(Guest Post by Zachary du Kamp)
May
8 1940
1000hours
Dear log
I have been in the trenches for days. My dugout is almost
full; there are too many people. The Germans have attacked Poland and I have
been told that we aren't too far from being their next target. They brought
tanks and flak guns. I've been told that they are fast shooting anti-infantry
artillery guns. They told us not to fear.
1700hours
A new division has come to support us. I fear the worst.
France is mobilizing and I’m in the front lines.
May
9 1940
1300hours
Dear log
My best friend joined my squad; I was both thrilled and
scared. I tried to tell him to go home but he said he can’t. When I asked him
why; he just pointed. Then I saw the anti-air guns fire. With 3 shots I saw it
spiral and smoke. I saw it was Germans. A thought rushed through my mind…..my
friends were gone. My brother was gone.
2000hours
There were a few more planes shot down. There was a full
tank squad coming in 2 days. A scout saw a German artillery emplacement. When
we heard the news my friend ran into our dugout and found a foot of water in
it.
May
10 1940
1100hours
Dear log
There was an artillery barrage for 3 hours. My hands are
shaking and I can’t feel my feet. It’s been raining for hours. I am lucky; I
wasn’t hit by artillery fire or one of the tank shards. The squad commander
was. He was killed instantly. I am scared for my life and wishing I didn’t sign
up, but I am the leader now so I must hold it together.
1800hours
My friend was shot in the arm today during the second
German offensive. I got captured in the process of getting him up. He tried to
get through but he was shot in the chest. He told me to carry on before I was
pulled away. I saw the rest of my division get mowed down by armored cars.
May
13 1940
Time unknown
Dear log
I arrived at the P.O.W. camp to find they were full. I
got processes by them and got sent to Poland. I was lucky to keep this journal
during the process. I may be in and out for a few days, or weeks. But I will
try to keep in touch every day.
May
14 1940
1100hours
Dear log
Today I heard that there will be a fresh shipment of
prisoners. They’ve held me in the cell all day. Except when I got interrogated.
It’s much colder in here than the trenches and much louder. There are men and
women and the occasional child
screaming and crying. It feels dreadful.
1900hours
It’s worse than I imagined. There are less people there
than when I got here. I have heard about these places; they’re cold, wet and a
killing zone.
May
15 1940
1000hours
Dear log
Three more people from my division have come to this
prison. I feel sad for them but also happy because they have a letter from my
brother, It tells me that our home town was destroyed, but they made it out. My
brother has also told me that they made a line of resistance just before Paris.
I am happy that my family will live for a few more days.
200hours
They have interrogated me again. This time they were a
bit rougher. One of the Officers struck me in the head. I still feel light
headed. I overheard a German say that they have taken Paris with little
resistance; I fear that France will fall. Canada has taken in French people. I
hope my family has gone.
