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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 47, 1 May 1942, Page 5

The , following diary extracts Signalman L. K. Ryan who was _"• captured bj* the Germans and in-,r:l-terned at Bardia until finally releas- <- cd by the South Africans will be of interest to those of our readers wlio.se relatives participated in the Libyan campaign. December 10*. Gunfire all night off and on. All feel optimistic again, German guards say good-bye and say they are going to the front line. Itys take over all guard duties. Ra-» tions adjusted for yesterday and full' issue for to-morrow at 10.30 a.m. Still intermittent gunfire. Itys tell v ' interpreter that chaps foolish not to say they were sick and get away in safety in hospital ship. Hot meal (usual) in middle of the day by popular vote. Coffee morning and evening. Twelve planes over in the morning drop bombs some miles away. At 5 p.m. while lined up for tea five passed right overhead dropping bombs. Thought we might collect one or two —seemed to be coming right at us. Rather unpleasant but luckily the nearest was about quarter of a mile away. See cloud of black smoke. Hit something anyway. December 17. Gunfire during night. Weather perfect in morning, gun- V; fire in distance during day but unfortunately not getting any nearer. 11 a.m. one R.A.F. dropped, some small bombs just over the wall from, us. Must have thought we were enemy troops. The 1 Itys have been, telling us that our people know we are here and we have been trying, to believe it but this gives us cause to doubt. One of the N.Z. chaps outside getting firewood is killed. Did not get right down on the ground some of the party think. Very bad luck. The bombs and this, shock us very badly. Some bombs fell close to the hospital behind us. After dark gunfire increased and continued most of the night. A cheerful sound. Issued one cup water to-day. December 18. Weather fine, Padre says troops broken through defences, at one point. Another 20 prisoners arrive from Haifa Pass by small boat. Rushed for news but they have been in clink as long as we have. Very disappointing. Gunfire in evening. December 19. Perfect weather in. the morning. Guns opened fire at 4.30 a.m. Have hopes of being out b} r Xmas. Water issue. Quiet evening. December 20. Some gunfire during night and day. Chaps just lying around, nothing much to talk aboutCool wind but fine. No one very energetic these days. Change to one* hard biscuit per day in place of bread. Itys say not making any more bread. December 21. Night fine and coltfc —gunfire as usual. Lay under blanket all morning and afternoon. See* large barge come in. December 23. Cold and wet night, little gunfire, showery during day. Our spirits rise and fall with the weather and according to the amount of gunfire we hear. Rice for lunch with concentrated tomato a change from macaroni. Nothing to read,, nothing to do but lie round. December 24. Wet, windy coldf night—a bit more gunfire —rumours of extra cigarettes and food for Xmas (perhaps) a good feed of rice to-day. Weather unsettled, just lies round. Rations arrive late in evening. E*tra all right. 10 cigs. issued! all round for Xmas. December 20. Very Avet, windy night—worst yet. Issued two packets water crackers very good. Usual hard biscuits, 1% paper lollies, 4 boiled lollies. Dinner real feed,beans find potatoes, dried, 101b cheese, tomato concentrated and 200 tins bully. Made, wonderful stew and all had a larger helping than usual. All feel well fed for first time. Weather still unsettled but improving. Tea synthetic 201b, jam, very nice, . 20 gal. cognac in coffee to-night and to-morrow morning. Very good Xmas under circs. V ...