大象传媒

It was early on the morning of Friday,
6th.April,1945,that our guards warned us to
make urgent preparations to evacuate the camp by 0900 hours. This announcement created great excitement ,but I kept cool,and actually felt a tinge of regret at
being unable to complete my reading and studying.
Everything was breaking up -or was it down? It was rumoured that Allied troops were approaching our area. The question was-
would they reach the camp before we moved?
Despite the noise and the confusion ,I continued to read,"Gone With The Wind",and
reached page 550. There was time to make several "brews" of tea,and collect the rations that were being issued. These were -
one loaf of bread;sugar;margarine(two pats);
barley;peas and flour.
It was 1.30 p.m.,when we finally marched out of Stalag 357 everyone carrying
an awkward load of possessions.Despite a short march,I noted that my feet were blistered. We reached our stopping place after darkness had fallen,and I ate a biscuit,with some margarine and syrup.
We rested this first night in a barn .
We rose at 6.30 a.m. on the Saturday
to a lovely Spring day. I have to admit ,thaton the whole I ENJOYED this march. To be in the open air,and see new places from time to time was a kind of freedom. Many of us had made the best of life in the camp- now we would adapt to life
on the open road.
I reported to the Medical Officer
and had my feet dressed. There was time to
make a meal,and read part of a book on philosphy; "Experience and Nature" by John
Dewey,before we started marching again.
We saw a large force of Allied bombers passing in the skies above us. They must have been engaged by "ack-ack" guns,for we saw at least three airmen descending by parachute,after their plane was hit .
The scenery was enhanced by the
sunshine,and I noticed particularly a picturesque village and a State farm,before we again slept overnight in a barn.
On Sunday,we were again up at 6.30
a.m. and marched several kilometres before
resting in a wood. I note that I questioned
where and when would all this moving about end, though. actually,it had just begun .This night, we slept in the open and it was cold!!
The next day,I was up at 6 a.m.,
and lit a fire. I gave sentries cigarettes in exchange for potatoes.Another instance of
my hoarded "wealth" coming in handy.

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