大象传媒

"Money's No Good To You Here - Mate"

This was a true statement that I was aware of as soon as I entered a Prisoner of War Camp. I had often heard it said that money had no intrinsic value itself - it was only a means of exchange. It was what money could buy that was important and in a P.O.W. Camp Pounds, shillings and pence; Dollars; Francs and Guilders could buy very little.

BUT there was "money"in the camp, which could purchase many things. The "currency" in the camps was CIGARETTES, and this was the accepted means of exchange. There were a few wealthy men in the Camps - these were the cigarette "Barons". Men who accumulated thousands of cigarettes. I never found out how they did this - there was talk of con men and cardsharpers. No
doubt there was a sprinkling of such characters, as card games involving gambling went on at every possible occasion. Gambling schools took place in many parts of the huts - I often watched, but never played for "money".

The cigarette "Barons" could buy many things inside the camp - and it was said even outside the camp. Dealings with various camp guards went on all the time. The "Barons" purchased extra rations of Red Cross food from prisoners who had run out of their supply of cigarettes. Articles of clothing were also exchanged for cigarettes.

Some of my comrades considered that I was "wealthy". I had a great advantage over
them - I was a non-smoker. BUT accumulation of "wealth" took time, for like the others I started with nothing - and the ration of cigarettes on one occasion was only six. Once, I received a whole tin of cigarettes - it contained 48. I purchased a notebook from the "swop shop". This cost me 10 cigarettes - but it was well worth it. I could now write up my notes in the form of a diary. I still have that notebook after so many years. It lies in front of me now - rather faded, but still legible. The diary was written in pencil. The latter also bought with cigarettes. I spent my "money" on other things - haircuts, having my boots repaired,and with the help of a friendly "postern" (camp guard) obtaining bread from outside the camp. I believe I paid 11 cigarettes for a loaf.

So my "wealth" steadily diminished. The German Corporal,with whom I had dealings was a split personality. He revealed to me once, that underneath his German uniform, he was wearing a complete British Army uniform - battledress etc. - and he also had a beret or cap, which he would don at the appropriate time. He never revealed how he had obtained these articles.

The Corporal's plan was that as the British forces approached, he would enter a cupboard as a German soldier, and emerge to greet the liberating troops as a British soldier. He did not want to take any chances of being shot in any confusion - he was ready and willing to surrender.

Unfortunately, neither he or I were given the chance of seeing this much looked to performance - when the camp was eventually over-run it was like the "Marie Celeste" - the whole crew had disappeared. But that is another story - which I will explain later.

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