Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 16
October 18
Travelled most of night, woke nearing
Chemnitz- rations loss, fags nil, spirits
down. Germans get soup, we get cool ensatz
coffee. Crossed Elbe,? heading towards
Dresden. Passed through Riesa, then
Holidjust -v. cold, 8th day in train
rations no better.
_________________________________
Oct 24 '42
To local Sports platz for scratch Rugby-game,
but French booked ground unknown to us, so
we repaired to open ground alongside & had [[penites?]]
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 as promised
of more "Three Nuns" from Father Scarborough, not to mention,
his load today 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 Camo re my
parcel announced in Unclaimed Parcels List No. 18.
October
19
Another cold rainy day - things
anyhow - then. Lo! Cat. Bries - 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 Lansdorf 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 Satlan re seeing Stabsant Wiecks
about visits or checking of light workers, and abut forms
for official letters - noncommital reply. In the
afternoon the old bugger sent practically all the
light or non-workers off the Falkensee to be checked over
by the German Army 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 space to replace it either.
New for 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 drachma, 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!! Symphonycmilitary- and dance-
bands, last named fiving 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 out P.D.W. numbers
(Gefangenenummer). Mins is "StalagViiiB23899.
Went into another barrack on our return.
___________________________________
Oct 27th '42.
Saw the Old Man with Ellis, told him that
when he visited us the Stabsanzt's instructions were
that I should accompany the light workers when they
went to be examined. His reply was that, as
Stabsanzt Wiesks 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 "snizzling"
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
_________________________________
October 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
_______________________
October 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 Hunt s& Annon are.
The Old Man cancelled the football trip to 520
________________________
2 Nov. 1
Bill Hun 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 Falkense 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 insisted me to attend.
_____________________
6 Nov. 3rd
Good day for mail - One from Glad, one from Mum
two from Ines and to 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 Connaught recovered from a
serious illness and a snap of Glad & kids (36 min
contact) taken at picnic at King's Park by Women's
Guild for me of [[anist?]]. Quitegood 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. Stabsanzt yesterday told me he'd dig up
missing X Rays, is 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
Upp at an ungodly hour 5.45a.m. to go with
three of lads and Price (dolmucher) to Reserve Lazantloff
but Old Man stopped me for a while until it was
pointed out to him that it was on the Stabarzt'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 Stefain. Not
in army yet - has sent letters & parcels -wonder
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 & Gills, 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 chaps I'm
taking tomorrow, 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 poster 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 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. Packs from other camps were late
Hospitals had been warned 2/12 ago so someone let us down
badly. X.Rays , I had asked for had not arrived.
Went home and short game of Rugger in P.M.
We have retaken Mena Mabvuk, so things are moving.
Detailed news of desert and Pacific.
2 October
26
Nov 8th '42
Asked permission to speak with Staking M.O.
re storing of invalid posts, and supplies, until collection of xxx
notes for Repatries
Had out my name down to go with football-team to 520
but discovered that Fr Scarsborough 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 Stepin, and stayed up with Windisch-Bava.
____________________
Nov. 9th.
Slept v. late, visited during my rest by Kommandant,
who thought it quite a joke. Practically every working party
&119 O.Ps brough back news of continuation of bombing of
Italy and big Anglo-Armenian landing in Algiers, together
with further advances in desert- coming from so many
sources it may be true - if Old Man is lovenish to-morrow, it
probably is. Wrote to Seward re Report balls up or Official letter
From 8.50 to 9.20p.m. we had our first air-raid
alest 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 Stabanzt
came in, the Old Man kicked about a number of O
men off work (he's very quiet to-day) and the Amt
sided with me - another wine for our side. Sent a? Append
in to 119. Geny 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. Germis and Itis
are marching into unoccupied France.
_______________
Nov. 12th
News of attacks, or impending attacks on Corsica
and Sardinia. Two days ago in an argument with
A/M. Woodfire 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,
To dripping subsequently - A few odd flakes of
snow to-day - almost cold enough for it.
_______________
Nov. 13th (Frid).
Gerries claim to have damaged the "Queens Elizabeth", and
rumours are coming in about landings in Corfu and other
places. Gerries admit that things and the Ites are fighting on
the Egyptian-Syrian border.
First snow to-day but not much.
3 October
28
Nov 14, 42
Still quite cold but snow almost gone. There
seem to be smoking along in N. Africa (may be the
beginning of big things. Had game of Rugger in afternoon
and managed to score a trie. Still sadly out of
condition. Three letters from Muriel Bromley
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