Diary of George William Edward Clark, January 1941 - September 1942 - Part 5

SENT 2nd CARD HOME.

MAY  —1941

490  15
13 TUESDAY

Good sleep last night. Spaghetti and tomato

sauce for breakfast. More news. Aussies & NZs 

go first in batches of 1,000 go to Athens then by ship

to Salonika then 8 days Journey from there

to final destination! Red Cross are trying to give

each man a parcel before leaving here! Plenty of

planes flying around: a lot of food comes by plane!

Dago hospital ship and destroyer came in this A.M.

491  16

14 WEDNESDAY

Had a good sleep last night fair amount of Mash

for breakfast: ¼ loaf of bread and lentil soup for

lunch: beans for tea: rations very light.

Officers move tomorrow!  playing crib all day.

getting fairly good at it now. will be glad when

we are settled down in proper camp. Sent

Red Cross letter card to Mum. only 44 cards

to every hundred. Had a draw and I was lucky.

£25-15-10

1941—  CORINTH  MAY

492  17

15 THURSDAY

Had usual sleep. Weather fair: about 20 planes

came in last night. Troop carriers. Breakfast

was 'on the nose' fish soup., awful! Lunch

was better, a plate full of mash with a

small back up. and one xxxx biscuit. Tea

fried fish and eschalots fried in oil. Only

an eyeful but good, also ½ biscuit.

forget what tea tastes like Rumor of British

bombing PIREUS

493  18

16 FRIDAY

Moved into a building last night but got

eaten alive with bugs. So came out into open

again. Breakfast was usual mash and plenty

of it. Same for lunch: beans and fish for tea.

bought some mollassas and cheese & sultanas.

A lot of ariel activity plenty of troop carriers.

Rumor of troop carriers over Crete and 14 shot

down. Still no talk of move. 2 Lte destroyers

and 8 Smacks in harbour.

MAY  —1941

494  19

17 SATURDAY

Usual sleep in open. Breakfast usual mash:

Went for swim after breakfast. Marched down

only about 1½ miles. Water was wonderful. Only

there for an hour. Came back and then had Sunbake.

Mash for break lunch. Warm day. Rumors of  ARGOS

being bombed by R.A.F.! Seems to be getting pretty

definite that we may be exchanged.! Its in the

German papers! Will be finalised by the end of this

month or the beginning of next? Reason being

that the Hun can't get us out of Greece & can't get

sufficient food? Red Cross man here looking into

food problems. Going to arrange a ship load from

[[?]] but thinks we will be on our way

home before it arrives. A convoy of Yankee

ships (26) is supposed to have arrived in Alex' under

own convoy! 3 ships and 10 small tubs came

in probably for Ites! If they bombed PIREUS they

should bomb this place!

1941—  CORINTH  MAY

495  20

18 SUNDAY

A warm night last night. Breakfast usual mash.

we eat at a new kitchen from lunchtime on. Lunch:

1 biscuit, a piece of cheese & 1 onion. The Hun promised to

supply wood but it did not turn up so cold lunch.

Went for a swim in morning, only 100 allowed to go

Went to church service in evening. 7 P.M. Tea: boiled

spaghetti and piece of biscuit. Usual rumors

re. exchange. Capt. [[Heany?]]  says all nonsense! 

496  21

19 MONDAY

A very muggy night last night & didn't sleep so

good. Breakfast 7-45: biscuit and fish mash.

very tasty. This is certainly a much better Kitchen

Lunch: rice & raisins. Rumors that Palestinians &

Cyprians are going with Ites so that our navy

will not shell them! We move into buildings

& the water will be put on. We will be here for at

least another 3 weeks. Tea: Rice & tomato sauce!

A very warm day.

MAY  —1941

497  22

20  TUESDAY

Another warm night last night but slept well.

Awakened by noise of planes! Approx 35 troop carriers

left 'drome flew South. 6 A.M. (?) Breakfast 7-30.:

Same as yesterday! 8-30 6 troop carriers came in!

All planes returned safely! A warm day. I was sunbaking

all day. Am a good colour now. Lunch: beans. Tea!

a sheep stew. They bought a sheep and boiled it.

very nice, too! Comfort issue ! a pair of sox.

498  23

21 WEDNESDAY

A breezy night last night. Usual big flight

of planes early in morning. Same breakfast.

Lunch: one biscuit and boiled macaroni. Tea:

Mash of biscuit & tomato sauce. No new rumors

A concert was held at 6-30. Mostly Singing

very good, considering! Six officers put

over a skit "Calamity Boy " very clever.

A windy day. sunbaking again: very

brown now.

1941—  CORINTH  MAY

499  25

22 THURSDAY

Had best sleep I have had for some time last

night. Usual night breakfast. issue of blankets

Greatcoats & dixies for those that have none.

Did not worry me. Lunch: bread, 4 men to a

loaf. mash. Tea: rice tomato sauce and some

mint tea! The rice was wonderful. I bought

some rice and have a dishful every night.

While it lasts. No news worth mentioning.

500  26  

23 FRIDAY

Another good sleep last night, up at 7-30 in

time for breakfast: same as previous. The place

resembled the wood chop at the showground the

way the trees were being cut down. Each kitchen

has an axe & crosscut saw. A muggy overcast

sky. Looks like rain Lunch: ¼ loaf bread. Rice.

Tea: Rice. A soccer ball has been issued to the

group! The pump was working on the well today.

No news.

MAY  —1941

501  26

24 SATURDAY

Usual sleep last night. Breakfast : 

Mash. Lunch: rice & biscuit mash with

mollasses & 1 biscuit, Tea: mash with

tomato sauce. Had a feeling last night

the something was about to happen! I

wonder what? Warm day as usual: The weather

has been pretty good up to date. I am quite

well. Would like to hear from home. All

the news of our being prisoners of war should be 

home by now! I hope Mum and the others

have not been worrying too much! I wonder

how Margaret is.? The flies are getting bad.

Another concert on tonight! Looks like rain

Yes! started just on tea time. Very black on

the mountains. Lightning & thunder! pouring

rain 7 P.M. we were all washed out, or in!

Went into building. Got wet pants.

1941—  CORINTH  MAY

502  27

25  SUNDAY

Had some sleep last night when somebody wasn't

walking on me. A beautiful fine morning. Will

soon dry everything. Breakfast: German concentrated

soup! Not much! ½ biscuit. Lunch: ¼ loaf bread -

cheese (white) and olives also cup of mint tea -

Moved into building in afternoon. They changed

whole camp around Tea: Stew! Real mutton in it

Rumors of Turkey being in it again! Navy supposed to

have landed

503  28

26 MONDAY

men in

Kalamata and taken off 130 british prisoners and

Hun guards! Had good sleep last night indoors!

Breakfast: Mash & tomato sauce. Lunch: More

mash! Went for swim in afternoon - A choppy

sea and dirty. Most of the Huns have moved

out! Tea: Sweet spaghetti very nice &

sweet.

MAY  —1941

504  29

27 TUESDAY

A good night, had to get up at 1-45 A.M. thro'

drinking tea last night! Breakfast : Fish

mash. Lunch: Haricot beans & 1 biscuit. A

parade at 2-45 to check up. If a man is missing

the group has to parade 4 times per day until found

Rumor of move from 5 to 10 June! to Germany.

Read a book today 'Mr Glenneanon'. I had read 

them all before in "Sat. Post.' Tea: Mash of biscuits &

fish.

505  30

28 WEDNESDAY

£29-12-10

Quite a noisy night last night a lot 

of shooting! Breakfast 1 ladle of mint tea, no sugar

& 1 dry biscuit! 52 trp carriers took off 8 - 8-45 AM.

Lay out in sun all morning. Reading a book.

"Man of Destiny' Lunch: ¼ loaf bread. Lentil

soup. Tea: fish & biscuit mash. Went for

swim in afternoon. Beautiful in the water.

lay in sun all day. Am as brown as a nigger!

1941—  CORINTH  MAY

506  31

29 THURSDAY

Slept well heard air raid siren at 3 A.M. but nothing

happened! Breakfast: mint tea only!!! Getting

grim! A group of N.Zs. went out last night by truck

but came back again an hour or so later! A very

hot day. I think the Hun doesn't like this heat!

Lunch: 1/5 loaf bread and lump of cheese & cup of tea

Tea: ½ dixie rice only. 1 hot meal in 24 hrs.

Red Cross issue: I drew tooth brush.

507  32

30 FRIDAY

A very warm night but slept well. Up at 7-30

Mint tea only for breakfast. Lunch: 1 biscuit

beans and biscuit mash in tomato sauce!

Tea: ½ biscuit and curried fish & biscuit mash.

Another warm day. I've never heard so

many rumors in my life! Surprise search

of all buildings and personal belongings! Just

after tea. All buildings searched simultaneously

MAY  —1941

508  33

31 SATURDAY

A bad night last night a touch of Diarrhoea

I think or it may have been the beans!

Up all night. Breakfast: tomato soup.

Lunch 1/5 loaf bread & German cheese which

smells & tastes rotten! It must have been 

the beans because that's all I passed!

Tea: Plain rice, barely sweet!!!

Had terrible aches in stomach all day.

getting less as day went on. Same sort  

of weather, still very warm! Supposed

move has been cancelled! Little

air activity last couple of days! The

Hun guards seem to go out of their way to

cause xxxxx trouble. Almost a barrage

this night about midnight! Rumor of

a number of prisoners arriving from

Crete tomorrow We are not to go within

25 yds of them.

1941—  CORINTH  June

509  34

1 June SUNDAY

Foundation Day, W.A. (obs. 2nd)

And so starts another month. Had better night

pains gone. Breakfast: Only tea (mint).

Lunch : 1 biscuit and ½ dixie of Lentils. A

sultry day. Tea: Lentil & curried fish stew

and half a biscuit. Not bad. Supposed to be on

full ration from tomorrow again! Hun

apologised for treatment, have found out that

Greeks were to blame for cutting off fingers of Hun

parachutist in Crete. Had first blamed British troops!

510  35

2 MONDAY

Had a fair nights sleep. feeling much better!

Breakfast: Tomato soup. Not much of it.

I had the runs bad last thing yesterday but

am alright xxx now. Lunch: 1 biscuit and

1 piece cheese & tea. Tea: Macaroni & rice &

½ biscuit. Definitely move as from 5 June! I

think we go on second day. Concert tonight

Rumor of guards being told to ^go light on the 

men.

JUNE  —1941

511  36

3 TUESDAY

Had good nights sleep last night and feel much
better now! No Breakfast! only THAT tea!

& several pieces of biscuit. Lunch: Rice & 1 ½ 

small biscuits. Tea: Almost a full dixie of 

curried fish and biscuit & ½ biscuit! Best meal

for long time. Bought some figs in pts. will keep

them for trip! All guards changed. New ones are 

all old men! Saw one officer who looked 60!!!

May be better for us!

512  37

4 WEDNESDAY

A very good sleep last night. The weather is

marvellous. Every day the same. Breakfast:

Tomato soup with biscuit & ½ biscuit. Went

for swim. These new guards are much better!

Never heard a yell from any of them. Lunch:

1 biscuit, piece of cheese & cup of tea (mint)

Tea: Haricot beans in oil, & ½ biscuit. De-lousing

started this afternoon. Officers & batmen and

YUGO SLAVES were done.

CORINTH

1941—  CORINTH  JUNE

513  38

5 THURSDAY

An attack of the 'runs' again early this morning

a crowd moved out early about 4-30. We

are supposed to go on Saturday, may go before.

No Breakfast, only tea & two small pieces of biscuit.

Lunch: Lentil soup and 1 biscuit. Tea: Lentils &

fish & biscuit mash! ½ biscuit. Examined after

tea for lice! Am clean but will go thru' the cleaner

tomorrow morning! because of swim! To be up at
6 A.M.

514  39

6 FRIDAY

Another lot moved out this morning. We may

go tomorrow. Up at 5-30 A.M. Had hot tea. Put all

my clothes and gear into gas room and then only

owned a pair of white cotton shorts. Went down

to beach about 10-30 were sprayed with lysol

then had swim back in camp 12-3045. A muck

up getting clothes back some lost some I got

all mine. Lunch: Rice & 1½ biscuits Tea: Curry fish

rice & biscuit.

JUNE  ON TRAIN  —1941

515  40

7 SATURDAY

Had good but short sleep up at 2-35 on parade

3-15 first lot moved off 4-30 we went

thru' main gate 4-45 first stop 5-35: 2^nd 6-30

again at 7-05 there are 1600 of us in 2 groups!

Moved again 9 A.M. crossed canal and then about

1 mile to station. On train 10: moved off 10-20.

Arrived Athens 1-45. Have meal which is to last

until 3 P.M. tomorrow.: 3½ biscuits, an issue of cheese

tomato pulp, fish, oil, tea & sugar (JAVA TEA)

our 50 cooked the tea! Move again at 3-45

Just had time to make the tea which saved

my life 'tho' it made me perspire. Train left

4-10 P.M. 50 in each truck, like an oven!

Don't know what time we detrain but think

about 2 A.M.

1941—  ON TRAIN TO SALONIKA  JUNE

HARDEST DAY OF MY LIFE

516  41

8 SUNDAY

Off train 2-15 started marching 2-30 uphill!

no breaks at all. Arrived at train 1-15 P.M.

almost 12 hrs. continuous 25 miles!!! marching with pack, water

bottle, blankett roll & great coat! My feet are a mess!

Blisters!!! Huns couldn't take it 2 or 3 passed out & only

had a rifle to carry. On train 2-30. Next stop Larissa?

Same issue of rations as yesterday! No time to cook anything

going to make a halt later on! But it never happened.

517  42

9 MONDAY

Travelling all night woke up at Larissa. walked

over river alongside blown up railway bridge. Some

carriages! Feet much better! Train left 9-5 A.M. Very

warm. A lot in the carriages - I was unlucky enough
to get dog box again! Arrived in THESSALONIKE

4'05. Detrained 5 P.M. marched 2½ miles thru'

town to Greek barracks. We were counted and

then put into buildings! Had cup of German

tea! Awful! In bed 9-30 very tired!

JUNE  SALONIKA  —1941

Sailed from Sydney 17 months ago

518  43

10 TUESDAY

Mother's birthday! Had good but short sleep! Up

at 4-30 AM. and all on to parade ground to be counted

& searched! We passed the officers going to station yesterday

the first batch that left are also here also some have been

here 8 weeks! Nobody knows when we move. They

took my jackknife off me only in search. Breakfast:

biscuit mash! Lunch: rice & meat (HORSE) Tea: ½ biscuit!

£33-9-10

519  44

11 WEDNESDAY

Eaten alive by bugs last night. Up at 6 A.M. on

parade 6-10 until 8-15 Breakfast ½ biscuit & tea!

We move again this afternoon to another camp

about 4 miles away. Don't know how long will

be in Salonika. This is the worst place we have

been in yet! Marched thro' city back towards railway

4-30P.M. to another Greek barracks. A bit better

Not so far to the station now, if we ever do

move to Germany. Lunch: Lentil Soup, Tea ½ biscuit.

1941 —  JUNE
'America declares war on

Germany' according to German interpreter.

Received 2 pills for Malaria!

520  45

12 THURSDAY

Bugs busy again last night. It rained nearly all

yesterday afternoon. Breakfast: 1 egg! whole! & biscuit mash.

a fine morning. Eggs came from Bulgaria! Parade

8 A.M. We move tonight to Germany!!! The first

batch 16,000 1,600 of us. Thankgoodness. I'll be glad to

get settled down! Lunch: Eggs in rice ! Move

cancelled until tomorrow! Had a shave & washed my sox!

Thought the news was too good to be true! 'AMERICA' declares
war on Germany!!! Tea: Tea and biscuit & bread.

Another pill

13 FRIDAY

521  46

A good nights sleep outside! up at 5-15. A parade at 6 A.M.

They think we move today I hope so! Breakfast 8 A.M.

biscuit & rice mash. Lunch: Beans & 1 piece of meat!

We don't move today after all, worse luck. Another

3000 come in this afternoon making a total of

about 7,000! They will have to move us soon. Water

is getting scarce. Only one cookhouse for the lot

Weather good. Tea: Soup (barley beans meat) ½ 

biscuit. Sleeping out again tonight.

JUNE   —1941

522  47

14 SATURDAY

Had good sleep last night. On parade 6 A.M. The timetable
is now: - 6 A.M., check parade; 7 breakfast; 10-30

check parade; 12, lunch; 5 P.M. check parade; 6 tea. Six 

parades per day. So far the food has been good in

quality but poor in quantity! To be expected considering
number they have to cook for, 6,000, in

one cookhouse!!! A nice morning. Breakfast:

1/10 loaf of bread & cup of synthetic German tea.

America is not in the war! Did not have 10-30

check parade. Did not get Breakfast until 8-15.

Lunch: 1-30 P.M. A soup of barley & biscuit! I

put ½ a biscuit, I had, into it and added some

water and made a fair meal! Another 1,600

coming in tonight! A total of 8,000! We must

move soon. there is not enough room for

all in buildings now! Tea: Rice & barley broth

& ½ biscuit! No talk of move yet! We may

keep up 2/1 Rgt tradition of moving on Sundays!

1941—   SALONIKA  JUNE.

523  48

15 SUNDAY

A good nights sleep, up at 5-30, no 6 A.M. parade.

Breakfast 7 A.M.: 1/10 loaf bread, no tea, water was off.

Cooked some rice I had from Corinth. Moveing again

order given 11-30 had to pack and move onto parade

ground straight away. Lunch, 1215: Rice & meat!

Don't know where to! Another camp? Germany?

Moved off 4-20 on train 4-50 Rations ½ loaf bread

3 biscuits & 1 tin of paste? 'Berlin or bust' (4 days).

Train left  6-10 P.M. stopped about 5 miles out &

moved again 8-20

524  49

16 MONDAY

ON TRAIN TO GERMANY.

'Paste' happened to be some BACON meat or other! We are well

on the way now! In Bulgaria? Raining, not so

warm now: 50 men per truck we are lucky, having

an extra large one. Both doors are locked. Only ventilation

4 small windows high up! YUGO-SLAVIA. A very

slow trip, 4 hrs at one station! BENEC VELES

7-30 P.M. BULGARIA after all. Only done about

4hrs travelling