Bill's Diary (Part Two) - July 1940
1940
July 1st
We got off barge at noon, went into a field for a short rest, then got on a train at 2 pm - 55 in a truck. It was terribly hot and rode for two hours. Arrived at a temporary camp. We are in a big tent - 800 men in camp.
July 2nd
Had coffee at 8 am, big pot of soup at 11.30 am, very nice. At 5.30 pm we had bread and cheese and ham. Loaf of bread between five men - not very much. Weather very hot.
July 3rd
Coffee at 6 am, soup about 12 and ham at 4 pm. No more food until tomorrow.
July 4th
Routine as yesterday. We did PT today. Cannot do much of that on the food we get served. Storm this morning during raid alarm, rumour of war finishing August 15th.
July 5th
Same routine. Rumour of America in the war, also Turkey and Russia.
July 6th
Same as yesterday. Weather stormy, rumour of a move.
July 7th
Get on a train, 55 in a truck, raining like hell all day and night. No sleep. Go across Germany. Rations getting short, no smokes, don't know where we are going.
July 8th
Still on train, have a little piece of bread and sausage, no water. We get a bottle of water at station, pass into Poland in the afternoon. Big difference, people seem afraid to smile and we are put in huts 250 men in one.
July 9th
Had coffee and bread one loaf between five men. It has to last until next morning. We got boiled barley and rotten spuds for dinner. I sold my watch for smokes, got some tobacco and papers. Full of rumours of Russia in war, don't know what to believe here.
July 10th
Same routine, more rotten spuds, all the men are lousy and many have dysentery. The water is bad. Weather very warm. Rumours of 800 men going out to work.
July 11th
Coffee and bread, five men one loaf, not much to eat and rations getting shorter. Rumour of peace plan between Germany and England. Hope it's true. Weather again very warm.
July 12th
Biscuits this morning two and a half a man, dripping at noon, soup and spuds at 4.30 pm, more rotten spuds, tobacco getting short, weather very warm. Somebody pinches one of my biscuits.
July 13th
We get a surprise today, three men to a loaf. Some General is to inspect us at 2 pm. We get a good feed today. I suppose tomorrow we will go short. Rumour of exchange prisoners, I hope it is true. I think of you continually. Weather has turned to rain. We can't send a letter card for two weeks. There are five lads from Dereham here with me. Keeping well except for a cold. I wonder when I will see you again mother dear.
July 14th
Back to the same old ration five men to a loaf. Very short soup ration today. We got some butter today, very nice. I am going out on Tuesday, rumour is we are going on a fruit farm
July 15th
Same rations. Passed doctor today for going out. We leave tomorrow at 7 am where for I don't know. Rumour is Poland. Got an issue of the prisoners' paper. Weather a little warmer.
July 16th
Left Schubin 7.30 am, arrive Bernau 11.20. Marched about 8k to new camp, much better than last place, have mattress to lie on. Get blanket tomorrow, also two bowls of coffee and soup. Weather fine.
July 17th
Arose at 4 am for office roll call at 4.45 am. We are going out digging at 12.00 - 18 of our section. How long will it last I don't know. We get soup at 11.00, a big bowl full, we get another meal when we come in. I have got stung on the back by a wasp and it's very painful. Raining hard now, work in rain until 19.00 with half hour rest.
July 18th
Went out digging, hard work on the food we have been getting but it might improve later on as this is a new camp. Have run completely out of tobacco am smoking leaves off the trees. Weather is a bit dull, some rain. Hope to be able to write to you soon. I wish I could be with you - when is this going to end?
July 19th
Arose at 4 am went and got coffee, had a rinse shave, got no soap. Roll call at 4.45 am. Have got to wait until 11 am for soup. Go out to work at 12. Work until 7 pm. Return to camp when we get a fifth of a loaf per man, not much when you have been working hard for seven hours. Still we have got to stick it.
July 20th
Same as yesterday am getting weak. We don't get sufficient food here and we have to work hard on what we do get. I will be glad when this is all over. The weather is fine. I wonder how you are feeling over this. Heard the war is finishing next month. I hope so I am longing to see you again mother. Russia supposed to be war on our side. I wonder if it is true, the soup we get is only potato water, no nourishment in it. Bread is very short, no tobacco or cigarettes now.
July 21st
Arose at 6 am had coffee. We have been given a blanket each, a little warmer at night. The weather is changeable. We are first for soup today. We got a little more bread yesterday four on a loaf instead of five. We start work in the mornings this week I think 5 am to 12.30. Soup at 1 pm
July 22nd
Went to work at 5 am without any breakfast, worked until 12.15 pm went back to camp had soup at 1 pm, had tea at 6 pm, dry bread and a bowel of coffee. We have to go 19 hours now before we get anymore food. we are still lousy as cuckoos. We should get a bath Wednesday also some pay, still without tobacco.
July 23rd
Nothing unusual to say, weather is warm. I have another day to wait before we get a bath or some money, rumour is that Hitler is appealing for peace. Churchill calling parliament together. I wonder if it is true. I hope so.
July 24th
We got paid today, two marks, eighty Pfennigs. The first thing we all bought was a packet of cigarettes seventy Pfennigs a packet. It was a treat I can tell you, we will be able to buy bread later today, I think but only half a loaf per man. There is a rumour of a truce. I hope it is true, the weather is dull. I have been a prisoner for fifty eight days to date.
July 25th
We had a big surprise yesterday, the ration for lunch was good and the tea ration was extra good four men to a loaf, a piece of sausage and a good portion of dripping, we got paid and were able to buy bread and such from the canteen, but what a shock from that direction third of a loaf, a very small roll between two and behold a third of a penny cake, such you should have heard "the hogs" are out then. We don't know what the issue will be today yet as they haven't bn.een round yet, we had some rain today.
July 26th
We got no bread from the canteen yesterday as it did not open. Cigarettes and cakes have come in this afternoon. Bread is supposed to be coming up later. We had a hard morning's work today carrying big trusses of straw from 5 am till 12.30 pm. Drinks. That on no breakfast is no joke and we had to march a good way there and back, for dinner we had a few potatoes, a few slices of cucumber and a piece of sausage. Rain today.
July 27th
Nothing much to say today. We went digging this morning, had a nice thick soup for dinner and bread and dripping for tea. Still only cigarettes from the canteen. The canteen been a washout so far. We haven't had a bath since we have been here or had a towel and soap to wash with. We are all as lousy as can be. Roll on the end of this war. Weather changeable.
July 28th
A day of rest and lay in until 7 am. Had coffee in bed. Still the canteen doesn't open. Wonder when it is going to start selling stuff. We get paid and can only spend our money in the camp. Weather very wet and cold.
July 29th
Go to work in the afternoon this week 12.00 to 7.30 pm. Rumour that America is in the war, hope it is true. I often wonder if you imagine whether I am alive or not, might be able to send you a card this week. Weather very cold for July.
July 30th
Nothing much to say, same routine as usual. Was on half ration of potatoes owing to fellows stealing the potatoes and boiling them. Some were caught and sent to a punishment camp, serves them right. Had half a loaf from canteen and a packet of fags. Weather a little warmer than late.
July 31st
Had a couple of slices of bread with our coffee, quite a change, we get paid today. I hope the canteen gets going in full swing. More rain. Rumour of fellows going out to work on farms
July 1st
We got off barge at noon, went into a field for a short rest, then got on a train at 2 pm - 55 in a truck. It was terribly hot and rode for two hours. Arrived at a temporary camp. We are in a big tent - 800 men in camp.
July 2nd
Had coffee at 8 am, big pot of soup at 11.30 am, very nice. At 5.30 pm we had bread and cheese and ham. Loaf of bread between five men - not very much. Weather very hot.
July 3rd
Coffee at 6 am, soup about 12 and ham at 4 pm. No more food until tomorrow.
July 4th
Routine as yesterday. We did PT today. Cannot do much of that on the food we get served. Storm this morning during raid alarm, rumour of war finishing August 15th.
July 5th
Same routine. Rumour of America in the war, also Turkey and Russia.
July 6th
Same as yesterday. Weather stormy, rumour of a move.
July 7th
Get on a train, 55 in a truck, raining like hell all day and night. No sleep. Go across Germany. Rations getting short, no smokes, don't know where we are going.
July 8th
Still on train, have a little piece of bread and sausage, no water. We get a bottle of water at station, pass into Poland in the afternoon. Big difference, people seem afraid to smile and we are put in huts 250 men in one.
July 9th
Had coffee and bread one loaf between five men. It has to last until next morning. We got boiled barley and rotten spuds for dinner. I sold my watch for smokes, got some tobacco and papers. Full of rumours of Russia in war, don't know what to believe here.
July 10th
Same routine, more rotten spuds, all the men are lousy and many have dysentery. The water is bad. Weather very warm. Rumours of 800 men going out to work.
July 11th
Coffee and bread, five men one loaf, not much to eat and rations getting shorter. Rumour of peace plan between Germany and England. Hope it's true. Weather again very warm.
July 12th
Biscuits this morning two and a half a man, dripping at noon, soup and spuds at 4.30 pm, more rotten spuds, tobacco getting short, weather very warm. Somebody pinches one of my biscuits.
July 13th
We get a surprise today, three men to a loaf. Some General is to inspect us at 2 pm. We get a good feed today. I suppose tomorrow we will go short. Rumour of exchange prisoners, I hope it is true. I think of you continually. Weather has turned to rain. We can't send a letter card for two weeks. There are five lads from Dereham here with me. Keeping well except for a cold. I wonder when I will see you again mother dear.
July 14th
Back to the same old ration five men to a loaf. Very short soup ration today. We got some butter today, very nice. I am going out on Tuesday, rumour is we are going on a fruit farm
July 15th
Same rations. Passed doctor today for going out. We leave tomorrow at 7 am where for I don't know. Rumour is Poland. Got an issue of the prisoners' paper. Weather a little warmer.
July 16th
Left Schubin 7.30 am, arrive Bernau 11.20. Marched about 8k to new camp, much better than last place, have mattress to lie on. Get blanket tomorrow, also two bowls of coffee and soup. Weather fine.
July 17th
Arose at 4 am for office roll call at 4.45 am. We are going out digging at 12.00 - 18 of our section. How long will it last I don't know. We get soup at 11.00, a big bowl full, we get another meal when we come in. I have got stung on the back by a wasp and it's very painful. Raining hard now, work in rain until 19.00 with half hour rest.
July 18th
Went out digging, hard work on the food we have been getting but it might improve later on as this is a new camp. Have run completely out of tobacco am smoking leaves off the trees. Weather is a bit dull, some rain. Hope to be able to write to you soon. I wish I could be with you - when is this going to end?
July 19th
Arose at 4 am went and got coffee, had a rinse shave, got no soap. Roll call at 4.45 am. Have got to wait until 11 am for soup. Go out to work at 12. Work until 7 pm. Return to camp when we get a fifth of a loaf per man, not much when you have been working hard for seven hours. Still we have got to stick it.
July 20th
Same as yesterday am getting weak. We don't get sufficient food here and we have to work hard on what we do get. I will be glad when this is all over. The weather is fine. I wonder how you are feeling over this. Heard the war is finishing next month. I hope so I am longing to see you again mother. Russia supposed to be war on our side. I wonder if it is true, the soup we get is only potato water, no nourishment in it. Bread is very short, no tobacco or cigarettes now.
July 21st
Arose at 6 am had coffee. We have been given a blanket each, a little warmer at night. The weather is changeable. We are first for soup today. We got a little more bread yesterday four on a loaf instead of five. We start work in the mornings this week I think 5 am to 12.30. Soup at 1 pm
July 22nd
Went to work at 5 am without any breakfast, worked until 12.15 pm went back to camp had soup at 1 pm, had tea at 6 pm, dry bread and a bowel of coffee. We have to go 19 hours now before we get anymore food. we are still lousy as cuckoos. We should get a bath Wednesday also some pay, still without tobacco.
July 23rd
Nothing unusual to say, weather is warm. I have another day to wait before we get a bath or some money, rumour is that Hitler is appealing for peace. Churchill calling parliament together. I wonder if it is true. I hope so.
July 24th
We got paid today, two marks, eighty Pfennigs. The first thing we all bought was a packet of cigarettes seventy Pfennigs a packet. It was a treat I can tell you, we will be able to buy bread later today, I think but only half a loaf per man. There is a rumour of a truce. I hope it is true, the weather is dull. I have been a prisoner for fifty eight days to date.
July 25th
We had a big surprise yesterday, the ration for lunch was good and the tea ration was extra good four men to a loaf, a piece of sausage and a good portion of dripping, we got paid and were able to buy bread and such from the canteen, but what a shock from that direction third of a loaf, a very small roll between two and behold a third of a penny cake, such you should have heard "the hogs" are out then. We don't know what the issue will be today yet as they haven't bn.een round yet, we had some rain today.
July 26th
We got no bread from the canteen yesterday as it did not open. Cigarettes and cakes have come in this afternoon. Bread is supposed to be coming up later. We had a hard morning's work today carrying big trusses of straw from 5 am till 12.30 pm. Drinks. That on no breakfast is no joke and we had to march a good way there and back, for dinner we had a few potatoes, a few slices of cucumber and a piece of sausage. Rain today.
July 27th
Nothing much to say today. We went digging this morning, had a nice thick soup for dinner and bread and dripping for tea. Still only cigarettes from the canteen. The canteen been a washout so far. We haven't had a bath since we have been here or had a towel and soap to wash with. We are all as lousy as can be. Roll on the end of this war. Weather changeable.
July 28th
A day of rest and lay in until 7 am. Had coffee in bed. Still the canteen doesn't open. Wonder when it is going to start selling stuff. We get paid and can only spend our money in the camp. Weather very wet and cold.
July 29th
Go to work in the afternoon this week 12.00 to 7.30 pm. Rumour that America is in the war, hope it is true. I often wonder if you imagine whether I am alive or not, might be able to send you a card this week. Weather very cold for July.
July 30th
Nothing much to say, same routine as usual. Was on half ration of potatoes owing to fellows stealing the potatoes and boiling them. Some were caught and sent to a punishment camp, serves them right. Had half a loaf from canteen and a packet of fags. Weather a little warmer than late.
July 31st
Had a couple of slices of bread with our coffee, quite a change, we get paid today. I hope the canteen gets going in full swing. More rain. Rumour of fellows going out to work on farms