Diary of George William Edward Clark, January 1941 - September 1942 - Part 8

AUGUST 1941
595
26 TUESDAY
A wonderful sleep. up at 5-30. I drew a tin
of crab & lobster paste last night. very nice
with bread & butter. Usual inspection! O.K.!
An underofficer came and inspected and created
'Hell'. Only the beds were good! Picked everything
to pieces. Another one tomorrow! Lunch: Spuds
& Saurkraut! Not hungry. Slept for an hour
after. Tea: Spuds & soup. Am very tired. -
596

27 WEDNESDAY
Had good sleep, up at 5-30. Coffee & bread as
usual. Had everything ship shape. I was
called a swine for not doing any work.
A visit by an officer and an American
Red Cross official who was checking up on things
in general. We told him how we were. Rain as
usual all morning. Remarkable thing every
Wednesday. Lunch: Spuds & Sauerkraut. Tea:
Soup & bread cubes. Had pint of beer. -
1941 EDLING  AUGUST
597
28 THURSDAY
Usual sleep and morning routine. They
threatened to send me to Wolfsberg If I didn't
do some work around the camp! I said they
could send me for all I cared. They then said
If I cleaned up the rooms I could stay. So that's
that! Lunch: Spuds & cabbage. I did not do
anything extra today. Tea: Oatmeal, very
nice. Rumors of us leaving for another camp
next week
29 FRIDAY

598
As usual, cleaned the windows of my room
only. It seems pretty right that we move next
week to either Mintz or Salzburg. I drew a tin
of herrings last night and ate the lot straight
off! Phew! Lunch: Bread dumplings and beetroot
& raw cabbage! Played Monopoly in afternoon.
Tea: Maize and coffee. Still nothing
definite about moving. Everybody knows of
the move except the right ones.

AUGUST 1941
599
30 SATURDAY
Raining again! Had good uninterrupted sleep.
Usual morning routine. I am only Aussie here.
Some of the boys came in at 8-30. Its raining
pretty steady now. Lunch: Spuds & tomato
gravy. I had the fire going early. and the
room is pretty warm. Spud barber in afternoon
and then clean up room. Bitterly cold.
Snow on the hills - goodbye summer! Played
bridge until tea time. An issue of bread, honey,
and margarine! Made some cocoa. Had a
sing song until till ten P.M. Issue of CAMP
the Huns only claim 300,000 prisoners at SMOLENSK!
FLASH! English and Australian forces land
in Finland. (Rumor) also Italy shelled by Navy!
The Russians are certainly holding the Jerries
up. Just on ten (10) weeks now. Still have
not taken Leningrad Had pint of beer!!
1941 EDLING  AUG. & SEPT.
600
31 SUNDAY
Good sleep, up at 7-30! check parade at 9 A.M.
and inspection Got the fire going again need it
too! Bridge all morning. Still cold, no snow.
Lunch: Spuds fair piece of meat (HORSE)? gravy &
tin of xx fish green peas from Red Cross parcel. -
Very nice. More cards in afternoon - wrote
letter to Margaret! The last day of August
they are certainly slipping by. Just as well!
601
1 September MONDAY
A very cold morning. More snow on hills. Usual
routine - supposed to be a general coming this day.
Lunch: Spuds & Saurkraut. awful. Played
Monopoly in afternoon also some patience!
Tea: Soup with bread cubes. Rumors that
Mussolini has been kicked out of Italy.
and the pope has taken over. Also that Goering is
in Italy. Some of the Auto party saw hammer &
sickle painted on wall in Seeboden. !!!

SEPTEMBER 1941
602
2 TUESDAY
Slept in until 8-30 when that Sgt major
came round again. I had to get out of bed in
a hurry. Everything was wrong again according
to him. Lunch: Spuds & pickled cabbage. -
[[Auto? Ante?]] party were told that they would be home
soon by an English speaking woman! Another
scare in afternoon an ober liutenant! Everything
alright. Tea: Spuds and saurkraut. Soup. Had shower bought beer!
£56 -11-10
3 WEDNESDAY
603
War has been going 2 years today. Should be finished
soon. Up as usual 5-30. A cold clear morning.
No rain or even clouds! King Emanuel
kicked Musso' out! Lunch: Spuds & Saurkraut
Germans claim to have taken 'Reval' a Baltic
'C' port. We are kicking about the food. It has
been awful lately! Tea: Spuds and soup.
Spud basher after! Had a pint of beer. -
actually a litre no pints in Austria!
1941 EDLING  SEPTEMBER
604
4 THURSDAY
Had a good nights sleep, up at 7-15. A fine morning
so I washed my F.S. trousers and khaki
shirt and a handkerchief. Lunch: Mashed
spuds and gravy, much better than usual!
Did some sewing & mending in afternoon and
read the 'CAMP'. also read a book 'The book of
all power' Rumor that English letters have been
received at hospital! Tea: Oatmeal 'whacko' -
605
5 FRIDAY
Slept in until 8-30 - wouldn't it! A beautiful
morning - the summer is still hanging on!
Peeling spuds all morning. Lunch: Dumpling
beetroot. I cut my head on the upper bed last night
& had to have some hair cut off. It'll be alright.
Definitly move tomorrow. 2 partys. 25 & 50
50 go to a camp of 200. Tea: Maize & coffee.
Issue of soap & powder 59 P.Fs. Full moon
a beautiful night. -

SEPTEMBER 1941
606
6 SATURDAY
Up at 5-30 All gear out of rooms 8 A.M.
Then clean up rooms. Nobody working this
morning. The 2 parties were anounced. I am
in small party of 25 The 50 go to Gurn Gmünd
GMÜND pronounced Gmint. Lunch: Spuds &
tomato soup gravy. ¼ loaf & ¼ Kilo of margarine
was issued for tonight. We have to march!
Out 2 am going by truck with all luggage.
We took all the gear first to Gmünd and then
to our new camp TRASICHKE. a lovely run.
Thank goodness I never went to Gmünd, it is
an old castle about 4 floors high and as cold
as the pole. It took the boys nearly 3 hours to
march. There is 90 men here already. They
came from Wolfsberg same time as us. The
work is very hard so they tell us. So it looks
like me for Wolfsberg. The food is no good
either. ½ loaf fresh bread
1941 TRASTCKE  SEPTEMBER
607
7 SUNDAY
Had a good sleep. One is supposed to leave ones pants
in a room during the night! What next. Up at
7 A.M. coffee. The camp is a very new one. Am in
a room with Kiwis! Spuds barber before lunch.
Lunch: Soup, and Spuds & gravy. Not as much
as at Edling. There is no electric light here or hot
showers. The others tell us we are 3,500 feet up.
No wonder I feel different. Higher than at Katoomba.
608
8 MONDAY
Up at 5 A.M. and it is pitch dark coffee no milk!
We get the bread the night before. There was an
issue of jam and margarine only a ¼ of what we
used to get! The boys leave for work at 6 A.M. and
the sick have to be on the same parade. I went
back to bed! Lunch: Spuds and cabbage with tomato
soup. Had a fire in afternoon, it rained for a while
too! Tea: Maize and Syrup. Very nice - In bed
9 P.M.

SEPTEMBER 1941
609
9 TUESDAY
Only a fair nights sleep last night do not feel
very well - stomach is playing up. Up as usual
5 A.M. Doctor comes this morning. Will ask him
to send me to Wolfsberg! Its the worst I have
felt since the operation! Wrote a letter to Mother.
Dreamt I received some letters the other night. Lunch:
Spuds and Tomato extract. Had to peel twenty
buckets of cooked spuds! Tea: Same as lunch & soup.
610
10 WEDNESDAY
Awoke at 5 up at 6! Bad boy! A freezing morning
The duck boards were covered in frost. Had the
fire going early. The German under officer is
making a nuisance of himself, taking all our
tea, sugar & cocoa. He is going to put them all in
the kitchen for weekends. Lunch: A mess of spuds
cabbage and lights. Awful! Rumor of Huns losing
800 men per hour! Peeling spuds all afternoon for
tea. Tea: Suds 8 Spuds and cabbage - awful!
1941 TRASTCKE  SEPTEMBER
611
11 THURSDAY
Up the usual time - not feeling so good! Hope
the doctor turns up today - he didn't on Tuesday.
More spud peeling. The doctor came and I am
going to Wolfsberg - thank goodness. Lunch: Spuds
with gravy - alright too! Am trying to smoke pipe
I bought at Edling - using cigarette tobacco! Don't
know when I go. A very cool day. Tea: Spuds
in jackets with margarine. British troops in IRAN
612
12 FRIDAY
Had good sleep up at usual time. We, the sick, have
to parade at 6 A.M. when the others go to work. I then
go back to bed until about 9 AM! Am doing nothing
had some hot coffee & bread & butter at 9-30. The others
are doing spuds! Lunch: Spuds & pickled cabbage.
Had a sleep after. Am going tonight! To leave about
6-30 P.M. and to to Seeboden! Had tea, maize, at usual
time. Issued with ½ loaf & ½ Kilo margarine & cheese.
arrived at Seeboden 8 P.M. All navy men going too!

SEPTEMBER 1941
613
13 SATURDAY
Did not sleep much, up at 4-15 and left for
Spittal at 5. Ten of us 9 sailors and myself. Arriv.
Spittal 6 A.M. Train left 6-30 Picked up 10 Frenchmen
Arrived at Klagenfurt 8-50 where we changed
trains. We are riding in carriages 3rd class. Left
Klagenfurt 9-30. Arrived Zeltweg 1-15. Had
to wait until 5-10. Plenty of paratroops
around. Women and girls on trains as conductors!
All soldiers are either very young or
very old. Left Zeltweg on time for Wolfsberg
arrived at station 6-50 P.M. Marched a mile
to camp and then put into an empty hut
for night. A lot of rumors! Jerry has
2,000,000 casualties! Ten trains per day arriv.
at Viena ^Casualties per day! Rumors that Germans
have evacuated Greece, and Italy has it!
Also Finland has capitulated to Russia!
British troops in Norway again!
1941 WOLFSBERG.  SEPTEMBER
2nd PARCEL.
614
14 SUNDAY
Am 27 today! Wouldn't it! Had a good sleep.
got 1/5 loaf & jam 10 AM. and then searched
and then to the de-louser. Then lunch: Spuds &
gravy & 1 piece sausage. Then put into the stables
where we left from. Every man gets a new battle
dress greatcoat & pair boots! Also 1 Red Cross
parcel per week. A lot of old faces here. Reg Wright
Van [[Hurmm?]] etc. Anx issue of two tins & 1 pt biscuits
from Red Cross.
615
15 MONDAY
Had a good sleep last night, up at 6 A.M.
Went xx to hospital to be examined by doctor
Only had 4 hours wait AM D.U.B. for 14 days
No work! Red Cross parcel was issued, 1 per
man. A bit different from last time. We got
the whole parcel! Everybody here very confident
of an early finish! Lunch and Tea: A
thick Soup. 1/5 loaf bread and some butter
Went before Hun doctor again at 6 P.M. A long day.

SEPTEMBER 1941
616
16 TUESDAY
Had a good sleep, up at 6-30! check parade
7-30. Went for clothing at 8 A.M. Kept my
old Aussie tunic & boots & trousers. The issue was
battle dress, boots and greatcoat. All English. I
am now happy I have a battle dress! Lunch:
Soup, 1/5 loaf & butter also English tea! This
new coat is a beauty double breasted. A dry tea
an issue of cheese. Went to a lecturette at night.
£60-8-10
17 WEDNESDAY
617
Another good nights sleep. Up at 6-45. Not so
cold. Bread issue at 9-30 & margarine. Rumors
that Jerry admits he is retreating. Also Canadians
on Russian front and British troops in France!
Lunch: Spuds in jacketts & Saur Kraut! Tea an
hour later. This tea is made from the tea of the
Red Cross parcels: we give it all in. Tea: A good
soup of spuds barley carrots & macaroni!
Check parade at 7 P.M.
1941 WOLFSBERG.  SEPTEMBER
618
18 THURSDAY
A good sleep up at 7 AM in time for check
parade. Bread issue at 8-30 and 7 to a packet of
honey. America definitley in the war! what again?
Also that British troops in Norway rumor is true. We
think Jerries' days are numbered. Lunch: A bean
& spud soup, I put a tin of green peas in it. Very
nice. Nothing much to do all day long. Tea:
5 men to 1 tin of German paste.
619
19 FRIDAY
Usual good sleep awake at 6 up at 7 AM.
went to kitchen for tea. A very dull morning
all the hills are covered in mist. Lunch: A watery
soup. Don't feel the best and not eating much.
Missed out on my bread ration today! No
new rumors today! Tea: more soup. We
make tea t 8-45 AM & 5 P.M. and have it
issued at 12. A working party made up on
evening check parade Van is in it. Go in morning -

SEPTEMBER 1941
620
20 SATURDAY
Awoke at 5-30 up at 6-45. Will not be able
to make tea at 8-45 today because we did not
get up on time! Whats the use of getting up so
early, anyhow? Van went at 5-30 A.M. Oh! it's
a great life! Check parade at 7-30 Bread issue
at 9.30. I made sure of it today. Lunch:
another watery soup at 11 A.M. Tea: Stewed
apricots at 2 P.M.! Very nice with plenty
of sugar. Concert tonight! Got a book from
the library. '20 Years after' Alex. Dumas.
Concert started 7 P.M. Very good show. No
news today. A lot of names called out, have
to see doctor this afternoon. Not me!
All hospitals are being emptied for German
casualties! Parcel on Monday. Tins will
be opened this time and probably a tin at a time
The news is scarce but no news is good
news. If Jerry was winning he would tell us!
1941 WOLFSBERG.  SEPTEMBER
3rd PARCEL.
621
21 SUNDAY
Another good nights sleep. Up at 8 A.M. Thats
bad! Bread issue as usual 1/5 loaf. and margarine,
18 to 1 KILO. so you don't get much. Lunch:
Spuds in their jacketts and 1 spoonful of gravy.
Not much to keep us going. Issue of 1 piece
of sausage at 3 P.M. Wrote a letter to Margaret
Have a splitting headache. Feel as if I am getting flu'
Had a sing song in this room at 7-30 P.M.
622
22 MONDAY
Did not sleep so good, still have this headache
up at 7 A.M. cleaning morning, all beds to be
turned. A very dusty job. Bread issue & margarine
1/5 loaf & 17 men to a Kilo! Parcel day! Will they
be opened? Lunch: A very watery soup.
Yes the parcels are opened. But we can get the
tins every day as many as we want its
only so that the Germans can see they are
doing something. Tea: more soup.

SEPTEMBER 1941
623
23 TUESDAY
Still have a headache, and don't feel champion
Rumors last night that Germany has asked
Russia for an armistice to bury his dead! Must
have some dead if that is true. A German guard
has said Germany finished in one month! Lunch:
usual soup! Tea: an issue of pink cheese!
I drew 4 tins out of my parcel. Milk, Jam
minced beef & sardines. All unopened! O.K.
24 WEDNESDAY
624
Did not sleep so good not feeling myself.
nor am I eating much. Bread issue, 5 men
to one loaf, were rumors of 6! One chap has
yellow jaundice, I think, his eyes are yellow!
Lunch: 3 boiled spuds! I added a tin of minced
beef. Very nice but I could not eat it
all. Feeling very hot (temperature) the other
chap has jaundice. I did not go down for tea.
finished off the lunch.
1941 WOLFSBERG  SEPTEMBER
625
25 THURSDAY
A bad sleep last night the chap behind me was coughing
all night. Up at 7 AM check parade 7-30.
Bread issue & honey at lunch time. Lunch:
Haricot bean soup. Tea (drink) at 12. All
the Red Cross orderlies and D.Us. are going home
Leave in the morning!!! About 40. FLASH!:-
Italy has turned it in? Jerries deserting Russian
front! Rumor!
626
26 FRIDAY
A fair sleep still have headache. Awoke at
5 A.M. Looking for chaps to go on working parties
and one more to go home. Up at 6. Went down
and has some Jerry tea. Usual morning
routine. Lunch: Spuds and 1 piece of fish
I did not eat any! No more evening
meals! Jerries orders! S.S.M. Cooper is going to
make trouble. If no tea no work.
Went to lecture at night by Navy man!

SEPTEMBER 1941
627
27 SATURDAY
It was a very good lecture too! All about his
travels - a chief petty officer! Had a fair sleep
up at 6. Every body went down for tea this
morning just to annoy Jerry! The mornings
are usually very foggy now. Today it lasted
until 11-30. It gets dark at 7-15 PM now
Lunch: A very watery soup, - grated spud
and cabbage - lousy! All Air Force P.O.Ws.
are being called in as well as all seamen!
Spud McGrath came in yesterday! Every body
here thinks the end is not far away!
The navy are to go to Headquarters in train on
Monday. It looks like an exchange but is
does not seem possible.
1941 WOLFSBERG  SEPTEMBER
4th PARCEL.
628
28 SUNDAY
Had a better nights sleep up at 7 A.M.
Bread issue and margarine at 9 A.M.
Am reading a good book The Bondman by
Hall Caine. Am now on 2nd Volume!
Lunch: A mixture of sausage and maize and
spud soup! Several football matches were
played today on the new pitch. Its only ½ size
but alright for 6 a side soccer.
629
29 MONDAY
Usual sleep, up at 7 A.M. Usual routine.
I helped get the bread. Reading all morning
'The Red Lacquer Case'. Lunch: chopped up
pickled cabbage and water - bloody awful - !
Parcels issued at 12. Mine was alright!
Am down for a working party to leave in two
days time. I put up 2 stripes and got off of
it. In bed early.