| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2019.22.85 |
| Collection number | PR01035 |
| Collection type | Digitised Collection |
| Record type | Item |
| Item count | 1 |
| Object type | Diary |
| Physical description | 140 Image/s captured |
| Maker |
Clark, George William Edward |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | 1944 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
| Copying Provisions | Digital format and content protected by copyright. |
| Source credit to | This item has been digitised with funding provided by Commonwealth Government. |
Diary of George William Edward Clark, January - December 1944
Description
Collection relating to the Second World War service of NX1058 Gunner George William Edward Clark, 1 Battery, 2/1 Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, 1940-1988.
In his fifth and final diary, Clark documents his continuing internment at Stalag 383 in southern Germany. During the opening months of the year he devotes particular attention to the demands of a long and cold winter. He describes frigid conditions and snowstorms, recreational activities such as snow fights and ice skating, periods of severe boredom whilst hut-bound and a camp frequently consumed by mud. He regularly refers to Red Cross parcels, news reports and rumours amongst the prisoners, and makes note of more unusual events in camp and the surrounding area such as prisoner escapes, searches by both S.S. men and camp guards, local food shortages and episodes of unrest in nearby towns.
From spring through to autumn, Clark turns much of his attention to thawing weather conditions, the subsequent construction of sporting facilities and a wide range of sports and other recreational activities in camp. He regularly writes about watching, scoring and playing cricket as well as swimming and sunbaking, but also makes note of attending boxing bouts, concerts and film screenings. During this period he continues to detail camp routines, news reports and rumours amongst the men, in addition to events such as air raids and changes concerning camp guards. On 14 September he makes note of his 30th birthday and abandons his diary for an extended period. His final two entries were penned a week before Christmas, and largely refer to current events in the war, air raids and the prospect of a poor Christmas.