Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 16
October
18
Travelled most of night, woke nearing
Chemnitz- rations low, fags nil, spirits
down, Germans get soup, we get coolersatz
coffee. Crossed Elbe, ? heading towards
Dresden. Passed through Riesa, then
Hohlfurt - V. cold, 8th day in train,
rations no better.
Oct. 24 '42
To local Sportsplatz for scratch Rugby-game,
but French had booked ground unknown to us, so
we repaired to open ground alongside & had [[?services]],
etc.. I was "done" in about 5 mins.. Eric told
that he is returning temporarily to 520 on Thursday
29th - bit of a bugger, will be lonely without him.
Collected Summary of Evidence, Eric witnessed it,
accused had nothing to say.
3/ Oct 25 '42
Mass, General Absolution and Communion, and a promise
of more "Three Nuns" from Father Scarborough, not to mention
his loan to-day of Windisch's "The New Photo School". In the
afternoon all the men assembled in the hall, and I told
them of last night's enquiry and explained to them the
penalties of transgression. Wrote letter to-night to Glad,
card to Mum & Dad, and card to Editor of Camp re my
parcel announced in Unclaimed Parcels List No. 18.
October
19
Another cold rainy day - things
any how - then, Lo! at. Brieg - two
large bowls of hot soup each, with three
for those who could make it, + coffee.
things much better. Only 90 km to go!!
Whole afternoon at Oppeln and
reached Lamsdorf at 2000 hrs., but all
turned in for night - the 10th of the
trip and still living, with only six
or so chances of a walk throughout
Oct 26th '42
Approached the Old Man re seeing Stabsarzt Wiecks
about visits & checking of light workers, and about forms
for official letters - noncommital reply. In the
afternoon the old bugger sent practically all the
light & non-workers off to Falkensee to be checked over
by the German Arzt without letting me know, but,
the results on the whole were in my favour, which
is the third time he has slipped. He returned to me
my letter of the 18th to Glad because I had said that
the reason for lack of her letters was at this end -
no spare to replace it either.
News of a big British push in the desert.
October
20
0700 detrained and marched about
2 miles to camp - our personnel as at
Kokinia, less Frank G. and Bassett, but
plus.
Searched on arrival and handed in
remaining drachmae, getting receipt on
understanding that we should get camp-
money. English & British troops seen were
well clothed & fed and in excellent discipline.
Taken to barracks - great reception, saw some
more of our men - Sgt Fred Parry, Green, Minn
FitzSimmons, Bossus, and others. Told
that each man received Red + parcel per
week!! Symphony - military- and dance-
bands, last named giving us a show in
afternoon - excellent, voted best we had heard.
Felt itchy, and found three lice in my
shirt
October
21
Spent most of morning at delousing-centre,
were then finger-printed, had our particulars
taken and were given our P.O.W. numbers
(Gefangennummer). Mine is "Stalag VIII B 23899.
Went into another barrack on our return.
Oct 27th 42.
Saw the Old Man with Ellis, told him that
when he visited us the Stabsarzt's instructions were
that I should accompany the light workers when they
went to be examined. His reply was that, as
Stabsarzt Wiecks was on leave for one month, he
was giving orders, and his orders were that they
should go without me. My point that, as the show
was virtually an accusation that I was "swizzling"
the sick-report, I should have been given the chance
of a defense - his reply was that, as he had sent
his translation of my sick-report, their was no need
for me to be present at all - and he's the fellow
who insists on courtesy being shown to him!
October
22 28 & 29, '42.
Nothing of interest.
Oct. 30
Eric told to-day that he would be leaving in the
morning at 0700 hrs for 520. It will be lonely without
him. He's a very decent chap & easy to get on with
Oct 31
Eric left at 0700 according to plan but I was awakened
only when the Old Man came in at 8.50. He was asking
whether it was necessary for the Sanitater to go to the Path
Institute each day as he claimed - I tried to let the
blighter down lightly by saying he had to take specimens
there about 3 times a week, but even that was an exaggeration
The Old Man sympathised with me on my bad back and gave
me a lot of good advice. When Corporal Taylor came back
from helping Eric with his bags it was to tell me he had
gone, not to 520, but to 404, where Bill Hurst & Annan are.
The Old Man cancelled the football trip to 520
2 Nov. 1
Bill Hurst came & reported that Eric is well installed
and already organising a Bridge four. I was in bed and
did not see him. The Old Man stopped our game of
Rugby for this afternoon on the pretext that the ground was
engaged all day.
Judged 8 contests (one of 3 judges) at the boxing last
night - quite good.
Wrote to Glad & Boxshalls.
October
23
Nov 2nd, '42
Only thing of interest was a visit to Falkensee Camp
with 11 of the lads to see the young German doctor, to
arrange permanent light work for one and consultation
for others, etc.. One lad, with a tumour on the left
cheek, he thought had a sebaceous cyst, but, as it
was covered by what appeared to be peau d'orange, I
did not agree, without making a diagnosis. He said
he'd remove it and invited me to attend.
6 Nov. 3rd
Good day for mail - One from Glad, one from Mum
two from Ines and two from in-laws, dated Dec 18
Nov 27th, Nov 23rd & June 22, Dec 3rd & some time after
Nell's leaving St John's. All well - Doris Beckwith's
father, Mr Johnston, died a week before Glad wrote,
God rest him, and Mr Connaughton recovered from a
serious illness and a snap of Glad & kids (36 mm
contact) taken at picnic at King's Park by Women's
Guild for men of unit. Quite good, but does not flatter
any of them. Other letters contain good, cheering,
general news, and very welcome. Nell apparently
much better. Practically all letters speak of
parcels sent. Stabsarzt yesterday told me he'd dig up
missing X. Rays, if Sanitater would give him list. Prepared
it and gave it to Sanitater this morning, but he messed it up
2
October
24
Nov. 4th '42
Up at an ungodly hour 5.45 a.m. to go with
three of lads and Price (dolmecher) to Reserve Lazarett 108
but Old Man stopped me for a while until it was
pointed out to him that it was on the Stabsarzt's
instructions - won his "bet" - it was a sebaceous
cyst. Both he and the physician there were most
courteous.
Got back to find two letters from John Stefani. Not
in army yet - has sent letters & parcels - wonders
if I've had them.
1P-1 Nov 5th '42
Guy Fawkes Day, not quite the sort we were used to as
kids, but not so bad at that, as I received a clothing-parcel
from Glad, dated last June - pyjamas, socks, one of my
old woollen sports-shirts, an open-front pull-over, a hank,
tooth-brush & Gibbs, soap, choc. & Wrigleys, and a natty
little gadget like a Chinese-puzzle I could make nothing
of until I looked at the packing-slip. Then I found out that
it was a scarf. Note from Seward, Head Confidence-Man for
Stalag, telling me to bring cases to 119 on 7th to submit
to Mixed Commission on Repatriation. Pretty short notice,
half the lads affected have been in hospital, with notes
taken there, and several have X.Rays taken at various places,
none on hand, and all needed to back up their claims.
October
25
Nov 6th '42
Sanitater had done practically S.F.A. about X.Rays
taken of chaps here, and which have not been sent us.
Worked all day and all night on histories of 9 chaps I'm
taking to-morrow, and spoke to the Kommandant who
yanked Sanitater back from Russian camp and told him
to get cracking. Asked hospitals concerned to send X.Rays
to 119 in morning.
Nov 7th '42
Off early with the lads for 119 and a young porter who
was scared stiff of doing anything wrong - The Old Man has
the wind up them and no mistake. Tried not to put us in
same train compartment as French or Russian Ps.O.W. and
nearly got us in late as result. Wanted me to march in road
with men, too - I did so on way back, as he was horribly
scared of getting into trouble. Commission consisted of two
Swiss and a German. Senior Swiss was a cultured old chap
spoke very good English - regretted that he could not
consider my cases as they should have had X.Rays etc, and
been O.Ked by a German M.O. first. He understood the
difficulty of doing anything in two days, but told us to
come back next time. They meet every 6/12. Readman
from 401 was there too and was in same boat. I was presenting
myself, too, for shift to Italy. Parties from other camps were late.
Hospital had been warned 2/12 ago, so someone let us down
badly. X.Rays I had asked for had not arrived.
Went home and had short game of Rugger in P.M.
We have retaken Mersa Matruh, so things are moving.
Detailed news of desert and Pacific.
2
October
26
Nov 8th '42
[*Asked permission
to speak with Stalag M.O.
re storing of invalid foods, med
supplies, and collection of xxx
notes for Repatries*]
Had put my name down to go with football-team to 520
but discovered that Fr. Scarborough was coming, so pulled
out. Football team was stopped at the last minute by phone call
from 520, genuine this time - bad weather.
Very good concert this evening, then wrote letter to Glad,
and card to John Stefani, and stayed up with Windisch - 3 a.m
Nov. 9th.
Slept v. late, visited during my rest by Kommandant,
who thought it quite a joke. Practically every working party
& 119 O.Ps brought back news of continuation of bombing of
Italy and big Anglo-American landing in Algiers, together
with further advances in desert - coming from so many
sources it may be true - if Old Man is liverish to-morrow, it
probably is. Wrote to Seward re Report balls up, an official letter.
From 8.50 to 9.20 p.m. we had our first air-raid
alert in a long time. Sky completely overcast and nothing
came of it. Rained steadily later.
Nov. 10th.
Wrote a short sketch to put on at a future
concert, more or less a dramatisation of a joke - not
v. clean of course - will write a few more. The Stabarzt
came in, the Old Man kicked about the number of
men off work (he's very quiet to-day) and the Arzt
sided with me - another win for our side. Sent a ?Append
in to 119. Gerry papers confirm yesterday's news.
October
27
Nov. 11th 42
Armistice Day - ironic! and Hell busting loose
everywhere. Nothing new. Reports of reinforcements
reaching the Anglo-Americans in Algiers, etc.. All
seem to have started from Gib.. Gerries and Ites
are marching into unoccupied France.
Nov. 12th
News of attacks, or impending attacks on Corsica
and Sardinia. Two days ago, in an argument with
S/M. Woodfine I backed my opinion against his,
that our next move would be into South of France &
north of Italy and not up through Balkans. Seems
that I may be right. My ?appendix of two
nights ago turned out to be a acute inflammn of
terminal 3" of ileum. He was closed up and left,
T° dropping subsequently - A few odd flakes of
snow to-day - almost cold enough for it.
Nov. 13th (Frid.)
Gerries claim to have damaged the "Queen Elizabeth", and
rumours are coming in about landings in Corfu and other
places. Gerries admit that they and the Ites are fighting on
the Egyptian-Lybian border.
First snow to-day but not much.
3
October
28
Nov 14, 42
Still quite cold but snow almost gone. Things
seem to be cracking along in N. Africa, may be the
beginning of big things. Had game of Rugger in afternoon
and managed to score a try. Still sadly out of
condition. Three letters from Muriel Bromly Davenport
re sick men in Stalag, but can't answer them until
I get official letter-forms - Paid R.M. 36 to-day
3 Nov. 15. - Sunday
Bill Hurst came to-day, but could not see him
as I was busy amputating a J.S. left index which
had been injured in the desert in '40 -L/Cpl Heaney
of A. & B.H.
401 played us football here this afternoon, but Readman
did not come over. Sent him my regards, etc.
Finished Nos. 2-6 of my skits for concerts.
Wrote letter to Glad and two cards for Mum & Dad
2 Nov. 16
Two letters - one from Mum & Dad one from Ines, dated
Aug 11 and 9. In Mum's they're all well. Mr Ryan of "Fairburn"
died of heart-attack, and Mrs Liddy has died, too. Glad
was taking the kids down for a change, John's had quite a few
colds. Ines's was full of news - worried about Ron, hadn't
heard from him for some time - Mim Beckett (Fitzgerald)
expecting her second baby. Good to get news , pleasant or
otherwise.
October
29
Nov. 17 '42
Young Stabsarzt came to-day checked over most of
men who were booked for him yesterday - didn't bother
about the ones for specialists at 128, 119 etc., said I
could do them myself - I'm all for it.
Things seem to be cracking along very nicely in
N. Africa, thank you.
Heaney, my finger ampn is running a bit of a
temp with pain and swelling of thenar eminence.
Wonder if he's getting a fascial space infection!!
Nov. 18
Stabsarzt Wiecks supposed to visit us to-day, didn't
turn up, not unusual. 4 week's supply of food-parcels
and fags came in, together with a lot of clothing.
Announced to-night that all ingoing & outgoing
mail would suffer no hold-up till Dec 9 at least
and that that already held up would be delivered.
Heaney much better. Stalag O'ked my sketches.
Nov 19
Nothing to report.
Nov. 20
Stabsarzt Wiecks came in p.m. Had a look round, and
listened v. sympathetically to all requests. [[Dmg?]] requirements
to go through. O.H. To see him at Stalag shortly - O'Ked invalid
food storage in M.I Room., British M.Os ? to meet monthly at Stalag.
October
30
Nov. 21 - '42
Nothing of interest
3 Nov. 22.
Slept reasonably late, spent a quiet day and
at night, wrote letter to Glad, and cards to the
kids and to Ron Worthy.
Nov. 23
Was paid R.M.36.
Slept late, Sgt Stanway returned from unit to
Stalag. Seward told him that report held for
notifying re Mixed Commission rested with Gerries who
were going into it, that I was to get no official
letter-forms (letters are to go through him), and
that invalid-foods are to be left in food-store.
2 Nov. 24
Letter from Ines and Ron- Ines's written 15 July, very
interesting, says she has new bellows in the old camera.
The sale of part of "Fairburn" went through, and improvements
on the new property are complete. Ron's was a general
sort of letter, written 10 Sept - long time coming - very
cheerful and interesting. Just finished reading
"A Warning to Wantons" by Mary Mitchell, and its the
most amazingly written & humbling book I can remember.
October
31
Nov. 25-27, '42
Uneventful. On 27th Price asked permission
of Kommandant for me to join 'Strafe' lads in
their daily gallops to get exercise - refused as I
expected
Nov. 28
Wakened this morning & was getting out of bed when
Sgt. Stanway came in with a Pte Malone, a permanent
light worker. It appears that Malone drew food from another
chap's Red + parcel, allegedly by mistake, but as some
query was raised about his honesty, he was most annoyed
& desired an enquiry to clear himself. Spent a lot of
afternoon & evening with RSM Howland, getting statements
from fellows concerned
3 Nov. 29.
Finished enquiry this morning (Malone O.K.) and kept
Mass late about 20 minutes, result was that Bill Hurst,
who had come for the C of E service, had to stand in the
rain at the gate as the tubby Unterofficier would not allow
him near Father Scarborough without an interpreter by, and
as he was with me and Father, Bill had to get wet - Tubby
wouldn't even allow another guard to accompany him in.
Wrote letter & card to Glad & a card to Boxshalls
2 November
1
Nov. 30. '42
Stanway went to Stalag to-day. As Fr. Scarborough
comes in a fortnight and then in another fortnight, his visit
nearest to Christmas will be on the 27th, so I asked Stanway
to seek permission for us to go to the French camp at Falkensee
for Mass on Christmas Day. The Hauptmann's answer
was that it would be quite impossible.
Slept late as Hewitt was washing my trousers, then wore
shorts even though it was as cold as one might expect for
a night of 6o below. Today all the permanent light
workers were transferred to 404, so that McVeigh, who
has been helping in the Revier and M.I Room has gone
from us. As a result I wrote a note to Stabsarzt Wiecke
through the boss asking for the transfer from Laz 128
of Bluey Pearce and George Shier.
Letters from Mum and Mrs Boxshall to-day, dated
July 7th & 28th; Mum had just received 13 letters and
the Boxshalls some others and they "swap". Everyone
is well, Mum doing well at croquet, Nell improving
and the 'Yanks call "Swan" the "Black Duck" beer.
Dec. 1-3
Little happening. On 3rd we woke to find the
ground covered with snow, and some still persisted
until evening.
November
2
Dec 4 '42
Same old life, same old barbed-wire, same old
barracks.
4 Dec 5
Still remains of Thursday's snow on the ground.
Match (football) arranged for to-morrow at Genshagen
to-morrow has been cancelled, the reason given
this time being that the condition of the ground prevents
play - presumably too hard. Found that Skinner, one of
the lads here, ex-Grays & ex-K.D.4s, knew cousin
Tom of the Bays. Wrote letter & card to Glad, letter to
Ron, and card to John Stefani.
Dec 6
Sunday, snow gone, washed away by the rain.
Altogether a pleasant day. Had quite a long yarn with
one of the lads next door - Public School chap who had
played Rugger for three counties. Comes from Nottingham,
a university graduate and a teacher. Arranged with
him to give me some set lessons - his specialty. He
borrowed for me a copy of "The Australian Soldier's Pocket
Book" which I'd never before seen and which contains
a lot of very interesting information about Australia.
Dec 7th
Quiet day. Stabsarzt was to come, but changed date to
Wednesday. Galvanised myself into action and walked ten
wide loops of the square, about two miles.
1P November
3
Dec 8, 42 Tues
Parcel of one book from home, "High Courage " by
Jackson Gregory - no sender's name or date, but a
no. put on it by Boan's was 927. Probably Glad.
Flying visit by Swiss Red Cross, a permanent member
of Legation in Berlin, and another who had flown from Greece
to look into distribution of food and medical supplies.
Many of personal parcels are coming badly knocked
about & rifled - they're checking up on it, on the arrival
of mail, and say they are making arrangements for
radiograms to & from Australia. I asked whether Red +
would get me a uniform if I sent the measurements &
I was told they would - Last 2-3/52 full of rumours
that the camp to move shortly. Corp. Taylor told to
have dental kit ready on 10th for stocking & return to Stalag.
Looks as if Eric is not coming back
Dec 9.
Stabsarzt came in afternoon and checked over a
number of the cases I had to show him - impressed on
him the great lack of supplies here. Sgt. Andrews measured
me for uniform. Kommadant denies truth of news
of a move.
November
4
Dec 10 42
Fairly early, on looking towards station, saw Eric Cooper
and a few British gefangeners coming towards Camp. Met
him at gate and he corrected my impression that he was
returning by saying he had come to take the dental gear to 404.
Told me he was going from there to 520 at about X.Mass, &
also that we were shifting to Teltow, close to 520, to-morrow.
This was confirmed by Gerry Sanitator when he joined us a
few minutes later- said he'd heard Old Man get news
on phone. Eric left then, and I warned Hewitt to get started
on packing. Order to shift at 0730 tomorrow came from
office at midday or thereabouts, and of course the fun
started then. I had received two clothing parcels from home
& had collected about 20 unopened food tins, plus crockery
and, had it not been for Hewitt's skill in packing and
the fact that he had made me an extra case, I'd have had
to dump a lot of things. Stanway's job promised to be rather
fruity handling the food, etc., and Jack Livingstone was
far from happy, so was I, when we were told that all
Gerry medicaments & instruments, as railway property, had to
be left behind. Usual rush & bustle, but everyone settled
down to sleep by about 10 o'clock.
Information was that, as another Company was running
our new camp, it would be severing association with
Kommandant's guard — tearing of hair etc.! The
one big help was that we should be going to another
Reichsbahn Lager, as with them the coal issue is on a
much more generous scale than in others.
Said good bye to Bangart, the German storeman, quite a
decent fellow - All Lazarett - and Revier - papers referring
to patients had to be sent to Stabsarzt Wiecks.
November
5
Dec 11 '42
Reveille at 5.30, everyone out & barracks vacated by 7.30.
One truck was available for transport of Red + and sports
& games gear to the siding just outside our north fence
it taking four or five trips to complete the shift - my stuff
went with it. A special train was there to take us,
two third-class carriages and 9-10 waggons, and I had
the honour of sharing a half-carriage with 24 of the guard
& O-Leutnant Daniels during the 1 hour-trip. Reached
Teltow in the early afternoon and took 10 minutes to
march to the camp which covers an area rather
smaller than that of Staaken - Accommodated in 4
barracks, rather like our old ones, wired off at one end of
the compound, rest of the area being taken up by
Kitchen - Rec. Room, administrative blocks, outhouse
and vegetable gardens - arranged, unlike Staaken,
on no set plan. I was put in A Barrack, in a room
just like my old one sharing temporarily with Sgt Macks
(Barrack Chief) and S.M. Howland. The Revier is in this
block, very nicely arranged, though the M.I. Room is in one
of the small end - bunks - there's gear there that we hadn't at
Staaken - standard-lamp, examination couch, glass & metal
instrument case & dressing trolley etc.. The room is too small
but we may be able to change it, in my case, cupboard
& shelf space should make a big difference. Went to
bed reasonably early, and very tired.
November
6
Dec 12th 42
Practically frozen during night and woke to find hard frost
outside. "Got cracking" early on getting extra cupboards, tables,
chairs, etc., for Revier & our own room, and trying to
arrange for different stores in them. These have no space
on top for for meals or cooking - boiling water essential in
M.I. Room, and I'll not cook with the men, so that some
arrangements must be made. — Latrines, wash-houses &
showers are inside, but latrines are nearly all blocked,
showers not very efficient & hot water available only once
weekly. Subs were here before us, and though the place
is generally new and in good condition, floors are dirty.
Lager-fuhrer promises to get carpenters, plumbers, etc, on
the job on Monday 14th. Men are not supposed to cook in
rooms, but to do it in boiler room on special stove which
appears to be J.S.. ____ Lager has a few pigs, chickens,
and sheep, and one of the lads has been appointed their
valet.
Gerry Sanitater attended sick-parade at 1700 hrs,
seems a decent lad, and I pointed out to him that we
had no instruments at all, and very little gear. He
asked for a list of requirements and the names of men
the return of whose papers from Stabarzt Wiecks I needed
urgently.
To bed a little after 2200 hrs. still tired. I'll have
to face a cold-shower soon if hot water is not available
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