| Robert Hodgson World War II P. O. W. Diary |
| Jan. 20, 1945 Called out at 3. a. m., marched 12 km Karlsruhe, camped in evacuated brick works, received cup of hot coffee (1st), commenced marching at 8 p. m. heading towards Oder River 26 km away, turned out total distance 33 km. - on road all night temp rumored - 40 F - cases of fellows falling asleep on march (admit myself as one) others falling down through exhaustion. I saw more than one mirage of the bridge. At arriving at supposed desitination found it a case of "no dice". Had to march another 7 1/2 km to a barn. I had developed a blister on my heel which had broken open. Jan. 21, 1945 Rested in barn all day. Given a pkt of hard wheat biscuits, pkt. contained 32 biscuits about 1 X 1 1/2 - cup of coffee. Jan. 22, 1945 Germans had us up at 1 a. m. to march after a promis of a couple of days rest. Russians had crossed Oder expected to be in battle area, real panic, marched 18 km, morale very low, stopped Kreselt, rationed 1/2 biscuit to block marge, 2 raw potatoes, cookhouse staff made soup in field kitchens, issued half cup per man. Jan. 23, 1945 8 a. m. on road, marched to Wansen. 24 km. - blistered heel quite sore, stopped in barns - very cold, horrifying to see men rummaging through cattle fodder in search of carrots and potatoes. Jan. 24, 1945 Rest. Reported to M. D. with heel, horrible mess, turned septic. Informed Germans had transport provided for bad cases of sick, fortunately I was one of them, issued 1/4 loaf of bread and 1/7 block marge. 31 men plus 15 guards on French box cars very damp from snow, informed by German Feltwavel (Sergeant) that we would be at Sagan, our destination, by morning as we on a passenger. Spent horrible night sitting on suitcase. Informed we had been taken south through Glatz, but that we would reach our destination by night, disgusted that men although provided transport were still grumbling. Guards obtained hot water for coffee. Rain - our roof of car leaked. Jan. 25, 1945 Stopped 12 hours in siding, guards provided us with soup. |
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