Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 20

ERWIN POPPER  

12167

Inside cover

Back cover 

Photograph- see original document 

[[?]] Aug 1943

Seagat, Lt Croselle (F). Capt.Readman, Maj.

S/F)  (R)  (Serb)

Major Palandri, Capt Stephan [[?]]Wright

F, Capt Achmed

Geprűft

24

Stalag IVA

PRO 6003 

Front cover 

Dfflzlers-Lager IVD

39

F.U.

geprüft
Dfflzlers-Lager IVD

39 

F.U.

geprüft

1943

Jan.1^st - And so starts 1943, a little snow on the ground and quite cold. Day 
was uneventful except for a couple of games of football, and the issuing to

[*II*] the camp of Christmas cards to be sent home in time for Christmas 1942.
About half the camp was lucky enough to receive new battle-dress trousers. I was one, got a 
pair of size 14s, big enough in the waist and tail (designed for 6'1") but a trifle long in the shank. 
Cpl. Heaney shortened them for me. They're the first pair I've had since getting the originals at VIIIB 

in Oct-Nov of '41.

Jan 2^nd  - Uneventful. Considerably more snow to-day, had a game of basketball in afternoon and 
enjoyed it. Probably hot as hades at home with bags of bathing & surfing, and light till after 
[*1*] 9 p.m. instead of till 4 p.m., as here. Printed letter-form to send home with comprehensive 
list of what our people may not send caused a 'lot of merriment' in camp, especially the last item of the
issue potatoes!! The compiler must have a sense of humour himself. A German paper of the end of 
the year published a plan of the world with red dots indicating the location of each Allied ship sunk. There
will be no need for shipping in some spaces, as a road could be built over the piled-up hulks, especially 
from northern South America to Louisiana, and across the Atlantic. The eastern coast of the Med. has been

pushed westwards many miles in the same way, too.

Jan 3^rd - John is six years old to-day, that's his third successive birthday I've missed - what a 
change he will show to my eyes when I shall see him again! Strong wind blew throughout 
the night with thin driving snow and there was quite a layer of it this morning. We 
woke to discover that the camp was without water, as the power had failed to the pump which supplies us. 
I did not expect to be lacking water in a German winter. The boys made shift to supply their needs by 
melting snow. Deficiency was put right at about mid.day. Chef's [[skoot?]] still causing considerable fluttering
locally. First day of top.-boots & long woollies.

Jan 4^th - Quiet again. It appears that Reichswehr has cut down allowance to Stalag for running 
its camps, which means a general cutting.down of camp-staff. R.S.M. Howland visited 
Kommandant & mentioned his application for transfer to W.O's camp, and when the 
Oberleutnant phoned Stalag about it, the latter were much surprised to learn that there were any W.O's 
here at all - they are gone from all other camps. Appears likely that R.S.M. Howland & S.Ms Woodfine
& Makin will leave us soon. I'll be sorry to lose the former, he's a very sound chap. Spent 
most of morning helping shovel snow from basketball court, & had a good game in afternoon.

Jan 5^th - Hoping to go to Stalag on Wednesday  I arranged the dental visit to 404 for to-day and 
we set off for the station at 0715 hrs., jolly cold (only zero) and still snowing, and 
eventually marched from Dabendorf station to the camp in a brisk path. Everyone there 
quite well and happy except Eric C. who had something special in head-colds. Told me that for previous
fortnight he hadn't held a court-card at Bridge, so had made a New Year resolution to play no more, and
was engaged in making his fortune at Solo by making successful bids of Mazaire. Annan suggests I should ask

for official status as Senior Camp M.O. to handle medical supplies through Red +, and also such medical
correspondence as concerns us. Good scheme, should it be approved. Applied for permission to visit Stalag in a.m.
on my return, and learned that Stabsarzt Wiecke had already given instructions for me to visit him on Friday. 

Jan. 6^th  - Slept in, played basketball, and ran sick-parade, during which German Sanitater 
Unteroffizier arranged a parade of about 20 men for ticking-off, at Stalag's instructions 
It appears that the list had been compiled of fellows who had come on sick-parade and
had got "work" repeatedly, and the suspicion is that they were trying to "swing the lead". In the first place I 
had an objection to having a Corporal sent down to do things like that over me, and not a Medical Officer, 
and, in the second place, on checking through the list there were, at the most, only one or two cases who
could be suspected of not being genuine, and they were doubtful suspects at that. I had the "ticking-off"
wiped out, but I rather think that the matter is one of the things that the Stabsarzt wishes to discuss 
on Friday. I should like to talk it over, at all events. We have mislaid our old sick-reports from Staaken
but if they can be found they would be very valuable references.

Jan 7^th - Nothing of any note happened this day, except the arrival of the seventh
anniversary of Glad's and my wedding. Seven years, and over two of them
spent apart!

Jan 8^th - Price came with me to-day on a visit to Stalag, where I had been summoned to see
Stabsarzt Wieck. He was not there, and it came out that the reason for my presence
was to see Eric Cooper receive a parcel of over 3000 artificial teeth from the BRC
enough, as he said, to put all the men in III D on their feet dentally. He, Seward, and I signed the receipt. 
I could not see the Stabsarzt but his assistant gave me authority to get some extra gear on Monday at
the Sanitaatspark, and my application for permission to buy art materials seems doomed to failure - I'll
know on Monday - I got confirmation that we may keep only R.M. 30 in our personal possession, the rest
must be put to our individual audits, mine already standing at something over R.M.200. Saw [[Laushon?]]
at Stalag, he's been shifted to Menkőllen, and Robert has been sent out to Lichtenfeld, each being replaced
at 118 by the French M.O. originally at the Kommando.

Jan 9^th - Had a walk out with the Sanitater unteroffizier to-day and passed
520. He had to go in on business and I was able to see the others for a 
[*2P*] few seconds. They're quite comfortably settled in there, and the camp appears 
to be almost an exact counterpart of ours, though the barrack-rooms are half the size. 
Rumours flying about lately that Tripoli has fallen, and that the Russians are doing well.

Hope it's true. The Sanitater and our room won our first round in the inter-room basket-ball
4.0. - Received 2 book parcels from the Students' Aid people at Geneva - Wheeler's "Operative
Surgery", a French-English pocket-dictionary, and a German-English dictionary. That made 
two of the latter, so I handed my other one on too a N.C.O.

Jan.10^th (Sunday) - Lay in bed & read most of the morning and in afternoon served Mass for 
Fr. Scarborough- Confession & Communion. A tin of "Three Nuns" from him again -
[*7*] that makes about the sixth, jolly good of him. He's a cheerful optimistic lad. 

Borrowed from him a book of Ronald Knox's "Caliban in Grub St" and another "The Catholic Centre" by
F.I. Watkin. Received a copy of the B.M.J. from Stalag through Jimmy Ellis the other day, also - the
second. Wrote two letters to Glad to-night, and one to Mum & Dad, and cards to Ines, the in-laws, John S.,
and Ron. Played the British Army pattern of solo whist for the 2nd time to-night with S.M. Howland
Sgt. James, & Jock Livingstone - won pf.40.  Rumours of a boxing-match with 520 in about one month's
time. - 10^° below zero this morning, and 6^° below at 1700 hrs.. We're coming on. They'll be
busy surfing at home.

Jan. 11^th - Up early again to-day, to Stalag with Sgt. James, Jock L., and Sanitater. Paid in RM.400
making my credits up to R.M. 652 (652), while the Sgt. paid in R.M. 420, and arranged
to accept only such pays as I shall need, the rest to be credited. From Stalag we went along to the
Sanitaatspark, but were able to collect only a little of our stuff, as the rest had been sent on to a German Res.Laz
in Teltow. Home by train and bus, and on the latter we were lucky to remain, as the conductor said that
trains & trams were O.K. for Gefangeners, but buses were not. However he let us stay on. Got home very
nicely tired, and hungry. Played solo to-night and won a goodish swag of R.Ms, almost enough to pay
for the art-material which I was informed on our return was waiting for me at Stalag. It runs to
RM.19.17. - At Stalag to-day Sanitater collected all our old Lazarett and Revier papers.

Jan. 12^th - This getting up early is becoming serious - did it again, this time went with Price and a posten.
Collected and paid for materials - a medium-sized board, small sheets of paper suitable for
pencil or water-colour, a long roll for w.colour (heavy stuff), 5 thin note books, a packet of
paper-clips, a few drawing nibs, and a box of water-colours. They gave me two brushes as well but they were of a
type suitable for brushing-down a table, and hardly paint-brushes I asked for. I left them there and they
are to be changed. On to Stabsarzt Wiecke who said he would take steps towards arranging the handling
of medical supplies, parcels, & correspondence to be placed in the care of the M.Os. of Kommandos & Lazaretts - I
suggested Troy to be placed in charged, as senior Major. He agreed eventually, his objection being that Lazaretts
were not a part of Stalag, but only attached. He agreed, however, that for the purpose of medical supplies, we should
all be considered together. Won another good lot of R.Ms. to-night at Solo. - Anniversary of parents wedding

Jan 13^th - Slept in all morning, up in time to shave and play basketball at 1300 hrs, bathed, etc,
then refereed a game. Sick-parade and p.t. and passball in evening completed
[*1P*] the activities of the day. Heard from the dental party to 404 that 404 and 401
had amalgamated - if true, it means we shall very likely have no additions. Jimmy Ellis told me
in afternoon that a fag-parcel had arrived for me, my first. Had a crack at the P.T. and volley-ball
this evening, found the weak spots and no mistake. Met our Waterloo at inter-room basket-ball to-day -
Irish put us through to the tune of 3-0.

Jan. 14^th - Stiff as a poker to-day, can hardly move. Had a look at my cigarette parcel and found
it was quite a large one, seems to be about 400. Have struck no packing note as yet but
think it comes from A.R.C.S.. Very good, too. Had Chapman in to-day to give me my
first lesson in elementary art. I think it will be O.K.. To-night one of men gave me a pair of shoes - just
what I need for sport and for comfortable wear about camp - they fit very well. He wouldn't take anything
in return, either. Lost a few R.Ms at Solo this evening.

Jan. 15^th - Oberstabsarzt came in, had a look about and passed Andy Morrison as permanent
Leichte Arbist. Picked up a few R.Ms. at Solo again in afternoon, and had
another pipe-opener at P.T. and pass-ball. Should be reasonably fit again soon.

Jan. 16^th. - Quiet enough all day, found myself picked to play in a scratch Rugby game
to-morrow. Our first picture-show started at about 1845 hrs and was going
along quite nicely when our first air-raid alarm for a couple of weeks was announced
- at 1930 and we were all pushed back into barracks. Grand show with plenty of invisible planes and all the
fireworks, when, at about 2100 hrs, the world came to an end. The S.M., Sgt. Mackay and I finished up all
over the place with walls, ceiling, beds, and furniture mixed up with us. We picked ourselves up, I got through the
window and round to the wrecked M.I. Room and Revier. Two badly hit, Heron and Stanex, first with shrapnel in
at right buttock, finishing near navel, in a bad way, Stanex with a nice hole through left thigh, nothing to bone or [[?]].
Treated them more or less in dark, two others with damaged backs, and about 7 minor injuries. Barracks more or less
wrecked. Got two away to hospital, boys salvaged what they could of gear &, less light sick, marched off to 520. It
was a big bomb and landed 40 yds outside wire, opposite our room (completely wrecked) lucky to be alive- All clear 2345

Jan 17^th - About 9 of us left in camp, Revier cases & light sick to 520 by ambulance. We worked during day
at salvaging medical gear, and heard that Massinfeld French camp is burnt out with over 50 dead.
Our lads allegedly to split up between 517 & 404 for 3-4 weeks till our own is rebuilt. Had a
look at crater 25' across by 8-10' deep, lucky escapes in every barrack, our own being the most lucky as we were the
closest room - a light-standard outside our room 10" thick was half cut through a couple a feet above head level.
Heron, who died an hour after admission was in the farthest room from the burst when he was hit. Definitely unfortunate.
Some lads were just missed by shrapnel cutting through buildings, and several bits were picked up. Blast came end
on to barracks & collapsed dividing walls. Recovered nearly all my own gear. Another heavy raid to-night -1930-2130,
went into German concrete-shelter, and we slept in room in German barracks at night.

Jan. 18^th - Spent day taking one of our lads, Horton, to 128 to have his knee operated on, and tried to
see Gormley who was injured in raid on 16^th and was sent in with bad back. Not permitted to
see him, but heard it was merely a muscle injury and would be out soon, and those of the crew who
escaped from a R.A.F. plane on 16^th were in there also, about three, badly hurt. Went to 119 also and saw Stanex
who is doing very well. Was permitted to see the officers there, and had a few minutes with them. They're very
comfortable now, and have an extra sleeping-room for two on Station II. Heard what appeared to be heavy
bombing away to the W. & N.W. from about 1900 to 2200 hrs., and a preliminary warning was received, but nothing
eventuated. Germans report reprisal raids on England & London. Received a pay of R.M. 36 which I took,
will probably need no more for a couple of months.

Jan. 19^th - Were told this morning that I, Sgt. Jones, & Roy Walkerden will be shifting to 520 in afternoon,
so made ready, & moved off at about 1345 hrs., with three lads to help us shove the handcart
loaded with our gear & immediate medical needs. Got there eventually, and found our people
packed into passages, boiler- and bath-rooms, and occupying everything but the latrines & the rafters. Had our first
sick-parade at 1930, but it was unsatisfactory, through nobodys fault, as noting of particulars had become disorganised
and it was difficult to find what was needed in unfamiliar territory. Our sick are lying on palliasses in what was
the dental surgery and in a couple of beds in the regular Revier and have increased in numbers as injuries became
evident after excitement had died down and fatigue for two mile march with kit on dark icy roads was added.
I was in luck as far as accommodation went, as there was plenty of room for me with Neale & Fr. Scarborough, and Hewitt
was waiting. The bulk of my kit inspired them to considerable comment, not all of it polite.

Jan 20^th - Communion at 0800 Mass - Father says it each morning, and I shall make most of it
while opportunity offers. Checked over some of the sick again this morning, and Father and I
managed to finish about 700-up against two of the lads at Bridge after lunch - first game I'd
had since Eric C. left Staaken, and I was extremely rusty. Advanced sick-parade to 1630, as last night it
ended a little after 2100 hrs. - much too late. Father and I had a longish session at Italian later,
which is all to the good, and I feel in a much better mood to tackle German, too. News is filtering in that the
Russians are doing well, and have almost isolated the Caucasus, and that our people are doing well in the Med.
and in N. Africa - Tripoli being approached from all sides.