(n.b. the ration card for 3 days which my dad received, was originally intended 'für
Urlauber' = for holidaymakers, which I find a tad ironic.)
"The next day, Friday 18-5-45, I managed to borrow a cycle and so went to Teplitz along with a fellow from the camp. The distance was not great, only 9 miles, and we soon found the place we wanted, Stalag IVC.
On the way into Teplitz, we saw several posters written in English. These advised all P.O.W.s to remain where they were if they were getting food. The notices informed us that the large towns were already congested and the food situation was acute.
We could get little information at IVC: the place was almost deserted. We cycled back feeling our journey had been in vain. The same afternoon, we drew ration cards for 3 days and were able to secure a little more food."
"Later the same day, 3 American ex-P.O.W.s came along in a 15cwt truck. They had found the vehicle and after several efforts, had succeeded in making the engine go. They were going to Pilsen the next day and wanted somewhere to park their truck. We gladly offered to look after the precious vehicle when they said we might go with them!
We got to work with paint and one side of the truck we coloured red with ‘America’ across it in blue while the other was blue with ‘England’ in red. We hastily made a Union Jack and a Stars and Stripes flag and fixed them on the front of our truck. The vehicle looked quite gay by nightfall and we packed up food for our journey and the Americans secured some petrol from somewhere. We went to bed very excited about our next day’s journey knowing we were starting on our long-awaited trek home."
from the PoW diaries of my dad, Bert Martin (signaller in 67th Med. Regt, Royal Artillery)
Phew - I'm not surprised he decided to get going rather than wait for the authorities to get organised. Glad they painted up the truck too! I wonder how many people were killed during this time? What with all the swapping of kit and desperate soldiers being taken by the Russians and the general chaos and hunger I imagine it was a dangerous time.
