Ms. notes in pencil on 7 pages (a-g), describing arrival at Oflag XXI D, Posen, and...

Ms. notes in pencil on 7 pages (a-g), describing arrival at Oflag XXI D, Posen, and observations around the camp, conditions and events.

(a) (6th Thursday) Arrive 04:30am - Train in siding till 08:00 - 3 hours sleep - like Stratford goods yard on dull Sunday afternoon - Poles move 44 bricks in 45 mins. - Thumbs-up from Polish rail workers - escorted of train by 12 mounted MPs - march out of yard.

(b) Trams marked "only for Germans" - Brownshirt - march through drab streets - large American car driven by Nazi youths - JERRY, ROBERT & co. - CALFRETTA on tram - open land, few trees, cart track, beyond tramlines - square house surrounded by wire.

(c) Through gate - underground Fort, bricklined, dry moat - 14' high iron railings - drawbridge - Oberit. with sword makes statement - down baggage & follow Sgt. - curved stairs 30' downwards - wet, dank, cobbled passages - dingy room, 20w bulb - beds in blocks of 8.

(d) Bunks, 4 up, 4 down - broken benches & a table - depressing after Laufen - moved a bed from storeroom - change bulb - Penguins disallowed & hidden - search & enquiry - damp blanket - coffee, soup - latrines smell worse than French midden, in bays of 4, no privacy.

(e) 8 lats. for 600 officers & men - pumped drinking water colour of weak coffee - Laufen veritable heaven in comparison - 19:00 General visits - talks on their position viz Nazis & how to deal with them - importance of officers' influence on men now - 10:05 lights out - 07:50 rise & collect coffee - 08:15 Appel, 10 mins. - back to rooms - 12:00 lunch - visit David in room of 32 - JOHNSON of the 1/6th - PETER WALKER - HENRY CLEAVER.

(f) Down to lower Dungeon - GINGER & co. in 44 - ERIC PACEY, v. hungry, ate 3 days sausage & bread in 1 day - ERIC KEEN - back upstairs, BILLY, NORMAN TAIT, officer in charge of cookhouse - least occupants in JH's room, excepting General's - 26-32/room generally - 3 brass-numbered pews for seating - lunch; 1l. barley soup & 3 potatoes - minute coal ration; start stove - slight rise in temperature - smell of overflowing sewage in exercise space.

(g) Various requests refused by Germans who later ask if said requests are wanted - LASLETT wants to know if anyone will lecture on anything, JH responds with lecture on Provision Manufacturing - coffee & 2 potatoes for tea - JAMES BRICE - 20:00 evening Appel. - supper; 3 slices bread & thin cheese. 8th US & Swedish embassies in discussions for month previous to move - here for 3 weeks, General thinks, JH thinks 6 months more likely - 12:00 barley soup & potatoes - rumour: pork on Sunday - PT to stop constipation.

9th Sunday - regime to alleviate boredom - 08:00 rise, wash & dress - 08:15 parade - walk for hour in moat or tunnel - lunch, read for hour - 13:45 Appel. - 14:30-15:00 PT.