大象传媒

As I mentioned earlier, the regular radio reports were good for the morale, and culminated on Friday 30th March 1945 in exciting and sensational news, which suggested that our release from captivity was imminent. The steady advance of British troops would bring them to the gates of Stalag 357 by the next day.

Euphoria swept the camp - nobody slept. Belongings were collected together, ready to carry with us as soon as we were free.

The excitement was intense - we all had heard of the exact areas in which British troops were fighting that day. It only needed one more decisive push in our direction to reach us. All the camp mathematicians had worked out their sums. It reminded me of school days - if so many men dig so many yards of a trench in so many days, how many men would be needed to dig a similar trench in half the time. Bets were even taken, as to the exact time, when the British troops would arrive, and quantities of cigarettes changed hands as a result.

Even the German guards were affected. The restlessness had spread throughout the whole camp, and to this was added general movement and noise. Nobody would settle- who was going to sleep, when such a momentous event was not far off?

It is difficult to describe the feelings which had been aroused. None of us really knew what was happening in the battle areas, which could not be far from us, but this did not dampen our spirits. It was a night without sleep.

The hours of darkness gradually passed, as we strained our ears for the sound of gunfire. And, then came the dawn - and we were still Prisoners-of-War.

It was anti-climax. What had gone wrong? Where were our liberators? It was only gradually that we had to accept that our euphoria and excitement had been misplaced. The monotony of camp life would continue. Later, it was established, that for some reason, the British advance had taken another direction - away from our camp area. It was a blow that we would have to accept, and morale would have to be re-built. Unknown to us - one week later - the camp gates would be opened, and we would leave Stalag 357 for ever - and start the Long, Long, March To No-Where!!

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