FIRST ACTION IN FRANCE

13thJune 1940

A Diary going back in detail to the 21st of April 1940

Arrived at Le Havre about 0600hrs after 8 hrs on the ship "Tynewald". Entrained in cattle trucks, 35 men in each and left at 1330 hrs by the station clock. Arrived at Abancourt at 1700hrs and marched to the Camp-under canvas.

There isn't much really to state after arriving at our destination, except digging trenches, making railroads, guards piquets etc, were our main daily fatigues. Spent Sunday May 5th in Rouen with "D" Coy and enjoyed it a lot. Visited the Cathedral there, which proved interesting. Got well oiled which ended a damn good outing. On the 16th May I was attached to "B" Coy in Sgt Straney's platoon. Left Abancourt at midnight on the 18th inst, slept in hedge that night and entrained in cattle trucks at 0715hrs. Train load after train load of reguees have passed us since dawn. Left Abancourt about 0830hrs. Travelled all day and eventually arrived at Lens to be greeted by a bombing attack at just after 1800hrs. The train had just finished shunting when 3 Messersmihts about 100 feet up appeared, everything was so sudden for I had barely said "Christ! Jerries" when it was all over. They dropped one small bomb and machine gunned a Bren gun post killing 5 men. The Air Raid warning lasted until 2100hrs during which time we were lying in long grass of the railway embankment. Marched to a park and had just settled down to some sleep when we were told to pack up. Entrained to in the usual cattle trucks just after midnight and found ourselves in Arras the following morning and again had a bombing attack. Several bullet holes in the trucks and engjnes. On the move again and arrived at Abbeville at 2000hrs, marched about 8 kilometres to a small village. Was just going to settle down to kip when told I was NCO i/c Guard so no sleep for me. On the lookout for parachutists in French or Priests' clothing but nothing happened, although several shots were heard. After having practically no sleep for 5 days fell asleep eating.

The 20th of May was greeted by heavy bombing attacks on Abbeville. Gained my second experience in hearing the shrill whining of falling bombs. My section and No. 2 were told to take up a position on the main road as two German tanks had broken through.

My section had the left flank and the other the right flank. Anti-Tank gun was put in position facing the brow of the hill, and the Bren mounted for A.A. Our main object being to question the never ending stream of pitiful and helpless looking refugees passing our Roadblock in all manner of conveyances, amongst them being quite a number of French and Belgium soldiers. At 1430hrs L/C Shearsmith put in an appearance with his section and took up a forward position, soon after his arrival German Bombers were sighted and started their egg dropping on Abbeville, about 50 planes were in this attack which lasted about 30 minutes, suuficient time for the town to be a flaming pyre. During the whole of the raid no English or French planes were seen, and it later came to my knowledge only 1 A-A gun was in action and this blown sky high later. Just after 1500hrs 9 more German Bombers were dropping their compliments on Abbeville and on returning machine gunned and dropped 5 small bombs which landed almost 75yds away from us, the concussion of which lifted my legs a good 6" off the ground, and made us wonder where the next would drop, but no more did; and the refugees came out of every kind of shelter and continued on their way until suddenly those coming over the hill rushed like hell for the roadside and shots fired. CSM Burgess said "Look-out boys, Jerry's here", no sooner had he said it than L/C McNeice fell riddled by machine gun bullets. Withdraw came from Capt. Ebbutt, so with bullets whistling by us we begun to withdraw until Pres Coster, Martin and I were the last to leave the bank dragging the Anti-Tank Rifle with us, when machine gun fire from our left got Pre Coster. Pre Martin and I took up a firing position in a ditch managing to knock a Jerry firing the Anti-Tank gun over and two others sitting on top of the tanks. By now the enemy were in a semicircle and owing to the ground we were withdrawing to being lower progress was slow. Just as we were about to cross the road a harsh voice was heard:

"Englander Allez! Lorst Lorst". I looked up and saw a tank with its machine gun pointed at us. God, I've never felt so suddenly sick and want to relieve myself so quickly in all my life - the business end of the MG looking hellish. Up we got and immediately were stripped of our ammunition and bayonet, "Allez" the Jerry said and with a jab of his bayonet they marched us up to the brow of the hill and told us to walk straight ahead on our own. What a surprise greeted us for as far as we could see there were tanks and armoured cars, anti-tank guns and a few food wagons. Jeers and sneers were passed at us, but some of them gave us cigarettes and chatted with us, one of them took my right shoulder title. After walking about 300yds we came across young Butch with his head bandaged groaning, evidently with a bullet had hit him in or rather creased his eye and entered the side of his head. So with Butch between us we continued on our weary way until a motorcyclist stopped us and we put Butch in the side car. As far as we could make out we were to walk to Doullens 27Ks away. After walking for an hour or so a motorcyclist stopped and gave us a lift. He was a decent sort of German and spoke of his visit to England. We were dropped after travelling roughly 10 miles and about 2000hrs came to St Pol, here we were placed with 200 odd French and Belgium soldiers and one Englishman by name of Bill Lonergan who had been captured in Doullens. He belonged to the NAAFI. At about 2115hrs we were on the march until we reached Doullens where Bill Lonergan directed a German to the NAAFI canteen, who filled a sack full of cigarettes and chocolate for himself and he gave us 3 Tommies 300 cigarettes each and lead us to a lorry where we were told to get in. Well I slept almost the same instant I sat in it and on awakening found we were 8Ks past Doullens and parked in an orchard. From here we were marched to a house used as a First Aid Post and here we encountered about 150 Tommies and Officers. We were then marched to some lorries and into these we were put, 25 in each, and away to a pottery we were taken. Here we were all put in one very large shed and immediately got down to some sleep. About 1200hrs a few of us enbussed and were taken to Cambrai, debussed and taken to a barn. At about 2100hrs we again enbussed, travelled all through that night passing St Quentin about 0430hrs the next morning. At 1400hrs again debussed and marched to a large wired off area (the name of the town I can't remember) and here we received our first food for 2 days, a * loaf of Black Bread. 1500hrs found us on the march to a railway station and entrained about 1600hrs.

H O P E

Amidst our darkest hours

When shadows thickly fall

A tender soothing voice we hear

Whispering Trust on through all

WK 10/10/40

I should think we travelled about 30Ks for we detrained at 1830hrs and finally arrived at Charleville barracks encountering some 2000 Poilus.

We had a piece of extremely foul looking pork and a basin of macceroni soup but it went down well - hungry enough to eat anything.

That evening there was an Air Raid, it was as if we were watching a firework display the searchlights being coloured, and the "flaming-onions" red, white, blue and green, this raid lasted 1* hours, no planes brought down.

At 1100hrs the following morning we were on the march again and kept bl...dy well marching until just after 0130hrs the next day, pouring with rain, soaked through. Most of the time we marched into Belgium territory then back into France again until we came to the castle guarded town of Boullon. Here we spent the night in a churc, sleeping on the stone floor and believe me it sure was cold that night. On the march again at 0800hrs at the double - God what an experience running uphill in the sweltering sun with the young German NCOs helping us along with their bayonets. A Tommy in front of me was bayonetted in the thigh and a Poilu killed just because they didn't hurry enough. I got threatened with a rifle butt, but was sufficiently quick to dodge it. Sleep that night was had in an open field, eight of us together for warmth. Stewed dandylion leaves were eaten that night. A Poilu gave Bill and I half a tin of jam - delicious.

Continued our march the next day at 0700hrs until we came to Librastrum at 1200hrs. Here we rested until 1400hrs, marched again until we finally arrived at Neufchateau. Here we received a cup of riced soup with bits of meaty substance (believed to be horse flesh).

Here we stopped for 3 days sleeping the whole time in the field changing our positions every night trying to find a less drafty place, but it was fitful sleeping the cold and cramp keeping us awake.

On the 28th May 1940 at 1800hrs we left for the railway station about 2Ks away. Slept that night by the tracks and at 1500hrs ay 29th entrained, 25 men to a truck already loaded with a tank. Not a very pleasant journey, the tank shifted quite a lot - at any minute I expected the truck to overturn. Passed through Luxemburg, people wherever we stopped gave us white bread, buttered, and believe me it was heaven sent. Arrived at Trier at 0615hrs on the 30th May dead beat. Put in a hut with 30 Poilus - too tired to sleep properly, Lined up for dinner at 1130hrs still there at 1900hrs. Unlucky finished - na pooh. Had some biscuit and jam. Slept that night with all the English together. Left Trier at 1630hrs with 58 English Officers - went with them as a Batman.

Arrived at Mainz on the 3rd June at 0655hrs and were marched to a fortress about 100yds from the station. Here I met 3 English boys:-

Stan Harris: Henry Bailey: Bill Dey.

Italy declares war on England and France.

French sign peace pact with Germany and later with Italy. All of us cleansed. Harry, Bob, Joe, Lanky and Bill were with me also as Batmen. Our duties consist mainly of potato peeling and room cleaning. On the 10th June my pals mentioned above moved off with the English officers, leaving 6 English ordnance behind these being:- Johnson, Jones, Harris, Day, Bailey and I.

On the 14th June more English Officers and men arrived, what a pleasant surprise for C/S Turner his brother, Sgt Greenaway, Tiny and a couple of others including CSM Underclown. Unfortunately though they only stayed 2 days when they left for an all English Camp. After they had left everything was O.K., food was plentyful. Went working by the dockside unloading dried dung onto lorries - a nice easy job for the civies told us to go slow, packed up for dinner at 1140hrs and as dinner (Mittag) wasn't until 1200hrs the driver took us for a ride around town. Some of the streets reminded me very much of London and our suburbs, to our surprise we passed a Woolworths and on the 25th June all flags and decorations were out - evidently over the Armistice with France.

On the 27th June the boys and I were resting on our beds when an interpreter burst into the room and told us we were leaving in roughly 2 hrs time it then being 1445hrs. Hurried packing then commenced, the main question being where was all the food going for we had almost a loaf apiece and roughly 4lb of cheese, anyway we finally managed it. Lined up for our departure at 1630hrs, there being 11 Officers and 6 other ranks. On leaving a * loaf and a piece of cheese was issued to us. Boarded the train at approx 2000hrs, and were told we were going to Laufen in Bavaria, at 2115hrs we changed at Darmstadt, entrained 10 minutes later and at 2255hrs detrained at Aschaffenberg and were taken to the waiting room given some pea soup - which went down well. After which I immediately got down to some sleep. Sleeping anywhere nowadays was but second nature. Entrained again and the next morning found ourselves in a siding outside Munchen (Munich) travelled on to Nurnberg and received some soup and coffee from the Red Cross.

On our way again after almost 4hrs in a damn siding. Cigarettes was our main thought, yet none of us had any. Bill Dey, however, managed to scrounge one from a civie so we managed at least to have a puff each. Eventually we arrived at Laufen at 0750hrs 30th June 1940. My first impression was that it was an ideal country with the blue and snow covered mountains but 45ks away, and that it should be OK, but alas we were marched to some barracks 2ks from the station. Here we were put in a very large garag, evidently this was used as a church. Afterwards I found this to be correct. Had our shorn off, and then came our dinner, meat soup, potatoes and bread, cheese and butter and jam, it looks good on paper, but they last barely the day out. A Jerry Officer said "Ah! Yes, food is not plentyful - the blockade of course, Ja, Jawohl". After dinner we were cleansed and our clothes again disinfected. We were then billeted in what I presume was previously stables, but there being 3 tiers of wooden beds. Here I came across Sgt Greenaway, COMS Turner, his brother Bill Lonerfan, Bob, Harry, Joe, Tiny and a few of the other boys who were at Mainz, they straight away told me the food was lousy (all water and not sufficient) so naturally after hearing that and after travelling 2 days and 3 nights in a bl. . . y train I felt rather depressed.

"Ah God! One sniff of England

to greet our flesh and blood.

To hear the traffic slurring

Once more through London mud!"

R.K. (Broken Man)

WK

30.6.43

Eichstadt

Monday 1st July 1940, up at 0555hrs got coffee, not bad either. Roll Call at 0645hrs; Put in charge of 6 men supervising the cleaning up of the lager (prison) squares. Time drags along to 1100hrs and dinner is served, cornflower soup, very weak and potatoes. On parade again at 1215hrs. New job swab down floors and passages with the assistance of 6 men. 1600hrs meal time - soup time, potatoes, not bad. If this war lasts another 2 years or more I'll go crazy - thoroughly depressed. Spoke to CSM Chambers about my going on the Garden Party. OK tomorrow 2/7/40.

Left the barracks with the Garden Party at 0700hrs. Size of garden roughly 14 acres. Growing practically everything. Put in charge of marrows, Pickett strawberries - God they tasted good, thats one thing I least expected to taste in captivity. Went weeding cucumbers, made a darn good job of it, but was told "too slow". Planted cabbages. Here the depressing feeling disappears. The guards are OK and talkative. The scenery is absolutely marvellous, the Alps partially covered with snow, wooded glens, quaint and picturesque houses. The clothes worn by the inhabitants are extremely quaint. Saltzburg is only 10 miles away, also Hitler's mountain eyre.

Have now been here a week 8/7/40 and am absolutely browned off for you're thinking the whole time of food and what you could and have eaten in the past. God I wish this bl...dy war was over. I dream of home every night and day, sometimes tears come to my eyes when thinking about Dad and Doris. Had a strange dream - you can see them walking along and even though you shout to attract their attention they still keep walking and don't look back towards me, sometimes I manage to grasp their waist but still they don't appear to notice me, gosh what a dream.

Now and again its hard to realise I'm a prisoner and should probably be shot for escaping.

Am now i/c of a squad of men - Room Orderlies - easy job. With the food we're getting it would be almost impossible to do nay hard work.

I will now try to give you an impression of our everyday life:-

"At roughly 0550hrs we are awakened by the words 'Roustien, Lorst, Lorst!' from the guard. Up we get and have a scrambled wash and then line up for coffee, eat maybe a potato if we were lucky enough to save one from the previous evening, if not a couple of slices of balck brea, which by the way tastes quite good once you're used to it.

This apologyof a breakfast is bolted back for at 0630hrs CSM Chambers' voice breaks the din with "On Parade everyone", "Come on, hurry up", "Eat that later" etc, with a curse or two we lock up our cupboards, then on parade we go and line up in our various parties, I.e. Garden Party, Ordnance and Yard Worker. At 0645hrs a couple of German NCO's and privates count and recount us, have a con flab amongst themselves, eventually we are dismissed and away to our duties we go, the Garden Party to the allotment, the Orderlies to their rooms and so on.

1030hrs sees the beginning of the Dinner Queue, perhaps its Meat Soup, Cornflower or Barley Soup with potatoes steamed in their jackets. At last they start issuing one ladle full and a couple, maybe three potatoes per man. Already those lining up who have been served are waiting in case there being some buckshies, the soup is very watery, still its better than nothing. 1215hrs sees us on parade again for Roll Call which usually finishes at 1250hrs. After which the Orderlies go to their rooms to tidy up and return the dirty empty containers to the Cookhouse. Generally the majority of the Orderlies have finished by 1500hrs and just hang around the Canteen drinking perhaps a beer or lemonade (which cost 45 and 30 pfs respectively) until 1630hrs when the next soup queue lines up, generally there are buckshies with this meal. After loitering around the Dining Hall for an hour or so they gradually depart to the barracks and settle down in little parties playing cards, reading, writing etc, but generally talking about how long they'll be prisoners "WellI think the war will finish in September because So and So's gone to England or Germany about a peace pact" although its only rumours it puts some hope into you. At 2130hrs the Guard enters the courtyard and the boys depart to their various beds and probably lay awake wondering how much longer and what tomorrow will bring forth as Joe and I do.

I'm riding along on a freight train

Bound for nobody know's where

I left home early this morning

and my heart is heavy with care

-

I quarelled with my old father

because of the things I had done

He called me a drunkard and gambler

Not fit to be called his son

-
I cursed and I swore at my father

I told him his words were a lie

I packed my few things in a bundle

And went to wish mother goodbye

-
My mother she broke down acrying

My son, Oh my son, do not leave

Your poor mother's heart will be broken

And all my life long I shall grieve

-
She kissed me and called me her darling

Around me her arms did she throw

I'll never forget that sad parting

When I went and told mother I must go

-
I know she'll be there by the window

Day after Day as I roam

Watching , waiting and praying

For a son who will never come home

-
So boys take a wnderer's warning

Don't break your poor Mother's heart

Stay by her side for she needs you

And let nothing tear you apart.

2.6.40 - 28.6.40

26th July 1940. For the last fortnight all prisoners mail to and from England has been held up, worse luck, only hope it commences again soon. I should receive my first letter and parcel from home or the Red Cross at the end of this week or at the latest the beginning of August, it then being almost 8 weeks since I first wrote - what wouldn't I give just to receive a letter. According to the German Newspapers they've occupied the Channel Islands since the 18th of this month - I wonder. Have just been given my first English Cigarette since the 26th May 1940 - Gold Flake - God its good. Still our thoughts wonder away dreaming more or less of home and food. I can now realise how much we used to take home for granted and our petty fault finding with our meals. After my own personal experience I certainly shan't grumble again when I do eventually arrive home.

1st August 1940. Received two slips for parcels from the Red Cross, Geneva - thank heavens. I draw them tomorrow at 0800hrs. One is food and the other clothing I believe. Drew my parcels this morning 2/8/40, the contents being:-

1. Hand knitted multi-coloured blanket,

1. pr Mittens, 1 Scarf, 1pr Slippers (size 8)

2. Towels, 1 Pullover, 1 pr Braces

6 Handkerchiefs, 1 pr Pyjamas.

____ Tea, Lump Sugar, Condensed Milk, Milk Powder, Sweets, Cheese, Marmite, Orio's, Marmalade, Sausages, Meat Loaf, Fruit, Coca, Soup, Margarine and Sardines.

14th August I now work over at the German Kitchen. At last we've been told that the letter we wrote last week is definitely on its way to England.

16th August 1940. Left Laufen by lorry and travelled to Tittmonimg to prepare a new camp for English Officers.

30th August 1940. Camp now ready for the Officers. General Fortune arrived the morning at 1145hrs.

21th August 1940. When I awake sometime between 0200hrs and 0300hrs this morning I noticed that the two beds below and the one opposite had not been slept in - God they've escaped I thought, well we're hear all about it in the morning and pay for it I expect, and with that turned over and went to sleep again. At 0615hrs CQMS Turner reported to the guard 3 men had escaped, at first he wouldn't believe it, then probably thinking discretion the better part of valour, traipsed up to the attic, on seeing a rope fastened to one of the bars of the window, turned and literary flew down the stairs. Meanwhile boys were talking, joking about the escapade. 0700hrs saw us on parade and when the Jerry Sergeant counted only 17 instead of 20, God he almost had a fit, 'Sacrement! Swinehunds!' etc, he cried, 'I will give you Bloody Hell!'. We were at that moment standing to attention when UnterOfficer Sommers said "You'll stand like that until Dinner Time, the first man who moves I'll have shot!" at the same time loosening his revolver strap and motioning the other Jerries to do likewise. To make matters worse it began to rain and for the time of the year it was darn cold, well I had a shirt pullover as well as my jacket on, and my arms and legs were gradually going numb with the cold and lack of exercise. Just after 0800hrs we stood at ease and were places at eight paces interval. Soon after 0930 I was interrogated by UnterOfficer Sommers "What do you know about these boys escaping eh?", "Nothing Sir" I replied "I wasn't takne into their confidence". "But you must have heard them, where did they get the map from? If you hear anything let me know, you understand what this means to a man in my position", and that concluded the interrogation. Straight to work we went and until 1130hrs didn't have time to light up a fag or take our time on the jobs. Back to work again at 1205hrs until 1830hrs that evening, consequently we barely had any energy left. Straight to bed after tea until 2000hrs roll call during which we had another talk by Sommers "I'll give you until tomorrow all of you to tell me what you know - if not I will make you sweat blood" with those words we were dismissed. On looking back to yesterday evening before the escapade, Stevenson, Henderson and Doherty were extremely cheerful and cracked jokes with the guard, even asking him to join their card game, it struck me then as a bit strange. Fell asleep whilst the boys were still talking about the adventure. Between 0100hrs and 0200hrs this morning the guard so kindly interrupted our sleep, not intentionally though, he was only checking up on us, the amusing point though, having his revolver out and his alsation dog standing on the table. Gradually the action against us seems to lessen until by the end of the week it is almost like normal times again. Went out and worked on Farphingers farm 2Ks from the lager. Ah weekend here again just going to have a sun bath. On parade at 1300hrs all of us old hands and were told we were going back to Laufen. At 1330hrs we moved out of Tittmoning in a lorry and just after an hour later, arrived in Lufen. Gosh what a dismal place it seems. On parade at 1500hrs for what? - Ah! The old rumours again - a new one this time - some officers have escaped - it seems true this time - it is true. We seem to meet trouble wherever we go.

"Travel is a pleasure and an

experience but perhaps the best part

of it is coming home again".

END OF PART 1

Continued in Part 2

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