Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 15
[*1P*]
September
28
Another parcel from Australia this time from
David Jones in Sydney, sent by Ray Jacobs. Jolly
decent of her to think of it, too. It contained a
"Tripoli" set, a pack of cards, and three books -
"Theatre" by Somerset Maugham, "A Warning to Wantons"
Margaret Mitchell, and "Leaves from a Surgeon's Case-Book"
by James Harpole, nom-de-plume of a London
surgeon. Neither her address nor the date of sending
was on the parcel, so I'll have to relay my thanks
through Ines.
Amused myself by carving a pawn to replace
one lost in the barrack set.
S.M. Woodfine shifted from Barrack V to VI
as Barrack Chef.
September
29
Orders for N.Z. officers, men, and us
to move, none of 2/7 to stay.
Orders cancelled at 1730 hrs, handed
over Sec. ship to Johnny Fulton who
is staying with Knight, Sapsford,
Cullen, Spencer and 5th A.G.H.
1942
Nothing new. Good radio news.
[*IP*]
September
30
Orders to move at 1500, finally left
at 1700 in trucks. Drove to Piraeus
boarded SS. "Arkadia", there found
26 G.H, Les Le G. and other members of
unit from Crete including Peter McCrostie
with a lovely beard. 107 of us in a
hold of floorspace of approx. 110 sq. yds.
Pulled into stream at about 1900 hrs.
Slept packed together on life belts.
Chappie & Oswell under Lofty in charge
of rations for hold - promised to be a
bit thin for 3-days trip. Mod. Latrine
over stern
1942
3rd anniversary of Eric Cooper's wedding. We teamed for
first time against the S.M. & Jimmy Ellis. Did fairly well.
Parcel of two books from Red X and Order of St. John of G
through B.H. Blackwell, Ltd.
October
1
Left port at 0700 hrs. Mass in
other (forward) hold. Immed. after
leaving all ordered into holds
(during Mass) while Ite destroyer &
German plane dropped depth-charges
& bombs aft to starboard. Thrilling
moment as explosions clanged
metalically against hold. Beautiful
weather. Sailed to-day between
Island of Euboea & mainland then
anchored for night.
V. pleasant sing-song, all-in, with
German guard taking part, Selwyn &
Archie T. Ended at 2130.
1942
Heard early that party of officers, probably with
Red + representatives, were coming this morning.
Prepared to receive them but nothing happened.
Eric replaced silicate filling right upper 3
Diagram - see original document
October
2
Last night's concert brought results
in extra rations. Still travelling up
channel. Through swing-bridge at
Town of Chalcis further on past
Kamina Voula, then turned east and
waited inside boom at opening of
inlet to Voula while Italian destroyer
& hospital-ship came up. Through
boom in line ahead, then left hospital-ship
and went on.
Another beautiful day.
1942
Nothing new.
October
3
Arrived at Salonika. Marched 2 miles
to camp Frank Gallash transported sick
and later went into hospital. Developing
jaundice.
Oct 3-10 Stories of past treatment
and exploits of prisoners in
camp from some of the unit who are
still here - Sinclair, Sykes
Rations extremely thin - cigs. v.v.
short. Bed-bugs in their millions; Athens
not in the same street.
Paid on 9th - new rates - excess over old
rates reclaimed ½ hr later
10 - Paid in all but 300 ∧ to be
returned in Lagergeld at next camp.
1942 - Nothing of interest.
[*1*] [*4*]
October
4
Mass & Communion - a gift of 2 tins of tobacco
from my favourite surf-beach. One was a tin
of "Three Nuns" and very nice too - got a promise
of a loan of Windisch's "New Photo School", which
is all to the good.
Examined Jimmy Ellis's opposite number, found
him a bit flabby and out of condition, but otherwise
not bad - bit emphysematous also
[*Dated 22 July , but PostMark -16 July*]
This morning I received a letter from Lorna Parker
Jack still going strong in the oil-business, Tom McM.
back home two weeks, Don McDonald (Lucy's hub.) on
way to Darwin, Mr. Parker dead 3 months of Tb,
allegedly caught from Don. John David tall and
Dux of III Form, very proud of me, and knows
all the German on my card (? of 8 March). Her
sister Joy married now 14 months. Loma & John still
in love.
Wrote letter and card to Glad, letter to Mum and
card of sympathy to Mrs. Parker on their bereavement
(c/o Jack).
October
5
Mum's birthday.
Nothing much to report except bridge in
the afternoon and the return from censoring
of my two books on photography
"Portraiture & the Camera" - Marcel Natkin D.Sc.
and
"How to Make Good Pictures" - Kodak.
[*2P*]
October
6
Trip to Brisdorf, 128, to have my "sore
ear" seen to, chat with "Blue" Pearce and
George Shier - Must consider their possible
transfer here
Came back on train with about five
French lasses in it, cheery souls, who, given
the opportunity probably work night & day.
A Norwegian Todt man gave a short
description of R.A.F. raids in Norway, seem
to be fairly good.
Found two damaged parcels from W.A.
on my return - one from Godfathers (Boans)
March 2nd., with the board only of a
"Race round Australia" game, the other with
4 x 20 Presidents, two novels "The Bloody Tower"
and "Love has Wings", and 2 packs cards (Boans)
3 March, ? Godfathers, ? Glad.
October
7-9
Nothing of importance - ↑ Visit by young
Gerry Stabsarzt - Lightworkers for checking on 12th.
[*4*]
October
10
Four letters to-day, two from Ines (24th. Feb
and 29th. April) - Firist tells of parcels sent, of
Mum winning local croquet singles, and Dad's Team
the Bsn Shield again. The main point in the
second is the receipt of a letter from Nico in Bombay
a fortnight before. First I've had from Ines for
months - hope it's the start of a stream.
The others were from "Godfathers" ^22 Jan. announcing sending
of parcel and from Geneva acknowledging my
note re probable change of address to Lamsdorf.
Mine sent July 14, theirs on Aug 3th.
Had puzzling case in Revier up to-day, ?Ty
?Typhus, then just before, ambulance came, to transport
another lad who fell 30' 3/12 ago threw a series of
fits and I had to post relays of watchers on him
throughout night.
[*3*]
October
11 8
My "fitter" of last night off to 119 this a.m. in
attempt at admission - Can't look after case who
may be anything but epilepsy - O.K. this morning
Came back, however, and Kommandant blew in
full of advice re sending unimportant cases to
Lazaret - bloody nerve!
Letter and card to Glad, card to Ines.
October
12
Most of last evening I spent in preparing case-sheet
for light-workers' trip to be inspected by Stabsarzt,
nothing came of it to-day.
October 13
Very quiet, a lot of sleep and some bridge.
Oct. 14.
Gave Allan his second lot of oil this week,
not bad stuff, actually, but not much about.
Gerry officer visited camp, told boys that only 8
articles of mail per man would be delivered, and
only of those written would go out, each per
month.
[*3*]
October
15
Three letters - two from Mum, of Jan 31 and March 31
and one from Geneva, of 16 Sept, telling me they were
inquiring in India for Domenic's particulars. Mum's were
a blessing to get, first since 27 Jan - cheery
enough, with general news, except for one bit saying
that Zio Virginio died in '40. Dad and Mum
both well, and Glad, the kids, & Ines grand.
[*2*]
October
16
Two to-day - letter from "Students' Help" telling
of sending of Wheeler's "Operative Surgery", and a
card from Swiss Catholic Mission, Fribourg, from
Ada (Barsotti Manfredini) "Risposto a tua ultima
Domenico prizioniers India. Zia Maria Agostina
Bendettina Fano. Giacomo University of Houston
Texas, Bene te & tuoi. Scrivi Selivaomo (?)"
? Meningitis in Revier. Did L.P. with German
needle. Paid to-day - R.M. 144 down.
October 17.
C.S.F. caused repercussions. Gerry sanitater
later feldwebel in at 9 a.m. arranging transfer to 119.
Boss called to office, told me to get up earlier - we'll see.
He later kicked a lad in "Strafe". To-morrow's football
trip to 404 cancelled. Paid to-day
October
10
Searched, gave up knife and got
receipt as personal property. Issued
rations for 6 days - 2½ loaves and
4 tins fleisch. Marched to station
and entrained - officers in 3rd class
carriage, O.Rs, in cattle-trucks with
4 small barb-wired windows.
Moved out at 1800 hrs.
C.O. Frank Gallash Peter McIntosh
[[?]] [[?]]
[[?]]
[[?]]
C.O. Frank &
October
11
Travelling N. through Jugoslavia
v. slow. Train well-guarded and well
down preferential list. Crossed
Greek-Jugo border at Erdomene
at about 0900 hrs., immediately
afterwards great sensation when
ex-escapees in truck next to us were
shoved out hole found partly cut
through truck, and search revealing
files & saws, sometimes roughly
handled but most dignified of whole
crowd. The officious Bulgars most
repulsive of lot Bulgars policing
railway. Beautiful country, rather
wild - damned cold at night, hot
during day. Draping ourselves
anyhow over and under seats at
night. Filthy latrine.
October
12
Stopped early, allowed out 5 minutes
to buy eggs & sweets from Slavs. Pleasant
agricultural country - peasants in type of
national dress. Handout of tomatoes &
grapes from Greek Red +. Beautiful little
houses on hill-sides with window-ledges.
People of good-type - cattle & agriculture.
Now in Serbia - bought chickens and
↓ sausages, what ho! Some cigarettes.
Passing many trains, or vice versa both
directions. Italian troops on some, Bulgars
still policing country here. Country here
? ceded to Bulgaria.
2200-2400 passed through Nish-Nish
→Bertam done for 30Δ
[*3*]
October
18 (42)
Padre Hurst in this morning, told us that our
boss's yarn that match was cancelled by 404 was
wrong - he did it himself - Watched Argyles play
RHA after lunch - 3-3. Wrote letter to Glad, cards
to Zia Rosina and Ron W. (asked for "Three Nuns")
October
13
Bitterly cold, and light snow. Subs
don't seem to mind. Still going
up valley of Vardan, through gorges.
More cultivation - 1600 hrs. train stopped
just outside Belgrade - v. cold, had
walk of ¼ hr.- conducted tour of
railway-yards of S.E. Europe. Went
↓ to siding where Serb Red + apologised
for inability to supply hot meal through
lack of notice. Went through outskirts of
city, apparently beautiful place, damage
not evident here, could not see centre.
Went through & stopped just to west
at Topčider, after crossing wide
River Sava, tributary of Danube.
Moved at 1900 hrs into Croatian
evidence ++ of German occupation
→One man removed from train to hospital
suffering from ac. appendicitis
October
14
Playing bridge, pontoon and reading
most of time. Stayed at Osjek from
1000 till 1400 hrs. and chatted to one
man in Italian. At 1500 hrs passed
into Hungary - beautiful country with
cultivation, soldier & railway officials in
comic-opera uniforms - inhabitants not
very friendly. Reached Tecs at 1800 hrs.
and remained 3 hrs, now walking
encylopedia of sidings & rolling-stock
of almost every country in Europe.
Bloody cold at night - one turned, all
turn.
October
19 - 42
Quiet day - a few letters came into camp
Eric received 7, but I was out of luck. Swapped
the rubber-soled shoes I bought in Athens for D.220
for a pair of old brogues - they're a bit tight, but
they may be of some use.
October
15
Awoke to find we had gone good
distance - still in Hungary. Walk
during evening. Told we would reach
Vienna to-morrow night.
[*4*]
October
20-42
Woke to find four letters for me, three from
Glad and one from Mum. That from Mum was
written on 19 June and was very cheerful - she had
just received 7 letters from me - told me Nico was
taken in Gondar on 27 Nov. 41, had had a letter
from him written in Bombay on 9 Feb - he'd heard
from Zia Celestina about me, so my letter to her from
Athens must have got through. The paesani are still
OK.. Glad's were written 10th & 30th July & 16th Aug.
She and the kids are grand, Mark is at Kindergarten
and loves it, Phil Thomas & Evelyn Pearson are married,
Glas has seen Bernard Gillett & Lindsay M. - Mrs. M. is home
with her baby - no maid, Glad has her first Royal
Routine, the Conllans have a daughter, the Phelans lost
their first child - Jack Costello in the bag - Julie in Adelaide
Reg shifted on - Bernard is giving Glad the £6 he owes
me, the blighter - it's £15!! Dr. Mine still doing well, &
Glad moves me still.
½ hr. Rugby practice to-night.
October
16
Woke at 0600hrs. to find ourselves in
Vienna siding. View of St. Stephens Cathedral
in distance - bowl of hot soup - quite good.
City clean, apartment-houses ++, neat homes
& attractive gardens. Spoke to squad of
French prisoners working on line. In bag
since last May - seemed fairly fit.
Travelled all day through Austria,
most beautiful & productive we have yet
seen. During morning through gorges
& over ranges, beautiful country, all
possible under cultivation. "Black Thursday"
at pontoon - Father Berry the destroying angel.
Reafforestation going on. 1400 hrs reached
Melk with a fine monastery. Country
has a fine church in every village
every few miles. Fine-looking but
apathetic people. Many women in fields.
Most crops ++. Travelled along Danube for
over an hour - several castles. Stopped at
dark at Minz.
October
17
Travelled all night and woke at
Regensburg. Now in Germany. Travelled through
hills & farmland to Nurenberg at
1300 hrs. with large Stadium in process of
construction. Stopped till 1900 hrs. with
rain throughout. Now three days without
walk. Latrineless men in trucks for 24 or
more hours - one guard suffered consequences
Rations only fair. Things generally bloody.
Oct. 21
Quiet day. Paid again - why, I don't know.
Oct 22
Nothing much doing - one nice A&S.H lad
on failing to get a pullover from store told Sgt. Stanway
to "Stuff his f--g pullovers up his f---g a--e!"
We're to collect a summary of evidence for possible
presentation to Gov. after war - probably entail stoppage
of all pay from date of crime! Alternative is to have
him punished by Gerries & warn rest of camp about
paying respect to N.C.Os.
Oct. 23
All quiet.
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