Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 2

January
12
On several nights have dreamed that I
have returned home, on each occasion Glad
would have nothing to do with me and I
failed to see kids — hell! Ice on inside of
windows and windowsills to-day, not new,
but for the first time we heard the temp.
27^o of frost.

A few people got letters to-day, but I
missed out - gosh, I'd like some more.
Rumours too, that one of N.Z. padres has
been told he is getting a parcel from home,
what that means I don't know, maybe it's
in camp. Bill & Steve left, went through
delouser to Reviere, preparatory to departure.
Latrinogram states that wives of one or
more postens have been evacuated from
camp quarters.
I think it's the anniversary of Mum &
Dad's wedding.

January
13
33^o of frost last night, and I woke with the
old lumbago playing tricks again, great
life, glorious weather!! Missed appel. Got up
at about midday feeling like an old man,
longing for letters from home. Sgt. Cronintal
came in having just left clink where he
had had a pretty poor time, though now
he has an accumulation of 4 Red + parcels
& cigarette-issues. Hughes-Stanton and
Stan Sykes read in "Camp" to-day that
wrongly-addressed parcels from home were
awaiting them, but had no luck in trying
to collect them. Did inspection of coffee-cooks
with Hutt and drew a blank. Fr. Berry &
Webb left the Reviere to-day.
Further rumours of Russian advances -
Vilna & Riga.
Afraid this incarceration does things with
one's thoughts - a Turkish sultan in reality
has nothing on them - just as well we're not
loose to give them play. Lt Col. Bull and
Maj. Fosbrooke are to go to a Lazarette near
Berlin on Friday 16^th. The hot brick is a
comfort in bed these nights.

January
14
Galling to be here, helpless & useless, while
Aussie is mobilising. Can't even be of any
use to our own kith and kin, Hell!

January
15
Quiet to-day. Jolly cold. Col. Bull &
Maj. Fosbrooke leave to-morrow. Saw Fr. Berry
this morning, he's saying Mass to-morrow.
Stories of masses of mail in office awaiting
sorting.

Played poker this eveni Played poker
this evening and was well slugged.
A crowd of men came in from Crete
to-day
Got permission to go to Lazarette in
a.m. with Padre Hiddleston.
Heard from new arrivals that N.Z. 4-5-6
Sd. Ambs. went to Tobruck with mobile
surgical unit and were all captured and
taken to Crete, now run by Itis. That almost
wipes out N.Z. medical service. - Join the
Dominions A.M.C. and see the world!!
Heard that Skipper Tomey & [[Garvill?]] got
away from Crete. One man of Bull's amb.
was captured on 1^st day of Crete blitz, retaken
by own men, retaken by enemy, got

←

[*away, escaped, went to Lybia, was taken
a third time and is now back in Crete
where he started from. Some of those who got
away from Crete went thru' Turkey where
they had such a good time that they
took 3 months to get back to Alex. .*]

January
16
Bull & Fosy left at 8 a.m., I served Mass for
Fr. Berry, then had a most pleasant walk to
Lazarette with Padre Hiddleston & posten, spent
morning there, talking to C. Eng. [[Torie?]], John Boire,
Rex King & Alf Slater. The pine woods in their
mantle of snow look beautiful, but give me the
sun any day. I can imagine the kids having
the time of their lives here with snowballs & .
snowmen - and to-day we hear that there is
a heat-wave in Australia!!
Inspection in 38B in p.m., a little bridge
later, and poker at night with a win of
30 marks.
Nell's birthday? 

January
17
Mass again this a.m. after a freezing night
and a freezing morning, subsequently arranged
for inspection of warrant officers of compound in
p.m. Visited the new arrivals from Crete and
found two lads, from 2/11, one from 2/1, and
another from 2/7 Bns. They had an absolutely
hellish trip from Salonika because of cold.
One man, so rumour has it, had both feet
amputated because of frost-bite. Can confirm
from medical authorities.
Dust-up in my compound after lunch where
several senior W.Os refused to be inspected. I
reported them to Stan Sykes S.M.O., and I hope
he forces the issue – He should.
During S/S Ogden's session I met an RAF
Flight Sgt. who was a pal of Dick's - funny to
meet pals of Nico and Tom in Barce, then one of
Dicks in a Stalag - strange world.

January
18
First Mass for Sunday for a long time. Served
for Fr. Berry 

January
19
Slept in, missed Mass. Waited impatiently
for afternoon for long-promised distribution
of mail sorted in last week. Missed out -
Max still out of luck. Must write soon - have
been waiting so long for more letters without
success that I've not written since John's
birthday. Pretty bad, but I've wanted so
badly to hear again from Glad.

January
20
The old lumbago has been rearing its
ugly head again, brought on again by
this bloody awful weather. It's not the
cold that matters but the eternal
dampness - water and ice on the floor &
walls, ice on the inside of the windows,
and everything that goes with it. A
pair of boots not worn for a couple of
weeks show a lovely growth of blue-
mould.
Did sick-parade his morning in
compound, and louse-inspection of
soup-cooks after lunch, and had a
long talk with Ben Humphreys about
the chances of getting a decent second-hand
car in England when we get
there.
More mail for barrack, no luck 

January
21
Heard Mass, served for Fr. Berry and met
Staff. Lawrence afterwards. He told me that
Fred wished to have a note from me in
reference to his services since capture
up to and subsequent to joining us, in
case we should be separated.
Went along to their hut after finishing
rounds in afternoon, and came back
to our own barrack to find that we
had received two issues of pay - 72 mks.
Am saving so that I may get a good
camera on repatriation.
More mail, but still no luck.
No Red + parcels this week yet, nor
any cigarette-,issue, must be some hang-up
in supply.
40^o of frost this morning, Brrrr!!!

January
22
Spent this morning again in 35-38
looking the lads over, checked over a lad's
ear after lunch and had a look at those of
"Fever" Hay, who complains of deafness - no
wax must find out if anyone at Reviere does
E.N.T. Looked in on Staff and Fred and
others and took them my notes on Contract,
then across to Reviere and had afternoon-tea
and a long chat with the M.Os. They told me
that latest from authorities is that soon, after
lifting of Typhus-ban, all officers except 8
M.Os and 2 dentists at Reviere and a
staff at Lazarette will move to an offlag.
Good news so far as prospects of our own
comfort are concerned, but it means parting
from the men. All of B. Co. except 2-3 are
here, and others numbering in all almost a
100, and I hate leaving them. We've been
together since first camp and have been
through a lot together - had hoped for it to
be permanent. Max got his first letter
& photo of the nipper to-day - very bucked.
None for me - blast! Another small win
at poker - back not so good.
Red + parcels to-day - Canadian.
[*Alan King has received letters & parcel from friends in New York*]
[*8*]  

January
23
The old back not so good so spent the morning
in bed but improved the shining hour by writing
two letters to Glad, one to family, cards to in-laws, Dick;
Ron Worthy, Aunty Lucy, and Giacomo. Up later in
day and went across late to Red + Store and
collected sweater, shirts, socks, scarf. Will try to
exchange sweater, a good one, for another with a
roll-neck. More letters to-night, but still none
for me.
Russ. Godby did my sick-parade & check-up on
coffee-cooks.
Mick Phelan had letter from his Dad telling of
a visit from his C.O. which lends colour to the
rumour that remnants of 6^th Div. went home on leave.
Wonder whether it is true. 

January
24
Up late again, in time to finish off to-day's
half of louse inspection. No roll-neck sweaters
in at present, may get one later. S/Sgt. Ogden's
session to-day was quite interesting. Heard
comments of Libyan campaign and reason for
predominatingly Italian losses - quite illuminating.
More & more letters coming in, still none for me. But
the worst of droughts must break sooner or later.
Heard that it may be possible to buy a
camera, interested in Leica or Contax, also in
Heinkel razor (Rolls type) and set of Spalteholz.
Would love to get photos of Glad and kids.
January
25 

January
26
Mass at 9 a.m. in theatre, and Gosh, was it cold
going across! Went back to "Rectory" after lunch and
played bridge for about an hour with Padres Griffiths
Hurst and Robinson, then dashed across with Robbie, calling
it at tailors to have alterations made to shirt. Was
messed about there by the German N.C.O. who insisted
I go into the office first to get permission, and proceeded
to leave me there unable to speak to the man in charge
and without a dolmecher. Had to get myself one in the
end and almost kept Robbie late for his 2-30 appointment
with guard to take him to Lazarette. He took me through
first gate to German office where I made enquiries re
camera, Spalteholz and Heinkel razor, and for my pains
was referred back to W.O. Sheriff (camp trustee), and German
who supplies canteen.
No letters to-night. Played pontoon and won a
couple of marks.
Received marks at rate of 1 to 60 drachmae for
money taken from us when we left Salonika and
on our arrival here — 3750 Δ in all.
[*(4)*]
[*4*]  

January
27
Damned cold this morning, nothing to do, so stayed in
bed, eventually getting up at about 3 p.m. Received four
letters then, one from Mum & Dad, from Ines, from Boxshalls
(Teddy has 5 kids now) and from Tom Meagher. That from
Mum and Dad gave me information re Zie Celestina and
Clementina should I have a chance to visit them, and
told me it was Pop Webster who gave Glad the wireless
news that I was P.O.W., having picked it up one 2 a.m. I
hear that he and Hislop are standing for Parliament.
Good luck to him. Mum and Glad and Ma-in-law are
sending me woollens for winter in case I should be
cold! Ines tells me that there is a new super at the
Sani with go-ahead ideas and surgical ambitions.
Della Torre is assistant. Ron Worthy has joined the
R.A.F., so hope my letter reaches him. Tom Meagher's
note contained some meat and a lot of bilge about
"your magnificent part in Nation's war effort" , "your dear
wife", "worthy to be a hero's wife", etc.. Decent of him to write
but he might have been a bit more down-to-earth. This
flag-flapping gives one a pain.
Ines sent me a photo of the kids on the back lawn
with Michael Mallock and young Davidson from next
door. Jolly good of David, laughing like hell, but is
light-fogged, unfortunately.
Big flap this morning, orders for Max, Hetherington, Ballantyne,
Longmore, Stewart, and Allen to go immediately to Russian
Stalag — countermanded soon afterwards. Appears that
←
[*Geneva rep. wanted to know why Russians had no M.Os, Germans replied
they had refused British ones — Balls!! apparently this was a hurried
effort at covering up, countermanded later on xxx grounds that no accommodation
available. Later order was that Ron Stewart & Lou Longmore are to
be ready to go out to working-parties. Major Weston, who had
a row with under Stabsarzt at the Lazarette joined us to-day. He's
even taller than "Nobby" Clarke, about 6'6".*]

January
28
Up betimes, Mass & Communion in "Irish" Hut, 29, next
door, then put in the rest of the day cooking — mashed
potato rissoles, roast spuds, roast meat-roll, prunes & raisin
tart with custard. Sounds good, would open the eyes
of our people at home, who probably imagine us on our
beam-ends. Many thanks again to Red +.
Note from Aussie Y.M.C.A. man in London re advice
for disposal of funds he has from Aussie Red + and others
for use of our own men. Our suggestion was that we,
(Aus. officers) think he might send us goods in proportion
to total our strength here, and that we hand them to
English camp-trustees for general use — only fair, since
up to present, English, Irish, Scottish, N.Z., Aus, Indian,
Cyp., Palestinians, Canadians, all British P.O.Ws., have
been participating equally in stuff sent from England.
Note reached us yesterday and was considered immediately.
Paid 36 mks today — pay-day. Should have a
bit in the old sock soon.
Trials of a cook - the oven was hardly hot enough to
cook the meat course, and the custard, in reheating,
was burnt, - never mind. I know how Glad feels
now when things go wrong.
Pontoon to-night did me wrong - 14 mks. down.
Typhus ban to be lifted on Monday, Feb 2^nd
January
29
Sleeping-in this morning when Stan Sykes came along
at about 10 a.m. and informed me that the Stabsarzt
had told him that four of us are to leave to-morrow a.m.
for a hospital near Berlin - all this quite casually as
though Stan already knew. The four are Weston,
Allan Ballantyne, Owen Hetherington and I. Don't
quite know how I feel about it — it will be the first
time since enlistment that I'll have been parted
from the lads of the Company, very sorry about it, but
it was inevitable anyway. Then again, the officers here
are a good gang and we get along well together - would
have been great to go to an Offlag together, and question
arises whether those in employment will be adversely
affected should the constantly-dying question of repatriation
be resurrected. At all events we should be more comfortable
and may be about to hear something from cousin
Dick's friends.
Spent a busy day at delouser, getting addresses,
seeing last of the boys & everyone. Said goodbye to
Fr. Berry. At 1600 hrs. went across to office with most of
gear & underwent a quite thorough search.
Played farewell game of pontoon and, mainly due to
one good bank, made up my 14 mks. To be
up early in a.m..
Only slip was inability to get address of next-of-kin
of poor old Angus McLeod, would have written to them
and eventually sent them a photo of his grave at
[[Adele?]].
John Warren is to go to-morrow at same time as ourselves
to a dental job at Black hammer. 

January
30
Up at a little after six, across to office by 7.30, almost
forgetting my waterbottle and Red + parcel — one parcel & tin
of cigarettes to every man leaving hospital camp. Said
goodbye to Jock Webster, thoughtful blighter made me
up tin of needles, buttons, thread & wool yesterday. Will
try to get him up to me if possible.
Walked to station with our Dolmecher, has been in U.S.A.,
and Unterfeldwebel, while a group of lads towed our
gear to the station on a sled — goodbye to Stalag VIII B
Lamsdorf, a good Rexona town!
9.10 a.m. Hopped in the train, changed to another at [[Etheln?]], where
we parted from John Warren, and shortly afterwards
I noticed that I was minus my tin box with my
chocs, cigs, extra rations, cap, prayer-book, pyjamas,
dressing-gown, etc. — concluded it must have been left
at camp, but at Breslau I think, Dolmecher sent off
a note for it. Changed again at Breslau, and
found we were out of luck and would have to wait
until late evening for connection to Berlin - humping
our gear about is an annoying business.
Spent rest of afternoon & early evening in a very
comfortable hut with tables, chairs, stove, and had very
welcome bowl of soup at Red + buffet full of German
troops. Hut apparently centre for A.R P medical
people. Fuhrer spoke during evening. Finally got
train at about 9.20 and spent rest of night
trying to sleep in a 3rd class compartment without
much luck.
January
31
Woke up at about 6 a.m. and found that the night
had done my back no good at all, bloody uncomfortable
for the rest of the day. Arrived at one of Berlin's stations
soon afterwards and dumped most of our gear in cloak-room
and eventually, after u.ground trip reached city office of Stalag
where we picked up a guide who took us by another u.ground
to hospital well inside city. Chefarzt apparently not expecting
us but was very decent to us and went into huddle with
Stabsarzt and u.stabarzt xx. We met Capt. Stoker, taken
in Norway, were given food and taken to Stoker's rooms
after taking farewell of and thanking our escort who
had treated us well. Met Fosbrooke and heard that
Bull had gone on to another hospital.
Later we were given W.Os' room during few days that
our own is being prepared, and heard that Weston
Allan and I are to go to Station 1, medical, and Owen
to Station 2, surgical. Mixed bag here of about 60
French, British & Russian patients from various Stalags,
8 French M.Os and now, 6 British. Met a couple of
French & will meet others later. Very warm & comfortable
here, quite different to VIII B, had beautiful hot bath,
first since Hotel Windsor, Alex, last March, and am
able to do without most of my clothes. Saw silent
film in evening on '36 Olympic Games in Berlin,
most interesting, and afterwards spoke to French
priest, corporal, in French & Italian. Very nice little
chap - hope he'll teach me French again. Mass in
morning at 6 a.m.
Back has played up all day.