in morning. Only 40 going - I
am one. Rest later.
13 JANUARY 1941
MERSA MATRUH
370
Up at 4-30 A.M. ready to move! left Kit
bag behind. are going up by train to Mersa
Matruh! Train left 7-30 A.M. A lot
of shots fired last night. These blokes
panic a lot. Arrived at Mersa Matruh
3-30. No boat in. distributed into
empty houses. A large place, plenty of
bombs have been dropped. Every house has
been damaged some way or other.
14 JANUARY 1941
MERSA
371
Had a good sleep last night! We wait
here until ship comes. Our time is our
own. Had swim in morning. Water
is very nice colour. Walked round
the town in the afternoon. Looting!
Expect to move tonight! is the order.
No boat in yet. We are certainly
getting plenty of sleep. Nothing to do at
night.
15 JANUARY 1941
ON SHIP
372
Up at 5 AM. We leave this morning.
Move to ship 7-30 on ship at 9. quiet
day - can't see more than 50yds. Ship
doesn't sail until tonight! 1800 tons with
1300 troops on board!! Like sardines
Lloyd Craig on board also Noel.
Also Major Adams of 2/1 Batt. going up to
take over in place of Col. Eather who was killed
at Bardia!
16 JANUARY 1941
TRAVELLING
ARRIVED AT UNIT
373
Ship left about 5 A.M. went when I
got up we were well on way. Calm sea.
Only about two miles from shore! Get
to Solloum 3-30 P.M. Passed Sidi -
Barrani midday. Hundreds of trucks on
shore (Dago). Marched from wharf to
a flat stretch 2 miles away. Staying
for night. This place is shambles.
17 JANUARY 1941
374
Ready to move 7-30 A.M. trucks taking
us most of way A.A.S.C. A long ride after
gu big climb from coast. A good road.
passed "CAPPUZZO" and "BARDIA" Tons of
'Ite' equipment around. Transferred from
A.S.C. to Unit transport about 8 miles
from position Gunfire! On to guns
old 'sub'. All well. dirty! Shooting
when I arrive. Looking thin, too!
18 JANUARY 1941
TOBRUCK
375
Up at 3 A.M. for 1 hrs guard,
R.A.F. started bombing 'Tobruck'
usual morning bombardment.
lasted 2 hours. Up at 5-30
6 rounds gunfire, fire by order. I
was No3. (layer) gun fires very well
have not shaved for 4 days.
lay around all day. Very dusty.
This place reminds me of Talong.
Are supposed to move tonight, but
it was put off owing to conditions!
Move tomorrow night 8 P.M.
fired 11 rounds today. A terrific
dust storm blowing. We are not getting it
so bad down in this 'donga' but up top -
Phew!!!
19 JANUARY 1941
TOBRUCK
376
Today is 0 minus 2. move tonight
20 miles South & West. Stay in
Bivouac all day Monday then move
into action position at night to fire
barrage. Packing up all day. Took some
getting out. Troop moved off 9 P.M.
Arrived at Bivouac position dug
slit trenches and put net over gun -
truck - working all night-
20 JANUARY 1941
377
In bed 5AM. Up at 9-30. Got a
parcel from Laurie & Nance also one
from Gordon & Lyn. Had feed of
tinned fruit. Slept nearly all day.
About 250 rounds per gun. Moved
into position 8 P.M. dug gun pit
filled sandbags until about 2 A.M.
When ammunition arrove.
Met Jack Reynolds today 2/3 Batt.
21 JANUARY 1941
378
R.A.F. come over again 3.30 A.M.
beautiful sight. The Itis send up
some stuff! all trace! Soon
stop firing when bombs drop.
Zero hour 5-30 A.M. Row terrific
gun hot finished 8 A.M. Prisoners
came back 11 A.M. Some shelling by Dago
H.E. whistling about. Moved forward.
only 7 miles from centre Tobruck.
22 JANUARY 1941
379
Huge fires burning last night, Itis
opened up on road last night, no damage
We fired 3 rounds gunfire. I went
scrounging in dust storm. Come
back and Tobruck had fallen.
Hooray. We may move on to DERNA
with 7th Armoured Div. Moved 1,000
yds forward & bivouaced.!
went scrounging in A.A. position.
23 JANUARY 1941
ON ROAD
380
Still waiting to move. Thousands of prisoners
going past all day. Maintenance! 140
miles to DERNA. Ready to move 12.
still here 3P.M. Heard 2/8 & 2/3 had
heavy casualties. Moved at 4 P.M. went
round Tobruck. and bivouaced 10
miles West of Tobruck. In bed 10 P.M.
Move tomorrow to DERNA. passed
several blown up bridges. & burnt out
planes.
24 JANUARY 1941
381
Up at 6 AM. Ready to move at 7 A.M.
left at 9. Travelling all day. good
road. Several accidents - Not us! 2
trucks over. & 1 gun. Stopped 20K.M.
outside DERMA and bivouaced
for night. Moved forward to 15
R.M. peq Very quite quiet ______
25 JANUARY 1941
DERNA
382
Had good sleep as usual. Moved
forward to 15 K.M. peg and went
into action. Have not had
meal since Thursday night. We
fired a number of rounds all over
place. We sleep here. Infantry
went forward. They are the ones!
Have approximately £14-0-0 in pay
book. fired 2 shots at 10 P.M.
Sunday 26.
Had usual sleep. fired a lot more rounds
Dive machine gunning our infantry
by Dago planes. Bofors opened up. We
moved up to along side airdrome.
plenty of return fire from Dagos
A flight of 20 planes come over
9 bombers. Saw bombs drop.
26 JANUARY 1941 cont'd
DERNA
HURRICANE SHOT DOWN THREE DAGOS IN
SEVEN MINS!
383
missed everything. A hurricane
short down three before we knew
that there was a fight on. A very
hot afternoon. "A" troop have first
casualties 2 killed & one not expected
to live. Direct hit on gun. 3, 4 & 5
were the numbers of crew hit.
27 JANUARY 1941
384
Did not sleep so good last night. The
Dagos were shelling all night. 5.9 in
A.P. high velocity guns. all you hear is
the burst. Phew! Our observation
not so good. 2 flights of enemy planes
over. Rain! Red soil becomes
mud very sticky in slit trenches.
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