Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 22

April 12^th - Went off to-day with the unteroffizier (Tully), Jimmy Ellis, Jacky Morris and Paul Henney
to Stalag, and after considerable buggering about, during which Henney had his name xxx
taken for not standing to attention to a Hauptmann, and then delivered them to 517, 520
and to ourselves We later, Doc. Annan Hurst, Ernie, Sam (batman) and I (the Snakes) won our first
engagement in Barrack A. first division basketball by 4-2. Bridge in evening which we won
comfortably.
April 13^th - Sgt. Smith left this morning for Lager 730 where he will probably stay for a few days
before going on to his permanent address. Game of basketball at midday which I did
not enjoy, started putting up a rail fence around our garden, in which Hewitt & the
champ-team, and they beat us 3-0 right on time - a penalty of which was wrongly awarded. I finished
with a recurrence of the left calf-damage, and an injured right thumb.
April 14^th -  Quiet day. Finished fence around the garden. Received & accepted R.M. 36
pay
April 15^th -  Very warm day. Many of us were outside in thin shirt & shorts, including me, and it
was very pleasant.
April 16^th - Away at 7 a.m. with four of the lads and a guard to. Res. Laz. 122, me for X-Ray of right
thumb, one of lads for X-Ray of foot, another for one of tooth, and the other two for electrocardiograms
[* 2 *](E.K.G.). The X-Rays were finished by 0930 hrs. and then we waited until 1315 hrs. while
late-coming soldiers a civvies went in ahead of us. At the end of that time our posten entered a protest with
the sister, who was packing up, and she, [[?]] old -, rushed us through in obvious bad temper and
many requests for speed - bloody hide! We hurried back to Tempelhof station and judged it
nicely at Lichtfeld-Ost for the 2.0 to Teltow, and were just making it when the guard told us that, as he
had bought no tickets, we should have to walk the four miles home!! Anyhow, when we returned there were
two letters, one of 8^th Oct, from Godfather wishing me Merry X-Mas, and other from Glad, Jan. 26^th, telling
me she and kids were still in Busselton and had all had Chicken Pox! Well!!
April 17^th - Helped Hewitt plant seeds in garden, then had our little altar repaired by one of
[* 2P *] carpenters, and got renewed insight into Gerries keenness for wenching. One young
neat-blonde, built for comfort with a fair share of curves, I must confess gave me ideas
more fitting in a bachelor than a married man. Had two parcels to-day, small ones, of tobacco
and cigarettes.
April 18^th - Sunday. The lads played football in the morning, and in the afternoon the lads
[* 4 *] from 428 arrived and played us Rugger - [[?]] did not come with them. it was a
very good game, fast and open with plenty of back and forward moves and we won by
26-8. 428 were not outclassed as the scores suggest, and, for a small lager did very well. Fr. Scarborough
came during the match and afterwards had Confession, Mass, Communion. There was a concert during the
evening, but I stayed away to write letters - one to Glad, and cards to Mum & Dad & to Ines.
April 19^th - Quiet day, started making a light rake for the garden. Pard & I (Eric started
game for me) played Jackson and Kidd the first leg 100 rubber up; and they got away to
a good start, winning by 1700. Had definite news to-day that men of 517 are going back
to 404 and that Annan is to go, too. Bang goes his chance of a hospital job! very sorry to lose him, too.

April 20^th - Hitler's birthday to-day and the populace obeyed the instructions in the dailies to fly a
flag from each house. Quite a lot about, too, one on every engine passing on the line
as well. Pard and I and nine sanitaters went for quite a long walk in afternoon,
to Grosshunen and back, and we had a game of Ruggers in evening. Betting brisk on chances of a raid
to-night, and "yes" won. The sirens blew at 12.30 a.m., and I hit the deck almost as the first blast
sounded. It lasted till about 2 a.m. and was not particularly [[?]], certainly not about our area.
broke our night up, if nothing else. had a dream about Glad & Jack Livingstone, and I nearly killed the
little blighter.
April 21^st - Practically the whole day was taken up with miniature Chest X-Rays of 528 & 520,
very interesting and very efficient - put through 1000 men in a few hours, and it was
[* 1 *] evident that the single plant could have put through 2000 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with

a break for lunch. Had a letter from Glad written 5^th Jan., very pleasant, interesting, and she loves me
still - no mention of chicken-pox at that stage.
One of the Sergeants who came down with the 520 lads suggested intercamp Rugby for next (Easter)
Monday, and, as the representative teams are meeting the following week-end, I shall try to arrange
a 2^nd XVs match here through Stanway.
April 22^nd - During the last few months a concrete pool, about 25 yds x 10 yds x 3 yds has been
built in the camp-grounds to act as a reserve in case of fire, and to-day, for the
first time, water has gone into it to a depth of about 4 feet. Quite a number of the
lads went in for a swim and voted it bloody cold, but otherwise O.K.. As it was not intended
for swimming, and obviously has no filtering plant, and, besides, can be filled only by a 1" hose, I foresee
the water becoming quite dirty, and a probable source of E.N.T., and respiratory, & bowel infections.
April 23^rd - Good Friday. Doc. [[?]] went off with [[?]], per bike & train, to have a look
at 404 Dabendorf, and the rest of the camp played the XV and narrowly missed beating
[* 1 *] them. As it was, we drew with one try to a penalty goal. I received a letter from Ines, dated
4 Jan, very cheery, with general news, confirmation of my having written several times to Ron, and the information
that Dick is in Canada. We discovered to-day that King's friend is O.K.. Fr. Scarborough came in afternoon
for Stations of the Cross and I went to Confession. Had a dip in the pool, after Rugby this morning, about 8' deep
and absolutely freezing. Could hardly breath after the first plunge. Two years ago I was with my small
rearguard on the Brallos Pass with only a part of the 2/4 between us and the enemy.
April 24^th - Holiday yesterday, but some of Kommandos were out to work to-day. Unteroffizier came
in during the night and told me that to-morrow medical parcels and Dr's heavy stuff
would go to Dabendorf on the truck taking football team to 517. One year ago I was
at 119, two years ago I was awakened by Messerschmidt 109s in a little village 1m. south Brallos village
where I was one of our rearguard of 13. We spent that afternoon and evening getting south to the coast,
April 25^th - Easter Sunday and Anzac Day. Stanway a spot abusive when he found us loading stuff on to
"his" lorry. The team and Doc. Annan pushed off at 0800 hrs, being preceded by 100 supporters
[* 4 *] going to 517 and the Pard, on a bike, away with his posten on his rounds. I was left
on my own, bath Hewitt & Sam having gone to 517, so I swept the floors, tidied the room, washed the breakfast
& afternoon-tea things & got my eye in again generally. Fr. Scarbrough came in afternoon - Mass & Communion
and the lads eventually came back from 517 having had a lucky win 3-2, and having enjoyed a very
good concert. Wrote in evening to Glad, the kids, in-laws, & Ron, 1^st & 3^rd being letters. Sgt. Gardner
to whom I spoke, consented to take on job of Head of Camp if offered the job. Easter Sunday two
years ago we landed in Greece, Anzac Day two years ago we were lying in Greek olive-groves waiting to be
taken off again.
April 26^th - Monday. The rest of the Empire played Wales at Rugby and managed a win 11-3.
International Soccer matches in afternoon, and a big concert at night, some, a lot, of which
was very good. Found that one milk- and one food-parcel are missing from my parcel-room, 

and no amount of checking can account for them. Have put in another application for a better room, as this one
in very unsatisfactory. All the parcels going into Stanway's bulk-store pass through it, and it's not possible to keep an eye
on all the men going in and out.
April 27^th - Lads back to work to-day. Quiet, rain and cold and some blighters pinched
a couple of boards from our garden fence presumably for firewood. So bridge this
evening and we managed another bit of a win. Talked to S/M Woodfine re
Sgt. Gardiner taking his place, and later Sgt. Stanway came around to me and we got down to earth
as that now I think everybody knows how everyone else stands. Managed to obtain a spare watch
to-day from one of the lads. I have only one other, and as the new one has a second-hand, it will be invaluable
for medical purposes, etc., should the first break down.

April 28^th - Quiet again, another fairly dirty day. Played goal in a soccer game in afternoon, it
looked simple, but wasn't quite so easy, as the two goals scored against me were awful
[* 1 *] sitters - should have stopped them easily. We won 3-2. Bridge again at night, and
Jackson & Kidd finished with a grand total of 1 rubber up and 700 down. Received a very cheesy 
letter from Ines, dated 27 Sept. 42.
April 29^th - A young Zonderfuhrer came to the camp today and spent almost 4-5 hours with us
and unofficially talked to us about the war, Germany’s political outlook and aims,
her actions, and aims, leading up to war, etc., and about the war, its conduct and
probable outcome, and propaganda generally. A charming chap, born in Germany to which he returned in
‘37 after spending most of his life in America, having served in tanks, anti tanks and mountain-troops,
mainly in Russia with several trips in Subs, he is apparently very convinced of the rightness of the German
outlook in all things and couldn’t see our point. [[?]] was here too. Couldn’t quite get his reason for talking
so long to us, but probably there’s something behind it. An artist with him platched one lad, wants to do me, ? as a typical
Aussie. It would rock him to know that my parents are Italian. At a film tonight a few lads made a noise on the
appearance of the Fuhrer & Goering- complications narrowly avoided. Suggestion for British volunteer to be flown to Katin to
[[?]] mans grave & make a statement definitely turned down by officers & Conf. Man on behalf of camp
April 30^th – Sgt. Mortimer brought a small dental party from Lager 730 to-day, including Andy [[?]]
and George McPartland, and, with them a letter from Mum dated 24 Nov.. How it got to 730
[* 1 *] I don’t know. It contained general news and was very cheerful, all things considered.
Andy and Co. had not received any fag parcels, so I slipped him a couple of hundred to distribute
amongst the boys.
May 1^st – National Holiday, and day off for gefanganers. Wales played England in the
final of the [[?]] International and had to draw to win the series xx on points. However,
England pulled it off 3-2, much to the woe of Wales, and the detriment of their cigarette
reserves. Our young Zondenfuhrer, who is thought to belong to the propaganda people, was a long time
amongst the boys, but his seed fell on rather stony ground. Had band-concert and cabaret this evening
with some very good items. In view of to-day’s national holiday, we expected the R.A.F. this evening,
but they let us down.
 May 2^nd – Bill Hunt away on his rounds, and I left at 1000 hrs. with 20 men to play 428 football. Last of all, in pity
of 20 mins. Wait at Teltow, the guards missed our train for us, then, having walked from [[?]]
[* 4 *] to Zensdorf, we were weaved past the camp to the ground, completing a fast march in under an hour. Match was
played from 1500-1600 hrs, we losing 2-3, back to camp for a snack, and away from the local station at 1820, thence by
guards-van to [[?]], where I missed the train. With a big moustache & slouch-hat I was the centre of attraction for the
holidays crowds and the only way I could get away with it was to kid I was on a desert-island and ignore them all. I got the
next train to [[?]] to rejoin the party, and a perfect day was ended by a compulsory march from [[?]]. We got
back to find that 528 had won boxing from 520, 7-6. Four letters, too, one from “Champ” acknowledging Aussie news [[?]]
will be published, one from John Stefani (March 28) Zia not well, from Ines (23 Oct) general news, & from Mum (14 Feb). [[?]] say her
letters are getting thin & acknowledge them, the Mill is sold (Millar’s), Mr Hancock & Mr Klein dead, Bowling Carnival starts, Glads kids well
May 3^rd – Main event to-day was the arrival of a letter from Mum & Dad dated 5.Nov.42. The
[* 1. 2 *] news was general and the tone very cheerful. I wrote cards to Glad & Mum & Dad, these being in
official mail away this week-end. M.O's meeting at Stalag to-morrow, Eric not included. I
had a game of football this afternoon, in goal again, and missed two "sitters", but we won 3-2. Doc. Annan and
Sam going to [[?]] to-morrow.
May 4^th – Day was spent mainly going to, waiting at, and talking at STalag. General stuff, nothing
outstanding. Said goodbye to Doc. and Sam afterwards. [[?]] Pierson was in
while I was away.
May 5^th – Quiet sort of day, looked around the place a bit and watched a good Rugby game in
the afternoon, in which the Possibles beat the Probables 9-5. Quite a good game of Bridge
in the evening, during which we increased our lead by a bit. Arranged for a couple
of lengths of hose to be stretched from Barrack B wash-house to our garden for an early morning watering.

May 6^th – Up at a quarter to seven and took over from Hewitt and got a good part of the garden
done before the hoses were claimed by the gaffer of the party cementing the Lager-Fuhrer's
air-raid shelter. Fr Scarborough was in in Afternoon to have dental attention and I
went to confession. News from Africa seems to be good but not startling.
May 7^th – Nothing to write home about to-day.  Had another game of Soccer, in goal, and
allowed the usual two sitters through. Once more we won 3-2.
May 8^th – News to-day that both Tunis and [[?]] fell yesterday. Things are moving along
well. My letter from the A.I.F. Paymaster (U.K.) published in this week's "Champ", in
full
May 9^th – Big crowd, almost 200 went along to 520 at about mid-day to-day to play Rugger
Our lads won, 11-6 after a very scrambling game, not under control, and we were
[* 1 *] entertained afterwards to a meal shared by five very happy-looking guards who
seemed to be enjoying themselves. Came home to find a letter from [[? ? ]], written on 16 April
in which he acknowledged the one I wrote him while we were at 520. Wiste in the evening, a letter to
Glad, and cards to Ines & Ron, after seeing the first half of a concert, which was not bad.
Papers today announced African news. Padre Bill cycled about 34 miles to-day and
finished up with a sore bottom. During our walk back from[[?]] a couple in a nearby
field staged an unrehearsed exhibition of the more will virile methods of love-making - much
appreciated by men and guards alike
May 10^th – River empty to-day, second time since I left hospital. Starting laying strings for
our peas and prayed for a bit for rain.
May 11^th – Looked like rain most of the day, and we stood about hoping
and did it come! Apparantly our garden is partly over porous soil,
because sections of
it subsided to depths up to 8 inches, carrying about a quarter of our carrots along, too.
12-a-side Rugby started to-night and we won 5-0 after a very scrappy game. The other match was
better and ended 3-0 in favour of Eric's team. Cleaning up in Tunis.
Oberstalsarzt Pierson came to-day and had a look around. News that the remains of 517, and
also 520 are drifting to a new camp east of Berlin on Saturday 15^th, and that we shall probably join

them in August. Tunis finally cleaned up.
May 12^th – It appears that very little is left to do in Tunis, and that prisoners number rather over
100,000, so much to the good. Had a busy evening at sick-parade, and aspirated
four cauliflowers ears, including Eric's. Rugby is such a nice game. Ready was
up to-day for dental treatment. A parcel of two tins of tobacco arrived to-day
May 13^th – Fairly warm again to-day, good game of basketball in the morning and of 21-a-side Rugby
in afternoon after sick-parade - we [[?]] our second win in this. I weighed after my
shower and found that I was 73.3 Kgm, or near enough 11-7, the lightest I've
been since my rowing days at College - and I feel very well, too. Fr. Scarborough came along with a
dental party, and I raked over the garden - saved most of the carrots. Bridge in the evening, and
Pard and I passed by 25-rubber mark for the first 50 - got to 26. Alarm at 12.30, lasted
'till about 2 a.m., mainly over Berlin, with very few planes

14 May - Dental party came from 730, with Sgt. Mortimer who told us that bombs fell not
far from them & that fires were started. The [[?]] told us a few planes came over
& dropped pamphlets. Sgt. Alleybone, ex-jeweller, came for Dental treatment from 730
and took my Rolex away with him to over haul. We won our '50-rubber session against Jackson
& Kidd 31-19, and 15, 300 pts.
15 May - Sent a party of men to Stalag to-day to bring back 20 milk parcels as we were
completely out of them. received a parcel of 500 cigarettes and a letter from
[* 1.1P *] Mr. Troy, dated 12 Apr. Alarm went xxxx 0155 hrs. and we were out for an hour, but
apparently it was a false alarm as nothing happened at all. We balloh-ed Dent - on the fact
for the first occasion on which he was first to hear the alarm, he had to pick a false-alarm.

May 16^th – Sunday. Padre away on a trip, and 119 came to play as football. We put out a
good team to see what sort of combination they'd make, which I thought was not so
good, seeing they've only 25 men to pick from, and we won 8-5 easing up. Tony, Alan B
Backer and Wiltshire came, the latter two playing, and S/Sgts. [[?]] & [[?]] came, too, not to
mention many others. We entertained them afterwards, & Padre Scarborough came for Mass & Communion.
Another alarm at 0110 till 0210, this time with gun-fire etc. in the distance, but not much of it.
heard that Sgt. Jones has to go to camp 700 to look after them
May 17^th – "Jonah" definitely going to-morrow, and it appears that Cpl. Carr from 520 is
coming to replace him. The Zonderfuhrer SchulzWolfing visited us to-day, told me
[* 4 *] he was leaving Stalag, and introduced his successor Hauptmann Posten. They
intimated we shold be leaving soon, and both our [[?]] told me later that a camp is being prepared
for about 1000 British prisoners, & that, as soon as finished, all British camps would move there.
Wrote letter to Glad, cards to Mum & Dad, in-laws, & Ines. Padre's birthday, 31^st
Hewitt put more lettuce & onions into garden
May 18^th – Doc. Annan came to-day from 420 Dabindorf for dental treatment and we
had quite a pleasant yarn for a goodish while. Started on German again,
and only hope I can keep it going - Pard is setting me so much to do each
day. "Jonah" left this morning, and Cpl. Carr came from 520 to replace him. Hewitt
transplanted lettuce and onions into the garden. Our own stuff is not doing remarkably
well - the ground is poor, and this is the first time it's been cultivated. Local papers report
extensive damage by R.A.F. to two big dams in the Rhineland with widespread floods.
Game of Rugby in evening, ostensibly a final game, but a pretty poor one.

May 19^th - Slept all morning, blighters didn't wake me, and I'm not too good at that on

my own. Game of football at - left this - 

[[?]] to-day, the first gunfive afternoon - felt quite

helpless. Re-[[?]] "cauliflower ears" for [[?]] & Alex Clackson - and

fixed them afterward with distal stent moulds. Had game of basketball in evening.

I weigh 73.8 kgm. stripped. At about 0035 hrs. at night the [[?]] , and we [[?]]

out for an hour. Saw two planes in the lights way way off north, and A.A., but otherwise the hour

we stayed up was lacking intent. Got my Rolex back today, going well.

May 20^th

2nd anniversary of the commencement of the "Blitz on Crete. Had two daylight