Sodus Point POWS running to the soccer field. Photo courtesy of Debra Werfelman, From the book “World War II Prisioner of War Camps in Wayne County, New York and Their Prisoners” by Annette T. Harris
In the last days of 2018, I was contacted by Andreas Suchi. Andreas was researching the story of his Grandfather who had been a German POW during World War 2 at our Sodus Point POW camp. Andreas had the diary of his Grandfather that contained information from the time of his capture in Normandy in July 1944 through his time spent in the Sodus Point POW camp. After helping Andreas obtain some additional information, he told me he was translating the diary (which was written in old German) into English and would I be interested in having the translated diary for our website? Uh…..YES!!!!!!
He has finished the translation of the first part of the diary (10 pages) which starts from his Grandfather’s time and capture in Normandy (June/July 1944) until November 1944 where he is in the Fort Niagara POW camp.
Here is the first part: Diary of Walter Meyer – Sodus Point POW Part 1
He has now finished the second part of the diary (21 pages) which deal with his time in the Sodus Point POW camp from when he arrives on Sept. 25, 1944 until May 20, 1945 just after the War ends.
Here is the second part: Diary of Walter Meyer Part 2 Word Version
Diary of Walter Meyer
Translated by Andreas Suchi
Part 2
Here in America as well some of the groceries were only available on food-stamps, like
butter, pork, sugar, or leather goods. The houses that I have seen on the farms or in
the small villages were all made of wood. They were just standing on a concrete base.
So the days were passing by. During work the thoughts were focused, but often they
were wandering to the far distance. How are the loved ones at home doing? Nobody
could answer this question. When you already got to know privates in the army, I
realized how uneducated many of my mates were. No thanks were given if one wanted
to enlighten, especially since they were mostly young villains. One let it be and got used
to the peculiarities of some buddies. On September 24, 1944 we had a very nice musical
evening.
Once again, I should go on the journey. With ten men I came to a subcamp of Niagara
on September 25, 1944. A small camp "Sodus Point", right on Lake Ontario, 150m
square with four barracks, a kitchen hut with a dining room and a washing room. 140
men were accommodated here. On the way here we also came through Rochester
(324,000 people), a larger beautiful landscaped city. The long wide roads were just
great. In this camp I settled in well, I found friends and the food was even better than
in Niagara. Here, too, in the first days we went on farms for fruit picking. On October
3, 1944 we got a new command. In the morning and evening one-hour truck ride to
Webster to a juice factory (Jaybee & Co.). We were kindly welcomed here and the work
was fun. By now it was October and we still had no money. We could not buy Canteen
goods yet and if I wouldn’t have gotten cigarette tobacco from comrades, smoking
would have been bad. But the day when I got my first self-earned money had to come.
On October 18, 1944 I received 20.60 US$ for August and September. Now the canteen
was open for me too. On my first purchase I spent several dollars on soap, a soap box,
hair and facial tonic, powder, shaving cream, razor blades, toothpaste, a box for the
toothbrush, chocolate, candy, cookies and a lot more things. Often I thought how it
would be if I could give some candy, chocolate, cookies, oranges or apples to my little
daughter, but unfortunately this is not possible. We were entitled to two bottles of beer
every day, which I drank every evening together with my mates. Now I also had paper
and ink and was able to spend my time, as I wanted to. On October 19, 1944 I watched
my first American movie in the camp, which I could not understand. But it was
something else. Through our lieutenant we got music instruments and on November
11, 1944 we had our first music evening. The food in the camp was very good.
Breakfast: soup, milk, eggs, butter, jelly, syrup, cake, coffee
Lunch: three sandwiches with sausage, ham, bacon, meat or cheese
Dinner: soup, potatoes, sauce, meat, vegetables, dessert or fruit or pudding, coffee,
apples or oranges
On Sundays we always had poultry, either fried or as fricassee, and ice cream.
But what do my loved ones at home eat?
I did not run out of money anymore. There was enough tobacco for smoking, time was
passing by, and winter came. We received quilts and high over-boots made of rubber,
which were very handy for the drive to work. It became cold and it started snowing. In
our barrack it was cozy and warm. Due to snow drift we could not get to work on
December 12 and 13, 1944. These days were wonderful. I now had two hours of English
lessons per week and the evening hours were completely filled.
Christmas was approaching, we made an Advent wreath for our barrack and
preparations for the Christmas- and the New Year’s Eve party were made. But still there
were no news from home. Today on December 13, 1944 we got German cigarettes,
which came from the Red Cross. A salute from home. Since October 3, I was already
working in Webster … — <censored> … Only after some managers from the
headquarter in California came in, there was a bit more drive in the company.
How does it look like at home? The American forces have arrived in Germany. The 6 th
year of war, a sad Christmas for you my loved ones. Due to the snow there will be a
cutting-back in the meals, we were told today, as the deliveries cannot get through. On
December 14, 1944, we went to work again. The landscape looks beautiful in its white
cover. It took us 1.5 hours due to the snow drift. There is really a lot of snow on the
ground, much more than we are used to at home. Its genuine Christmas weather, but
there is no Christmas mood. In the small villages we are passing, there were Christmas
trees for sale. The streets are illuminated and the windows of the stores are bright and
friendly and full of goods. There is no real shortage on food, except some specific
things. I noticed that there are bakeries and butcher shops … – <censored> – …
cigarettes were short on supply as well, we didn’t see any for weeks. But there is plenty
of tobacco.
Today on December 15, 1944 we were not picked up for work, we were not told why.
But we were not angry about it. Directly after the breakfast (6 am) I went to bed again
and slept until 11 am. At 11:30 there was lunch. There I had to think about you my
loved ones. In the canteen, our sandwiches were nicely prepared on our plates. On
another plate liverwurst, smoked pork sausage and bacon garnished with cucumbers
and butter and coffee. It was, as always, a very rich meal and at least 1/3 of the sausage
went back. How much would I like to invite you, my loved ones, to such a meal. My
daughter would certainly have a good share. At home there is a shortage and here we
have as much as we like. If there is, like today, for breakfast only milk, butter, jelly, syrup,
there is already some blatting, but I believe that 90% of the inmates did never eat as
good at home.
On December 16, 1944 we did not go to work again. Therefore, I was idling again. In
the afternoon I had another lesson in English and I can say that I really like it. Today I
got my slippers that I ordered already a while ago with the carpenter. Now I can put
off my shoes when I come back from work or on days when I am not working.
December 23, 1944 – the day before Christmas Eve. Today we did not go to work. I was
glad about it, because the long drive to work in the truck was not really pleasant in the
cold. We did a big cleaning in our barrack today. In the afternoon I will shower and
wash my clothes. And then I will rest until Monday. On Tuesday we will get back to
work again. There is no holiday on Boxing Day here, like in Germany. Tomorrow there
is Christmas Eve and again I cannot be with you, my loved ones. Last year I was sitting
in France but had the perspective to go on vacation in January. This year I am sitting
far away from home in America, where now the war is also becoming noticeable. In
France we started an offensive campaign (Note from the editor: “Battle of the bulge”
or “Ardennes counteroffensive”) which brought us forward many miles. There are no
official reports in the American Newspapers, but the mood in the general public is not
good, especially now in the Christmas time. We are glad that it is going forward for us.
But how is it going for you? Do you have some little Christmas delight without your
father? I always hoped to receive some news from you for Christmas, but I gave up this
hope now. It is awful. Since mid of June I did not hear anything from you. I can only
hope that everything is ok.
Christmas 1944 in America
It is December 25, 1944 in the evening. You, my loved ones, are already sleeping,
Christmas is already over for you. For me it is as well and I say thanks God. Two days
were my thoughts were always with you. I sit on my bed by the window. It is dark
outside and the large lampposts spend bright light. Slowly the snow is falling, snow
that we now have for three weeks. Its genuine Christmas weather. Yesterday there was
a Santa Claus for us as well. Our Christmas party started around 8 pm, even the camp
captain participated and wished us a Merry Christmas. The canteen was festively
decorated. There was a Christmas tree in one corner with burning candles. The tables
were loaded with plates full of gingerbread and sweets and were decorated with fir
sprigs and burning candles. There was a festive atmosphere, when the first song faded
away and one of our mates, Harald Weinzierl from the Saarland gave a small speech
and brought up some thoughts on our homes. Some tears were shed and covertly
wiped away. Then we could admire our “Christmas gifts” that we paid before with 2
US$: chocolate, sweets, soap, shaving foam, toothpaste, oranges, apples, nuts, small
cakes, socks, writing pad. Besides of that there were big plates with cake on the tables
that we took to our barrack after the short celebration. Of course, we did not get any
gifts from the Americans. Our gifts were canteen goods that we bought and that were
held back for Christmas. In the barrack we continued to party. Santa Claus brought
some more gifts, from mate to mate and greetings from home in form of a small
Christmas tree, candles, sweets, toothpaste, skin cream, and writing pads with a
dedication from the German Red Cross. We laughed about funny presents and with
three bottles of beer, that we got to mark the occasion, the hours went by. We got to
bed pretty late.
Today on Christmas Day we had a turkey for lunch that was really good. I had a tasty
turkey joint that was absolutely sufficient for me. What did you have?
Exceptionally we had coffee and cake in the afternoon, with nuts and sweets and our
band was playing music. Now comes the dinner, the evening counting and then
Christmas is over. Now we go to the canteen and with the two bottles of beer, the
remaining hours will pass. Tomorrow the work and the daily routine will start again.
December 24,1944
Breakfast: 2 eggs sunny side up with ham, bread, butter, jelly, coffee, milk
Lunch: pork chop, sauce, potatoes, peas and carrots, pudding, coffee
Dinner: 3 sausages, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, bread, butter, coffee
December 25,1944
Breakfast: 2 fried eggs over easy, bread, butter, jelly, coffee, milk, 1 piece of cake,
tangerine
Lunch: potatoes, sauce, turkey roast, sauerkraut, apricots, coffee
Afternoon: coffee, milk, 3 pieces of cake, sweets, nuts
Dinner: German bread, American bread, butter, sausage, bacon, minced meat,
cheese, hot chocolate, oranges
December 31, 1944
My first thought today was that it is your Birthday today my love. Are you in K.? I don’t
know and I cannot change it. Today is the last day of 1944. What will the New Year hold
for us?
In the last days we had a lot of snow, so that on December 28,1944 we were not picked
up for work again. That is always a happy day. Even though the work is not hard, it’s
always nice to idle for a full day. The evenings are always packed with learning. Anyway,
I don’t know boredom, and the main thing is to think about something else. Today for
breakfast we had the usual flapjacks, that you my loved ones, probably don’t know
anymore. Today in the evening there will be the New Year’s Eve party, I’ll write about
that tomorrow. I want to conclude the old year with the hope that my shamrock will
bring me luck also in 1945 and that I will go home in the next year.
It is the 1st January 1945. What will the year bring for us?
Yesterday we had a nice party. Around 8 pm they rang for us to get out and we went
to the canteen and dining room. Both rooms were nicely decorated. In their dining
room they even built a stage. With happy music and singing the evening started and
one nice performance followed the other. The main attraction was a ballet of “four little
girls”. If one wouldn’t have known that this could only be our mates, one could have
thought that the four boys were real girls. The wore nice short white pleated skirts,
white bras, even white panties and ballet shoes, together with the right make-up on
cheeks and lips, not to forget red painted nails – they just looked like girls. Two hours
of program went very fast and then we could get sandwiches and sausages at the
“Aschinger”, beer at the “Kakadu Bar” and coffee, flapjacks and other cakes in the
“Mokkastübchen”. The “four girls” continued to make fun and another hour passed by.
The program continued and at 12 midnight we welcomed the New Year with a bottle
of beer. Around 2 am the New Years Eve party at Camp Sodus Point N.Y. was over.
Today is pretty ugly weather. Rain and snow – really uncomfortable. Tomorrow the
daily routine will start again.
How was the end of the year for you? Did you celebrate much? These are my thoughts
in the morning of the New Year’s Day.
January 7, 1945
The first week of the new year is over and we are back to our daily routine. Still I am
together with nine others at the juice factory in Webster. The daily drive to work in the
truck, one hour in the morning, one hour in the afternoon, that is the most unpleasant
time the whole day. Even if I am not freezing a lot, my feet are always cold. When I get
back in the evening I always put my feet into hot water and change my socks, of which
I have plenty. Only then I feel comfortable again. Such a winter like here I haven’t really
known from home. It is snowing almost every day and when the storm howls and the
snow is drifting, the best is to be in the warm barrack. We don’t have to freeze as we
got enough winter clothes as well. You can live here, but of course it would be much
nicer at home.
January 14, 1945
One week passes by like the other. It is Sunday again. I just had my usual
“chicken dinner” for lunch and now the afternoon is ahead of me. This week I received
a late Christmas gift. The first message from my loved ones arrived. On January 8, 1944
I received the letter from October 2, 1944. Now I at least know that you my love know
that I am alive. Besides of that there is only routine. Six days work, one day rest. How
long will it still take?
January 27, 1945
The Russians entered Germany and are marching towards Berlin. I have huge worries.
What will happen to you my loved ones? What will happen to our homeland? Will we
see each other again?
On January 15, 1945 I received the first letter from my parents, they write that there are
no news from Erwin and Werner since mid of August. Are they still alive? – Here we
have tons of snow. On January 24, 1945 we couldn’t get back to the camp with the
truck in the evening as the streets were full of snowdrift. At first we were supposed to
sleep in the factory, but then we spent the night in the office of the fire department in
Sodus. We had dinner in a restaurant (potatoes, sauce, pork chop, and coffee). This was
my first time in an American restaurant (Inn). On January 25 and 26, 1945 we did not
work. Today I received the second letter from you my love. It was the letter dated
November 30, 1944 that was pretty fast. But in the meantime, 7 weeks passed by that
did not bring good news. Today I read a German Newspaper which is published in
Rochester. No good news and what is still to come?
February 7, 1945
The situation of Germany gets more and more critical. The Russians arrived at the river
Oder. What happens to the land that the Russians occupied? What happened to the
people? If I think that now you may have to leave your home and wander – where? And
how long shall that take? It is awful, here we have peaceful quietness – but how about
you? I just hope that you stay healthy and that you can keep your home!
Is the winter at home as strong as it is here? I must not think about this – it’s driving
me crazy. I received letters on February 3, 1945, but where are you now? Due to the
snow we could not get back to the camp on January 29, 1945 again and we spent the
night in a school in Sodus. It was a very modern school; we don’t have schools like that
in small villages. The next day we were driving for three hours on the truck. Besides
that there is no news. America is in the war, there is a shortage in cigarettes and also
the food is a bit more limited now. Also, our meals are getting a bit smaller, but still we
get:
for breakfast: bread as much as we want, two sorts of jelly, peanut butter, syrup,
soup or eggs and cake
Lunch: three sandwiches with sausage, ham, meat or cheese but no butter
Dinner: soup, potatoes, meat, vegetables, lots of salad, dessert, coffee or tea
You will say that this is plenty of food, and I say that as well. But there are mates that
are not satisfied if there aren’t three fried eggs or bacon. I still believe that none of
them ate this good at home, not even before the war. The privates are never satisfied.
February 11, 1945 – One year ago my first vacation as a soldier was over and I needed
to go back to France. I still remember very good when I stood with you my loved ones
on the train station “Königstor” to say Good-Bye, a last waving and the train took me
to Berlin, where I met my mother and my sister.
Today I am here as a prisoner. Sunday is always a wonderful day, unfortunately, the
hours are passing so fast. In the morning at 7:30 am we get up, then we have breakfast
(1 egg, milk with cornflakes, bread, jelly, two flapjacks, coffee). After that I went to the
washing room. Yesterday I wasn’t in the mood to make the laundry. But it needs to be
done. With the washing machine it is done pretty fast. After that I shaved, made my
nails and then put on my Sunday clothes. (brown trousers with a sports shirt). The work
for today is done. It is a nice winter day again. It is snowing again and it would be nice
to take a little walk outside, but everywhere you bump into the barbwire. The morning
hours were passing very fast. I learned English which is sometimes pretty strenuous for
me, but I will hang on to it, if only to have an intellectual challenge, as the work in the
factory during the week is pretty dull. At 12 noon we had lunch (potatoes, sauce, roast
mutton, salad from beans, apricots, coffee, milk) and then I went to the hairdresser.
After a little nap I continued writing my diary. The afternoon hours passed quickly as
well and at 5 pm we already had dinner (potato salad, three sausages, coffee, milk,
bread and pudding). After the counting and the draw of the work commands for
Monday, we went to the canteen as usual to drink our two bottles of beer and to chat
with the mates. Now this day is over. I hope that I’ll receive some news from you my
loved ones in the next week, so often my thoughts are with you – if you only had some
peace. When will this war end?
February 25, 1945
One week passes like the other. We still have snow. If it melts one day, there is new
snow on the next. Every morning at 6:30 am we start our journey to the factory and in
the afternoon at 5 pm we are back to the camp. We are still producing apple juice and
we still have good apples that are stored in large cooled warehouses. There is no exciting
news in the camp. This week we had another birthday party, that was as usual, quite
nice.
March 4, 1945
It’s the best day of the week again, Sunday. It’s a beautiful day. The snow has melted
almost completely in the last days, spring is coming. For you, my loved ones, the war
is still continuing. Is it still quiet for you? Where are the parents and my sister? I sit here
quietly behind the barbed wire and have food and drinks. Again, and again my thoughts
are with you. What is going on with you? What are you doing? It is awful. Yesterday I
received three letters, and to my greatest pleasure a photo from you. Even though I
cannot forget you, I now have you in front of me again. Again, and again I needed to
look at the photo in the last days. If only I could take you in my arms. The hope that
we will see each other again in good shape is still with me and that is keeping me up.
I want to live for you and together we will live.
Here it is always the same. The food is good and on Sundays we always have a nicely
decorated table. If only you would have enough food as well, hopefully you are not
starving. Again, we had a very good dinner tonight:
For everybody there was a plate with:
2 cubes of cheese, 2 pieces of liverwurst, 2 slices of ham, potato salad, sausage salad
garnished with beetroot, carrots, cucumber and two eggs, bread and hot chocolate
It was a dinner again that I could not finish – but what did you eat? Now we will go to
the canteen and then the Sunday is over again. Six days of work are ahead of us.
March 8, 1945
It’s my little girls birthday today and today I received the letter dated December 24,
1944 from you my love. I was with you in my thoughts and celebrated Christmas with
you. Will we ever walk the old paths together again? Will you my little darling have a
nice birthday? My thoughts are only with you. Today’s news say that the Russians have
crossed the river “Oder” to march to Berlin. Now the war is coming to you as well, on
top of the bombings. You may need to leave your home, but where to? It is terrible for
me to think about that. I am sitting here in peace and silence and I cannot help you or
back you up. Will you be strong enough to go through all that? If we only meet again
healthy, everything else doesn’t matter. I still have the hope that everything will be
good one day.
I really liked your words for the Christmas Eve. I am glad that you endure everything so
brave and I hope that you will continue coping with that so good. Let’s only stay
healthy. In one of the letters that I received in June 1944 you wrote that you believe
that I will survive. Then I was captured. Now you wrote that “we will see each other
again”. May you be right again.
April 1, 1945 Easter
A few days ago, I received the letter dated January 17, 1945 and a postcard dated
February 4, 1945. It came as I thought it would be. I took from the newspapers that the
Russians are storming forward. Now my parents and my sister are coming to you. On
one hand, I am relieved to know that now you are all together and I only wish that
everything will be ok and that you are not forced to leave. It’s probably quite some
turbulence now, but one can’t help it.
Today is Easter. A wonderful quietness here and for you the war is screaming. Did you
at least have some rest and a nice holiday? … < Censored > …
It was a wonderful day today. For breakfast our kitchen surprised us with three colored
cooked eggs and in the afternoon, we had coffee and cake with music from home that
our band played. The dinner table was rich and nicely decorated and we were satisfied.
Two beers in the canteen and Easter will be over and tomorrow we go back to work.
Now I wish that the war will be over soon, so that I know that you have some peace as
well.
April 15, 1945
On April 5, 1945 in the morning, my ear was tingling very intensely – did you think
about me so strongly?
For eight days, I have a cold. The transition to spring was not good for me. I have a
cold, a sore throat and my right ear is also not good. I took some medicine and I get
drops for my ear from the paramedic every day. It’s going to be alright. We got a lot
of German magazines recently and so we read a lot. In our library, we have some good
German books, even a Bible. Yesterday I got my hat that I ordered from the tailor. The
hat that I had was already quite worn. On top of that I got my suitcase from the
carpenter …<censored>… The journey home could start, but it will probably last a bit
longer. What I would give, if the war was over today, not because I could go home, but
because I knew that you my loved ones would have peace as well. But it probably won’t
be long. According the latest news Chemnitz was taken and the Americans have
reached the river “Elbe” at Magdeburg. Who would have thought a year ago that there
would be war in Germany? On April 12, 1945 president Roosevelt died suddenly. Life is
continuing and the end of the war is to be expected soon. For me another Sunday is
over. I wrote a letter to you my love, hopefully you’ll receive it.
April 22. 1945
Sunday! Our day off. The weeks are just passing by. Now in the spring it is quite hard
to be “behind the barbed wire”. In the winter we were mostly in the warm barrack
…<censored>… Due to the exchange of our P.W. coupons I saved 9.40 US$. My first
savings in America.
On April 18, 1945 we processed the last apples in the factory. Now we are cleaning up
and next will most likely be tomatoes. Yesterday I ate the first tomatoes from a sample
shipment from Mexico. On April 19, 1945 I watched another American movie – “Dark
mountain” – that I didn’t like at all. But it was some distraction.
What is going on in Germany now? What I discussed with B. already years ago, is now
becoming reality. Difficult times for you and what is still to come? With big interest we
are following the news in the newspapers. From the east, the Russians are storming
towards Berlin and from the West the Americans. The two sketches from the New York
Times show the situation on April 17 and 21, 1945. Both maps show Neuruppin.
According to the map from April 21 there were heavy bombings on the train tracks, also
near Neuruppin. By the way there are lots of rumors from Germany and almost daily
you find pictures from Germany. It’s a terrible time. How will you my loved ones get
through all of this? The last postcard I received on March 29, 1945 was written on
February 4, 1945. Since April 11 I have no news from you and I am afraid it will take a
while until more news will come. – Also, Potsdam was heavily bombed a few days ago.
If this slaughtering would only stop, nobody is believing in a “victory” anymore.
What will I find when I come back to Germany one day? But I don’t care, if I can hold
you my loved ones in my arms again, so my biggest wish is always: stay healthy! I hope
that we will get through all of this, you there, which is certainly the most difficult, and I
here and healthy we will meet again.
April 29, 1945
In March I got paid 24.60 US$. By now I have 40 US$ but I can’t buy much except
toiletry, tobacco, chocolates and other small things. Other things are supposed to
come, but that’s all.
They put great emphasis on our “P.W.” marking. Every week it is checked and always
we need to renew it as its always washed out in the laundry.
Its already end of April but the weather is not really nice, except of a few nice days.
Almost every day it is raining, so it is quite wet. You don’t get rid of the cold. My right
ear is still not ok.
This week I was in an American wooden house for the first time. Our command was
tasked to fix up the summer house of our lieutenant. The house is situated beautifully
on Lake Ontario. Unfortunately, there was a terrible storm on that day, so that you could
not stay outside. The house has got 4 rooms downstairs and upstairs. The rooms were
simply painted and furnished. The kitchens with no stove, just with a small spirit stove,
is also used as a dining room. I would be glad if I could live on a complete floor.
Now the Russians are in Berlin and the Americans are not far from you in Havelberg.
Who will take Neuruppin? Are you suffering? I think that my journey is nothing against
what you need to endure. I hope that you will get through that and remain healthy. Is
the war already over? There’s a rumors about armistice negotiations. Would this only be
true, so that you will have peace again.
May 6, 1945: I have your photo in front of me and my thoughts are with you. If I only
knew how you are. Where are you, are you still ok? When will I get news from you? The
coming weeks will be terrible and only the work will distract me a bit from these
thoughts. I don’t even know who has taken Neuruppin.
“End of war in sight” the newspapers wrote at the beginning of the week. Berlin has
fallen and Hitler as well during battles at the Reichskanzlei. Several battalions
capitulated and according the latest news the remaining troops in Norway,
Czechoslovakia and in Germany have capitulated. Why not already weeks or even
months ago?
The German army does not exist anymore, the Hitler salute and everything related is
prohibited now. How will life go on in Germany? If I only knew how you are doing, but
nobody can answer that, so I can only wait.
May 8, 1945 – The war is over. After the capitulation has been accepted by all involved
countries, it is over. A hard time of five years, eight months and six days is behind us,
but how will it be? Today we were read an official statement of the government. We
did not go to work today but tomorrow the routine will continue. Six days of work and
one day rest. I reached the end of the war, now I hope that I also reach the day that
will bring me back to you my loved ones. Hopefully you are ok.
May 13, 1945
Mother’s Day! The war is over and how many mothers are grieving for their killed sons.
Do you dear mother or you dear mother-in-law also grieve for a son? I don’t know. I
am far away I can only hope that you are ok. All wounds will heal with the time and I
wish that I will see you again in good shape.
My little daughter, is your mother still there? Are the both of you ok and are you
thinking about me? If there were only news from you.
Here everything is routine. Although it is already mid of May, it is still cool. It’s raining
almost daily and on Friday we even had snow the whole day. In the factory it is very
quiet. There is still no production and we are cleaning up. I am happy with the work.
From tomorrow we won’t get beer anymore and also chocolate is not available for us
since a week. But life goes on without that and hopefully we don’t have to wait too
long until we can leave.
The worst is that we also have a cut in food, but I think when you hear what we still get,
you will say that we can be satisfied. I can say I am satisfied. The menu for the week of
May 13. – 19, 1945:
May 13, 1945 (Sunday) Breakfast: bread, oleomargarine, syrup, French toast, two
flapjacks, coffee, evaporated milk, sugar, 1 orange
Lunch: soup with meat, bread, potatoes, sauerkraut, 2 sausages, grapefruit with sugar,
coffee, milk, sugar
Dinner: bread, two slices sausage, one slice of cheese garnished with cucumber, ½ egg
in mayonnaise, oleomargarine, coffee, milk, sugar
May 14, 1945 Breakfast: corn flakes with milk, dried plums, bread, oleomargarine, syrup,
2 flapjacks, coffee with milk, sugar
Lunch: 3 sandwiches with lard, sausage and cheese
Dinner: soup with meat, thick pasta, sauce with sausage cuts, beetroots, coffee with
milk, bread, 1 orange
May 15, 1945 Breakfast: milk soup with semolina and raisins, bread, oleomargarine,
syrup, 1 piece of apple cake, coffee, milk, sugar
Lunch: 3 sandwiches, one with lard and cheese, two with sausage
Dinner: soup with meat, potatoes, salad, fish, carrots and peas, coffee with milk, bread,
one orange
May 16, 1945 Breakfast: semolina milk soup with raisins, 2 bread rolls, bread, syrup,
oleomargarine, coffee, evaporated milk
Lunch: 3 sandwiches with lard, cheese, sausage
Dinner: pea soup, potatoes, mustard sauce, pork ribs, carrots, cabbage, coffee with milk,
bread, one orange
May 17, 1945 Breakfast: semolina milk soup with raisins, bread, syrup, 1 piece of cake,
coffee with milk, 1 apple
Lunch: 3 sandwiches with lard, cheese, sausage
Dinner: soup with pasta, mashed potatoes, pork leg, peas and carrots, coffee with milk,
bread, one orange
May 18, 1945 breakfast: oat meal with raisins, one pancake, bread, oleo, syrup, coffee,
evaporated milk, sugar
Lunch: 3 sandwiches with lard, cheese, sausage
Dinner: soup with meat dumplings, potatoes, 3 sausages, sauerkraut, salad, tomato
salad, bread, evaporated milk, sugar, one orange
May 19, 1945 breakfast: bread, oleo, syrup, two French toasts, coffee, milk, sugar
Lunch: bread, sausage, cheese, mayonnaise, lard, coffee with milk, sugar
Dinner: pea soup with sausage, pasta with tomato sauce, coffee, evaporated milk, one
orange
May 20, 1945 (Pentecost) breakfast: oatmeal with raisins, dried fruit, bread, oleo, syrup,
coffee with milk, sugar, one piece of apple cake
Lunch: soup, potatoes, canned meat, salad, pudding, coffee with milk, sugar, bread
Dinner: bread, sausage, 2 cooked eggs, lard, coffee with milk, sugar, one orange
I realize that this second part leaves us at a cliff hanger as to what happens to Walter’s family but all will be revealed in Part 3 and the final Part 4 of the diaries.
I will update this page with the third part of the diary when Andreas finishes the translations. According to our records, his stay in the Sodus Point POW camp will last another 8 months…stay tuned!
