大象传媒

Friday 20th April. Hitler's birthday - National Socialist Party break in
this area. In morning I was working for the Burgermeister, resetting
oven. Had coffee and white bread 9 a.m. at 12.30 Saurkraut, pork and
sausage, as much as I could eat. 2.30 p.m. more eats. Listened to radio
(In German. Nicht Verstehen - I did not understand) Many bombers
over dropped bombs on Ingolstadt. Clouds of smoke. Really lovely
weather. Move out again 5 a.m. tomorrow. In 2 days I shall be 34.

Saturday 21st April. 5 a.m. Reveille - on the road by 6 a.m. 18 km march,
through pine woods for 6 or 8 km. Fighters over again. Saw many
heavy bombers give Ingolstadt a load - clouds of black smoke.
Arrived Menning 12 a.m. German police in village (not SS). We have
to stay in farmyard - no walking about village here. Bread ration
today.

Sunday 22nd April. Rained last night, roof leaking (this Deutsche roof
tiling). Have to get over the Danube (Donau) before bridges are
blown. Making for Munich some 56 km to march to Freising near
Munchen. I am 34 today (birthday in Bavaria and on the tramp) John
studying Deutsche by my side.

Monday 23rd April. On the road once more. At 3 km we came to a steel
bridge across the Danube and owing to a blockade being in position
we had to go an extra 8 km. We passed over a wooden bridge, which
the SS appeared to be guarding. Everything was being prepared in the
line of defences. We passed through Wunzing-Munchen and several
small dorfs. Keeping to a good road for some time. We passed four
burnt-out trucks which was the work of our aircraft. We climbed
through pine woods, passing a mere, arriving at our destination (I
know not the name) at 3 p.m. I got going with a fire and we dined as
usual, chips, mashed potatoes, tea and bread. Soup was late so having
soup and tea for supper. We got down to it for the night.

Tuesday 24th April. Off by 7.30 a.m. - long weary march. Main town on
route was Mainburg where a great number of Red Cross parcels are
supposed to be in stock. Our stay for the night is Steinbach, a small
dorf which I see is occupied by SS troops. News that we may get Red
Cross parcels tomorrow. Did over 20 km today, 64 km to Munchen,
32 to Freising. For tea had mashed spuds, eine egg and chips, cocoa
and bread. Later soup issue and coffee. Shaved 1st time for 3 days.
Razor blade situation now acute, one blade left. Boots well worn, but
still living and wondering how things are at home. No news for 8
months.

Wednesday 25th April. Lovely day - ground frost - news last night that
parcels would be here today; 2 p.m. none yet. Dinner mashed
potatoes, egg, beans, soup and cocoa. Sat in sun then went in barn and
lay down. Heavy bombers over again, also fighters. Bread issue
today? Bread issue 9 men to one 2 kilo loaf. Managed 2 kilo brote, 3
eggs, 2 sausage, some margarine and milk by exchanging tin cocoa.
No brews left now.

Thursday 26th April. No Red Cross issue by 2 p.m. In other words we
have had it. We were all told this morning that we were to remain
indefinitely in this village. The Americans will be in one part of the
dorf and we under the command of our old Lieutenant. Two soups
today. For dinner we had (John and I) mashed potatoes, chips, 1/2 egg
each, 1 sausage each, the usual soup and 1 slice bread and butter. 12
fighters over for 30 mins this morning, probably reconnaissance
planes. Big heavy gun firing this morning not very far away - now
quiet. War News: Joe Stalin occupies 1/3 Berlin. We are heading for
Miinchen. Very little news on the war these days. Tonight Red Cross
parcel, 4 men to one American, invalid more bread issued - good
supply on hand now. An 88mm gun passed through here. Plenty of
troop movements. Had coffee and corned meat spread supper.

Friday 27th April. Got bread and margarine for 2 cigarettes. SS major in
village now and troops steer clear of them today (nicht gute) Heavy
rain during night. We do not move out from here but remain until our
boys arrive. POW is to be painted on roofs of buildings. If we are
under shell fire we get out in the open - lovely warm day. Good
dinner today - John obtained more kartoffels. French Red Cross
parcel issued, 1 per man. 7 p.m. allies close at hand. News - splendid.
Raining heavy - donner and blitzen.

Saturday 28th April. SS move out - news that German soldiers to lay
down arms from Miinchen transmitter. Machine gun fire heard quite
loud. Heavy fire also, all nerves on edge, excitement intense. Jerry
rearguards getting out, some in a hurry. 2 p.m. more gun fire - rifle
shots. The day or hour of liberation is near. White flags flying in dorf.
3 p.m. everyone inside under cover - all quiet. 1/2 red cross parcel
issue per man (French) got more bread. Our German Lieutenant looks
worried - good old stick though. Guards ready with equipment on,
some shelling but well away. 7 p.m. American tanks and
reconnaissance regiment entered dorf. We were all told that the
Americans were only 500 metres distant at 5 p.m. and you can
imagine the excitement as they entered the village. First came jeeps
loaded with our boys, then heavy reconnaissance cars, followed by
Shermans. Tank after tank thundered through the village. The sight
brought tears in my eyes. I knew then that the day of liberation had
arrived. My thoughts were for home. I even began to plan when I
should arrive, what a moment this was. Never have I been so keyed us
as I was then. The Postens had all equipment on ready to be taken
prisoner. In one hour, they were our guards and now we were theirs. I
may say it was a sorry sight, they had been with us about one month
and had been very good to us. Some had tears in their eyes as they
shook hands with us on parting. We gave them cigarettes, etc. and
wished them the very best of luck. I shall never forget seeing them
march away, it was like parting with friends. The Lieutenant, a man of
45 to 50 years looked sad but he had done what he said he would do
and that was hand us over to the Americans. The village soon became
a hive of cars, jeeps, tanks and reconnaissance cars followed by
infantry. No opposition was met in and around the village. Things
were quiet, the Jerries had gone away in a hurry. Free beer which
hitherto had not been available to Gefangeners now flowed freely
from the barrel. Cigarettes, matches, tinned food, biscuits were
handed out by the Americans. The night wore on and darkness fell. I
walked about free. I could not believe I was free, 7 months in
captivity, now I was on the threshold of my return to my homeland.
That night owing to excitement I did not sleep too well.

Sunday 29th April. Last Sunday I was 34 and never realised I would be
free so soon, but here I am in Steinbach, a free man. I had a walk
around the village and I brought some kartoffels and brote. I am now
in digs, no more barn schlaffing (sleeping) for me if I can help it.
From my window, I can see a white flag still flying. Things outside
are now normal, according to the Yankees, the enemy is 30 km away.
The panzers are too far advanced for supply lines and as the Yankee
put it, they were out of gas and had to return. My appetite in now
normal, owing to being free I suppose. I have seen on my travels how
the average German feeds. Soup, brote and kartoffels are the chief
table foods. I have seen his home, I have spoken with him, and been
very well treated by him. If they have, they will give. So much like we
British, even the German soldier will not see you without a smoke.
This morning I saw 10 German prisoners brought in. I was disgusted
how some of the Americans and even our own chaps treated them,
going through their pockets for valuables. Admittedly Jerry does the
same, but are we not laying down the conditions, so why not now set
a good example and show the average German soldier that we are not
so bad as we may have been made out to be. In any case two wrongs
do not make one right. I gave one down and out soldier some
cigarettes and nougat. Two or three were SS troops but the badge
(picture of skull) had been ripped off their caps. There is no electric in
this dorf now, it was cut off last night. I have two kleine children
around me now and such loving children both of them. They put their
arms around me, I might be the father. One reminds me of Joan. I
don't understand what they are saying but keep replying with Jah!
Jah! I am smoking heavy just now, having plenty of cigarettes and
some French tobacco. A Frenchman and a Yankee are in the room
with me also the Often (stove) is going. The walls of the room are
stencilled in blue wavy lines with an occasional flower, not very
alluring. Just now the bell of the village church is ringing; maybe a
special service. The lads are walking up and down the road. Yankees,
French, Australians, South Africans, an odd Greek, Palestinians and
of course Englanders. It is now 3.20 p.m. and a lovely day. The
ground to my front rises, the fields are ploughed. A road winds around
and there is a clump of pines, and everything is peaceful. A cool
breeze blows on me as I write. One can appreciate Deutchland even in
wartime. Talk of moving tomorrow by transport. Transport from
Mainburg, thence by plane - I hope to England - We shall see later.
Ate good meals today, left my supper. We move 7 a.m. tomorrow by
transport to Regensburg then by plane to England.

Monday 30th April. Awake early, I washed and had a hasty breakfast. On
parade 7 a.m. Transport 7.15 a.m. On road to Regensburg 7.30 a.m.
packed in trucks but did not care. At last, I was on my way to
England. Hail stones on way, cool weather. Saw Regensburg station,
what a sight - wreckage everywhere, unbelievable. Regensburg was
very heavily bombed over a week ago and what devastation on
railway. Great craters by the score. I am now sat in the Air force
office of the once famed Deutsche Luftwaffe. I am with 24 others
awaiting planes - maybe tomorrow - which will transport us to
England. It is said to be a 3 1/2 hour flight. Filled form in as to place of
capture etc. Weather cloudy and cool. As I passed through
Regensburg I was amazed at the tanks and all kinds of vehicles of the
American 3rd Army (by the way it was the 3rd Army which liberated
us). We were told not to carry anything, so I had to dump a small
suitcase which I had had given to me, also we gave our supply of
bread which we had on stock, also most of our Red Cross parcel food.
I packed away 2 German pipes, 2 blocks of marzipan jam, bread,
razor, towel and some crepe de chine, also knife, fork and spoon
which had once been the property of the SS, cigarettes, etc. 6.30 p.m.
and we are here for the night so John procured two palliasses and I am
sitting down writing and building castles in the air.

Tuesday and Wednesday 1st and 2nd May. I spent the days in the office
still writing and eating and smoking. In the evening of Wednesday,
we were informed that we had to pack up by Thursday morning 8 a.m.
and parade at 9 a.m. Went into Regensburg, saw cathedral, the town
seemed deserted of civilians. Railway yards and station blown to bits.

Thursday 3rd May. Awake early. On parade 9 a.m. Saw Douglas transport
planes arrive, rather excited awaiting trip. Marched to aerodrome,
boarded plane. Along the runway we sped and soon airborne. Flew at
2,500 ft and 170 miles an hour, sat looking at Deutschland pass by
like a map unfolding, roads, trees, fields, all unfolded past the edge of
the wings. The engines roared away. Went over range of mountains,
journey bumpy in places. Ah, my poor stomach at times, some had air
sickness. Saw the Rhine and fortifications and roads winding like
snakes. After 2 陆 hours landed at an airport on the outskirts of
Rhiems, taken by transport to transit camp near Rheims. Passed
through city and saw the cathedral. I can see it from where I am now.
Issued with Red Cross parcel, including soap, chocolates, cigarettes,
handkerchiefs, razor, etc. We get 6 meals a day and on special diet,
lovely beds and 4 blankets. Once more paradise. The plate was
divided in sections with a small portion in each - not one big plateful.
This was added after (I saw some POWs with 2 or 3 white loaves,
why?)

Friday 4th May. Fitted out in new American clothing (I am a full-blown
American now). German POWs cut my hair - polished my boots and
even pressed our pants. Previous to this had good hot bath. Lovely
dinner - roast beef, carrots, 3 spuds mashed, custard, tea and jam and
bread. (Added later: The German POWs did not like being shoe
blacks - hair cutting OK). Told to standby ready to move. Off again
5.30 p.m. by truck to airfield. On the outskirts ofRheims boarded four
motored Lancasters with Canadian pilots. In 1 hour and 20 minutes
we will be in England again. We are off, the engines roar, airborne
now. Called skipped up on intercom and asked speed "replied with
165 mph". Over the Channel the rear gunner asked me if I would like
to sit in the turret. After saying or shouting in his ear "Yes" he replied
"She's all yours, go ahead". I donned the headgear and listened to the
voices over the intercom. Saw the grey sea beneath me, so cold. I had
my Mae West on. Cold in turret but I had the Rear Gunners gloves on
(two pairs). Heard pilot say "English coast ahead". Looked down a
few minutes later and saw with delight the sands of dear old England
pass beneath me. I cannot express my joy in words, seeing the fields,
houses of our mother country (England) flow like a carpet beneath me
from 2,500 ft, roads, trees, houses, cars - what a fine sight - a far
nicer sight than Deutschland with its pine forests. Landed perfectly on
an airfield in Surrey. Journey much better than from Regensburg.

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