The Stalag there, a sort of transit camp, was overcrowded. We
were packed in like sardines, British and American troops. The food
was not good, there was not much of it, but we enjoyed it after being
without. A small piece of bread, a square of margarine, some soup
and two potatoes was about the best daily ration we had. The soup
we called “Whispering Grass” and “Green Mamba” because of the
doubtful vegetables used.
The Bartering Begins
Here we saw for the rst time the bartering of cigarettes, rings,
watches and other goods for food. The Russian prisoners brought
in bread from their work-parties and sold it at a prot in the camp.
This was one of the “rackets” which were a feature of Stalag life.
During three weeks there we, we received one Red Cross parcel
(American) between three men. This meant a smoke and a taste of
some decent food. Soon after receiving it, I was sent off in a party
of 500 N.C.O’s to Stalag 8C at Sagan, in Upper Silesia.
We again travelled in box-cars but less uncomfortably; we went
without food only for two days out of the ve.
Barbed wire was placed across the centre of the box-car and our
guards were on the other side. They were quite friendly and made
sure we got water when we wanted it. In a siding somewhere in
Central Germany, a carriage full of British ofcers pulled in beside
us. Amongst them was our F.S.O., who had made vain attempts
to escape. He came across and chatted and left some German
newspapers with us.
Memorial to the ocers
who lost their lives at the
Sagan POW camp.