Diary of George William Edward Clark, January 1941 - September 1942 - Part 4

APRIL —1941

455
8 TUESDAY 

Don't feel too good at all today. Moving!
C.O.s inspection in full marching order this
after noon. had to put another blanket in:
sent letter & photos to Mum  & photos to Margaret!

Yesterday sent cables to Mum, Margaret,
Lonnie, and Alice Clark, also bracelet to
Margaret. Very tired. Move tomorrow
is pretty definite. Visited N.A.A.F.I. English bar.

456 

9 WEDNESDAY 
Was made acting A.A.L.M.G. for length
of camp. A bludge! Move tomorrow A.M.
Reviellie will be at 3-15. breakfast
3-45. parade 4-15. I am on loading
party will go down by truck. A very

hot day. Only have one blankett for
tonights sleep! Feel much better tonight!

*If only we knew where we were going to! A big
adventure in my young life! What - 1/8/41 

457 

10 THURSDAY 

ON SHIP
Up at 3-15 breakfast and parade and moved
off on time. Loading party only went to trains We
thought boat. Arrived at ship about 10-30.
PENNLAND. about 16,000 tons. When we sail, will
be about 4,000 troops and nurses about 2/4 A.G.H.
Am on Breda gun crew during voyage. A very
old boat. My 3rd Sea Trip. Next stop Greece?
pulled into stream 5 P.M. Sailed 10 P.M.
changed money into Sterling.  ₤2
 458 

11 FRIDAY 
Up at 4-15 A.M. well out to sea. 2 ships in convoy
CAMERONIA. 2 sloops 1 destroyer & 1 A.A. ship. COVENTRY.
A fair headwind. Slept on fore deck. Cold morning.
heading north. Food not so good! Not enough.
Have mounted Bren guns every where, nearly
30 of them. A 4 in. gun and 12 lb A.A. gun
Hotchkiss and Lewis guns. enemy planes will get
a warm welcome. Nothing to see. Turned in
7 P.M. on deck again. very windy. 

APRIL —1941
459
12 SATURDAY

Up at 5 A.M.. A land fall at 5-15 on starboard
bow. land in sight nearly all
morning. I will be pleased when trip is over.
Planes! only escorting us thank goodness.
Passed a number of islands during the
whole day. ATHENS in sight. 3-30 P.M.
anchored 4-15 Looks a very nice place
a large place. We can not go to a wharf.
have to go ashore in boats. All the nuIes nurses
were first. Going to be a very slow
process. We had to carry all our stuff
down to mess deck, very hot! Not going
ashore tonight! The ship is pulling out for
the night. We were moving all the time

up till midnight. Terrific wind blowing.
Freezing. Had good tea - steak & kidney pie.!!!
G.RICHARDS paid ₤1.

Sent T.MAGRATH 500 Drachmai.

1941— APRIL
460
13 SUNDAY 

ATHENS GREECE-GLYPHADA

Gosh what a night! Darn near froze.
back in the harbour 6 A.M.. raining! Breakfast
1 hard boiled egg. No bread! ½ cup tea, porridge
stinks! and we have 2 mile march from the

wharf. On European soil 10-30. Only had
200 yards to go for trucks. Marvellous and clean
after Egypt. Camped about 7 miles out under
canvas. very tired. AIR RAID on Pireus 4-20 P.M.

461

14 MONDAY 
04467. Camp phone. N^o. Money changed into
DRACHMEI - 530 to ₤E. & ₤P & sterling 425=₤A
Lectures in morning. Leave today. 2 partys
11 - 5-30. 6 - 11. I am going on 2nd party. PAID
drew ₤6 in Greek money. AIR RAID in Pireus again
dive bombing - came over our camp. opened up with
Bren gun. Caught bus 6-30 in ATHENS 7-15.

our clocks are put forward 1 hr sun now sets
about 8-30. Beer is good. cheap. air raid
alarm 11-15, slept in town. could not get back.

APRIL —1941
462
15 TUESDAY
Up at 5-30 ALL CLEAR 5-45. got a taxi 6-30.
back in camp 7. We are moving! ready to move 8.
going somewhere by train AIR.RAID! we were machine
gunned at railway. don't leave until 5 P.M. tonight!
These Germans are hot! Train left 2-30 P.M. we
have over 26 hrs on the train. Very slow this afternoon.
Only did about 20 miles. Engine 2-10-0
type. 

463
16 WEDNESDAY
Travelling all night. Up in the hills now plenty of
tunnels. Marvellous views. Snow!!! plenty of
it, too! Only on top of hills. at 10-30 only half
way! Moving all day wonderful sights. Plenty

of stops! too! We may get there tonight and we
may not! A large number of Greeks coming

back! Met some 2/5 & 2/7 who have been on
train 4 days! Food is scarce! still travelling.
 464
17 THURSDAY

ON TRAIN

Travelling most of the night again. I believe we
went to Larissa but came back again during

night. We are now side tracked at a siding with
no engine or any food. Raining all morning.
had to leave train at daybreak and disperse. Got
soaking wet and then back on train again Plenty

off of eggs! AIR RAID only machine gunning! I gave him a
few with Bren. Moved off 7 P.M. Met trucks back a
few miles. into Bed 3-30 A.M. Lost my small torch.

465   

18 FRIDAY
Up at 7 A.M. cleaned up gun. had breakfast? what
there was of it! We are going forward about 5 miles
act as rearguard. Big retreat on! road is jammed!
A 'grim show'! Ready to move 10 A.M.  Forward!
Phew. AIR RAID only 30 planes, bombing &
machine gunning. Very cheeky. We have no
air support at all. We now move at 6-30
P.M. about 5 miles ahead. Large numbers of
artillery coming back. Wish I was one! 

APRIL —1941
466
19 SATURDAY

IN ACTION
Up all night except 2 hours sleep. Gun is
fairly well camouflaged! AIR RAID! 17 planes
diving up road along side us Phew! was it
hot while it lasted? only 50 yards away.

The heat is on! Rumor of 300 Hurricanes in
Greece! Also Chamberlain says that if the forces

in Greece can hold out another 24 hours the
South African air force is coming over complete
Another air raid! 11 A.M. only 22 planes
this time. And yet another raid lasting
2½ hours. planes coming over singly
always one over. Dornier flying pencils
and Stuka dive bombers. Another raid
7 P.M. The road is a shambles. We started
firing target registration! Its on! Gun
fire 15 rounds only 5,700 yds. Stand easy
9-10 PREPARE TO MOVE!!! Hooray.
in a hurry. going back nearly 100 miles 

1941—APRIL

467
20 SUNDAY

ON ROAD

Travelling all night!  a lot of English & Aussie &

NZ. trucks been lost.  A terrible ride. a lot of mud

A terrific pass that will be blown up.  Another raid

at a village. Capt. Dwyer killed! A number of men

missing. God! are we absolutely done in. No

sleep for a week to speak of. We are in a grove. Raids

all day 2 more casualties. Also 2 marmons and 

a gun smashed RHQ also lost 1 truck. I've had
enough.

468     

21 MONDAY 

Couldn't sleep much last night planes were over

several times. Don't know what's on today.

Planes were very scarce. Rumors of 40 Hurricanes

pattrolling the area as from today. Also British

forces have landed in Turkey and Iraq. We may

move tonight into a position about 12 miles up.

Yes we move out at 7 P.M. Rumors that

R.A.F. shot down 14 Huns yesterday!

APRIL —1941

469     

22 TUESDAY 

Occupied position alright last night. Not main

pass. 4 Battalions & 2 Regts in front. Official: 50

Huns shot down yesterday! Thank God! A flight of 30 

Stukas went over head and came back in ½ hour.

I thought it was us! Another 18 stukas came over

but did not return the usual way Maybe shot

down! Rumors of 3 B.E.Fs. landed on continent!

also Turkey. I am not at all well. Alternate gun posn?

410     

23 WEDNESDAY 

M.O. gave me a sleeping powder after I passed out last night

Good God! We have to evacuate Greece immediately!!!

Greece has turned it in! 3 men per gun to stop until

the rest get away then blow up guns. probably 3 days.

Some go tonight! I may be one! No good me stopping

I could not face it! Yes all but the 3 men per

gun leave tonight after we move the guns into a 

new position about 1 mile away. On the way

by midnight. Road is jammed tight with a 

retreating army.

1941—APRIL

471    

24 THURSDAY

ON ROAD RETREAT 

Another night mare of a ride last night arrived near

Athens and parked in a grove about 9 A.M. Wait for

further orders! Plenty of enemy planes about. Stay

here all day. A probable move of a further 100

miles tonight. It's going to be an "open door" affair.

Enemy plane shot down by A.A. fire. One man 

came down by parachute! Move tonight to a place 

called 'Meloy' down near the Corinth Canal.

472   

25 FRIDAY 

These night drives are getting me down. Arrived

at 'Meloy' about 8-30 A.M.  Two ships on fire one

is exploding all the time. Hope we go tonight. I am nearly

crazy! Plenty of planes about but much quieter

than yesterday! Some of the chaps that stayed back

are starting to arrive! They were firing open sights

and got away 200 rounds apiece. We move

again tonight, about 80 miles.

APRIL —1941

26 SATURDAY

473

KALAMIA "CALAMITY"

Arrived at destination 6-30. Usual procedure, dig

in and camouflage tracks. We may catch boat from

here as we are close to the sea! 1 bomber over early

and dropped a stick of bombs about 1 mile away. We

moved again further thru' the town had to get rid of

everything except haversack! I thought so the absolute

minimum. Oh well there is a war on, a Blenhiem came

over and some of the boys opened up thinking he

was a Hun. Can't blame them! Every plane we have 

seen for nearly 2 weeks has been a Hun. Go on

boat tonight most likely! A short Sunderland

was around early, too! We move out tonight thank

goodness! Don't know whether off the beach or the 

wharf! To be ready to move as from 9 P.M. The 

order came thru' 12-30 A.M. Had to march to the

wharf about 3 miles.  Destroyers are taking us off.

Missed!!! Just about my turn and they pulled 

out.  Back tomorrow? Marched back 3 miles.

1941 — APRIL

474

27 SUNDAY

KALAMATA

Still can't get over missing out last night. Most of the

Regt. missed. It's a war of nerves alright. Bombers over

at 8 A.M. and a number of bombs dropped up near

wharf. God I hope we go tonight. Am praying hard. A very

heavy raid about 4 P.M. very close. We move at

8-30. Here's hoping. Down near wharf at 10. Barely

1,400 go in front of us so we should not miss out.

A big crowd behind us. NO BOATS! Getting grim now.

475   

28 MONDAY

No boats turned up by 12-30 so we had to go back 

to the grove. I was in bed by 1-30 and slept until

8 A.M. Planes over machine gunning.  It'll have

to be tonight or another Dunkirk! Must be nearly

6,000 men here! Fighters of over machine gunning

3 P.M. otherwise very quiet. An English plane was

over early this morning. Colonel says every possibility

of getting away tonight! HUNS on jetty!!!

But we pushed them back.

APRIL —1941

476 - 1

29 TUESDAY 

P.O.W.   

Am now prisoner of war. There was 2 cruisers &

8 destroyers for us but got called away because

the 'Ites' came out! The Germans were too strong 

for us so the Brig. Harrington surrendered. What 

now! Marched out about 5 miles where they put

us in a paddock. Must be about 6,000 of us.  Water

hard to get! Very hot! Marched back thru' town

to Greek barracks. Slept night in open.

477 - 2   

30 WEDNESDAY 

Moving again! Where to? Rumors of Russia and Turkey in

war and Russia bombed Berlin! Some of the chaps who

tried to get away were brought in. 'Shorty' Anderson

died. Major Peterson Capt. Henry here. The boat they

were on was dive bombed & machine gunned! 30

lost. Had first meal! rice stew!! Not much,

also issued with 1 loaf of bread per 5 men I

am with 2 sailors & 2 R.Es. Put into

Barrack rooms.

1941—MAY

478 - 3

1 THURSDAY

KALAMATA 

Almost eaten alive last night with bugs.

hardly slept. Nothing to do all day. A meal at

12 noon. A stew almost black in colour but

tasted alright. The Germans are treating us

pretty decent. Much better than I thought. General

feeling is that we won't be prisoners long! The

Huns think they have walked into a trap by

coming so far down into Greece.  Tea made out of 

senna!

479 - 4       

2 FRIDAY   

Bugs not so bad last night but still didn't

sleep too good. Wish we could get a blanket or 

two! Bread issue 2 loaves per 5 men. We

were moved to another room. Meal at 12

rice and soup. not bad. We buy potatoes off 

the Greeks already cooked. Also onions & eggs.

Are not really hungry yet! Approx £22 in
pay book! English tea at 6 P.M. no sugar!

or milk!

MAY —1941

480 - 5     

3 SATURDAY      

No bugs last night but still can't sleep!

This place is rife with rumors. We may be

guarding these Jerries next week and all

that sort of thing. The Greeks have to return

all British foodstuffs immediately. The Hun

isn't getting his supplies! They are not bothering
to have us moved away from possible chances

of escape! A Hun gave me a loaf of bread last

night! I have 1500 drachmi left and gave 

500 to Ray to do the buying yesterday! The latest

Rumor is that Churchill has said that the

Germans will be screaming for mercy in 3 days

and that all prisoners of war in Greece will

be free in less than three weeks. Wouldn't

it? These rumors make you laugh - I

put them, nearly all, in this diary just so 

I can see how silly they were, in time to 

come. Some chaps swear by them. Not me.

1941—MAY

481 - 6

4 SUNDAY

ON TRAIN 

On the move again. Be ready to move at 8-30!

Marched to railway station. Going to Corinth! Very

slow trip. At 4P.M. still have approx 3, 4 hours

to go! Anyway we have plenty of time! Having a

marvellous view! We are riding on top of the

trucks! Still travelling at dusk. Will have to

sleep on the roof. An issue of bread at one

station very welcome! One loaf to 8 men!

482 -7         

5 MONDAY 

CORINTH

Arrived at Corinth 8 A.M. after travelling all night. 

Italians and all here! food scarce! No food for us

until tomorrow!!! Gosh! Am I hungry. But if

that's all I have to worry about it's not much. 

The others managed to buy some cheese and onions

sour milk cheese. And we still have some tea left.

Am not absolutely starving, yet! Many Hun

planes about.

MAY —1941

483 -  8

6 TUESDAY 

Slept in open last night, a light shower of rain. New

rumors: Libyan 'do' cleaned up 120,000 German prisoners.

Turkey in war! May be an exchange of prisoners! Had issue 

of spaghetti. cooked by Aussies at 9 A.M. Also plate of 

macaroni and a lump of bread 12-30 then boiled beans

and biscuit at 5 P.M. from Aussie kitchen then some

rice and macaroni from camp kitchen at 6-30. Only a

decent meal all put together! Still shouldn't starve!

484 - 9

7 WEDNESDAY

Am with own unit now. do our own cooking. three

meals a day. All individual cooking stopped. Save wood!

had breakfast of macaroni. not much of it. Been a P.O.W.

9 days! Every thing is a line up! Lunch was alright, a

mash of rice, raisins and biscuit. Tea boiled beans! All

a chap lives for in his food, No sooner finished one

meal then he his thinking of the next. Nothing else

to do! So that's that!

1941—MAY

485 - 10

8 THURSDAY

 CORINTH  

Had good sleep for the first time in Greece. Feel

a lot better this morning. Breakfast a mash rice & biscuit

Had to get rations 9 A.M. No new rumors! A dull day

We don't get specialist pay while P.O.W. so I am back to

5/6 per day until the end of the war. Lunch was fair,

a plate full of hot mash! tea: beans. Nothing to report.

A crowd of chaps got to within 30 miles of Crete and

were picked up by German patrol boat. Raining all

afternoon.

456 - 11

9 FRIDAY         

Did not rain last night thank goodness. Had

a fair sleep. Breakfast: biscuit and rice very watery.

Lunch: biscuit, spaghetti. Rumor of us moving

sometime next week. Going to another place in

Greece before eventually going to Germany!

No chance of writing. Tea: beans and several

olives if you wanted. Also a sprinkling of salt

In bed 8 P.M. as usual. Looks like rain.

MAY —1941

487 - 12

10 SATURDAY

SENT 1ST CARD HOME 

Fair sleep last, no rain. Up at 7-30. Breakfast:

spaghetti & biscuit mash. The Jerry has stopped 

all buying which means we will be down to 

two meals a day from tomorrow on. Our 3rd

meals was always bought from funds, and 

was always beans. The mob broke the wire

fence down over which all buying was done

so they stopped it. Strong rumors of us

being exchanged for German prisoners in

Libia! I can't see it myself. But hoping

for best. I am quite well. Sent a card home

Dont know if it will arrive!  Could only send 

'I am a prisoner on war', 'I am well'. The whole camp

was on parade in afternoon for checking up. Some

have got away. The guards were trebled at

night. We had usual three meals as we

had some beans in reserve. Buying again

tomorrow?

1941— MAY

488 - 13

11 SUNDAY 

CORINTH

Mother's Day. Wish I could send a cable!!!

Good sleep last night. I get up at 7-30 in time for

breakfast! Usual rice and biscuit mash.

read a book by Edgar Wallace: 'The river

people' Doing nothing all day. Nothing

new to report. I can just imagine

being home today. White flower and

all that!  The card is going by car to Geneva then

cable to London then Australia! should be home in two

weeks.

489  - 14

12 MONDAY 

A good sleep tonight last night. Still

nothing new to report. Issue of

bread 4 men to 1 loaf. Beautiful bread

too. Also 1 full biscuit per man for tea:

Rice, fish and 1 onion was the tea. Definite that

move starts on Thursday.