Diaries and documents of John Dominic Palandri - Part 9

Conflict:
Second World War, 1939–45
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
AWM2024.6.7
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

May 37 Fader restlers during the night, possilly with reason or early Man, Contemar a Comunion, Sah 10.33/ cating into ard how tor is in the oun, pleasn which was spoilt by cold wid a requent clouds. Only munderd to Day was that Briist hove not aen Bugan that a ho ad it thens any tuthin lousd nr finres Ials liter & o sing nting asenen to Sden anth Gomeweld So Wte fut June 1 oannstibies, checled patients, hat and taking of tive naw case his tonis was all I did duning day. this wening rinly Your trnch l on a repatnation puily for fraune, manding all the open to s.- ffath huck?
June 2 No anausthetics, nothing to repat except. handon is in lad nith a Ilephlelitis o leg. Fniend Beat bunch 20 at ckiles Bidge E night wih wlshie Ballata remhead Hewr fom Chisars knough Fore that my afferiation for had pt to Daly had lean troncd. dorn. June Gave two anaisthuties his morning, and Behomann Landions 20 yetenday drafed with homonl to 38 his gan of willy hall to day for a long fun. Suiree days now munoms A hutran batle f 6oday that Gunans are retora is hoh in higlith and Tat Charkow. Bntisths bombing Towns in Fhimnchand and Gimps bouling IBrich and cantisthing
TaR6 4 One anaisthitic, a round of the wards, sumber he for a comple I hom in the apperoon, and then Aluhul Rmonns, a, wher news in paper – shooting chie of Gerafs in Ergne, Imall landing o cannel t d D teo a n ho JuNO One anaistutic his morning no oher work. Emach a Ex in akinson. Lindr Commander lad thought to have been a pimp by fals was latdly retulned to his camp wrote C Seldg exposing hiblun rackes and hwo Mllendly to blank, Eylned oher were sroped th by ths Adiscale which Ed. Prindirans prct for 3 has wither recuved or been Inplased spennatocacle, his, If course taking wsd Gling a little trouble lately, Dating whether to have bny do it or wait unil reation fisk dam Dhidiconiy, and I don't know wheher to chame it – To t one of other in view hood mumps.
JuDe 6 Glad's butday – and In hime ? Hill? Ond year ago to they we marched him Rithupnon to Norgisthonlis, Bhich was not exacly a sole leter home Jo. Fron, Savory House 15 . M. Srand London, saying hat cap hadd been oterd thwuch Red tirmn a Gunte. One anaistetic, a round with Stalsary, and a boag for the ner t he day. Silge to mate in hab. with hadns Jolin, Tumbead r Se i n 1 ae 16 June Commnion and two Marses nothing much for the rest of the day. Loaled and sumbated in attenton and played amuning Bridge at night with Willshire, Ballaa, and Fdndead. Jeps claim ts have sunt special subs, into arlour & to have played hull o o aee a f it stl d athe 5
Tune 1941 H Brovemen ratped Genera Lond h in i stat Blat Ka C Pahan resty aas cauy in Lads Dent SR M Sepo 1242 to ansistetics to day, chucked over tho heand that Subs are to be repatmnated and the Assisant he ins replacing Staborr! Bno is to have command hopstal lomn on Gurntes pont. Somy in a way. forner is likealle, but is a ditins, and lather though Hugh on hiny inlordinatis is very sfficient, always coutious to us, I honest and very coor. Fished Rs in attison, stitles, and a chat in evening with Talbot who is so small that when he stands behind 6o 2 focque at Affel, he is imvaniably mssed. Goupat 7.15 a.m. Co play medo ball with him, I allaw had letter pod Edgands. about trke camaltes - His still at Lamsd), as are e p 2 June 9 Second morning of 7.15a.m. medicine ball with Fallor. Jo anwheinsd, quanter. hons finisted the days work. epotins to mpor except witing of a leter o thad and one to Dy. dy Wisiteh 20s in a eoon with willstim a Klema. Wll land ont in a soad part of Buhin, and had quite an enjogable a eoo he last acction we writed was the li house where we ran acrons a Kokabrua looking very desested – I could appreate his tilings, a ay right, and a walle, and l did I he make med fet homesick? Fovr eliet wick hied of atey fot at h Te t ae Du as ip detofd Di the su of ta pa w tat aw in tt DI 26 an wher pad in a
Juna 10 as bind 1 Heanog 1842 Afsdimne: ball again, foyne somed m. tory. bllo onl s a pm at the Clanty, and no anaitth this so. day, wiher. Chick over o patints Asistant. Ant. taik a part If round. Sand it was unnecessary ,o give permer o diphs. as they were obviously nott dipls as pwals an alla b. Anyway, anothing tohim Iorder t murch as some of I hem get Trunm rash – and the staf cort 107/Es01000 uits! Tort know why ordered Advialin to help rash, which was inticanial in tyfse – and which bensh tsd by V. ofurt be somnthing wrong at lat to guve all ave vesults, as it appehs that swals are len comdly trough Ill chlk the nextone. – Bill Hust in his althemson, had apemoon Pea – Selwyns brother Preor, As in bag, tallen in Tobruch after rettur from 7.2. - Arrisent Ant Ofed our tking on 407/2 convalisent diph, as baten - vice Chaprln, .B. G. June 11 to anastles a opin round ah mothing else o importance. oes chis in to day to be intrsduced to this dwns, Chapman ipoed s 2/ boulins hr work or wands omnw may h and mercy on hun Japs attacked Duch Haubour, Alaska claim s wet an air catt camer and a eniiser and a a.C. camir damaleh &1s have snk R0-a.c. camins and other sips. Yanks Laun to have prake two camers a time edHleshps? Japs amounce Combanding o Jendung s Jurashe t ne Alshnt Dma but bast pata O. Daly1 and tathe s
Jone 12 Appel at 7.20 this moning. Alammss excumions mmediately afterwards as Crosse and Vuninent received order 15 pick up and leave immediately. they left at about 10 a. m very reguetfully, and dd to os distres as mey vy poplad, dient, unarmmtt cps h m d s commens ar die watced he go, as prhed to us apueds by a Btion of.C.I, wide toaller nwthy o) at Frunchmd and an officer, the only Operible ex Ause which may be made for lim is ibt his piolably mad, Allan a long went for a walk this Afimos we did not as it w threa Guing, and Folet decompanied hum, as he has develated a Efound melandude a and te Arsistant An. recomented to the Chet that be take every posstle Donting. Heard later that the two oficer that morning went to Lunkenwalde wheres came sallest a Landwon Twlis say that they will likes it as well as, if not beter haw hid place. Bridge Camight, Willine a Ballath against Limbead and Ome, and we were well hounced to the tume of 4,200. June 13 a at blon 1942 A mund -ward Sabran has not yr gous, and a lod for the met. ot the day. Had with us tor dinnes hanction allod, a Goyne, and ofles a Palmas ded us very will
June 14 Coinian Comminion fis Pe hoapd all day hould to deat bnd capard fained heanly in aftimons. Th for an hunsnlan Emed Gi yong Pelion Comod June 15 An anathitie, his moning fut for a long time. Hithue Coot one most of Faltop eares, and Iok fiv. Satrary affermusly not gove yet Ramning almost all day, and doe bilt as bleue as blazes Buse the wns I had had esines to travel with Grad and the Vids and to an Gunany as will as oher places, but now the some I leae it the letter, and should I never come back it ln would be almost too pson Mr apaid I do the cn an injustice, but one caunot be happily lodisposith towards it when one sus it fom intide the bar and that dispile the Eudiva Consntion thes that Grote is to leae no for the Russion pont as head of a gradp of intesprturs anacked to the French tegion, with posibilitus A a commission— Iomy Co lose him, as he has always been very faur sld correst towards ins, and has hold himse complitely also fom all sackets. He has one thin in cot with the Stabrant there, – Bridge his Tevening in the habith Rober, Ballata, DLuhend
Tone 16 Two anxishuties, this morning, one an Chuyl Chilo and them to sagnate for the not of an orcrast and my day. O Hhe mott epetty has tme t and rad ake stadh onp and sand for the nuptheenth time mnuptem and the days and for the id time in one tulled down ealon Sualle gath fish which I was gien nes, and for the usual nason - they were ball ha aa Rayid bridge foa while this evening , the nonal Your Owillin, Ballata, Limbend, an d I two trind 7/.Os came to day from Linkinwsal de Dr. Sannequin i Conpon, the latter a omabologer. o s to R a dirof ar, 10 Aefon ane not bere t in e s ad 262 o it whin a 6 2 Tyne 17 One anaishuke. T. Crahon qus to Station Pallonn hallot to come back tous, whill Panding him sakes he plase Gome in Station i IDet day fuioe to Glard to yau dad hus s reor man and and sut aboues on hs his chon aog to Valta and Tobnich loh being kod back Sih Theny lones. B.B.C. repors amuu of bod courgs without ls, but with loss of fair aber of pbtecting arrem.
2 June 18 wrole eards to Mira Box shalls this morning gave an anaislulic, and started ar complite rnd which I finished in aftemoon. Spnin reports that Amencan an Dulin bew out and landed in tutlers on to attack Eman lines in Rustia – wonderding whether its he plude to somethims in the Balkans June 19 othing doing to day except. a tinp nt to Clumprie Tas arime which we were not allowed to inter. Had a walk around be district, howewer and it was very pleasant, woods a parks and good. darshoues i almost every garder of which was a chiny he, man the Mest Haller Crandus, rips, ovehanding the Bo to paths - made our months water – Bllet, an 3 Wilthe and I made the trip. Geing news this evening is that there is ffighting in e 5t uts of Libastopol, Wllle Tobunds is claimed to be aumounded with a movage of British planes in the 1fiddle East.

[*1*]

May

31

Rather restless during the night, possibly with reason.

Up for early Mass, Confession & Communion, then 10.30 Mass

cutting into an hour or two in the sun, pleasure of 

which was spoilt by cold wind & frequent clouds.

Only rumour to.day was that British have retaken

Bengasi. That's a hot one, if there's any truth in local

news.

Rewrote Glad's letter of 6 May, omitting references to

Grunau and Grunewald. 

June 

1

No anaesthetics, checked patients, that and taking of two

new case-histories was all I did during day.

This evening sixty-four Frenchmen left on a repatriation

party for France, including all the open T.Bs. - Good Luck!

 

June 

2

No anaesthetics, nothing to report except that

Lanchon is in bed with a pylephlebitis of leg. Incised

Beat French 2-0 at skittles.

Bridge to.night with Wiltshire, Ballata, & Fernhead.

News from Chefarzt through Fosy that my 

application for transfer to Italy had been turned down. 

June

3

Gave two anaesthetics this morning, and Behrmann

gave one.

Lanchon's 40° yesterday dropped with Prontosil 

to 38°

First game of volley.ball to.day for a long time.

Several days now rumours of Lybian battle, Furphy

to.day that Germans are retreating both in Lybia

and at ChanKow.

British bombing towns in Rhineland and

Gerrys bombing Ipswich and Canterbury.

 

June 

4

One anaesthetic, a round of the wards, sunbathe

for a couple of hours in the afternoon, and then

volley-ball.

Rumours, or, rather, news in paper - shooting of

chief of Gestapo in Prague, small landing on

channel-coast. 

June

5

One anaesthetic this morning, no other work.

Sunned a bit in afternoon.

French Commando lad, thought to have been

a pimp by pals was lately returned to his camp, 

wrote to Stalag exposing kitchen rackets, and Two 

others were shopped, allegedly to Poland. Replaced

by two new men.

Hydrocoele which Ed. Prendergast fixed for

me in '31 has either recurred or been replaced by

spermatocoele, this, of course, taking years to develop.

Giving a little trouble lately. Debating whether

to have Fosy do it or wait until repatriation.

Risk of an orchidectomy, and I don't know

whether to chance it - not sure of other in view

of childhood mumps.

 

[*1*]
June

6

Glad's birthday - and I'm here! Hell!!

One year ago to.day we marched from Rethymnon to

Georgiopolis, which was not exactly a joke.

Letter from Mr. Troy, Savoy House, 115/116 Strand, London, 

saying that cap had been ordered through Red Cross, at

Geneva.

One anaesthetic, a round with Stabsarzt, and a

loaf for the rest of the day.

Bridge to.night in Lab. with Padre, Robert, &

Fernhead. 

June

7

Communion and two Masses, nothing much for the

rest of the day. Loafed and sun-bathed in

afternoon and played amusing Bridge at night

with Wiltshire, Ballata, and Fernhead.

Japs claim to have sent special subs. into

Sydney harbour & to have played hell.

Permission to retain knife

 

June 

8

1941

Old inhabitants report improvement

in rations & general conditions. Work

in hospital slacking off after Crete rush.

Rick Carter & rest of lads came in

lads sent off to Con. Depot.

1942

No anaesthetics to.day, checked over Tbs, heard 

that Subs are to be repatriated and the Assistant Arzt 

is replacing Stabsarzt who is to have command of a

hospital train on Russian front. Sorry in a way. The 

former is likeable, but is a ditherer, and latter, though

tough on Gerry subordinates, is very efficient, always

courteous to us, honest, and very correct. Finished

Tbs in afternoon, skittles, and a chat in evening

with Talbot, who is so small that, when he stands

behind 6'2" Rocque at Appel, he is invariably

missed. Got up at 7.15 a.m. to play medicine-ball 

with him. - Allan had letter from Selwyn de C.L.

about Crete casualties - He's still at Lamsdorf, as are

Bill Freeman & Stevenson-Wright both O.K. after Typhus. 

[*2*]

June

9

Second morning of 7.15 a.m. medicine.ball with

Talbot. No anaesthetics, quarter.hour finished the

day's work.

Nothing to report except writing of a letter to Glad

and one to Mr. Troy.

Visited Zoo in afternoon with Wiltshire & Kleine.

Well laid.out in a good part of Berlin, and had quite 

an enjoyable afternoon - the last section we visited was

the bird-house where we ran across a kookaburra, 

looking very dejected - I could appreciate his feelings, a 

magpie, a Twenty-eight, and a rosella, and golly,

did they make me feel homesick!  Poor blighters, 

stuck here, of all places.

 

June

10

Fire in courtyard, smoking

verboten 3 days.

Rumours of Germans leaving Greece.

1942

Medicine.ball again, Roque joined in. Fosy,

Elbaz & Morrel to a p.m. at the Charity, and no

anaesthetics to.day, either.

Check.over of patients.

Assistant.Arzt did a part of round. Said

it was unnecessary to give serum to diphs. as they 

were obviously not diphs. as swabs are always -ve.

Anyway, according to him I order too much as

some of them get serum rash - and the stuff 

costs 10 Mks a 1000 units!! Doesn't know why I

ordered Adrenalin to help rash, which was 

urticarial in type - and which benefited by it.

Must be something wrong at lab to give all -ve

results, as it appears that swabs are taken correctly,

though I'll check the next one. - Bill Hurst in

this afternoon, had afternoon tea - Selwyn's brother, 

Trevor, is in bag, taken in Tobruch after return from

N.Z. - Assistant Arzt O.Ked our taking on of Miles,

convalescent diph., as batman - vice Chapman, N.B.G.. 

June

11

No anaesthetics, a quick round, and nothing

else of importance.

Miles came in to.day to be introduced to his

duties, Chapman reported to S/S Erzelius for

work on wards to.morrow - may the Lord have

mercy on him.

Japs attacked Dutch Harbour, Alaska, claim to 

have lost an air.craft carrier and cruiser and

a a.c.carrier damaged & to have sunk two a.c.

carriers and other ships. Yanks claim to have sunk

two carriers & three battleships.

Japs. announce bombarding of Sydney & Newcastle.

 

June

12

Appel at 7.30 this morning. Alarms & excursions

immediately afterwards as Grosse and Maincent received

orders to pack up and leave immediately. They left

at about 10 a.m., very regretfully, and much to everyone's 

distress as they were very popular, decent, unassuming

chaps, both of them. Very sorry. Old Morrel's comments as

he watched them go, as reported to us afterwards by a 

British N.C.O., were totally unworthy of a Frenchman

and an officer. The only possible excuse which may

be made for him is that he's probably mad.

Allan & Fosy went for a walk this afternoon, we 

did not as it was threatening, and Robert accompanied

them, as he has developed a profound melancholia, 

and the Assistant Arzt recommended to the Chef that

he take every possible outing. Heard later that the

two officers this morning went to Luckenwalde, whence 

came Talbot & Lanchon, who say that they will like 

it as well as, if not better than, this place.

Bridge to.night, Wiltshire & Ballata against

Fernhead and me, and we were well trounced to

the tune of 4,200. 

June 

13

Rumours of Greek rising

1942

A round - heard Stabsarzt has not yet gone, and a loaf

for the rest of the day.

Had with us for dinner Lanchon, Talbot, & Roque, and

Miles & Palmas did us very well.

 

June 

14

Confession, Communion, two Masses.

Loafed all day.

Bored to death - bad cafard!

Rained heavily in afternoon. Oh for an Australian

summer!

Talbot going to Station 1 to.morrow. 

June
15

An anaesthetic this morning, first for a long time.

Wiltshire took over most of Talbot's cases, and I took

five. Stabsarzt apparently not gone yet.

Raining almost all day, and I've felt as blue 

as blazes. Before the war I had had desires to 

travel with Glad and the kids and to see Germany

as well as other places, but now the sooner I leave

it the better, and, should I never come back, it

would be almost too soon. I'm afraid I do the

country an injustice, but one cannot be happily

disposed towards it when one sees it from inside

the bars - and that despite the Geneva Convention.

News that Grote is to leave us for the Russian front

as head of a group of interpreters attached to the French

Legion, with possibilities of a commission - Sorry to 

lose him, as he has always been very fair and

correct towards us, and has held himself completely

aloof from all rackets. He has one thing in common

with the Stabsarzt there. - Bridge this evening

in the Lab with Robert, Ballata, & Fernhead.

 

June 

16

Two anaesthetics this morning, one an Ethyl Chlo, 

and then to stagnate for the rest of an overcast and

rainy day.

Grote said good.bye to us before he left

Slept and read, ate spinach.soup and sand for

the umpteenth time in umpteen and one days, and

for the third time in four turned down the ration of

small salt fish which was given us, and for the

usual reason - they were bad.

Played bridge for a while this evening, the usual 

four - Wiltshire, Ballata, Fernhead, and I.

Two French M.O's came to.day from Luckenwalde, 

Drs. Pannequin & Crapon, the latter a Stomatologist. 

[*2*]

June

17

One anaesthetic. Dr Crapon goes to Station 1, allowing

Talbot to come back to us, while Pannequin takes the place

of Grosse in Station III

Quiet day, wrote to Glad & to Mum & Dad this

evening.

Germans report mass air and sub attacks on two

big convoys going to Malta and Tobruch, both being

turned back with heavy losses. B.B.C. reports arrival

of both convoys without loss, but with loss of fair

number of protecting aircraft.

 

[*2*]

June

18

Wrote cards to Ines & Boxshalls this morning,

gave an anaesthetic, and started a complete round

which I finished in afternoon. Germany reports that

German American bombers flew over and landed in Turkey on

way to attack German lines in Russia - wondering

whether it's the prelude to something in the Balkans. 

June 

19

Nothing doing to.day except a trip out to Olympic

Sports arena which we were not allowed to enter. Had a 

walk around the district, however, and it was very 

pleasant, wood & parks and good.class houses in

almost every garden of which was a cherry-tree, many

of the fruit-laden branches, ripe, overhanging the 

foot-paths - made our mouths water - Robert,

Allan B., Wiltshire, and I made the trip.

Gerry news this evening is that there is fighting in

the streets of Sebastopol, while Tobruch is claimed to be

surrounded, with a shortage of British planes in the

Middle East.

 

 

Last edited by:
PetaPeta
Last edited on:

Last updated: