大象传媒

The march began at 09.30 a.m.. The
weather was good,but my feet troubled me,
especially as this was a fairly long march.
We,eventually reached a farm at 5.15 p.m.
Again,we slept in the open,and it was rather cold,but I managed to make myself
comfortable. Whilst at this stopping place,
we saw the withdrawal of a considerable number of German Army units,and Allied planes being engaged by anti-aircraft guns.
Tuesday was "Personal Hygene Day".
Also a day of rest. We had stopped near a stream - and this allowed us to wash;shave;
clean our teeth and wash our feet. As the sunshine was warm,many of us took the chance
of stripping and plunged into the stream naked !! As best as we could,we washed our
underwear and socks-and hung them to dry on the hedges. I often wondered what the occupants of a reconnaisance plane would have made of the sight below them.? Hundreds
of naked men,cavorting and splashing in the water,and running up and down in the open air to get dry.
We received a small issue of cold meat,but added food from the remains of the
Red Cross parcels,which we were carrying.
Despite the fact,that Allied aircraft straffed targets in the district,I spent a
comfortable night.
On Wednesday,11th.April,I again rose at 6. a.m.,and made a meal.We left the
area at o8.15,and passed some nice villages.
We also saw attractive children,and stopped at a pleasant place to "brew up".We halted for the night at a pleasant spot near the stream. We witnessed several German Army columns on the move. Noted that they contained many very young soldiers,who appeared to be in the age range of twelve to
sixteen years of age. Relaxing by a fire,it
struck me that I had not used "money" for months,and I also questioned ,when would be
cut off and eventually released? Slept in the open air .
On Thursday,12th.April,rose at 0700 hours and packed kit,and moved off at 0900.
Feet were slightly sore,but march was of short duration.We camped at a village in warm sunshine,and washed in a stream. I talked and played with some local children.
I bought some potatoes for six cigaretttes.
It was a very calm and peaceful evening,when we heard the news of the death
of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The guards told us he had been succeeded by someone called President "Schuman". It was a
little time,before we worked this out,that the new President wasTruman! Slept in a barn,which was warm.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.