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Lamsdorf. He stated on no account could food be got out to us, as all
transport had ceased, so at 5 p.m. a party of 150 men set out for
Lamsdorf. It reminded me of Scott's expedition to the pole. They had
a great sleigh 5 ft. long and 2 ft. wide dragged by 5 men. It was piled
up with kit and Red Cross boxes. The MO came into our barracks
later and told us there was plenty of food at Lamsdorf and in his
opinion it would be best to return there. It was finally agreed that
everyman would trek it back those kilometres to Lamsdorf.

Sunday 28th January. I awoke and brought tea for the barracks, also one
mess tin full of milk, which I got by lifting the lid on a lonesome milk
kit. At 08.00 hrs we had bread and honey for breakfast. We had a
good potato issue and also cheese. The weather remained very cold
but we managed to cook our meals. I once again produced the fuel
from the roof of the pigsty. I managed to get 4 eggs for Monday
morning breakfast and several onions. Late that evening 30 NCOs
arrived from Lamsdorf with handcarts laden with Red Cross parcels
and bread. In all, 300 parcels were brought and the bread issue was
1/5 loaf per man (400 grams approx.). It was a wonderful achievement
under such bad conditions. All the men who were fit to walk had to be
prepared to move at 09.00 hrs. on Monday morning. According to
British news from Stalag 344, the Russians were 93 miles from
Berlin. Fighting reported near Boyton and Heyderbick. Feet on
freezing point, now getting down to bed, lights still on although late.

Monday 29fh January. Sleep during the night had been next to nigh
impossible owing to the intense cold. I arose at 6.45 a.m. and brought
tea from the cookhouse. One kit which had previously held milk
failed to brew the tea, so men had to have 1/2 rations amidst grumbles.
I got a fire going and we boiled an extra large boiling of spuds and
with them had boiled eggs, bread and syrup and tea. Then we had to
pack up and set out on our journey. At 10 a.m. we hit the trail to
Lamsdorf, and once again the barbed wire. We were issued with 1/2
Red Cross parcel per man, 25 eggs and 1/5 of a loaf. There was a cold
wind blowing on our backs as we reached the main road in
Friedewalde. The rest of the party had moved off and we three set out
alone without a Posten (Guard). So trudging along on the hard snow
road we headed in the direction of Lamsdorf. We stopped after a few
kilometres to barter for bread but we were unsuccessful. At last we
made our way into the village where 7 days previously, I had nearly
lost my life. Sorted out a farmhouse and begged hot water. We were
welcomed in and soon made good friends with the Frau. She prepared
us coffee and bread. We ate until quite full. Before departing we had a
wash and shave and managed 1/2 a loaf, some peas, 1 piece of pork and
5 eggs. I may say I was one blanket and two tablets of soap lighter.
Buckling on our armour once again, we headed on. We had 5 or 6 km
of open country to travel and the wind was now blowing across our
flank and bitter cold. The snow was drifting and walking was none too
good. The scenery was none too bright, desolation in the extreme.
Three half-weary travellers slogging along, Geordy Bell in the lead by
a good 50 yards, then myself and John Lees bringing up the rear. On
the roadside at one point lay a dead horse, the results of strafing by
Russian planes a few days previously. German soldiers passed us on
cycles and on foot, but never a question was asked as to who we were,
or where we were going. They all seemed too busy getting away. I
saw a flock of sheep being driven along by Jerry soliders. We halted
near a Gasthaus and drank the coffee which the good Frau had made
us and which we had in our water bottle. About 12 Jerries came out of
this Gasthaus but never heeded us and we mingled with them, but they
went in the direction of Friedland. At the next village, Hennersdorf,
we were met by a civilian a local ARP chap who without questioning
told us to go into a farm yard and rest. We took up abode in a room
along with 15 Russians. There was a stove and hot plate. It did not
take us long to get a brew on and our eggs fried and together with
dumplings, we had a good tuck in. It was now 3 p.m. By 4 p.m. an
officer (Jerry) came into our room and told us we had to pack up and
clear out. We got our kit together and were moving out of the
farmyard when we contacted a Jerry Guard of 55 years old. He had
been with us at Friedenwalde and was with two sick Russians in a
nearby house. We told him that a Jerry solider had turned us out and
he replied "Come back with me." We all returned and he found us
accommodation in a cowshed. This, however, did not suit myself and
John Lees, as we had already spend one night frozen stiff, so we said
if we could not sleep with our Russian friends we would hit the trail
again. That night a local gentleman accompanied by an Austrian came
around, and he appeared to have some authority, so we asked him if it
was possible for us to sleep the night with the Russians and leave with
the Posten the following morning at 9 a.m. The Posten agreed on
these terms and our sleeping accommodation was fixed up once again.
The Russian cook put on barley for us and gave us some molasses
which we put in our soup, making it more or less porridge. We ate
until our belts showed signs of breaking then down between the
blankets and to sleep. The room lacked ventilation but was quite
warm. The Austrian in the meantime was anxious to chat with us. He
spoke good English and said he had been to Eton. He was 55 and
hated the Germans. However, he liked the English, having made many
friends both in England and Switzerland. He managed to get us some
bread and once again we had to part with our goods and chattels, this
time cocoa. Our Russian cook had promised us eggs for breakfast the
next day.

Wednesday 31st January. We arose in good time thinking our eggs would
soon be frying on the hot-plate, but alas no eggs came forth, so we
had to turn to our own resources. We packed up after eating and
moved away from Hennersdorf at 10 a.m. bidding the Austrian and
his friend goodbye. Good going was made for the first two kilometres,
but on reaching open country we found the snow on the road was 9
inches deep and progress was hard and laborious. We started out with
two RAF lads drawing a sleigh but deep snow slowed them up and we
left them. We had built up great plans as to what we would do when
we reached Beilag the next village 5 km away but when we arrived
there to our dismay the Jerries were in occupation. Passing two
sentries and asking them the way to Lamsdorfwe thought things were
okay but alas we were pulled up by a third one who marched us back
to a Gasthaus in the village. We were now once again POWs. We
explained that a Posten was following us up. In about three-quarters
of an hour the old boy arrived. In the meantime, we had been joined
by about 12 others and also the RAF lads. We found the Posten had
with him 12 Russians and we tagged onto the rear and set out. The
Russians, not desirous of returning to Lamsdorf were walking at a
snails pace so we five decided to leg it and forthwith we set out in
front. No trade was done in that village as one can see. We had a long
easy climb before us to Lamsdorf but after 3 km we decided to stop at
a farmhouse and ask for hot water. The door was opened by a man of
55 or 60 and he bade us in and made us take our gear off and sit down
around the table. They had just finished a meal and had left a portion
in a pot which was divided between 5 of us and jolly good it was to.
We also had one slice of bread each and coffee. We later made some
tea and gave the people some, which they liked. In the house was a
young wife and child; evacuees from Berlin. Setting out again after
the usual handshake and goodbye we marched into Lamsdorf village
to find this also occupied by Jerries, so our only hope of bread had
vanished. We headed on without stopping and fmally arrived at Stalag
344 about 3 p.m. We signed in and were told to go to Block 4,
Barrack 12B and there await instructions. The camp was a shambles.
Barbed wire had been ripped down, beds sawn or chopped up. Debris
lay around in large heaps and doors had been taken off. Electric
fittings had been ripped down, the water supply did not exist and the
lights came on spasmodically. In all it was a weary place. A skeleton
guard had been left by Jerry.

Thursday 1st February. We slept in 7A for two nights and then moved to
Block 4, 13A, and built ourselves a fireplace and curtained a portion
off and here we lived.

Friday 2nd February. We had Xmas pudding, custard, potatoes and pea
soup for dinner. The food situation in the Stalag was none too good.
At present, we are having morning coffee (Jerry), potato and soup
rations (900 grams spuds), 4 Knackebrote (crispbread) per man per
day and a margarine and sugar ration extra. We had a few polish
cigarettes and, at times, 1 tin of sardines between 3 men. At the
moment we are having fairly good food and sufficient.

Saturday 3rd February. Parcel day. One Canadian parcel between 3 and
50 New Zealand cigarettes, Xmas pudding for dinner, roast pork and
stuffing, potatoes and tea at 4 p.m. Supper: Knackebrote, coffee au-
lait. Told we may be under shellfire before the day was out.

Sunday 4th February. Arose, lit fire and brought coffee. Roll Call 08.30
hrs. 10 a.m. spuds, 11.30 a.m. Xmas pudding (our last one), semolina
soup and tea. 4 p.m. home-made pudding consisting of a pancake
mixture, some flour and raisins boiled in the pan.

Monday 5th February. Our meals throughout the week consisted of
potatoes, soup, steak and kidney with usual Jerry rations. On
Thursday we had a bread ration of 1/8 loaf per man, a little honey,
sugar, salt and sardines.

Saturday 10th February. Drew 25 cigarette ration per man. Russian
planes over strafing Jerry airdrome. Bread rations as usual.

Sunday 11th February. Cigarette ration nearly finite. German order that
no more beds are to be used as fuel (this area declared a siege area and
breaking up of beds is sabotage. Penalty - death). Great Russian air
attack on roads and transport quite hot whilst it lasted. News scanty.
All tinned food used, pea and potato soup for dinner - very good.
Only lighting fire during cooking hours now - preferable to being
shot. 3.30 p.m. another bombing raid by Russian planes. Flew very
low over camp. Could clearly see red star on white background.
Machine gunned Jerry barracks - No fighter opposition, plenty of Ack
Ack - real show, quite exciting time - short and sharp - bombs
dropped - saw them leaving plane - weather lovely and warm.

Monday 12th February. Cold morning, no sun during day. Road by eight.
Russian bombers near camp. One of barracks hit by cannon shell.
Rations (parcel practically exhausted). To bed 7.30 p.m.

Tuesday 13th February. Very cold - frost during night - tried to snow but
thaw set in. One-quarter diet parcel issued per man. Turnip soup
dinner, potatoes for tea and soup. Small portion of chocolate and 3
sweets. News - Russians advancing well. Have an idea we are cut off.
God speed liberty! Gunfire spasmodically (German). Raid by Russian
fighter aircraft in the morning - bad flying weather.

Wednesday 14th February. No bread issue. Bulk issue 1/2 tin meat per
man, 1/2 bar chocolate, 1/2 Ib butter and some meat, biscuits, jam and
honey. Cold day - rain.

Thursday 15th February. Same activities as Wednesday - weather still
cold.
Friday 16th February. Bread issue 1/7 loaf per man in the late evening.
News that camp commandant may move us at any hour. Weather still
cold.

Saturday 17 February. Cigarette issue 50 per man. Rumours that we
may move as protecting powers say this is a danger area. Bread issue
1/8 of loaf per man. Good oatmeal soup for dinner - mashed potatoes,
dried egg, 1/2 slice bread and marmalade and tea at 3.30. Supper of
potato soup and tea. Early to bed these days - between 7 and 8 p.m.
Photo of my dear wife and son stands on windowsill greeting me.
How I long to be with them every time I look at it.

Sunday 18th February. Twelve months ago I was getting ready for Egypt
and Palestine. News good - Russians 60 miles from Berlin - Breslau
encircled. Some Red Cross parcels located. News that we are to move.
Bulk issued in readiness. 11 p.m. supposed to move by train to
unknown destination - all packed ready, 72 cigarettes and 1/2 packet of
tobacco per man - sold my half bar chocolate for 30 cigarettes -
smoking well just now. Montgomery gave speech - message of the
day to his troops. Quiet around here.

Monday 19th February. Still here, no move made. According to Jerry
transport officer there is no transport available and he does not know
where it can be got and if we went, where were we going, so here we
abide, waiting and wondering. Red Cross officials it is said may get us
away to a neutral country. I have my doubts. We have food at any
rate. We had barley and boiled fish for dinner (result jolly good). Tea
the old favourite mashed spuds and 1 1/2 sausages, 1 slice of bread and
honey and tea to finish and pipe of tobacco. Burnt all wood supply
yesterday so more beds will have to go (and they did) despite the
firing squad. Lent John my pipe whilst I smoke a big Jerry one. If
only they could see me in Rochdale Road with this in my mouth. It is
like a miniature gas works. Now getting dusk, weather today sunny
but cold. Supper - chips, bread and honey, tea and to bed.

Tuesday 20th February. We are still in Stalag 344 but prospects of a
move are very likely. We went to the cookhouse and got two dixies
full of pea soup and for tea had a real tuck in. Drew one Canadian
parcel after tea and 72 cigarettes per man. Told we were moving
Wednesday morning by train.

Wednesday 21st February. Arising at 5.30 a.m. I lit the fire and got a
brew ready, we ate and prepared ourselves for the march to Anahoff
station. Turned back till 11 am. as the engine had not arrived to pull
the wagons. At last we are off and it looks as though Stalag 344 is left
behind this time finally. We had an escort of Jerry home guardsmen
and what a sample they were - mostly old men. It was like a
summer's day as we marched on to the station, lovely and warm. 41
men to a wagon and what a squeeze - kits, etc. One loaf per man was
issued on the platform. We had a portable gramophone in the truck -
tunes included "Land of Hope and Glory" and some Bing Crosby
favourites. For lunch ate 1 Vi slices bread and cheese and 1 slice with
plum jam, which I had made the day before at Stalag 344. Journey
supposed to take 4 days - destination near Nuremburg. Left station at
3 p.m. Went to Miesse. Sleep practically out of the question owing to
limited space.

Thursday 22nd February. Had good breakfast and dinner. Stopped 12
hours at Hohenstadt. We were let out near a river and allowed to do
natures demands and have a wash. A sight I shall always remember -
close on 1000 men and some feminine onlookers from the other side
of the river. 2 p.m. and off we go again and arrive about 8 p.m. in
Dreig and had soup.

Friday 23rd February. 11.30 a.m., Pecky 60 km from Prague got out to
do natures demands on railway side - managed to secure 2 small buns
of white bread for 1 bar soap.

Saturday 24th February. Much stopping, very weary journey, 9 km from
Prague - have not shaved yet, getting weary.

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