HALL, Gordon Keith - WX452

Cpl Gordon Keith Hall
Conflict	World War 2
Service Arm	Australian Imperial Force
Unit	HQ 1 Corps
Service No.	WX452
Service Arm	Army
Date of Birth	2 June 1907
Birthplace	Subiaco, Perth, WA
Residence	Claremont, Perth, WA
Date of Death	28 Sep 1989
Relatives	Father - Gordon William Hall; Mother - Eva Ogborne

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Corporal Hall was a POW and was captured in Greece. He was held in the German camps - Stalag 383 in Hohenfels, Bavaria; Stalag XVIIID in Maribor, Slovenia and Stalag XVIIIB in Spittal an der Drau, Austria. His POW numbers were 7840 and 7434.

First diary - dated May 1941 to middle of 1944. Some pages of the diary are missing and some entries were written in spaces left on earlier pages so they seem out of date order.

Sent 200 pounds to Mother, From Stalag 383 Bavaria
Captured in Nafplion Greece. Escaped to Milos Is recaptured by Navalmen 15 day's later (9th May 1941) 10 weeks in transit camp Salonika
7 days in Marburg XVIII D Border 1941
2 weeks in Pinkafeld, Austria working Coalmines
9 months Miedlingsdorf (Austria) (Farm worker) 1941-42
3 Months Rotenturm (Austria) (Farm work & Store Quary 1942) Refused to work & returned to Marburg XVIIID (border of Austria & Ugoslavia) after 2 weeks sent to Spital on Drun XVIIIB
9 days in Spital This was a holiday resort for Prince of Wales Beautiful country 7 miles from Italian Border.
15 September 1942 I was sent to Hohenfels Bavaria only a few Kilometres from Munich, Marmburg, Regensberg, Swinefurt, Augesburgh, Studgart. arrived on 19th September
Hohenfells Stalg 383 wettest place in all Germany. Mud & slush everywhere.
1942 1/2 Red Cross parcel a week & all conserve tins opened. Order of German High Command.

This started 1st July 1944
Handcuff reprisals lifted after 9 months. 1944 Fuel 5 brickett per day, soup 3 times per week, bread 1/3 of a loaf per man everyday, Marjorine 2 a week, Jam once a fortnight, Potatoes 5 per man a day, 2 Blankets. 14 men to a Hut 16ftx25ft
Charged by German Officer for Sabotage. 1941 Rotenturm
1st Nov 1944 Germans decreed an order that all Red Cross food tins had to be opened, of course they would be confiscated. This was given out by the G.H.C. as they considered we were saving food for escape purposes. The menu at this period was 1/2 a parcel a week. On 6th Nov. they searched our Huts and took away all our unopened tins
7.11.44 (Election day America) Roosevelt reelection. 5 years in the Army today. Wrote to Mother wishing Xmas greetings.
8.12.44 Vote of confidence taken in House of Commons 236 votes for Churchill & 30 against.
Some instances in first days of prison life, Salonika Transit Camp. Dinner Menu was called soup Ingredients one copper of water and carcus of Horse. Head legs hoofs & shoes. After English & Aussies had had what they wanted of it, the Palestinians & Cypriots & Indians fought for what was left. That was the terms. Rings were sold for a loaf of bread. 1 pound Egypt money bought a loaf. Cypriots killed swallows & cooked them. Lintels from old mattresses were cooked and eaten by all. We boiled grass thistles & many varieties of weeds for food.
Marburg Russian prisoners died every day at a rate of 50 to 60. Sugar was so scarce that one piece was hung in middle of mess table by a piece of string and licked as they drank roasted wheat coffee.
Haji Alexandron Yacoumis, Yero's Kapos, Paphos, Cyprus (Corporal) 19.11.1944
Stassan Asmi, Kato Arodhes, Pappos, Cyprus (Correspond) 19.11.44
The Anniversary of the Luftwaffe Speech made by Herman Goering March 1st 1942:
I believe in the conquering power of the German Youth & the invincibility of the German Luftwaffe. May the German nation ever be proud of its Luftwaffe & may the nation confidently entrust its best sons of that air force because it beckons to the loftiest pinnacles of glory. A bold & undaunted spirit is its fundamental characteristic. The highest devotion to duty not heeding the consequences & readiness to make the supreme sacifice are accepted as a matter of course. However excellent the material however superior the aircraft may be, they are worthless unless handled by men fearless of heart & firm of hand. That applies particularly for the aircorps & no branch of the forces has much more need of boldness capability, of enthusiasm & strength of character than ours. It calls for men indeed.
Herman Goering

Gotenhaven Port on Polish Coridor, Breslau, Wien, Stetten, Berlin, Frankfurt, Leipzig, Dresden, Prag, Munchen, Augsburg, Regensburg, Nuenburg, Halle, Hamburg, Rostock, Lubeck, Kiel, Bremen, Wilemshaven, Essen, Hannover, Munster, Dusseldorf, Kassel, Frankfurt on Main, Mannheim, Stuttgart, Saerbruch, Shweinfurt Baudie, Marlburg, Wein Nenstadt 60 Kilofron, Vienna, Sofia, Budapest

February 21st Caught a deer today whilst on wood party. This is the first meat we have had since Xmas
saw Doctor re ear, Polypus in left ear. He has put me on repat for April
Feb 23rd [1945] Turkey give Germany until next Thursday to get out of war. Otherwise Turkey declares war on her & Japan
Finland also declares war on Germany 15 Feb [1945]
1400 Prisoners from Mooseburg arrived today. two chaps from Arnheim came to live with us one a Paratroop & the other Air Borne. Don Teale also shifted in, the lads are getting very thin, no food
February 17th Germans say we wont be able to have any more writing material owing to transport difficulties
Not feeling too good touch of Dysentry saw doctor & got some pills caused by having no solid food 12th In bed still bad cant eat. But feeling very hungry.

Red Cross issue Invalid Parcel 1 rice, 2 fruit, 1 cheese, 1 Nestles, 1 Ovaltine, 1 cocoa, 1 lemon curd, 1 chocolate, 3 eggs, I Horlicks, 2 tea, 2 soap, 1 Yetex, 2 sugar, 2 oats. Between 5 men

March 1st German (Specialist) sent for me today to examine my ears says I have a large perforation in right ear also Polypus must have operation & possibly have ear drum scaped. Told me he was putting me on the next Repat Board which is expected to sit in April next. I am hoping Krieg to finish before then as I want to go home with the rest of the lads.
March 5 Food cut. As from today 12 men to a loaf of bread 1/2 lb potatoes 1/2 pint soup a day
March 7th General Hodge 1st American Army crossed the Rhine at Ramagen
March 13 Venlow fallen fighting in styreets of Mens 700 Bombers blazing way for 9th Army
83 Red Cross trucks have left Genoa for POW camp. Rhine 700 yds wide at Dusseldorf

Stalg 306 Marburg Xmas 1941
The civvies all stood there in awe
The Postens wore a frown
The Prisoners walked out through the gate
And into Marburg town

You couldn't count them as they went
Some four hundred men in all
They streamed into the snack bars
To answer the Xmas call

The lads nigh commandered the place
The civvies gave a cheer
The Jerry Guards - they did a bunk
And left the way quite clear

Then onward to a place of Booze
A boozup was their Quest
The Jerry roped in one or two
But couldn't find the rest

The news spread like wildfire
And many raised a hope
They stormed the poor old Jerry guard
With chocolate tea & soup

And many more slipped thru the gate
Although the Guard was doubled
And as the hours rolled slowly by
The air was filled with trouble

Imagine what a shock it was
For officers out to tea
To have doors thrown open wide
By prisoners on the spree

The Huns they brought Machine Guns
And then began to race
Chasing drunken prisoners
From every kind of place

Now when we get back to Aussie
And tell it round the fire
What do you think the folks would say
Get out you _ Liar
(POW 1941 Marburg)

The Desert Song
I a lone A.I.F. man & I'm stationed at Matruh
And I've got a little dugout in the sand
Where the fleas play all around me
As I settle down at night
In my flea Bound Bug Bound Dugout in Matruh

Oh the windows they are missing
And the door is four by two
And the sandbags let the howling blizzard in
I can hear those B_ Ities
As they circle round at night
In my little Bound Bug Bound Dugout in Matruh

The place is scattered over with tins of Bully & meat loaf
Of Marmalade & jam there are but few
I'm happy as a clam
In this land of B_ sand
In my flea Bound Bug Bound Dugout in Matruh

My clothes are covered o'er with grease
I look an awful fright
But I'm happy in the mess I'm in

I wish I had a pretty girl to sit upon my knee
To release me of the this that I am in

The angel how I love her
If she's settle down with me
In my Flea Bound Bug Bound Dugout in Matruh
Sudan Bunch 1940

The Aussie Abroad

March 30th Air Chief Hermann Goring shot by Nazis (Swedish report)
American 3rd Army on outskirts of Nuremburg 35 miles from our camp (any day now?)

Marlena
Listen to the Bugle
Hear its silvery call
Carried by the night air
Telling one & all
Now is the time
To meet your pal Sal Gal
As once I met Marlene
My sweet Lili Marlene

Underneath the lantern
By the Barrack Gate
There I met my Marlene
Every night at eight
That was the time in early spring
When birds were singing
And love was King
Of my heart & Marlenes
Of my heart & Marlenes

Waiting for the drum beat (3)
Signaling retreat
Walking in the shadows
Where all lovers meet
That was a time of long ago
I loved her so
I could not know
That time would part Marlene
That time would part Marlene

Then I heard the Bugle
Calling me away
By the Gate I kissed her
Kissed her tears away
And neath the flickering lantern light
I held her tight
Twas our last night
My last night with Marlene
My last night with Marlene

Still I hear the Bugle
Hear its silvery call
Carried by the night air
Telling one and all
Now is the time to meet you Pal Gal Sal
As I once met Marlene
My sweet Lili Marlene
(German version)

Russians are within 2 kilometress of the City of Vienna

April 6th Examined by German (Stabemetz our M.O.) says I am for Repatriation this month

April 16th Stalag 383 Germans mustered us to move, we refuseed & they had to use armed fire. At 6 oclock we marched out of camp in the direction of Regensburg.
17th After an all night march 27 Kilometres, we arrived at (Pulinorfen) & we put into a Catholic Monastry people were very kind to us. Air Raid on Regensburg yesterday evening biggest I've seen yet. 400 POWs killed - sad.
18th we left Pielenorfen last night at 8.15 marched 11 kilometress and are now camp in wood where only yesterdy 20 Yanks & 2 Jerry were straffed by U.S.A. fighters

You had to go the time was so short
We both had so much to say
Your kit to be packed your train to be caught
Funny I cried but I just felt that way
And now that your gone dear this letter I pen
My thoughts travel with you till we meet again
So keep smiling my darling nd someday we'll spend
A lifetime as sweet as that lovely weekend
(Stalag 383, Bavaria)

I haven't said thanks for that lovely weekend
Those two days of heaven you helped me spend
The thrill of your kiss as you stepped off the train
The smile in your eyes like the sun after rain
To mark the occasion we went out to dine
Remember the laughter the music the wine
The drive in the taxi when midnight had flown
And breakfast next morning just we two alone

'If I had my Way'
If I had my way dear Forever there'd be
A Garden of Roses For you & for me
A thousand & one things Dear I wouldn't do
Just for you just for you

If I had my way You would never grow old
And sunshine I bring every day
You would reign all alone Like a Queen on a throne
If I had my way

2/11/39 Katomba for Sydney
20/4/40 Left for Middle East
19/5/40 Arrived El-Kantara
11/11/40 left Palestine for Desert
Captured about 28th April Greece, escaped
Captured 9th May Melos Island

Dreier Walter
Rosseggergasse 27
Knittelfeld, Steierman

4 o'clock 1st May 1945 Released from prison life by the Americans. The greatest day of my life

Munich - Munchen
May 8 English prison camp bombed by R.A.F. & direct from we hear many killed & wounded prisoners
Paid pd2-10-0 for copy of Souvenier Book of Barbed Wire to be sent home from London

Frl. Regina Brandstetter, Grofsbettenrain Post, Triendorf b. Lundshut Nieb.

Frl. Theres Brandstetter, Grofsbottenrain Post Triendorf, b. Landsfut Niedb Germania

Frl Maria Brandstetter, Grofsbettenrain Post Triendorf, b Landshut Germania

Brian G. Hodgkinson, 133 Lanark St, or c/ C.K.Y. or C.B.C., Winnipeg, Canada, (Spit Fire Pilot Officer)

June 2 My birthday just another day. Letter from Mother. Also wrote to Mother. Dave's birthday 1944
Dec 26th 1944 Coldest day this year in England 10 deg of frost. Dec 26th Stalag 383 Bavaria coldest day this year 16 deg of frost

Contents of Xmas Food Parcel 1945
1 Bar Chocolate, 1 Tin lemon, 1 Tin sardines, 2 ozs Tea, 1 Sugar, 2 Custard Powders, 2 Yorkshire Puddings, 1/2 lb butter, 1 Tin Nestles Milk, 1 Xmas Cake, 1 Tin Pork & Stuffing, pr Tin Sliced Bacon, 1 lb Casserole Steak, 1 Xmas Pudding, 1 Tin Honey, 1 Cheese First issue after the Drought

13.5.45 1/2 Xmas parcel per man

Xmas Day 1944 2pm Heard Broadcast from Notre Dame (Paris) Speaker said Swan River Path Australia calm as a millpond Last of Red Cross parcels used today. Now living on German food. 16 below

January 17.1.45 16 below

we are weighed each month my weight 71.8 Dec, 70.8 Jan, 71.8 Feb

Miss Peggy Castle, 1267 Hospital, Eastbourne, England

Records Stalag 383
Charlie King (Strauss Waltzes)
Richard Crookes 'You will remember Vienna', 'I Bring a love song'
Laurence Libbert 'When I'm looking at you' & 'White Dove'
Vera Lynnn
Judy Garland 'You can't love everything' & 'You made me love you'
Bing Crosby 'Do you care' & 'Shepherds song'
Ann Shelton
Richard Crookes 'Only a rose' & 'Rio Rita'
The Four Ink Spots 'Maybe' & 'Green grass'

25th Feb Posen months siege Germans lost 23000 POWs, 25000 killed Offensive lasted 40 days 8000 killed G 3000 POWs 300 Cities Liberation

1944 Australian Soldiers Pay, Single man 9/-, Married wife 4/6, Child 1 3/-, Child 2 2/-, Child 3 1/6 English Soldiers 2/6, wife 17/-, Children 5/1, 4/-, 3/-, 2/-, 1/-

Kreig Ferteg 8.30 Monday 7/5/45 5 years 8 months 4 days 4 years prisoner 9/5/45

Stalag 383 Shows 'Ozladium'; Round Bag the Sailor (Comedy); A lovely weak lunch (Comedy); French without Tears; Where in the Air (Comedy); The Three Musketteers; H.M.S. Pinafore; Springtime for Henry; Night Must Fall; Club Sandwich; Chain Gang Drama (Programme); I Killed the Count; Merchant of Venice; Coconut Grove; Tony Buys a Horse; It Pays to Advertise; White Cargo; Nothern Lights; Days of Old; Snow White & the Seven Dwarfes; Noel Cowards on Parade; The Late Christopher Bean; London Lights; Search for Talent; Dick Whittington; Mikardo; The Ghost Goes West; The Haggis Mixture; The Man Who came to Dinner; Yeoman of the Guard;

Population of Germany Augsburg 185,374 Berlin 443,756 Bonn 100,788 Bremen 424,137 Breslan 629,505 Chemnitz 337,645 Danzig 256,403 Dortmund 542,261 Dresden 630,216 Dusseldorf 541,410 Duesburg 434,646 Elbing 85,952 Erfurt 165,515 Essen 666,743 Frankfurt on Main 553,464 Frankfurt on Oder 83,573 Freeburg 110,110 Gelsenkirchen 317,568 Glunitz 117,240 Gorlitz 93,808 Grandenberg 54,000 Graz 207,747 Hamburg 1,711,887 Aachen 162,164 Hanover 47,950 ? 190,881 Kassel 216,141 Kiel 273,735 ? 91,098 Koln 772,221 Konigsberg 372,614 Krefeld 170,968 Lodz 653,000 Magdeberg 336,838 Munich 829,318 Nuenberg 423,383 Posen 355,000 Regensburg 85,631 Stetten 380, 961 Stuttgart 458,429 Thorn 54,000 Trier 88,150 Vienna 1,929,976 Wilhelmshaven 113,686 Metz 105,000 Mannheim 284,957 Munchen Glabuch 128,418 Worms 50,661

Dec 28th Greek sniper fired at Churchill while in Athens. Missed by 30 yds 29th Last of Red Cross Parcels 3/4 per man

17.1.44 Warsaw falls to Russians. general advance in all sectors

11th Feb Greek civil war finished

6.3.45 Koln falls to American 9th Army Ribbentrop & Von Papan declared War Criminals

6.4.45 American 3rd Army 1/2 way from Wurzburg to Nuremburg

John McLean, Castle Grounds, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland 1 Aussie Hat, 1 Pair Lumbar Boots, lace up

November 8 [1944] Hitler to speak from Beer Garden Munich Roosevelt elected for a further term of 4 years 1st snow fell today at 9.30 PM

November 9 In a speech by Mr Eden today on Repatriation of long term Prisoners he said that owing to no reply from German H.C. we now consider negotiations broken down. Once again Hitler lets his people down by his non appearance at the microphone. He was to have given a speech last night. This is not the first time he has disappointed of late

Nurse Brown, Wellhouse Hospital, Barnet Herts, Eng.

Dave Wallace received word of his father's death. I wrote to his brother Jim Hitler reported missing Germans are inquiring as to his whereabouts some say he is a prisoner of Himmlers Lurfeits hit again with 12000 kgs bombs Still snowing Hard & Freezing haven't been warm for days Hitler speaks to his people 1.1.45 says he will win war this year

Tom R White, 233 Old Dover Road, Canterbury, England
Bob Stringer, 32 Cardigan Grove, Kirkstall Road, Leeds 4 Yorkshire, England
Miss W Richards-Jones, 'Radway', Winifred Road, Longfleet, Poole, Dorset, England
Miss Janet McCreadie, 9 Talbot Road, Roundhay, Leeds 61, Yorkshire, Eng.

Po'atarau or Maori Farewell Te invi to wi e te invi e Ta Luri mai ra te mgahau e Ki mga Kupu Ote rongo pai Hei oranga Ote invi e

Bonvier Stationer, In Geneva, Switzerland

Kath Kennedy, 29 Goodwin Drive, Ann Bank, Ayshire, Scotland
Miss Doris Nash, Bute Hotel, Rhondda Valley, Trealaw, Glamorgan, South Wales
Miss Peggy Gibb, 9 21 Alicia Ground, Kenton, Harrow, Middlesex
Ta Matangi White, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua, New Zealand

Miss Molly Harper, 141 Nell Gwyn House, Sloan Avenue, London
Miss Constance, Sizing Dept, Harrods, London
Miss Jean Surgey, Little Carter Lane, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Eng.
Miss Veronica Trafford, 75 Fernhill Rd, Bootle, Liverpool, Eng.

Miss Audrey Walden, Leigh House Farm, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, Eng.
Miss Ina McCrorie. 356 Springburn Road, Glasgow, Scotland
Mrs Margarette Luff, Kings Head Hotel, Egham, Surrey, Eng.
Mrs Jack Galbraith, Ancrum, Scotland
Miss Rosemary Anderson, 25 Parkstead Road, Putney SW15, London

Huntley & Palmer, Buscuit Factory, Reading, Berkshire, Eng.
Miss Nettie McKay, 51 Copland Quad, Ibrox, Scotland
Mrs Tudor Owen, Cranbourn Mansions, Cranbourn St, London WC2
Miss Janet Tribe, 11 Deodar Road, Putney SW15, London

meat roll, spuds & swedes, bread & marg & tea Tea, Bread & marg

Second diary - dated late 1943 to 1945. Some parts are the same as in the first diary.

The White Cliffs of Dover
There'll be blue bells over
The white cliffs of dover, Tomorrow
Just you wait and see
There'll be love and laughter
And peace for ever after Tomorrow
When the world is free
The shepherd will tend the sheep
The valley will bloom again
And Jimmy will go to sleep
In his old little room again
There'll be blue bells over, etc. etc.

[diagram] (Stalag 383, Cooker) A G? Invention

Greece 1941 (Corinth)
There are some Grecian Barracks on a field above the town
Surrounded by snow capped mountains which throw vast shadows down
There a huge concourse of men whose names it does not matter
The thousands of unfortunates captured at Kalamata
There were men of many nations, and men of many creeds
Who fought for the mother country in her hour of greatest need
For them the fight is over and all the shouting done
Their thoughts are of their loved ones from dawn to setting sun
Comforts are so very few and sickness fairly rife
Working and watching health is now their daily strife
Such things are the penalties for Prisoners of War

Where in the World, Sung by Vera Lynn
Where in the world can a sunbeam at noon
Take the place of the moon
And where in the world can the stars of the skies
Shine in two lovely eyes
And where did first find the answer to my pray
May I remind you that you were there
Oh where in the world can a touch of the lips
Bring a total eclipse of the cares of the world
And a future for two is the one thing in View
And where can I be sure that all my dreams come true
Oh where in the world only with you

And now they never mind of trials that upset them oft before
Yet theres one Big Query that rankles in each mind
Why on that fateful night were they left Behind
Five war ships lay off the shore monsters of British might
Wounded and sick was all they took then sailed into the night
They know there are reasons and one day all should know
Why they were left upon the beach to be captured by the foe
Theres another Question the answer they like to hear
Is why so many died there that day to keep the beaches clear
So have a reason Britain to tell on their release
Till then well, we can take it
So Roll on day of Peace
POW Spital an Drau 1941

Maybe
Maybe you'll think of me
When you're all alone
Maybe the one who is waiting for you
Will prove untrue
Then what will you do
Maybe you'll sit and sigh
Wishing that I were near
Then Maybe you'll ask to come back again
And Maybe I'll say Maybe

Stalg 306 Marburg Christmas 1941
The civvies all stood there in awe
The Postens wore a frown
The Prisoners walked out through the gate
And into Marburg town
You couldn't count them as they went
Some four hundred men in all
They streamed into the snack bars
To answer the Xmas call
The lads nigh commandered the town
The civvies gave a cheer
The Jerry Guards did a bunk
And left the way quite clear
Then onward to a place of Booze
A boozup was their Quest
The Jerry roped in one or two
But could not find the rest
The news spread like wildfire
And many raised a hope
They stormed the poor old Jerry guard
With chocolate tea & soup
And many more slipped thru the Gates
And though the guard was doubled
And as the hours rolled slowly by
The air was filled with trouble
Imagine what a shock it was
For officers out to tea
To have doors thrown open wide
By prisoners on the spree
The Huns they brought Machine Guns
And then began to race
Chasing drunken prisoners
From every kind of place
Now when we get back to Aussie
And tell it round the fire
What do you think the folks would say
'Get out you B _ Liar'
(POW Marburg 1941)

Happy Handful
Last night I held a little hand
So dainty and so sweet
I thought my heart would surely burst
So wildly did it beat
No other hand e'er so light
Could greater Gladness bring
That was the hand held last night
Four Aces and a King (POW Margburg)

The Desert Song
I a lone A.I.F. man & I'm stationed at Matruh
And I've got a little dugout in the sand
Where the fleas play all around me
As I settle down at night
In my flea bound Bug bound Dugout in Matruh
Oh the windows they are missing
And the door is four by two
And the sandbags let the howling blizzard in
I can hear those B_ Ities
As they circle round at night
In my Flea Bound Bugbound Dugout in Matruh
The place is scatterd o'er with tins of Bully & meat loaf
Of Marmalade & jam these are but few
I'm happy as a clam
In this land of B_ sand
In my Flea bound Bugbound Dugout in Matruh
My clothes are covered o'er with grease
I look a hellish fright
But I'm happy in the mess I'm in
For I enjoy the freedom that I have
In my Flea Bound Bugbound Dugout in Matruh

We landed in this camp on 19th September 1941. The first night was a grim one from the Red Cross point of view owing to a misunderstanding at Geneva & despite almost daily telegrams from S.O.M.S Mackenzie our confidence man consignments of parcels were few & far between. Some weeks we got a third of a parcel per man sometimes a little more; but more often a darned sight less. It was not intil May 13th 1942 that matters were rectified & we received our first full parcel issue. The supply has kept up & since then (touch wood) every man has received a parcel & 50 cigs weekly.
At present the Stalag has a substantial Parcel reserve & as Mac is negotiating for an even larger reserve prospects for our second winter (if any) are considerably brighter. Here in common with most other British POW camps we suffer reprisals for the Dieppe Raid. An order by the German High Command was put into operation on 12th Oct to the effect that British POW [not copied] on 14th Oct

Tropical Magic Tropical magic [faint writing] P.O.W. Stalag 383
Ragtime Cowboy Joe Down in Arizona where the bad men are, The only friend to guide you are the stars, The roughest toughest guy by far is Ragtime Cowboy Joe, He always sings ragged music to the cattle as he back and forward in the saddle on a horse, For you can see the crowd all run at the roar of his repeater, And the Western folks all know, he's a high falutin two gun tootin Son of a gun From Arizona Ragtime Cowboy Joe POW Stalag 383

Legions of Postens armed with thousands of first class strapping ropes descended upon us & proceeded to put the order into effect. On the 24th Nov 1942, the ropes (what remained of them) were withdrawn & replaced by padlocks & chains. The blow of losing their clothes lines was softened somewhat for the Australians when it was pointed out that they at least were now wearing the identical decorations of their pioneer forefathers. Shortly afterwards however men were robbed of even their dubious dates faction when the chains & locks were replaced by (Fair Dinkum) handcuffs. The farce continues to the time of writing. Although we are reported in Australia to be nestling in the Bavarian Alps, we see no evidence of this in the geographical contours of the surrounding country. Nevertheless, although the Bavarians inform us that the 1942-43 winter was exceptionally mild, we beg to differ. It was cold enough for us & there were few Australians who did not spend the bulk of winter hibernating in their huts. Major Brooke-Moore our Aussie Doctor of the (A.A.M.C.) not withstanding the handicaps has successfully performed ten major & over 500 minor operations during his sojourn in the Stalag 383.
R.Q.M.S. J (Honest John) Hamilton with his staff of 50 cooks many of whom are Aussies is responsible for our inner menu & a good job he does too. Spiritually we are well looked after we consider ourselves fortunate in having the services of Capt Grant (R.C.) Capt Foote (Pres Canadian) Cpl Oakley (Aussie C of E) 2/11 Battn AIF. They conduct three services each Sunday [page torn]

Souvenir From France
I was looking around for some extra socks
When I came upon an ebony Box
Which held a few of the Souvenirs
That I'd saved out of the war wracked years
Triflest bundles of little worth
From the farthest ends of the madened earth
There on the table beside me now
Oh a heedless heart and a boken vow
Cairo God what a place to be
Moon light madness and melody
Not for me were the cheap bazzars
I moved to the music the flowers the stars
By the graceful side of a young Colleen
She was blue blooded, beautiful proud as a Queen
This was her ring a Cameo here
A broken promise and a burning tear
Theres a photo here of a London Nurse
She might have done better, and I might have done worse
But oh she was tender hearted kind and true
She spoke of marriage and meant it too
But you know how the wires of life get crossed

[not copied] short and your letters get lost
And you don't seem to care in the end somehow
For a willing girl and a broken vow
I went to Paris on leave one day
Is there anything else I need to say
Maybe she was just anyones gal
To me she was all one could wish of a Pal
I was starved for laughter, life and love
This was her garter this was her glove
But why should I promise think or tell
Of the first fresh kiss and the last farewell
This badge was the one that my own mate wore
When he fell beside me at Bullicort
I swore Id get square ere the day grew dim
Well I kept my promise I made to him
An Iron Cross he was brave no doubt
My luck was in and his was out
My bayonet hoisted he gave a grunt
And all was quiet on the Western Front
An ebony box and a silver key
[not copied] a warehouse of memory
[not copied]inds and foes

A soft nosed bullet and a faded rose
Sydney Paris Cairo and Perth
Bitterness tenderness mourning and mirth
A victors ribbon for a victors brow
And life you promised and your broken vow
Galag 383 POW

The Anniversary of the Luftwaffe
Speech made by Herman Goering March 1st 1942
I believe in the conquering power of German Youth & the invincibility of the German Luftwaffe. May the German nation ever be proud of its Luftwaffe and may the nation confidently entrust its best sons of that air force because it beckons to the loftiest pinnacles of glory. A bold & undaunted spirit is its fundamental characteristic. The highest devotion to duty unheeding the consequences & readiness to make the supreme sacifice are accepted as a matter of course. However excellent the material however superior the aircraft may be, they are worthless unless handled by men fearless of heart & firm of hand. That applies particularly for the aircorps & no branch of the forces has much more need of boldness capability, of enthusiasm & strength of character than ours. It calls for men indeed Herman Goering

Towns Bombed by R.A.F. Germany
Gatenhaven Post on Polish Border, Breslau, Wien (Austria), Stetten, Berlin Capital, Frankfurt, Leipzog, Dresden, Prag, Munchen Province, Augsburg Province, Regenburg Province, Nuenburg Province, Halle, Hamburg, Rostock, Lubeck, Keil, Bremen, Wilhelshaven, Emden, Essen, Hannover, Munster, Dusseldorf, Koln, Kassel, Frankfurt on Main, Mannheim bavaria, Stuttgart Bavaria, Saarbrucken, Shwienfurt (Bavaria), Marburg (Old Stalag, Austria), Wienneustadt 60 kilos - Vienna, Sofia

Towns Bombed in France by R.A.F. Calais, Lille, Havre, Rouen, Paris, Cherberg, Brest, St Nazaire, Nancy, Bordeaux, Toulon, Marseille, Turin, Colgne

Towns Bombed in Italy by R.A.F. Reggio, Cantangara, Brendisi, Foggia, Florenz, Neapil, Rom, Salerno, Gosenza, Stefano, Perugia, Sicilian (Caput), Sardenian (Copiel)

Your in My Arms
Your in my arms and I thrill to your touch while we're dancing
You look so sweet as the music the violins play
Im so foolish to cling to a thing thats no longer entrancing
You in my arms and a million miles away
Your in my arms but your hearts far away while we're dancing
Lost in a world of its own where I'd no right to stray
Why do I still pretend that theres no end to our lovely romancing
Your in my arms and a million miles away
Wasn't it yesterday you whispered I love you
Or was it a yesterday a millions years ago
Your in my arms & I gaze in your eyes while we're dancing
Deep in your heart I can see that our loves had its day
So I'll just say farewell it was so sweet it was so swell while it lasted
So ring down the curtain you've come to the end of the play
You and your heart are a million miles away

First Test Match, Sat 14.8.43, Two ? Match Stalag 383 Germany
Australia V New Zealand
Pilkington, Cannington, O'Brien Capt, King, Storer, Froome, McLeod, Rowan, Olsen, Graham, Wakeman, Brown 12th man Won by Australia by 10 wkts and 23 runs

Second Test Match Stalag 383 Australia V England Australia won by 98 runs

Egypt & Palestine Affendi is the rich man of an Arab village Mucktar is the Mayor of a village Once every year the Arabs fast for 30 days only eating of a night. This is to prepare themselfs before the forgiveness of Alla. This is called Ramadan

As Published in the Camp 19.12.43
Go quick and get your weekly Camp & Gaze upon page 1.
You'll read a moving story of what our bombs have done
Not content with killing cats and sometimes kittens too
Those beastly British Bomber's have bombed our Berlin Zoo
Lions and lambs were blown in half and bear's blown in eight
While ertwhile agile alligators no longer alligate
The little fishers and their fraus are plastered round the walk's
The eight big hulking elephants have ceased to make trunk cakes
But Aussie's hold your heads up and cheer the Kangaroo
For he's not among the casualties of the bashed in Berlin Zoo
WK Dyan

The plans for capitulation of Germany were signed on the 3rd Sept
Italy capitulated on the 8th Sept
Corsica fell to us on 5.10.43
Germans landed parachutes 5.10.43 but were wiped out
13.10.43 Italy declared war on Germany
29.10.43 Green Army cut Zaggrab Belgrade Railway in 132 places
30.10.43 Green Army enter Hungry on raid. thr _ Russian _ over _ Southern _ Conference between the 3 powers in Moskau. Except for minor differences all agree. Turkey very pleased with outcome of conference
Britain bombed Marburgwien Nuestadt Messershmitt works

Mail laying in Portugal between 13th April to May 30th has been sunk through enemy action.

Captured 10/5/41 Milos island 7pm
left Milos 12/5/41 per sailing ship
Arrived at Pireus (Athens) 14/5/41
Left Athens on 18/5/41 on board the Belgarian ship (Maria Louise) for Salonika
Arrived Salonika the 20/5/41 at German POW Camp
Left for Germany on 12/7/41 arrived Marburg 18/7/41
Left Marburg for working camp on 22/7/41 Arrived Pinkafeld 30/7/41
Anti British demonstration on the docks of Pireus when we arrived from Milos Is. Women gave us cigs, food, embrasers drinks. Germans shot many Greeks for this.

Australian Soldiers Pay 9/- day single, Wife 4/6, Children 3/-, Children 2/-, Children 1/6 English Soldiers 2/6 day, Wife 17/- week, Child 5/-, 4/-, 3/-, 1/-

First British Troops arrived in Norway 17th April 1940 Finished 17th June 1940
Marwick 5 June finished
Dunkirk 25.5.40 Evacuation started finished on 6.6.40
Saint Oaleri 12.6.40 finished
Rome fell 4.6.44
Crete finished 1.6.41
Greece fell 27 April 1941
2nd Front started 6.6.44 & my birthday 2.6.44
English Derby run 17.6.44

25 April Anzac Day Sports
I went to Church Dawn Service and had a great day at the sports. At night we held an Anzac Concert. Best day Ive spent since being a POW
24 May Empire Day
was celebrated in Camp with a march past and sports. Many countries represented. Namely England, Scotland, Wales, Cyprus, Palestine, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Amerika, South Africa. Winning nations were as follows: England 1st, New Zealand 2nd, Scotland 3rd, Australia 4th, Wales 5th, South Africa 6th, Palestine 7th. Colonial troops in Camp are only 500 out of 4000 men

Anzac Photograph
J. Williams 1 Aussie, A. Muir 2 Aussie, K. Hall 3 Aussie, L. Bradley N.Zealand (4 N.Zealanders), S. Cowan 4 Aussie, F. Brown N.Zealand, M. Bracken 5 Aussie (6 Aussies), R. Taylor N.Zealand, H. Bartlett 6 Aussie, K. Kennedy N.Zealand, M. Matangi N.Zealand, S. Rangipuowku N.Zealand, P. Awarau N.Zealand, L. Whipiti N.Zealand, J. Wariki N.Zealand, (5 Maoris), C. Strachan Aussie, (One Photo Each) Stalag 383, Hohenfels, Bavaria, 1943

(1 length of pool 22 yds) (Swimming Carnival 6.8.43 Stalag 383
Cigarette Race First heat, name, Time, Country
2nd, Williamson, 29 sec, Eng. 3rd, Delane, 26 3/5, Eng. 4th, Parkinson, 224/5, N.Z. 5th, McTeague, 21 3/5, Aus. 6th, Brown, 20 sec, Eng

Breast Stroke
First Heat, Spence, 36 2/5, Eng. 2nd, Harper, 33 3/5, Aus. 3rd, Wilshire, 38 1/5, Eng. 4th, Wollgar, 41 1/5, Eng. 5th, Williams, 37 sec, Eng. 6th, Edwards, 38 4/5, Eng. 7th, Black, 38, Eng. 8th, McHul, 37 1/5, Eng. 9th, Johnson, 41 sec, America. 10th Mcleod, 36 3/5 Aus.

(50 yds Free Style race)
First heat, Stephens, 28 3/5 Aus. 2nd, Reynolds, 26 2/5, Aus. 3rd, Calaghan, 24 4/5, Eng. 4th, White, 32 sec, N.Z. 5th, Wall, 32 sec, Eng. 6th, Rhangihawpe, 25 4/5, N.Z.

(Medley Teams Race 4 Laps)
First Heat, London Club, 1 3/5, Eng. 2nd, N.Z., 1 1/5 N.Z. 3rd, Aus, 1.4 2/5, Aus. 4th, Manchester, 1.8 3/5, Eng. 5th , Masseys Team, 1.16 2/5, Eng.

(Spud and Spoon Race 1 length)
First Heat, McHul, 22 1/5, Eng. 2nd, Delane, 24 sec, Eng. 3rd, Hill, 29 sec, Eng. 4th, Lewis, 21 4/5, N.Z.

(50 Yds Backstroke)
First Heat, Rhangyshawpe, 31 1/5, N.Z. 2nd, White, 32, N.Z. 3rd, Fowler, 40, Eng.

(Clothes Race 4 Laps)
First heat, Scrivens Team, 10.19 2/5, Eng. 2nd, Wags Team, 11.43 4/5, Eng.

(10 lengths of Pool)
First Heat, Brown, 3hr 31 3/5, Aus. 2nd, Holman, 3 45, Eng. 3rd, Thwaites, 3 26, Aus. 4th, McKee, 3 18 1/5, N.Z. 5th, Wild, 2 57 1/5, N.Z.

Anniversary Sports 13.8.43
High Jump, L. Turnbull, 1st, 5ft 11 inches, Eng. 660 Yds Open Campbell, 1st, Time 1.31 2/5, Eng. Philpott, 2nd, N.Z, Collins, 3rd 80 Yds Open Fox 1st, Time 8 1/5 sec, Aus. West, Leggatt, dead heat for second place, Aus, Aus. Club Relay Birmingham, 1st, Time 2.55 2/5 sec, England. London, 2nd. Liverpool, 3rd. 3/4 Mile Steeple Philpott, 1st, Time 4m 14 sec Throwing Hammer MacHardy, Distance 105.7 1/2 inches, Scotland

Sat 19.9.43 Stalag 383
Twelve months ago today arrived from Spittal at this camp. Hope we don't do another 12. No Parade today. Red Cross Commission came. Concert in Offls division. Did my walking. Griff very good. bed 10 o'clock
20.9.43 Monday. German Diplomat visited camp. Musical Concert This afternoon and Australian Concert Party Concert in Offbadium tonight. Excellent show. One letter from England. Griff very good. very cold day looks like snow.
21/9/43 No parade today too wet rained all night & day. No mail. Great day in bed. Griff excellent. Bagdoglio gives himself up to the Allies. Wrote letter to England Mrs Luff (Kings Head Hotel, England). Churchill arrived back in England from America.
22/9/43 Parade lasted 2 hrs men were late. Jerry made us stand for 2 hours as a punishment parade. Still raining heavily, mud & slush all over camp. I am orderly today would rather be in bed haven't shaved for three days feel terrible. jerry wont let mail in to camp today. Griff very good. Churchill made a speech on capitulation of Italy (Russian Griff excellent.) Sir Kingsley Wood died in Britain yesterday. He was Minister for Finance.
23.9.43 Parade as usual this morning. Jerry found out two men had escaped. Heavy fog overnight. Sun came out at 11 o'clock mud nearly dried up _ time. Had a bath did washing and put on clean clothes feel in the pink. Got letter from Margarite Luff England today answered same. Had a long talk with Don & Dave on the war. I give it 6 months more. Went to a Variety Concert very good show. Weather getting very cold. Griff very good. Eden made speech on why Herr Hess came to Blighty. Aussies doing good work in New Guinea.
24.9.43 Parade as usual at 8 o'clock, 121 men were late. Jerry put them under armed guard & kept them arching around parade ground until 12 o'clock. Today is very wet cloudy and misty. Read winter weather played cards & read & slept. Griff very good.
25.9.43 Parade as usual nobody late today. Weather very cloudy & misty. Sun came out at midday. Third series of Test Cricket started between Australia v. New Zealand. Visited all our W.A. boys today on our usual weekly talk. Jerry Guards coming into camp at night in only part uniform trying to pick up any stray new's. We were warned about _ we shall do them over if caught. Griff excellent.
26.9.42 Canadian Red Cross parcels came into camp overnight. Parade as usual 8 o'clock weather very wet & miserable, cant get out. Spent day in bed. Jerry food is terrible just boiled cabbage. Smolensk has fallen. Jerry Diplomat shot for making defeatist speed. Riots all over Europe. Griff very good. Hoping to be out of this soon now. Since coming to this camp we have had 14 air raids in this district. And if we haven't seen them all we have heard them. Hoping for some more letters from Janet.
27.9.43 Parade as usual. Weather terribly cold & wet. Spent most of day in bed. Sir Stafford Cripps _ _ we are defintely on the way to victory. Hope its not long to wait. I am just about all in with this rotten prison life. But still I can take it for a while longer yet. Russians doing a great job. Received a letter from Iva _ one from Maree McGuill. Writing to Janet tonight. Griff extra good today.
28.9.43 Parade. Today we are holding an Appreciation Day in recognition of services rendered by the YMCA Representative _ Burg from Sweden he has done much to brighten up the lives of _ _ _ We started off with Bagpipe competition Dancing Running Foot Ball Swimming Boxing and wound up with a musical Concert. We presented him with a book of cartoons drawn up by our Camp cartoonist. Mr Burg made a speech in which he almost but broke down. he has sone in the Swedish Air Force. And said that he never knows but one day he might meet his son, in behind the barbed wire. Received letter from Janet today, one of two I sent home. Griff O.K.
29.9.43 Parade. Had a talk to Don for about an hour. Got rations for a single chap Dinner Then to Foot Ball match. Australia beat New Zealand in Second Test Match. 7 o'clock bugle has just blown for tea water. I have supper then to bed. Griff very good. Russians are doing very well. Writing home and to Janet.
30.9.43 Parade. very cloudy & misty went out to woods to collect wood for our fires we have no coal. Germans haven't issued any as yet although we have begun winter. Got letter from Herman Wilke & answered it. Griff good. Sports postponed.
1st.10.43 Parade outside huts, boys cut wire on Parade ground. Germans were afraid we would attempt a mass escape seeing the weather was so misty can hardly see your hands in front of you. Very cold. Got letter from Mother telling me she received pd100. Thats 'Good oh'. Spent day in bed. Griff good.
2.10.43 Parade. 3 men still at large. Germans searching for tunnel. Buhase most successful. better day today very cloudy but not so cold. Could get about Camp had long walk around parade ground. Going to a Yatch meeting tonight should be interesting. Sgt Rae a Scotsman giving lecture on My First Cruise in the New Hebrides. Had hot bath feel top hole. Griff very good (Naples fallen)
3.10.43 Parade 9 o'clock. Sunday. Day of rest but every day is the same for me. Someday's I think this war will never finsh. But still I always say I will spend more time outside the wire than inside. Bavaria would be a beautiful place to visit in Peace time for its scenic beauty alone. Griff very good (No mail)
4.10.43 Parade as usual. Last night at 11.30 air raid on Munich for 2 hrs heard planes they flew over camp. Saw great flashes & heard bombs exploding these air raids must be causing havoc amongst the civil population. Gave a talk on some of my experiences on the Swan River and at Rottnest Island at the Yatching meeting. I caused some laughter they told me some of my remarks were very crude. So were some of my adventures. Griff extra good today. Tonight I am going to a Aussie Concert. Saw show and it was a riot. But not the sort you could take your girl friend to see. (More mail)
5.10.43 Parade. Very cold weather is with us now. Jerry hasnt given us any coal or wood yet. Nor has he given us another blanket we only have two at the moment. Spent day in bed. Nothing else to do. Corsica fell today, we made another landing in Italy. No Griff from Russia. Otherwise Griff is OK.
6.10.43 Parade as usual. Last night was first frost. Today I wrote to Mother Janet & Ina, also one to Nasa McNeil. Had bath did my washing. No mail, and weather very cold. Griff still good. Air Raid.
7.10.43 Parade. Still very cold. Nothing to do so I reread all my letters again. No mail. & no parcels. Out of cigs & tobacco. Not feeling so good. Griff still the same.
8.10.43 Last night Lofty Williams escaped shots were flying in all directions. Air raid. German's are getting a little trigger restless. He only got about 2 hundred yrds outside wire and was caught he is now in the (Bunker) The Germans have closed the sports ground on account of this so we get no recreation for 8 days. Weather still cold. Griff so so.
9.10.43 Parade in company lines. Today is a beautiful day sun shine every where makes one want to be home. Had hot bath & did a little washing. Had a long walk around camp and chattered to most of our 2/11 boys on prospects for an early release. But they say I am an optimist anyway thats the way to look at it. Griff extra special. Russians cross the Dnieper River in 3 places. Being Saturday I went to our usual Yatching talk in Coney Island. Quite an enjoyable evening until the Germans turned our lights out. No mail.
10.10.43 Parade. Went to Church at 9.30 am. I am the room orderly as duty today was up at 5.30am. And was it cold. I'll say it was. Gave the 13 Boy's breakfast in bed. Tea black bread & marjorine. Beautiful day. 8 English planes have just flown over our camp. Flying at terrific speed. Time 1.30pm wish them tons of luck & Good hunting. Lights failed last night so we don't know how the Griff is today. No mail & no parcels. Better luck next week.
11.10.43 Parade. Another grand day. Cigarette issue 50. went to Gym saw 6 exhibition fights. Spent rest of day in sun. 40 POWs leave on repatriation at 4 am tomorrow Sunday they are going to Kassel then on to England. Lucky fellow's to be getting out of this. Russians doing very well. Now changed their summer army to the autumn. Griff extra good today.
12.11.43 Parade. Beautiful sunny day. Last night Jerry Guard shot one of the boy's for being too close to the wire. He was shot through the stomach. Condition OK today. The lads told the Commandant they would murder the guard should he come into the camp. 20 minutes after the shooting he was releaved of his post. So I dont suppose he will be coming in with the handcuffs. Griff very Good. No mail.
13.10.43 Parade. Very cold looks like snow. Italy declared war on Germany. Spent day indoors. No mail. Griff very Good.
14.10.43 Parade. Still cold. Put on underpants for first time since last winter. Air Raid 3 oclock over Swinfurt Bavaria not far from our camp low bombers & German fighter planes going into action great sight. We lost 60 Bombers Flying Fortresses. German lost 104 Fighters. No mail. Griff excellent.
15.10.43 Parade. Extra cold. Still no coal issue from the Jerries. Britain tells Hungary & Romania to pack in Not to supply Germany with oil & to close her [not copied] No mail. Griff good. Parcel of Red Cross book from Blighty another parcel to collect on Monday.
16.10.43 Parade. Still very cold. Now wearing all my winter clothes. Germans issued a little coal ration today. Having fire tonight. Ive been sleeping very cold. So cold that my hips & legs have pained terribly. Hope I do better of a night now we have coal. Went to a Yatching meeting. Went for a cruise round the coast of Africa. England announces Germany has lost 10,000 planes over Britain since outbreak of war. Griff extra. No mail
17.10.43 Parade 9 o'clock (Sunday) Breakfast in bed. Poridge this is a luxury to us. Very cold. Went to Church and shivered. Wish I was back in our lounge at (No. 2 Warden St). Nothing more to report. Griff OK. No mail. Going to bed. Having photo taken tomorrow B Coy 2/11 Btn
18.10.43 Parade. better day today bot so cold. Thank the Lord. Had my photo taken again (unofficially) with B Coy Boy's. Jerry's are on the search again today for photo's Wireless sets & Camera's. Wish them luck but they'll be unlucky if they search me or my hut. As Joe Lidden away from the hut. Had five hundred Cigs from (Mrs) Luff. No Mail again & Griff very good.
19.10.43 Parade. Very foggy, everything damp. Did my washing nothing else to report. Griff very good. No mail.
20.10.43 Parade. Still misty winter seems to be in to stay now. Stopped indoors all day. Got a parcel 500 cigs from Mrs Luff today. Answered thanking her. Griff OK again. No mail
21.10.43 Parade. Saw Football match England & Australia. England won. Spent most of day wandering round camp. Nothing to report. Griff good. No mail.
22.10.43 Parade. Last night we had air raid. By jove they are turning on the works now. It must be terrific for the civi population. This is an every day happening now. Nothing else to report. Griff very good indeed. No mail.
23.10.43 Sunday again another week closer to home. Parade. Another air raid today. Saw 30 or 40 planes but these were only a portion of 500. Grand sight to as in broad daylight. Just going to have a bath. Tonight I going to a concert. Nothing else to report. Griff hasn't been in yet. Wrote to Mother yesterday evening. No Mail.
24.20.43 Parade. Last night Griff was OK. I have got a bad dose of Ruemtism. We have to bath on cold cement floor with cold wind blowing in. I've also got a bad dose of Flu. Wish this war was over. Not feeling so good so Im going to bed. No mail.
25.10.43 Parade. Still bad with the screw's cant sleep. This is terrible. The weather doesn't help any very cold & damp. Still in bed. No mail. Griff best for a long time.
26.10.43 Parade. Still in bed. By jove I never thought Rheumatism was as bad as all this. But still I just have to put up with it. Doctor says can't do anything for it. No mail. Griff still very good. Writing today to Mother.
27.10.43 Parade. Haven't seem sun for days now. Don't know whats wrong with letters from home must be a month since I heard. I am staying up today. I am a little better but not much. These countries look OK on Christmas cards only. never will I leave a warm place again. Nothing else to report. Nix Mail. Griff Extra.
28.10.43 Parade. I am on duty today. I am feeling much better thank the Lord. Nothing happened today of any note. Not even an air raid. Griff extra. No mail or private parcels.
29.10.43 Parade. Another misty morning. The hospital is full of Flu patients. Hope it doesn't get serious as it would go through us like wild fire. Doctors say it is due to the very damp & foggy weather. Almost impossible to see 10 yds some days. Griff extra special. No mail.
30.10.43 Parade. Better day sunshine. I am not feeling so good. 'Old age' I think & rotten food we lack fats. My chest seems to worry me quite a lot of late. very tight & pains when I breath also my back. At last I get a letter from Mother. Bad news. Poor old Baden had died. I wrote Miss James also Mother. Another consignment of Red Cross food parcels arrived. Without them we should all die. Jerry food is terrible rotten spuds & cabbage & Horsemeat. But still we are probably the best fed people in Europe. Griff still extra special & one letter.
31.10.43 Parade. Sunday. Breakfast in bed feeling much better. Went to Aussie Concert. Extra Good Show. MacGinty is acussed of being a spy. But is quite innocent. Griff very good again. Had my photo taken unofficially. Germans say ship was sunk enroute to Marseille with 11000 bags of civvy parcels aboard bad luck for us we have been out of fags for a long time now. No Mail.
1.11.43 Parade. Getting much colder. I am wearing all my winter clothes now. Not feeling so good again the winter plays havoc with me. Could do with about 3 more rugs. German blankets are _ made from wood_. Everybody is _ too cold for sport. Nothing to report. No mail. Griff O.K.
2.11.43 Parade. Still no parcels or mail things are bad. But still we must expect it I suppose. Still very cold. Went to a London Club concert last night. Good show. Nothing else to report. German food is getting terrible. Griff very good.
3.11.43 Parade. Germans very nasty with this mornig's Parade. I think they have heard some bad news. Still cold snow anyday now. No mail. No Parcels but Griff Good.
4.11.43 Parade. Saw another Big formation of British or American planes today. Great sight. Still cold. Spend all day around the fire. Which I might say isn't so big. Got my photo today. But can't send it home. No Mail or Parcels. Griff Extra.
5.11.43 Parade. Must snow today or tomorrow. At last I got letters from Mother, five from Blighty. I am a happier man today. Now I can fill in some time answering them. Everything OK at home. Thats Good. Will write Mother today. Russian Griff Extra Special today.
6.11.43 Parade. I was right first fall of snow today & last night. So winter is with us once more hope its the last. No mail. Griff the best ever. From Russia Kiev has fallen. Biggest defeat of war for Jerry. He is in a bad way _. Spending day writing home & to few friends. 7.11.43 No Parade. The protecting power's are here. So Jerry doesn't parade as making a good impression. But we will pay for it when they have gone back to Geneva. 3 oclock 26 German planes just flown over very low I should say about 500 ft. They were fighter's Bomber's something like Junkers 88 Class. But much faster. Hope they all come a gutser. No Mail. Griff extra. This war cant go on much longer.
8.11.43 Parade long time being marched as 14 men escaped from working party. Germans showed reprisals turned off our lights & stopped our coal issue & mail. Ober Lieutenant put in bunker for saying it wouldn't be long before we would all be free. Germans said he was a defeatist. No mail. Griff Extra.
9.11.43 Parade. Nice day little sunshine. But still cold. New German Guards mostly old Blokes and they seem to be very war weary. But they are not the only ones no sir. Still no coal. cant do any cooking. But we can take it. No mail Griff Good.
10.11.43 Parade. Very cold heaviest frost yet ice everywhere. Big day for me bags of mail. 9 letters from Blighty Girls. And 8 from Mother. Its good to hear everybody is okay. Answered them all. Griff Extra.
11.11.43 Parade. Armistice day. Again the last I hope. Stood to attention at 2 minutes to eleven while last post was sounded. Churchill made speech says climax will come in 1944. So roll on 1944 & the boat. Germans wouldn't let postman out to get the mail. They are still hostile. But who cares. Griff Good No mail.
12.11.43 Friday Parade 8.30 snow on ground. Slight drizzle rain. Nothing to do so going to bed for the day. Best place in cold weather. Griff Good No mail
13.11.43 Parade. I am orderly so I am a busy man. The weather is terrible either sleet & snow everything is sloppy & muddy. People at home apparently think we are living in the beautiful Bavarian Alps & in luxury billets its anything from that (1 letter Griff OK)
14.11.43 Sunday Parade. I am feeling Okay again now. News has been very good lately. Goebels asked Britain to withdraw from the war & let Germany continue the war against Russia. The weather is terrible now bag's of snow. Anyhow I quite sute this will be our last winter as P.O.W.s. Its been a long long time and the boy's have had tons of patience. Griff O'Kay No Mail.
15.11.43 Parade Snow again today. Nothing to report. Mr Burg Y.M.C.A. man in camp again. No Parcels as yet and no fresh mail in. This are going to be bad this winter Im afaid. Dave Wallace go a lot of mail last week. First he's had of any consequence. No mail Griff fair.
16.11.43 Parade. Still snow about. Went to Concert last night. 'Noel Coward's Lovely Week End'. Very Good show indeed. makes one want to get back home agin. Mr Burg said it took him to another world. says he has never seen anything like it for years. No Cinema's or Dances in Germany in war time. No mail. Griff just Fair. A lot of Stukers over today.
17.11.43 Parade. Still very cold 7 below zero. Everything is frozen. Walking is a painful operation now. Nothing to do but stay in hut. No Mail. No parcels. Griff only fair.
18.11.43 Parade. Last night we had air raid & our hosts didn't take to it so kindly shots were being fired from all aound the camp. We could hear the terrific explosions as the bombs dropped and brought music to our ears. Island of Leros has fallen to the Jerry but apparently a costly business for him. We also had a raid the night before. Lets hope they keep up and Im sure Germany will pack in. No Mail No parcels but there are some at the station at Parsburg. Germans have threatened Kiev again. Griff not bad. Believe we shall get some mail today.
19.11.43 Parade. Last night raid on Ludwigshaven & Berlin was the biggest raid of the war to date 2,500 tons of bombs were dropped and we lost 34 planes a very small per% of what went over. Russians seem to be getting pushed back slightly around Schitomir location. Very cold. No Mail. No Parcel. Posted letter to Janet this morning.
20.11.43 Parade. Got my photo today of Group K. Hall, Bob Stringer (Leeds) Neville Cowan (Sydney) Mick Herschovich (Tel Aviv) Sam Kennedy NZ Jack Williams (Melbourne) Larry Bradely (NZ) Mick Bracken (Melbourne) Frank Brown (NZ) Frank Wynes (Scotland) Schom Kitchofski (Jerusalem) Room 236 Stalag 383 Bavaria. No Mail Griff OK
21.11.43 Parade. Still cold and getting colder. Nothing to do but stay indoors even with a fire its still colder than anything Ive ever experienced back in Aussie. Griff only fair. No Mail
22.11.43 Parade. everywhere outside is wet and muddy. Terrible this mud up to your ankles only time we go outside is to Parade and of course to Latrines. Nothing to report. No Mail. Griff not so good.
23.11.43 Parade. Still unpleasant outside. Griff not too good. We are all having a shot at the Tommies wondering when they are going to do something in the war. Griff tonight a little better. No Mail.
24.11.43 Parade. Still cold snow must fall again soon. Griff is very good again. Best since the fall of Lesos Island. Berlin has had a proper pasting of late. Last night the lads dropped 2,300 tons of ironmongery on them and they dont like it much. Hitler says he will use his secret weapon as a reprisal. We have been in the dark a lot of late on account of the raids. But we dont mind as long as we know Somebody else is also in the dark. Griff extra. No Mail
25.11.43 Parade. Several Germans have been slammed in the bunker for Espionage. One writing on our letter forms to Australia and the other for being defeatist. Griff OK. No Mail.
26.11.43 Parade. Last night we had a heavy fall of snow. Everything looked beautiful this morning. But oh how cold it is. One never feels warm no matter how big a fire we put on. Russians doing very well. Got letter from Margarite Luff today answering tonight. She says it wont be long now. But we heard that in 1941. And we are all here. Griff OK. Berlin in flames.
27.11.43 Parade. One Palestinian died. He went silly. Germans gave him needles in Regensburg but he died. Funeral Monday Regensburg Cemetery. A Party of 10 men were to go in. But German Commandment postponed the Party. Because German people are very hostile on account of the raids on Stuttgart, Nuremburg, Munich, Regensburg & Berlin . We have been in the dark every night for a week now. Berlin has been the target every night. A quarter of the City is in ruins. Last night Stuttgart was bombed we saw it from the camp. it was a terrific; we all stood out in the snow & ice to watch it. What a beautiful sight to us. It brought music to our ears. No Mail. Griff extra.
28.11.43 Sunday. No Parade. Spent day in bed. Raining hard it is terrible outside. Got letters from Ina McRorie Scotland & photo. Answered it today also wrote a card to Mother & Margerett Luff Kings Head Hotel Eghan Surrey. Griff very good. Going to play Monopoly tonight. Cigs are finished. Nix parcels.
29.11.43 Parade. Never seen such a mess in the Stalag before mud over the tops of our boots. What a hole this is. Goebels made speech says we can't break the morale of the German people by bombing. He says he stayed in Berlin through the RAF raids. But he was down the deepest shelter in the place too. Griff very good. Aussies doing a grand job in New G. New Zealand fellows here dont like to hear news about Aussies doing well. Because they seem to be left out of the war, & doing nothing. They are very jealous of us. And don't we rub it in I'll say. No Mail today. Perhaps tomorrow.
30.11.43 Parade. Nothing to report. Still snowing. No mail. Bremen air raid. Germans lost 47 fighters. Aussies still doing well in N. Guinea.
1.12.43 - 9.12.43 Nothing to report for 9 day's as Jerry found our set. So we haven't been on the air. Last news is Conference between Churchill Stalin & Turkish Ministers. Everything seems to be going O'Kay. Russians still doing well. Also 5th & 8th Army. Hitler Mussolini & Himmler are for the axe when this is all over. I wonder will they let them off as they did Kaiser. I have received 1 letter from Mother in the nine days. I also answered it. No Parcels. No Cigs. Mail very scarce.
10.12.43 Parade. This war has been in progress 4 years today. Hope it doesn't go another 4 years if so none of us will ever see home. Bulgaria looks like packing in any old day now. If so this may bring about a finish to the war. Snow is laying very thick everywhere and it is very cold. Griff very good. No Mail. No Parcels.
11.12.43 Parade Saturday. Another fall of snow last night. I am spending day in bed. I have a Good Book 'The Citadel'. Nothing else to do. But I get sick of doing nothing. Anyway if we work we work for Jerry. And that is out of the Question. He would like to make us work but we refuse. And he can't do anything about us. Today they have taken the Handcuffs from us. The reprisal has been lifted. New German General in Camp today. Going to Concert tonight 'It Pay's to Advertise!'. Last week I saw 'White Cargo!'. No mail. No Parcels. Griff Extra.
12.12.43 Parade. Still snowing nothing to report. Wrote to Mother. Received Book from Mrs Douglas Martin Rotarian Club England. Also letter from Annie Thornton London. Griff Extra.
13.12.43 Parade. Still snowing we are snowed up now for the winter. So nothing to report. Griff OK. No Mail or Parcels.
14.12.43 Parade. Went to concert last night. Not so good was a club show 'Windbag the Sailor'. It was freezing. No sleep last night the cold was terrific 7 below. I only have 3 blankets. But still I know plenty of people with less. Griff very good. Mr Eden gave a speech on the Cairo Conference. Plan to attack Europe for N.E. & W.. lets hope it comes soon. This country is Lousy.
15.12.43 Parade. Some of the lads who own skates are skating around the camp. They are very good at it. We boy's from down under are contented to look on. Its not in our line. 70 bags of private paracels arrived in camp today. I may be lucky. I hope so. haven't had a smoke for day's & thats all we have to look forward to in this stinken life. Gone underground for a few days. Jerry is on the war path. Xmas day 1943 Bacon & Eggs for Breakfast. Dinner Meat Rolls sausages potatoes pea's scrambled Eggs gravy. Xmas cake. Home made from our RX parcels. Been made from raisins _ Tea Potatoes Canadian meat roll English Xmas cake chees butter jam Chocolates _ & Tea Supper Cocao xams cake Griff Extra Roosevelt makes speech on second front. Berlin most heavily bombed city in the world 10,000 tons of H.E. has so far been dropped on that city. Two nights ago they got another 1000 tons. Calais Received _ day blitz and last night. 1300 planes gave in another turn. Nice work. Two letters from Mother yesterday and 1 day before nice Xmas box for me. Snow fell all day. I am learning ice skating. The whole camp is one mass of ice and the rink is now what was the summer swimming pool. Se we still enjoy a little sport & recreation. Tomorrow we are going to a camp concert sponsored by the (Masquer's) (The Masquer's Unmasked) Then the next night another show (Dick Whitington & his Cat) These two are very good show's, so we should enjoy ourselves. Home seems to be very far away, at times like Xmas, but still I dont think I'll see another Xmas in captivity. I sincerely hope not. 'And so say all of us'
18.4.44 All mail stopped to the United Kingdome both going & coming. Last letter to home posted 19/4/44 from camp.

Some Nutty Definitions
Passion. A feeling you feel when you are going to feel a feeling you have never felt before.
Blunderbus. A Bus that runs from a Women's Army Camp to a Maternity hospital
Weakling. A girl who means 'No' but can't say it
Old Maid. A middle aged spinster who has gone through life with no hits, no runs and no error's

Sep 19/8/43 Aussie Concert 'Days of Old'. These were some of the sayings. This was the best laugh we have since being prisoners of war.
I am the front 'The Fun & the Follics'
I am the rear 'The Arsehole & Bollicks'
I am 'Gone Capput' 'Ghost'
Unpaid 'Lance Night' 'A Night'
Sting-Kin Katofel castle 'Monk'

Kien Zietung - Small newspaper
Front Stalag means Border Camp or registration camp. (Stamm lager) prison in which you are residing. Sholm straff lager for Jews & Russians also for British soldiers
I was in Germany 4 1/2 months before I received my first Red X food parcel. My first working Commando was at Pinkafeld 2 1/2 weeks. I was charged for smoking tea in the fields. Second Commando was at Meidling dorf Austria not far from Vienna 9 1/2 months. Third Commando 1711/2 Rotenturm via OBerwart. Lived in Hungarian Counts Castle (Schols or Turm) 3 or 4 months. Returned to Marburg 2 weeks. Then was sent to a non working camp for NCOs at Spittal on Drau. After 2 weeks in Spittal I was sent to Hohenfels Bavatia Offlal IIIc or 383.

I arrived at Hohenfels on the 19th September 1942. 40 kilometres from Nuremburg & 30 kilometres from Regensburg and about 80 kilometres from Munich. While at Miedlingsdorf I was charged by German Gestapo for sabotage. But I got away with it. So they shifted me to Comamdo Rotenturn, and did I have to work I'll say 6 o'clock start 10.30pm finish until I real ill then I was sent to hospital at Marburg. That was the last work I ever did for Jerry. And I don't intend to do any more. Nix Arbeit.
25.4.44 Anzac day. Sports day in Camp. Hope this is the last.
18/4/44 Major Brooke-More goes on Repatriation as a Re-pat not as a Medical Officer.

Cigs S. Thomas, c/o Barclays Bank, Maida Vale, London, England

Mrs Maria Ruik, Miedlingsdorf Sties mark, via Grosspetersdorf, Austria

[Hebrew text] (The above is my name in Hebrew) Mr Gordon Keith Hall, 2 Warden Street, Claremont, Perth, Western Australia [Greek text] My name in Greek philosophy

[not legible] Molly Audrey Doris Nash Annie Thornton janet Tribe Josephine Ridout Nora McNial 16 janet Riley Margaret Luff 27 Mrs Rosie 27 Mother 27 Margaret Luff 29

A letter sent to Gordon Hall in 1942 from a friend in South Perth.