The Diary

Page 4: January 1945

5th January, Friday.

“Life begins for Andy Hardy” shown.

15th January, Monday.

DUs left for Switzerland and home [DU = definitely unfit, i.e. not fit for further military service].

18th January, Thursday.

Split up the syndicate evening. I now working with Eric (Jonny with Bert).

Editors Note: We do not know what the 'syndicate evening is'.

19th January, Friday.

Many rumours - Russian advance moving, not moving, Lamsdorf to be a neutral area, etc.

20th January, Saturday.

Christmas parcels issued (1 between 2) [see appendix 4].

21st January, Sunday.

"Ghost" Christmas dinner on Christmas parcel (fried Spam and chips, fried Canadian biscuit, fried egg, Christmas pudding and custard. Christmas cake for supper).

22nd January, Monday.

Midday announcement by loudspeaker to return to barracks. Order came to prepare to move by 2pm. Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 marched out afternoon and evening. We had dinner midday of Spam and mash and sardines on toast and a very good brew. Expecting rest of camp to move tomorrow. Supper of pancakes and honey (but was sick during the night).

23rd January, Tuesday.

Breakfast fried biscuit with pork and stuffing. Chaos - everything uncertain; some going out, others (including us) deciding to hang on to last. Soup comes up unexpectedly midday. afternoon order was for Block 6 [us] to move down to Blocks 7, 8, 9 or 10. We found beds in Block 10, then order was cancelled; we were to stay in Block 6. Finally all 19A and B moved to 26B. Supper of beans, toast and mash (lost 2 brews, owing to tea tin being accidentally knocked over).

24th January, Wednesday.

Order to stand by to move at any time. During morning it was announced that those who wanted to go were to trail on after the bulk of the Jerries, who were then leaving - last chance to leave. Rations and discipline of the camp now taken over by the British Regimental Sergent Major Sherrif at 12 noon. Report that the ammunition dump was about to be blown up; this did not happen. Acquired a few books and records [from abandoned huts] afternoon. Dinner stewed steak and bread eve. 1 parcel issued between 3 (new Bermondsey). See appendix 5. Supper of chocolate and Jerry coffee.

25th January, Thursday.

Waiting for Joe!* [the Russians were expected to arrive any day]. Sounds of heavy artillery early morning. Sound of tank movement frequently, but otherwise the distant gunfire of the last few days no longer heard and everything remarkably quiet and deserted. Roaming around the wrecked and empty huts, picking up useful things. Lights and water failed, but lights came on again late evening. Decided on routine of late breakfast, soup, biscuit and brew tiffin and late dinner. Dinner of pancakes and mash. Knäckebrot issued in lieu of bread.

*Editor's Note: Joe being Joseph Stalin, by which he means the Russian Army.

26th January, Friday.

Water appeared in some blocks at intervals, but anyway plenty of snow at present (makes blackish tea). Everything is still very quiet; front line now apparently along the Oder. Dinner: Jerry bully, buckshee stew (peas and vegetables), spuds; Knäckebrot.

27th January, Saturday.

On fatigue party cleaning barracks for short time, afternoon - piles of junk. Gunfire audible again at night. Good news - capture of Blechhammer, crossing of Oder at several points, release of many prisoners at Kreuzberg. Very successful dinner evening - scrambled eggs, boiled Knäckebrot and mashed spuds; Knäckebrot porridge with raisins and prunes; Knäckebrot and jam (and chocolate). Canadian parcels arrived morn (1 between 3) and 50 fags. Plenty of Jerry rations being lobbed out now: sugar and cheese or meat with the usual margarine, good spud issue, good soup midday, Knäckebrot sometimes/ packet each, sometimes 2.

28th January, Sunday.

Very cold day; spent afternoon in bed. Sounds of distant gunfire. 90 of the 300 who fell out of the march at Friedenwalder returned to camp last night and today with entertaining tales of chaos and suffering on the roads. Camp orders and organization now approaching more to British Army; police appointed to enforce discipline; fatigue parties. Water rationing to start tomorrow (otherwise still using snow for all purposed). Entertained Len Stoffani to a brew midday. Dinner eve; fried bully, fried Knäckebrot chips, Jerry cheese, Knäckebrott and jam.

29th January, Monday.

Long wait for water morning; organisation failed to work. Very cold day again, snowing thinly, driven before gale; violent wind at night. Called on Len but failed to get a brew afternoon. No lights evening, a bit miserable; went to bed very early. Dinner of shepherd's pie (bully).

30th January, Tuesday.

Felt rather unwell. Sunshine morning, dull and snowing again later. Canadian parcels (1 between 3) issued morning. Barley with Klim and saccharin for tiffin. Evening rumours that there was a train at Annahof station to get us away! Dinner Beef and veg with mashed potatoes and Knäckebrot - Knäckebrot and marmalade, chocolate. Strain of uncertainty tells on the mind sometimes, e.g. when feeling low physically as today. No lights again evening, but made small lamp and able to see what we are eating, which is a considerable point. Lights came on from 8.30 to 10.00.

31st January, Wednesday.

Much warmer; snow falling heavily. Still felt rotten morning. Eric was on water fatigue so brought me breakfast in bed. Pitched water can again as leak had broken through again. Much sound of both bombing and gunfire all night and most of day. Lights on eve. Dinner bully, buckshee soup (pea flour), spuds; stewed raisins and prunes in milk; Knäckebrot and jam. At night a time in our corner; very cheerful.