"Thurs 17-5-45 was a great day for Dux. It was a general holiday for all. The square was decorated with little red flags and a huge portrait of Stalin was very prominent along with other portraits of men I did not recognise.
In the afternoon, a brass band played to a crowded square and women and girls were dressed in very bright colours, red being the order of the day. The band played in the park in the evening and a crowd of us went to hear the playing. We sat down on the grass and it was very interesting to watch the people moving about. I should say practically all of the civilians were Czechs.
During the German occupation, the use of the Czech language was forbidden. Now the Czechs could freely use their own tongue and no doubt their joy was very great.
By that time, we were more than anxious to start for home and we wandered to the railway station. There was a crowd of German soldiers there and they eyed us up and down. One asked me was I an Englishman and wanted to know when were the British and American troops coming. I didn’t know, of course, but they were eager to snatch at anything. I can well understand how they felt.
We got little information at the railway station but one Czech there invited us to his house. He gave us a nip of ‘schnapps’ which was like drinking fire. He asked about our PoW life and on leaving gave us a bar of chocolate each. I was stunned on receiving that and could hardly believe my eyes. I gave most of mine to a child who snatched it with eyes popping out and mouth wide open.
Every day saw thousands of German prisoners being marched back towards Teplitz and probably back into Germany for transporting to Russia. Many were in a bad way. As they passed through Dux, those who had any kit were searched by Czechs and Russian boys."
from the PoW diaries of my dad Bert Martin
(a signaller in 67th Med Regt., Royal Artillery)
I found this bright peony in the garden of the B&B where we are staying in Bodmin and thought it would be good to accompany this diary post.
Stunnng bright colour and you matched it so well with the account from the diary. History has never been my forte or indeed interest -- ( I blame it on my history teacher at school -- a detestable and pompous bully of a man who had only time for the boys in the class !! ) But these diaries have kindled my interest and am looking forward to the next episode ! Thanks Hazel !
Super close up and I just love the continuing story. I really hope you can get it published one day, even if you only photocopy each page and put it together in a book format would be good. I would buy a copy and I am sure many of your 365 followers would too. Such a great personal history of the war years.
Babs, I have it all typed out in a 'story' form and have included illustrations such as you have seen here (ration card etc) and have had a few copies bound at the printer's over the years for family and friends. I know self publishing would be good but when I originally transcribed the diaries (46,00 words) the emotion and stress landed me in hospital with a bipolar episode so I daren't risk it. It was so disappointing when I found a publisher a few years ago who then backed out. Publishing extracts on 365 like this is manageable and they seem to be well received.
I can imagine the effect of a drop of schannps on a tummy that hadn't had any alcohol for a long time! How generous of your dad to give away most of the chocolate, shows the measure of the man! Lovely to read as usual Hazel thank you.
Enjoying the continuing story of your father's WW2 experiences and also this photo with that fine mist of water and the larger droplets so nicely defined.
Beautiful macro shot- with fantastic color and focus! Love each of your entries from your Dad's diary- have started reading them out loud to my family. Thanks again for sharing!
Beryl, I am touched by your comment.
Babs, I have it all typed out in a 'story' form and have included illustrations such as you have seen here (ration card etc) and have had a few copies bound at the printer's over the years for family and friends. I know self publishing would be good but when I originally transcribed the diaries (46,00 words) the emotion and stress landed me in hospital with a bipolar episode so I daren't risk it. It was so disappointing when I found a publisher a few years ago who then backed out. Publishing extracts on 365 like this is manageable and they seem to be well received.
Oops should be 46,000!
Lois, thank you - I'm hearing you read them out - how lovely!
Peter, thank you. Nearly another week before my dad gets home to his wife in England.