War Diaries (March 12) (nonfiction)
War Diary entries for March 12
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Diaries
George Beck: March 12, 1944
News direct from Lamsdorf "170 of our lads escaped from the camp and not been seen since". Another underground tunnel been found by Germans in near by woods. Trapdoor was found under bushes, Germans dropped into tunnel and found themselves under the lavatories and coming out in the main camp. Even electric lights installed, work of engineers, five thousand bed boards were used. Even Germans say it was marvellous work. Another nearing completion but Jerries can't find it. It appears dirt was taken away in boxes covered by rubbish. Couple of wireless sets also in camp cannot be found. Canadian Air Force chap travelling by here to Lamsdorf threw himself through window of train, killed instantly. Witnessed by chap here in same compartment. One of the fellows pal's remarked, "Easy come, easy go", the spirit of comrades was marvellous considering what had happened. Proper war time American, joking about it. Russia still advancing. Three Stukas crashed near here from flying school, stunting and shortage of petrol. Won forty marks at pontoon.
—George Beck,1st Battalion The Duke of Wellington's Regiment, prisoner of war (diary)