蜜芽传媒

Taken from my father in laws Wartime Log. His personal experiences of being part of the Long March. I assume written at the time.

THE LONG MARCH

Pages 55 to 60

Our March from Bankau to Luckenvald

Jan 17 11 a.m. given one hour to pack our kit and evacuate Luft 7 Bankau. Postponed but every thing ready to move at moments notice. Strafing of road by Stormovicks.

Jan 18 Another panic to get out everybody on parade with kit to march off, again postponed night bombings around camp by Russian A/C 7.30 鈥� 10 p.m.

Jan 19 3 parties arranged for evacuation. 5a.m. treck from camp called out of bed at 3.30 50m.p.h. gale blowing 20鈥機 below, carrying very little kit and remainder of Red Cross food 10 hours march, 24 Km鈥� covered, slept in an old barn very crowded.

Jan 20 On march again at 6 a.m. March 12 Km. To old brick factory at Karlsnhue, here their was plenty of wood and most of us made sleighs as the roads were all frozen and a sleigh would run very well. Built a fire and made a 鈥渂rew鈥� of cocoa (no milk or sugar) 8 p.m. on road again told we had to get across River Oder that night and that it was only 20 Km. marched 30 Km. To bridge which was 400 M long and on to village a further 5 Km. Where we were supposed to rest, but on arrival there was no accommodation, and had to go a further 7 Km. To big farm. Total march 42 Km.

Jan 22 Reported Russian armour over Oder Bridge which we crossed reported demolished, (mined when we crossed) at 3 a.m. Panic reigned amongst Germans. They forced us out of barns at point of gun and actually had to fire on a few occasions to get the boys out. Marched 18 Km. To Schonfeld first food issued here, 戮 pint soup 陆 biscuit.

Jan 23 Left at 8 a.m. 25鈥� below. 26 Km. Through deep snow. 5 p.m. at Wessen.

Jan 24 Resting for day. Much rather keep going on account of cold.

Jan 25 Set out at 4 a.m. through Schelm, Karzen to Heidersdore at 2 p.m. 3 Km.

Jan 26 One days rest 20鈥� below bitterly cold. Sleeping in barn as usual. 400 men to each hopelessly overcrowded.

Jan 27 Plenty of deep snow, men dropping out like flies, hilly country very strong wind. Set out at 11 a.m. to Pleffendore arrived 6 p.m. 20 Km.

Jan 28 On road again at 5 a.m. Bitterly cold 鈥� Schuriednitz 鈥� Perteruing 3 p.m. 24 Km.

Jan 29 Off again 5 p.m. 25鈥� below very strong blizzard raging (still pulling sleigh) through very deep snowdrifts for first few Km. When German transport started to pass, at one point some of this transport got snow bound in road and we were held up for about two hours, at this point the storm was at its very worst and it cost some of our chaps very dear, they were utterly exhausted and yet could not drop out as they would freeze in less than five minutes. When eventually the road was clear and we got past we found a Gerry dead (frozen solid) by the roadside. For this march we got 8 biscuits (very poor) 29 Km.

(It would appear this was written at a later date on page 60) This was easily the worst part of our march, there was a 50 m.p.h. blizzard blowing and men could not stop for a moment otherwise they froze up. The C of E Padre really did wonders here to help the men, but of course he did all the way along.

The fact that a Gerry was frozen by the wayside will give some idea of the storm. About half way along this road one of the Gerry transports hit my sleigh on purpose and smashed it to pieces also spilled the kit all over the place. Luckily he missed hitting anyone else.

Actually it is impossible to put the facts of this night on paper it had to be experienced to be believed.

Jan 30 Resting, this is worse than marching as we are freezing at every stop.

Jan 31 Still no sign of moving. Rumours of Sagan being evacuated. Gerry in a flat spin, they haven鈥檛 a clue where to take us. It is a great consolation to see these 鈥︹�︹��.. also on the run.

Feb 1 Left at 8 a.m. thaw set in at Pranitz 15 Km.

Feb 2 Rumour of transport from Gold berg.

Feb 3 Two rations of soup (1陆 cups total) Bread.

Feb 4 Two rations of soup (1陆 cups total) Bread.

Feb 5 Off at 6 a.m. to Goldberg 8 Km. 56 men to a cattle truck 1/3 loaf 4 ozs meat 2 ozs marge.

Feb 6 On train, food still very scarce Bob and I still together.

Feb 7 Still on train. Sleep practically impossible food situation really grim, everyone weak and giddy.

Feb 8 Arrived at Luckenvalde, 4 Km. to Stalg IIIA. Had a hot shower but what a shock when I saw myself stripped, just skin and bones. Had a couple of cups soup afterwards, felt a bit better, 355 men to a barrack, hopeless overcrowding more than half sleeping on floor. No Red Cross parcels since Xmas on this camp and very little hopes of any. Food situation very bad.

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