..............in 1945, my father (see Jan 12th entry) was a PoW in Cossebaude, Germany and working in a cement factory. After the bombing of Dresden, he and other PoWs were sent in to "help clear the mess in Dresden." I feel that this was one of the most difficult times for him and he only spoke finally about it when, in his 60s, he gave a tape recorded interview to the Imperial War Museum for their sound archive.
My father kept a daily diary during his wartime experiences. It seems here that he crossed out each entry as he used it to write his memoirs, which I have donated to the Second World War Experience Centre in Leeds.
He gave a fuller account of fetching the parcels: "we received news of parcels and were told to go to Freital in Dresden to fetch them. As I was sick but could walk, I went with 5 or 6 chaps. We took a small 4 wheeled cart and walked there - 12 miles. I remember there was snow on the ground and it was pretty miserable but who cared, we were going for some parcels. We collected 101 American parcels and pushed them the 12 miles back to camp. We received one parcel between two men and a few days later, one between 4 men. They helped us over a few days, anyway."
This particular small diary only came to light in his effects after my father's death.
A very moving picture. Interesting you should say your father never spoke about his war time experiences, nor did mine. I too found a small diary after his death which recorded his time in Normandy after the landings. I hope lots of young people will look at your photograph today.
@tishpics That is interesting to hear about your father, too. I read my father's memoirs (handwritten in 3 separate school-type exercise books) when I was fairly young (too young really, I think). After his death in 1998, I decided to word process them and included photos, a pass out of camp, ration card, discharge form, all of which somehow he managed to keep and bring home with him. I feel it is important that people should know about the deprivations and suffering of 'ordinary' soldiers, as well as heroic achievements.
On a photographic level, it was quite hard to get a good shot of the diary as the entries are in pencil & only one page would lie flat on the table. I did a bit of focus adjustment afterwards but only have basic editing software.
@thursday I have to say that I was a bit hesistant putting this photo on 365. The good news is, of course, that my father came home from his experiences, hence my existence, and lived to be 79. It was a tough time for lots of people and my personal view is that war is insanity - but it still goes on.
@quietpurplehaze I agree with your comments. What a horrible thing for any person to have to go through, and so sad for all of those who didn't come back (and their loved ones). After all that mess and craziness, how can it still happen now.
March 1st, 2012
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On a photographic level, it was quite hard to get a good shot of the diary as the entries are in pencil & only one page would lie flat on the table. I did a bit of focus adjustment afterwards but only have basic editing software.