Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 21

Jan. 21^st — Mass & Communion again to-day, the rest of the day being much as yesterday, except for
our missing Bridge. John Heron is to be buried to-morrow and a small party is going from
amongst our lads, together with on of our officers from 119. Heard too that [[?]] [[?]] are
being pushed ahead with at Tiltow and that it should be possible to send 200 men back in 2-3 weeks.
Received a letter from cousin Silvio [[?]] (Castellanza, Varese), dated Dec. 17th, bringing Christmas
wishes from him, his family, and other relatives.
Jan. 22^nd — Mass & Communion this morning, rest of day uneventful. I think it was
to-day that I received a note from Stalag together with two copies of a receipt. form
which I was asked to fill in for the cap I received from the Red + soon after
my arrival at Staaken. I am almost sure I sent back the original receipt-forms, duly signed, but
this must have gone astray. John Heron was buried yestertoday, together with 8 of the R.A.F., who
lost their lives in the raid, [[?]], Kiwis and English, one or two of the eight being unidentifiable.
50 odd Frenchmen are awaiting burial [[?]] Marienfeld. I'm still thanking God for my own good
fortune, and for the good-fortune of the rest of us.
Jan. 23^rd — No Mass this morning, nothing of interest.
Jan. 24^th — Fr. Scarborough went off to 517 (Genshagen) to say Mass, so that, for us it was at
1530 hrs. Confession, Mass, & Communion, and a short game of Bridge in the
evening — played four rubbers and were 700 down, which squared us for our last
effort. Sent off the receipts which arrived on Friday. News of the war seems to be very much
improved, even the German papers admit that things are not going well. Our people from the
Western Desert entered Tripoli yesterday morning. I can imagine the feelings of any man whose lot
it was to have got as far as Agedabra on the first two attempts, and finally to have succeeded in reaching
the goal on the third. We have not been able to write home now for two weeks due to the
disorganisation caused by the raid.
Jan. 25^th — Mass & Communion again. It appears that repairs are going ahead rapidly on Barrack D
at Teltow, and also with Barrack C; one or both should be ready for occupation soon.
Had a game of basketball in the morning and finished up with a quite painful right calf, besides being aware of a definite ache in the back — shades of January "38!! War news good.
Russians taking many prisoners in the Caucasus, which they have almost completely regained, and are closing
in on Rostov. Advancing on all fronts except the Don. Remains of German 6th Army surrounded in
Stalingrad, and apparently putting up a dickens of a good show.
Jan.26^th — No Mass this morning. Quiet day — have had radiant heat & massage for the back
yesterday & to-day, and to-day for the calf also. Oberstabsarzt [[?]] visited us to-day genial as ever.
Jan. 27^th — To-day I finished Fr Martindale's book "What are Saints" and found it very good, [[impressed?]]
me a lot. Fr. S. and I do an hour or so of Italian each day, and we're both improving.
Back & calf practically right again. "Yellow" air-raid warning this evening.
Mass & Communion
Jan. 28^th — Mass & Communion, quiet day. Bridge interrupted ++ after lunch.
 

Jan 29th — Mass & Communion. All quiet. A Swiss, representing the Protecting Power, and a
German major came here about things at 528 and interviewed S.M. Dobson, Stanway,
and myself, and all out points were brought up. It appears that lack of incoming mail
is due to a breakdown on the Spanish railways of some months duration, which they're finding great difficulty
in making good. The major scotches the idea that [[Erne?]] Cooper is coming back here, says that the rumour
had been heard at Stalag, but neither Stabarzt Wicke nor the Stalag Dental officer knew of any order for
his eventual return.. It appears that Stanway has complained officially about medical orderly, [[Smith's?]] refusal
to work for men in camp. He appears to be quite vindictive about it, and. I think, is outside his province in
butting in, but will get nowhere. Bridge this afternoon evening messed up by various interruptions
Jan. 30^th — Mass & Communion. Big party day in Germany. Goering & Goebbels [[?]] speak over air at
1100 and 1600 hrs. On both occasions speeches were interrupted by air-raid warnings for
single planes over capital. The one in the afternoon, which [[?]] up our bridge again, was
a cracker as the plane swept across the northern sky from west to east chased by A.A., then a little later,
across the east from N.E. to S.W. again chased by dozens of [[?]]. The lads were out, cheering like hell,
and betting on whether he'd be hit, but most of the [[?]] were miles behind, and he eventually disappeared
after swinging across the southern sky. Fr. Scarborough is tickled pink. He's seen an R.A.F. plane in action
at last. It appears that another plane broke up a third [[?]] at 0900 hrs, must be amazing for the
[[speakers?]]. Conjecture as to whether they'll be over to-night. Had a few words with another M.O. yesterday
afternoon. Speaks same language as Father Goody.
Jan. 31^st — Mass & Communion at 0830 to-day as Fr. Scarborough was billed to go to Dahrendorf,
which he did at about 1100 hrs