Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 23
July 1st - Rugby game with 329 on on Sunday but only 25 to go, including a Basket-Ball team.
In the match this afternoon the Probables won handsomely 14-0, and played fairly well.
The Japs announce completion of their preparations to invade Australia.
July 2nd Had and enjoyed a game of Basket-ball this morning, but paid for it afterwards, as
my back stiffened up to quite a marked extent, with a certain amount of pain.
July 3rd The bugs were a bit cheeky last night, but we managed to get our sleep in quite well. They
are becoming a nuisance, reminiscent of Greece, and the lads in some rooms
cannot sleep on their beds, but have to get down to it on stools, tables, black-out shutters, or
just the floor. The sooner we're away from this camp the better, otherwise we'll be driven out. A strong rumour
is amongst us to the effect that 180 are to go to Wuhlheide early next week, but 'Stabbie' pooh-poohs it, as he
states that the one spare completed barrack is without water, light, beds, tables, and stools. He told us though
that Bill Hurst was transferred suddenly, yesterday afternoon, to IX A.
July 4th - Annan was away with the XV for Wuhlheide by the time I awoke this morning. [[Cűrhiem?]]
[*4*] have been complaining of P.O.Ws. on sporting trips cluttering up the Sunday trains, and as
a result, to-day's party left at 0700 hrs., are staying overnight and coming back on Monday morning
early, after a concert to-night - good idea. Fr. Scarborough was to have come today, but did not arrive, so that
I found that I had declined the Rugger trip for nothing. Wrote letters to Glad and Ines, cards to Lorna & Jack?
and to Mr. Troy. At check-parade we learned that our lads won 10-8, though no news was available of the
Basketball results. Jolly good, that! Am continuing with Peter Fleming's "News from Tartary" and find
it very interesting.
Heard later that we lost at Basketball 11-3.
July 5th Definite news at last that 130 men are leaving to-morrow for Wuhlheide 329, and a fair
portion of the evening was spent in sorting out hospital - and Reiner-papers belonging to, and
writing brief notes on, the members of the party, to be sent on with it. Finished "News from Tartary"
which is excellent.
July 6th Only item of interest was that Stabbie asked me if I should like to go to Wuhlheide. He
suggested, in answer to my query re Doc. Annan's position, that, as senior M.O. in the camps,
I should go, and so it was agreed between the three of us. Seems a bit tough, however, to let Annan,
more or less a visitor here, stay and do my work, "holding the baby", as it were. Occasional bugs evident in our
room lately
July 7th - Wonder of wonders - I received two letters to-day, from Glad & Mum! They were dated 25th
[*2*] and 16th March respectively. Mum's was more or less general - she had just returned from Perth
where all were well, Ines at home on holiday, and a bit worn out. Dad & Mum both O.K.. Two
letters to Nico, but no answer yet, and she is not allowed to send him parcels. Glad's was very cheerful, told me that
they are all well, Mrs. B still with her and that Nell still in St. John's, undiagnosed. News of Jack Throssell at last, a P.O.W. in
Borneo, and Bill Cawley on service somewhere. I'm vaguely disquieted by the letter, however, and feel horribly uncertain
as to whether I've offended Glad. She mentions that, since parcels are reaching me, she will send more, explains that she has
not done so to date because I asked her not to, and hopes I don't think she's neglecting he me. As though I could! Apparently
London's request that she let Ron send next-of-kin parcels has upset her a little, especially since she's not certain who he is.
I suppose I've blundered and messed things up, though God Knows that was no suggestion of mine. How I wish I could see Glad!
A lovely snap of Glad, the lads, and Mum was included. Glad looks gorgeous and the Kids grand, and Mum the same as ever.
July 8th - Quiet day, weather just so.so. Some summer!
Started making handles for my wooden box, only one without them. Found a little
colony of bugs in one of my bed-'biscuits', so Hewitt and I gave it the once-over, then put the
legs of both beds in tins of water.
July 9th - Spent most of the day making those handles from iron rods, then attached them to the box,
which I strengthened with metal strips all round - a good solid job.
Big battle in Russia.
July 10th - Amused myself doing some chess-problems. Brief report in local papers that we've
landed in Sicily. Engs become rather more offensive
July 11th - Padre Scarborough came this afternoon, Confession, Mass, & Communion. Wrote letter to
[*3*] Glad, doing my best to explain the business of the parcels, and a card to Mum & Dad, telling
them I'd try to get permission for them to send parcels to Nico. This I did by writing to
the A.R.C.S., Melbourne, explaining the position, and asking them to do their best. Confirmation of a big
Anglo. Canadian-American landing in Sicily. Battle in Russia going great guns.
50 men going to Wuhlheide to-morrow, neither Annan nor I to move with them.
July 12th - All quiet
July 13th - Received a pencil-written note from Les to-day, quite cheery, apparently pretty
well occupied with his work. Frank & Allan are with him, and Max not far
away. Tells me the rest of the crowd at Lamsdorf seem to be getting along well.
July 14th - Certain amount of unpleasantness with three Orderlies to-day, one of whom, a L/Cpl.,
appeared to be the chief offender and seemed to have instigated the others not to
obey orders conveyed to them from Cpl. Carr to clean passage in A. Block plus latrines
& bath. and wash-rooms. Had to punish them by awarding fatigues.
Luft. alarm from 0110 to 0210 to-night (14th-15th.) very low clouds, and fire from heavy A.A. away
to north.
July 15th - With dental party to Wuhlheide 329, which gives the impression of being a spacious
[*1.1P*] and good camp. Everybody there is in the pink. Returned to find a letter from
Mrs. Troy, London, and a parcel from Glad sent through Albert's Book Shop, Forrest Place.
The contents, intact, were 100 fags and six books - Cronin's "The Keys to the Kingdom", "Kipps" (H.G. Wells)
"The Quest for Corvo" ( A.J.A. Symons), "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" (Robert Trussall), "Eastern Flights"
(Allan Bott), and "But Soft: We Are Observed" (Hilaire Belloc). The parcel was addressed to me at Kokinia,
and appears to have been chasing me for the best part of two years! Forgot to mention that the
parcel contained a 1 oz. packet of Captstan Fine Cut. Received notice to-day that we are to
attend at 1330 hrs. on Monday at Stalag to see Obestabsarzt Wiecke.
July 16th - Spent quite a lot of the day in reading "The Keys of the Kingdom" and found
myself absorbed in it from the first minute until the last.
Fifteen men to go to Wuhlheide on Sunday for football.
Bugs are now pretty fierce - not possible to sit in easy-chair or at table for five minutes during day without
being attacked.
July 17th - Finished "The Keys of the Kingdom". Jolly fine piece of character-portrayal, mainly of
Father Chisholm, but also the minor characters. It held my interest from cover to cover,
and it's impossible to feel out of sympathy with Cronin's appeal for tolerance and charity.
However, the same criticism may be levelled at him here as in "The Citadel" - he appears to have been
unfavourably impressed by the bad points of a number of priests (doctors, in "The Citadel"), and there
is undue stress laid on these points. It leaves the impression that what he writes may be applied to the
majority of members of the clergy, an impression not softened by his excellent deliveration of Fr. Chisholm.
Wonder if Cronin's a Catholic? Later I began "The Quest for Corvo" - an unusual book, and
interesting enough.
July 18th - Quiet all day, news seems to be good from all fronts. Wrote letter to Glad, and
[*3*] cards to in-laws and Mrs. Troy.
The bugs have the initiative all along the line.
July 19th - Away again with the dental party, and Dent refilled a cavity in 5+. During the morning
Neale took me over to the Sports Ground and showed me all over it. The whole thing was
very interesting. The grounds themselves are excellent - there are two quite good football pitches
and a large one with tiers of seats around it, together with cinder-track, jumping pits, etc., and which is
used for Rugby. There is a permanent gefangener Kdo. looking after it which pleases the caretaker no end, as he
is happy to see the ground sprucing up.again. They're putting into order an open-air boxing-ring also, for a
contest to take place next Sunday. Gritty way they have of spending the morning.
July 20th - Left at 11.30 hrs. to go to Stalag, and spent from 1330 until 1700 with him - M.O. & D.O.
from Kdos. and Fosy from hospital. No definite news as to fate of spare M.Os. if and when
all camps go to Wuhlheide, but thinks they'll all stay there, otherwise he'd have great trouble in
getting them back to staff various camps in event of splitting-up of 329. He promised, on the bug question, to
have barracks fumigated in all affected camps. Big Commando raid rumoured to have taken place in
Norway
Harvesting has started in the fields alongside the wire.
July 21st - All quiet. Caught best part of ten bugs in room during day and twenty between
"lights out" and going to sleep. There are anything from one to six every morning in
each bed when Hewitt makes them up.
July 22nd - Not possible to stay comfortably in room because of bugs, so we sat outside for most of the
[*1-2P.*] time - it was a sunny day, anyway. Received a letter from Ines, dated 23 Jan 43,
very cheerful, and two book parcels from B.R.C.S., one containing a '21 edition of Bing's
"Compendium of Regional Diagnosis", the other a 7-vol. set of the 1942 edition of Jameison's "Illustrations
of Regional Anatomy". It's very good, and as Eric C. is trying hard to get a copy of Spalteholz, I may sell
him mine. Russian & Sicilian fronts going great guns - 15 km. west of Palermo
Lost the unbreakable glass to my Rolex, which messes things up a bit.
The two book parcels were sent on 5.1.43 and 27.11.42 respectively.
July 23rd - Another letter from Ines to-day, dated 14th. Feb. Cheery, as with the last, and looking forward
[*1*] to holidays. Says she had a X.Mass card from Ray Jacobs, probably in the N. Territory with the
Commonwealth and thanked her for the parcel she sent me last year. Charlie Cunningham is, or
was, up there, too, and Fr. Stinson was at the [[?]] and enquired about me. Glad had returned home with the
kids. Hewitt washed the walls and floor of our room with a disinfectant mixture, which kept the bugs at bay
until nightfall, but they were out again then, full of go. Harvesting going strong, the team comprising a few Germans
of both sexes, a couple of Frenchmen, and two or three strapping Ukrainian lasses, who are the centre of interest for
almost everyone in camp. What has happened to them in imagination in the last few days is just nobody's business!
Palermo has fallen.
July 24th - News of continual bitter fighting at Catania, with the fall to-day of Trapani & Marsala.
Playing this afternoon for the Medicals in the Knock-Out Inter.Commando Football
Semi Final Annan took a lovely toss and seems to have damaged one of the cruciate
ligaments in his left knee. It was certainly pretty sore by nightfall - the lads got into the final 3-1
We bagged 21 bugs from our walls between 10 p.m. and "lights-out" at about 10.20!!
July 25th - Sunday, 12 of the lads, three contestants, were up at 0500 to go to Wuhlheide for the
[*4*] boxing. Hot day. Fr. Scarborough came in afternoon - Mass, Confession & Communion, and
at afternoon-tea was shaken to have me catch a whopping big bug from his sleeve. He
had the itch for the rest of his stay. He told us that shortly a new padre is to arrive in Stalag, a Welsh
Congregationalist named Thomas, whom he knew slightly at Offlag. Says he's quite a good goalie.
Wrote letters to Glad & Ines, cards to the Kids, and to Fr. Berry's parents, asking news of him.
July 26th - Early up to go to Wuhlheide, but the posten was not available till an hour past time.
However, we got there at a little after ten, and I spent most of the morning talking to W.O.s &
N.C.O's who have lately left the 'holiday'-camp at Genshagen. Two of them were from the
2/11, C.S.M. Collins and Sgt. Kaplin. The first is from the Broken Hill Hotel in Vic. Park, the second from
Como, and we had a great yarn. Had a game of Bridge later, no new, and then away home.
To-day's great news was the resignation of Mussolini and the fall of the Fascist Party in Italy, a new
government being formed under the leadership of Marshal Badoglio. Anything may happen now yet, on
the other hand, nothing may happen for a long time, as the Germans are well established in the provisionals.
Strong rumours that Goering has flitted. This evening Annan and I shortened our line according to plan
and retired to prepared defensive positions - in other words we shifted our bed to the barrack wash-house to get
away from the bugs.
July 27th - Spent a fair bit of the day doing German.
July 28th - Air-raid warning this morning for about half-hour but saw nothing. Heard from
[*1*] guard later that the raid was over Oranienburg, about 25 km. N.E. of Berlin. Later in
afternoon, after coming in from a football-match I'd been watching, I found a letter waiting
for me from Glad, and it was marvellous. It was written on April 17th, very cheery, said that Mrs. B. and Nell hadbeen xx were there for Easter - so that Nell must be much better, that everything is going well, and that Gerard Heffy
had written, though she was not certain of exactly where he was. Ken Cowden's father has died. Best thing of all was a
snap of Glad and David, presumably on the beach at Busselton, and Glad looks marvellous. Dad there (Stanley St)
for Easter Bowling
July 29th - Away to Wuhlheide again, and got my new denture from Eric- still need polishing. Very
pleasant day out, and had some Bridge in afternoon as well. The weather has been quite hot
for a week or more, and today, as on Monday, I wore shirt, shorts, stockings, boots & short
putees, and Annan's Sam Browne. Very comfortable rig. There is a suggestion, coming from Neale, that we
should replace hospital orderlies by some from Camps, as the former would like a change. - good idea!
When I got back, I found that the crutches, which I had asked Neale to have made for him, had arrived,
and are a big help.
We have had restful nights lately - the bugs haven't found us yet.
July 29th - During night of 29th - 30th, from 0115 to 0145, we were out for an air-raid alarm, but saw
and heard nothing. Quiet all day, and not so warm as it has been lately.
July 30th - Overcast but warm. The week's heavy bombing of Starnburg continues, with disastrous
effect on the city.
July 31st - Put a phone-call through Feldwebel to Stalag to ask for [[Foni?]] to come down from 119 to
consult on Doc's Knee. He came during afternoon and eventually put him up in a plaster,
groin to toe. Gave him Neale's suggestion re changing of Sanitaters between Kommandos
& Hospitals, and my own for asking Stalag for the date of first pay of all recognised Sanitaters.
Aug 1st - Quite a flap on to-day, all sport was suddenly cancelled, everyone shut into the compound
and double guard mounted everywhere - very mysterious, and no explanation obtained
that made any sense. Later on we were allowed football & swimming, but the doubled
guard stayed put. Later I tried to arrange for a man to go to Biesdorf to-morrow for possible admission for
observation of l. mastoid, but, after they'd telephoned about a bit, I was told that no Res. Lazaretts were
taking any more patients for a fortnight, as they would be in process of shifting out of Berlin. This all
seemed to indicate that to-day's flap might have been something special in the way of expected air-raid
Aug. 2nd - Ines's birthday & Bank-Holiday. The lad I had intended for Biesdorf was eventually sent
to 119 with another, and, as I expected, received no treatment but was referred to 128.
Eventually, it was arranged that they go there on the 4th. Everyone who was out of camp
to-day brought in reports indicating the transfer of big bodies of patients out of the city, and telling of
doubled guards, etc., at other P.O.W. camps. Besides all this there were stories of clashes between
Italian & German workmen, and guards placed on the former's camps. Altogether times became interesting.
Extremely muggy to-day until evening, when, with a goodish bit of thunder & lightning, some rain fell.
Temp. to-day in the sun was 42.5C.
August 3rd - Another stinker to-day, though the heat was much more bearable than yesterday -
T was 44oC in sun.
[*1*] Had a very cheery letter from Ron dated 12th June. Mine of 25th April had reached him
10 days previously. He's in Scotland at present, but except for lack of sun, likes the place. Gets news from
home pretty regularly it seems, and bags of Western Mails.
The Feldwebel is "sticky" these days, seems to have had a "bollicking" by the Hauptmann.
Had 7 sets of deck-tennis (quoits) in evening; back seems O.K..
Aug. 4th - Prospects of air-raids appear to increase. In preparation, according to arrangement made with
the Feldwebel. I had 5 beds from Reiner taken down to our end of the shelter (running a ¼ of
the entire length) and, with the Orderlies, selected equipment to go down later. Not till about
2150 hrs. was I able get blankets, etc., from authorities, but eventually got up blackouts and installed
3 each of benches and 2 tables. Back gave out suddenly while shifting beds, and it was still stiff and
awkward at bed-time - hope it's not a real nuisance.
29 years ago England declared 1st World War against Central Powers.
Aug. 5th - Dental party to Wuhlheide. Got home fairly late, and found everyone O.K.. Visiting W.Os.
[*1P*] & Sgts. not gone yet. Rumours of impending evacuation of camp further away from city,
together with a few other changes. Plenty of civilian movement on railways.
Got home to find a clothing-parcel from Ron, dispatched on May 25th. - it contained Officer's cap, gloves (both
articles jolly good fit), pyjamas, 2lbs Chocolate, tin-opener, 2 tins dark tan polish, 3 prs. brown boot-laces,
shaving brush, Lillicrap hone, denture-brush, and two pocket-combs. Gave Hewitt ½lb choc, and Annan,
who was short of them, my old hone, pair of laces, and a comb. Hope Ron doesn't mind. An excellent parcel.
Then arrived at 329 to-day the photos taken of the men in the various camps at the beginning of the
year. Confession.
August 6th - Sgt. Stanway went to 329 to-day to collect the Lager's photos, but it seems they will
not be available until next Wednesday, the 11th.
Cooler day to-day. Our 'R.A.P' in the air raid shelter is ready, but, I hope,
will remain without business. Feldwebel, apparently on Stalag orders, suggested I should have
essential medical gear shifted to Geny shelter in case of a raid - Good idea, and I shall add all
our medical papers and records.
Aug.7th - Oberstabsarzt Pierson came in this morning - I told him about preparations in the
air-raid shelter, asked if he could do anything about torch-batteries promised by
Oberstabsarzt Wiecke - no luck - found he did not know where we should send
Lazarett In-Patients, and confirmed that, though pts. had been evacuated from 119 & 128 (?where)
the staffs were still there & were treating Out-Patients. Asked him to hurry up the "de-bugging" squad
and, after seeing our specimens and some live families in some of the rooms, he agreed that it would
be none too soon. Put in another complaint about the tin-shed and fly-menace. Medical supplies
& papers ready for transfer to Geny shelter in case of need. Cool day.
Aug. 8th - Cold and drizzly all day. Fr. Scarborough came in afternoon - Mass & Communion
He brought news that an R.A.M.C. Major (ex-France) had arrived unexpectedly at
[*5*] 329 from Danzig where they had been told that Stalag iiiD was in urgent need of
M.O.s. He had been preceded by a M.O. called Rosenberg, but, apparently, Berlin thought he
booked it and sent him back again. Wrote letter & card to Glad, letter to Ron, and card
to Mum & Dad, and a card to Paymaster, A.I.F., (U.K.), authorising him to remit £2.2.0 to the
Stalingrad Hospital Fund.
Aug 9th - Away to Wuhlheide with Dental Party - met Maj. Fosberg, ex. M.A.C. and Dunkerque, who
strikes one as being a very capable chap. Heard, too, that a couple of Sanitaters were leaving in
afternoon. The Major was first at Spangenberg, then at Driberg, thence about 13 weeks ago to
Poland where he has been ever since, and where he had met Brooke-Moore (Maj. of 5th A.G.H.), Capt Myers, also
of 5th A.G.H., Capt. Sapsford and Lt Knight. Very soon after I arrived there Stevo dropped one amongst us by coming in
and telling us he was going with the Sanitaters, and the final straw came when S/M. Seward walked in and
announced that Capt. Neale and he were going, too. Certainly a pretty clean sweep! -Correction for entry on
July 26th. - C.S.M. Collins is from Como, Sgt, Kaplin from Vic. Park. To-day the electric-railway is operating
to Lichtenfelde Sud, one station S. of Lichtenfelde Ost. We have a new Sanitäts feldwebel whom I have
not yet seen.
Aug. 10th - Nothing of importance here. The Russians appear to be sweeping on.
Aug 11th - Met the Sanitäts feldwebel for the first time -he seems to quite a decent chap. Saw also
the proofs of the camp photos, which Sgt. Stanway brought back from Stalag. He tells us that
S/M. Seward was not removed from 329, after all, although the others were.
Aug. 12th - Nothing of interest until Glad's letter arrived. It was dated 7th April and was very
cheery. The kids doing well, David not speaking yet, John cutting his first batch of
[*1*] second teeth (well, well, how time flies along!) and Nell soon to come out of St Johns.
Glad has sent off another parcel, too, interesting to see when it arrives. The letter contained a delightful
snap of Glad, John, and Mark at the beach, and it looks like Scarborough. It's gorgeous and gave me a
hell of a kick. I think the lads around here will think I'm a bit soft, as I show them newly-arrived
snaps at every opportunity. Anyway, they're well worth showing. Annan, when present, always tells each
new victim, that it's my wife and not my daughter he's looking at.
Aug. 13th - The Sanitats feldwebel asked Price to tell me that Dr Wiecke wanted me to use
(Friday). ichthyol on boils etc. (which to me seems untrue, as the Oberstabsarzt has never
interfered with our treatment) and Price replied that he, a private, was not taking
the risk of telling the Med. Major what he should do, but that the Feldwebel might do so himself if
he felt so inclined. He didn't come near me.
This morning at 0015 hrs. until 0045 hrs. we had an alarm, low ceiling, fair bit of A.A.
but nothing close
Aug. 14th - Well, it happened to-day. The Feldwebel came into our room at about mid-day
and told us that I was to report at Stalag on Monday at 1000 hrs., with full
kit, destination unknown. I will probably be told when I reach Stalag.
Aug. 15th - Alarm from 0210 until 0245 hrs.. Heard and saw nothing. Spent fair bit
of day with Hewitt getting my stuff sorted and packed. Found that Annan and I
[*2*] with Hewitt's help have saved a reserve of six food parcels. Wrote letter to Glad
and card to in-laws. Later, at midnight, the balloon went up again with bags of A.A., heavy stuff, with
a number of planes caught in the lights and chased about by the ground stuff. A number of them, I'm sure,
were German, and loosed off red flares, and in some cases the A.A. condescended to lay off. It ended at
0050 hrs.
Königswartha, Res.Laz No. 744
Aug 16th - Up at 0545, and, with Hewitt, finished packing. Said goodbye to everyone and helped by
Roy Walkerden, Arthur James, Watt, and another Sanitater, King, reached Stalag at 1000 hrs., to
find Readman there before me. Found out we were to go to Königswartha where, we learned,
Stevenson-Wright and Neale had already gone, and, after a search, we set out. Train left at
1225, our first change was at , when we had a hell of a rush to get our baggage across, and
our second was at Hoyerswerda where we waited 2½ hrs. The girl-guards on the train were almost all good
looking, and our guard, a cheery and cheeky blighter, was most amusing in the way he approached them
& any other presentable female. We reached the Lazarett at 2215 and found the two lads there, together with
Capt. Allen (ex. Lamsdorf) and 2 Indian M.O's, together with Serbs and Poles. Altogether a pleasant day,
and we were glad to get to bed - slept like logs. -Les & the others at another Laz, a few miles away
Aug 17th - Officers here are a very mixed bag, about 7-9 French, 3 Poles, 2 Serbs, 1 Scot, 1 English, 2 N.Z., 2 Indians
and I. The Indians, amongst our people, have been here longest, one a Capt, the other a Lt., and are
well thought of and have worked very hard - they look after all British pts except Tbs., and Allen
is in charge of all Tbs. The Laz consists of three brick buildings one behind the other (3-storied) one or two brick 1-storied
buildings, and 6-8 wooden barrack-wards. Les & the lads were here when it was a Tb. Lazarett, and shifted with it when all
pts. transferred to Elsterhorst last March. A short while ago closed Tbs & ordinary pts. came back, and Les and our boys
stayed at Elsterhorst with the open cases. I've heard here that Les was well-liked, everyone knew his peculiarities & made
allowances for them, and that by his efforts & persistence, he did a lot to better conditions here. German wireless announced
the fall of Sicily - " a German victory, as all men, heavy materials, transport, guns, panzers were successfully transferred
to Italy. All the French & Serbs came to our Mess after dinner and celebrated with tea and biscuits.
Aug 18th - Officers are quartered in the centre brick building, excellent quarters, really, but, a there was no room
for a French officer (who came with Biesdorf sick) Steve, Neale, Reddy and me, the five of us are in
a four roomed flat under the end of the roof of the third building, and we're very comfortable, with
a grand view of the country to the N.W., N., & N.E.. To-day there were installed in the companion to our flat 11 British
medical orderlies who arrived from , and one of them told me that his pal had been Dicky Willcock
of B. Co.. Went along in afternoon to call on the French Padre, who turned out to be a young Marseillaise ordained
just before he became a P.O.W. There is another young French Padre here also, and a third, older, who is a
patient. The first two act as Sanitaters.
Allen and I played Bridge in the French officers' quarters this evening - late night.
Our quarters here are excellent - Allan & the Indians are in the Officers' Quarters (International), Neale, Steve, Ready,
and a French M.O. from Brisdorf, and I occupy a 4-room flat under the eaves - Messes are in Officers' Quarters.
Aug 19th - Up for Mass & Communion at 6.30. The days have become extremely hot lately, and
overseas lads are feeling it amongst as much as the others -it hit 106oF to-day according
to the Gerries, but I doubt if it reached quite that level. Another batch of 9 M. Orderlies
arrived to-day, including Pte Mills Wx 4032 of my old B. Co., all from Spangenburg, where there are three
Offlags.. He brought a little news of Dicky Willcock, and mentioned a number of officers whom I knew. 2nd. Lt. Pollock
ex Lamsdorf is supposed, after an unsuccessful get away from Offlag to have blabbed about a number of things which
he should have kept quiet about. A civvie photographer was here to-day and it was arranged with him that
he come again on Sunday.
Aug. 20th - "Nichts nen". Still hot as hell, warm nights, too, and difficult to sleep. Played
Bridge with French again. Dr. Genski, the young Pole, appears to have had luck. He
was captured by the Russians when they came into East Poland, and was in a big camp close
to Katyn. Apparently he was on the rolls twice, once as an M.D., once as a cook, and, as the cook, was
one day shifted away with a crowd of others. He has since learned that one or more officers who were there
with him have since been identified in the mass-grave. His cousin's husband was among them. I'm not
clear as to how he came to be in Polish Pyenhan hands. Pains in the neck are, in order, Joe Seward's
pals, the new 520 people, and Charle Lindman's.
Aug. 21st - As yesterday. The French officer who came from Biesdorf has been told he's to go on Monday
to a hospital some distance away, but still in the area.
Played Bridge this evening, after a session of Chamber Music (quite good) in the
theatre.
Aug. 22nd - Mass at 10 o'clock. Some, including the Indians went walking this afternoon, met the
photographer and I don't quite know what happened then, but he'll not be coming now
[*1*] for a fortnight. Talkies in the evening. Wrote a letter to Glad.
Aug. 23rd - Marked my things for this week's washing, wrote a letter to Mum & Dad and a card to
Sq. Ldr. Howill, who was my patient in Athens, and whom, I hear, got home and is on duty
[*2*] again.
Aug. 24th - Mass & Communion, got all my things along to the delouser during the afternoon, a steam-plant,
but made arrangements to have my books in a hot-air plant, also in the hospital
At midnight this morning, a local alarm sounded, but no one turns out for them here.
There was another alarm late to-night also. Neale and I were across to see the Chefarzt this afternoon,
the main object being to ask for permission for me to visit Les and the lads. He consented, subject to the
approval of the Chefarzt at Les's place. He told us, also, that he had arranged for all four of us to
meet him to-morrow.
Aug. 25th - The French officer sharing our room left us at 4 o'clock this morning. We called on the
Chefarzt this morning but he told us nothing of our future movements. He ascertained
that I can do emergency surgery, and I may stop on, as the French surgeon has heart
trouble, and is to be repatriated. German news claims the shooting-down of 60 British planes over
Berlin on Monday night
Aug. 26th - Accompanied a group of the lads for a swim, a mixed bunch, including 16 British.
Went to a large shallow pool, almost filled with reeds and took a round about
way home again. Allan and I were playing Bridge with the French, when Neale
came in and announced Annan's arrival - Neale's prophecy is correct and "the gang's all here".
On Wednesday 18th he was given 1 hr's warning to shift to 119 as a patient, and, as he was getting into the
waiting ambulance, his successor, Capt. Tate, came through the gate, but the Feldwebel prevented his
speaking to him. Had quite a pleasant week at 119, including 2½ hrs in cellar, during 2¼ of which bombs
were falling. Some parts of Berlin were badly smashed, including railways in region of [[Sudende?]], dislocating
traffic south for two weeks. The centre of Teltow got one bomb, too, which did it no good. 1000 planes said to
have been over the city, rumours that 12 were shot down, 2 of them German - ?? true.
Aug. 27th - Nothing new
Aug. 28th - Ditto
Aug. 29th - Sunday - Mass at 1015 hrs. and Confession afterwards.
Aug. 30th - We've been here a fortnight to-day. 0800 hrs. Mass & Communion. Wrote letters to Glad
[*5*] & Ron, cards to Mr. Troy, asking for a book of general information on Australia, and to
Mesdames Eric Cooper & Bill Woodfine starting a mail-service with their husbands. Had
occasion to receive a note from, and to return one to, Les. Steve received a letter from home. Raining
to-day. Les seems to be engaged in Civil War. Seems to be something stirring between locals &
Swedes, attacks on latter's vessels for violating territorial waters. Germans report Russian's capture of
Taganrog, west of Rostov, with what appears to be a break-through.
Aug. 31st - Mass & Communion as yesterday, put a new plaster on Annan's leg, hip to ankle.
Padre Frazer called to-day from Elsterhorst with notes from Frank and Allan. Very
pleasant chap, held service for Protestants, and, afterwards, he and his posten had
dinner with us. Bridge with the French at night, they're a good bunch, and arranged for French
lessons with their interpreter, Lt. Croisille.
Was paid R.M.72.
Sept. 1st - Fourth anniversary of outbreak of war between Poland and Germany. Mass & Communion
Served this morning.
Sept. 2nd - Was called early, but missed Mass, as I went to sleep again, and slept on until
midday. What the Hell! There's nothing much else to do, anyway! Admittedly
I could swot a bit, but my books are still in the delouser and I'm too damned
lazy to borrow anyone else's. Started doing a map of the Mediterranean basin. This night
there was a big raid on Berlin.
Sept. 3rd - Fourth anniversary of the entry into the war of France and the British Empire, and
the seventh of my commencement of practice at 196 Walcott St. Do you remember
the mess the house was in when we took over, Glad, and how uncomfortable you were?
Gosh, you certainly had something to put up with! Two Generals inspected the place to-day, but did
not trouble us up here. One of us, maybe Neale, ran into them, and was explained to them by the Chefartz
as one of 5 British M.O.s here "in transit"! Got our books back yesterday this afternoon, and found at least
one baby live bug in them. It was announced during the afternoon that the British landed around
Messina and established a bridgehead at 0400 hrs, this morning - Balloon goes up on 4th anniversary!
Sept. 4th - Saturday - Had my first French lesson from Lt. Croisille, a school-master in Lille in
private life, and he's very good. Elsterhorst sent across a football team this afternoon, and
with them came Les, Frank, Allan, Russ Godby, Maj. Wallace (7th G.H.) and Capt.
We had quite a reunion, but they had less than 3 hrs. here, and it was much too rushed. Still we did see
each other. Les has some idea of getting me over there to help in the rounds of the Kommandos. Actually, I'd prefer
to stay here, but wouldn't mind going over there. He's succeeded in getting a new Chefarzt, and the new one, a [[fat?]]
Colonel, appears to be a decent chap. Looks as though he may get rid of the Feldwebel as well - not much chop.
Incidentally, Allan, who went on for an Aussie in the team who was knocked out, scored the only goal. Russ told
me that in the 6th Div. revue back home, only 34 of the 7th Bn. paraded! 50 got a barge from Costa to Sidi B., and 16
landed alive. The unit was reformed and was landed again in New Guinea. Battle honours!
Sept. 5th - Sunday - Mass at 1015 hrs. Otherwise the rest of the day was without event. There was a picture
shown this evening, a talkie, comedy, and quite amusing. The custom here is to
circulate a description, printed in English, before the show, for the benefit of those who
speak no German, and it helps towards a reasonably intelligent appreciation of the programme.
Sept 6th - A quiet day. I was not called for Mass this morning. I expect that my going off to sleep
again on two days after being awakened has dampened the enthusiasm of the
Seminarist who used to call me. Talk of repatriation of D.V.s plus some medical
personnel is very strong.
Sept. 7th - Nothing of interest until this evening, when we were told that four M.Os. (British) had
been chosen to accompany the Repat. party. They are to be Capts. Allan and Readman
and the two Indians. It's a fair enough choice, as Allan has been "in the bag" since
France, the two Indians I suppose don't take kindly to the climate, and Ready is aged about forty
and has four children (Sons). I was beaten by him for a place "on the count-back". Good luck to
them. I can't say I'm terribly disappointed for several reasons - I didn't for a minute expect to go,
I have only a weak faith in talks of repatriation, no matter how well founded they appear to be,
and, anyhow, I think we'll all be out of it reasonably soon. When I hear that they've reached home,
then perhaps, I'll begin to groan. But what wouldn't I give to open the door of 9 Stanley St and walk
in on them! Oh, Lord! The lads are pushing ahead slowly in Calabria. Had
my third French lesson to-day. I think I'm making progress.
Sept. 8th - Quiet enough, but there is a marked tension in the air. Something big seems about
to happen. Italians in Germany are regarded as hostages.
Of the four remaining British M.Os, two are to stay here and two to go. Croisille told me
this afternoon that he had suggested to the Chefarzt that I stay, and he had agreed. Though it suits my
wishes, I feel a bit of a squirt about that, it seems like taking an unfair advantage of the others. But
the idea was not mine, and never at any time did I suggest that he do what he did, and, besides, I
can't do anything about it.
Sept. 9th - It's happened!! Hell of a racket broke loose at about 0730 hrs.. Allan came in and
woke us and told us that the Germans announced that yesterday Italy had
capitulated unconditionally. Italian divisions are alleged to have assembled in the
region of the Brenner Pass with the idea of taking the Gerries in rear, but they were disarmed. The Gerries are howling
about this treachery, and how they will not forget it. The Croats have marched into that part of Jugoslavia
occupied by the Italians, and all Italians in Axis hands are regarded as prisoners. This evening it was
announced that the Anglo Americans have disembarked at Naples and Salerno and have not been
thrown out - The lads are betting on how long the show will last. No explicit reference to the Italian
fleet or air-force. Things have moved since Sept 3rd. It seems that the Italian negotiator was
Marshall Badoglio, and the Germans don't like him.
Sept. 10th - News to-day concerned Italy mainly. In brief - part of the Italian navy & army has come over to us,
part to the Germans, and a large number of the army, ?80,000, have laid down their arms to
the Germans. The latter have secured the passes into France and Germany, the latter after
fighting with the Italians, many of whom are helping the Anglo. Americans at Naples & Salerno. In addition
the Gerries have occupied Spezia, Livorno, Cremona, Reggio, Modena, Bologna, Verona, and a few other places
and they and the croats have taken over Albania and the Adriatic sea-board to the east. They're saying
lots of things about Badoglio, who has gone, destination unknown, while the Crown Princess has taken her four
children into Switzerland. Finished my map of the Mediterranean. It looks not bad.
Was paid R.M.36.
Sept. 11th - Quiet day.
Sept. 12th - 8 o'clock Mass & Communion. French Concert (Stalag party gave it in the village hall
just outside the hospital grounds) for two hours of the morning, and very good, too.
Looked for my leather gloves before and for along time afterwards, but could not find
them though I searched everywhere. What rotten luck!
Quite a good talkie at night.
Sept. 13th - 8 o'clock Confession, Mass & Communion, and spent a part of the morning writing
- two letters to Glad, others to Mum & Dad, Ines & Ron, and cards to the kids, in-laws
[*8*] & Officer in Command A.I.F. (U.K.) re rumour of demobilisation on our release.
Sept 14th - 0745 Mass & Communion. The day has been quite hot, and Indian Summer. Nothing
new. The Gerries claim to be pushing our people back into Salerno. Making
some progress at French
Sept. 15th - Quiet enough to-day. got up fairly late. Then Les arrived in the afternoon on
medical business and we had quite a yarn. It came out in the conversation that he had
had news from home - Brian Beresford and young Jacoby Killed in Papua, the old 2/7th
with entire S.A. personnel around Darwin, Frank, with most of our old chaps C.O of the 2/5 still in the
West, Syd Prigan a Lt./Col!! Bert Hall & Manford Bearer-Lts. (a new appointment), & Stan O'Brien,
Transport Officer with Frank. Owen Howes is adjutant to Hollywood Hospital, military, in the University
grounds, and most of our other pals are promoted. I told Les I wanted to recommend Frank & Max
for their work on Crete, suggested for a start, an M.I.D., but Les told me I should make it more. Sounds
well worth trying, and others of the Co. must come in for consideration. Les's mother had a temporary
trouble, apparently a small cerebral thrombosis, but got over it.
Sept 16th - Received two letters to-day - from Mum & Luis Piacentini in the Argentine. Mum
[*2*] wrote hers on my birthday with best wishes for it, told me Ines had not long gone back to
duty, that Dad had had a good time at the Bowling Carnivals at Perth & Northam,
though without luck, and that Charlie Barnard had died at the age of 72, five days before. Dad had
seen Glad & the kids, & they were all well. No news from Nico. Luis Piacentini's was written 16th June - He's
been retired from engine driving, his wife is suffering badly from hypertension, and Uncle Luigi, Dad's brother,
died in June 42, very poor. Dad has not written to Luis for 3 years, so I'll give Dad the news. Nothing
else of interest
Sept 17th - Main news to-day is the announcement of the fall of Novorossisk and Briansk.
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