| Flt. Lt. Ian William Tweddell World War II P. O. W. Diary January 12, 1917 to June 19, 1975 |
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| Rather a strenous day. Had some apples. First for some time. Supper 1/2 spam and lb. of spuds and 2 brews. On banks of Elbe. Had wash in same. To bed at 21:30. Good news. Transport mixed up and Brod lost parcel. No signs of bomb damage but constant alerts. Country today very reminiscent of Fens country. 15 kms. Monday, April 16 Up 07:30 after very comfortable night. Cold but clear. Breakfast; potatoes, spam, coffee. Walk down river before lunch. Lunch; potatoes, salmon, coffee. 14:30; marched to ferry. 16:30 docked at Blankenese after 20 minute trip in Franz Schubert (188 persons). 5 km. march first part up very steep hills in old town. Hamburg docks look a bit bent. March through beautiful residential suburb to field near Sulldorf railway station at 18:30. Half parcel (Canadian) issue in morning. Wandered through Blankenese sans guards who seem very apathetic. Bollocked by Feldwebel for wandering off from field. Fences smashed down 5 minutes after arrival. Constant alert here. Every 1890 perambulator in N.W. Germany must be on the march. Blankenese very pretty. Nothing in Shops. Women pretty well dressed. Day hot and clear. News good. Supper bread and Canadian biscuits. All clear 20:30. Tuesday, April 17 Up at 07:30 after warm, comfortable and quiet night. 3 Canadian biscuits and one brot plus coffee. Marched 09:30. 4 rests in 3 km., last of one hour when Marlag passed. Day hot. Road dusty. Country devoted to general agriculture and nurseries. Lunch 11:00; Packet of American biscuits and 2 Brot. On look out for cart after last night's news re. parcels and march to Lubeck. Goons in poor shape. Lunch stop 12:30 to 14:00. Sardines, bread and brew. 16:00, rest in Egenbuttel, 3 kms from Pennenberg, 68 from Lubeck. Saw Volksturm shambling into Hamburg. 1/2 uniform, 1/2 shagged. Marched into Pennenberg then back to outskirts of town so usual marshy barracks. Made bed of leaves and pine needles. Thunderstorms threatening. Sprinkling at 18:00 and 20:20. Supper; cabbage, corned beef, raisins, brew. Saw and heard shoot-up be Tempests. Big smoke pall in N.E. Saw tank traps along roads. Made shelter of blanket, great coat, etc. Wash in creek then to bed at 21:30. Heavy dew in night but slept warm and dry. Best night yet. 12 km. Wednesday, April 18 Up at 09:00. Breakfast; Brew, 1/2 can of Brot and strawberry jam. Bill Booth left by train. Many French kriegies passed this morning. Sky overcast; day cool; cleared in afternoon. Threatening again at dusk. Tempests on job again. Full Canadian parcel, loaf of bread, 1/2 kilo of meat issued. Smasher got 22 eggs and 8 lbs of spuds for 1 can coffee, 1 soluble, 1 1/2 bars of soap. Other deals; 1 chocolate bar, 1 woman; bicycle for 100 cigarettes, tin of coffee, strip of chocolate and bar of soap. Kriegies all over within 5 miles of camp. Very interesting talk to German Luftwaffe Leutnant. Heinkel pilot. Crash landed at Hatfield; Sept. 1940. Kriegie in Canada, Belleville, Timmins. Escaped in 1943. Recaptured by F.B.I. Repatriated in 1944. Gave good idea of the other side. Much the same. Picture, pencil and sharpener. Brews in fire extinguishers. Crack about "Just to show that we have gas left." Dulag has no superior. General in Hamburg in air raid shelter when called. 8 Tempest in attack in evening. Hot reception in |