Leave 0900. Through Minderstetten - cross Danube on bridge fitted with demolition bombs. Troops in evidence - mostly Luft - 88's emplaced - bombers fly over. 1 US RC Box per 2. Through Neustadt - billet 3rd tier barn at Forchheim. Issue 1/4 loaf.
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The diary of John P. Sandford
| MARCH 28: Entrain at Hammelburg |
1/4 #10 RC Box courtesy of Serbs. Ride in box car with Col. Goode & staff.
| MARCH 29: on train |
Arrive Nuremberg [Nuernberg] at night during air raid. Bombs, Sirens.
| MARCH 30: Nuremberg [Nuernberg] |
Enter Stalag Luft III - tents - coffee from RC boxes given us. British major in white jacket in charge.
| APRIL 3: Preparation for moving |
Sick leave by train. Issued British RC Box plus 2 cans marge, 1 can biscuits, 2 fruit bars, a barracks bag and khaki pants.
| APRIL 4. - to Ochenbruck: | 14 km | 8.75 miles | 8.75 total miles |
Last scramble for food - cocoa line - wormy peas - meat grabbed by mobs - goon sugar. We leave from appeal formation. Mob - platoon groups but stragglers galore - guards with dogs. At Feucht the head of our column caught in bombing of R.R. yard by P51's which is next to the road. 3 killed. Arrive Ochenbruck 2030 and bivouac in woods. Fires for 1/2 hour.
| APRIL 5. - to Pfeifferhuette: | 15 km | 9.375 miles | 18.125 total miles |
Leave 0800 after bash of cocoa, oatmeal, fresh meat. Watch a big air raid on Nuremberg [Nuernberg]. By-passed by another block. Fertile valley - 4 hour halt on outskirts of town of Polling - Neumarkt. Rain - delay - feed in dark on pea soup 0100. Issue 1/9 loaf. March along highway in rain and black from 02:00-06:00. Bivouac in woods. RC white trucks carry the sick. Water from canal.
| APRIL 6. - to Berching: | 10 km | 6.25 miles | 24.375 total miles |
Column strung out. Leave 13:00 - march to Berching in heavy showers. 1/2 RC Box (British) and 1/9 loaf. Sleep by organ in church balcony - soaked
| APRIL 7. - to Sandersdorf: | 30 km | 18.75 miles | 43.125 total miles |
Leave 10:00 - column still strung out - to Beilngries (county seat). Climb mountain. Town filled up - hour for meal. March 6 more kilos - arrive 21:00. To bed at 22:00.
| APRIL 8. - layover Sandersdorf (Sunday): |
Large lighted barn - high on a hill next to what appears to be a resort hotel - very trim - beaucoup holtz - fires.
| APRIL 9. - to Neustadt: | 17 km | 10.625 miles | 53.75 total miles |
Leave 0900. Through Minderstetten - cross Danube on bridge fitted with demolition bombs. Troops in evidence - mostly Luft - 88's emplaced - bombers fly over. 1 US RC Box per 2. Through Neustadt - billet 3rd tier barn at Forchheim. Issue 1/4 loaf.
Map by Ulrich Koch, Berlin - Germany
2002 © Copyright Peter Domes - Date of last change: 2005-03-19