“WEEKS OF HELL”

Evening Star, Issue 16629, 11 January 1918, Page 3

“WEEKS OF HELL”

PRISONER’S TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Tho repatriated prisoners of war, the second batch of whom arrived- in London on 15th September, had terrible experiences. Interviewed at the Ist London Military Hospital, Camberwell, Private George Elsley, of the Welsh Regiment, who was captured at A pros in September of 1914, stated that thev had been shockingly treated in Germany. “After bein'wounded,” he said, “we were picked up and taken to a dressing station, where our khaki uniforms and boots were taken from us, and wo were given French uniforms instead. Although wounded, we were kept without food or water for fourdays, and when one of us begged for something to drink the nurse brought him a glass of water and threw it in his face. Later we were removed to the hospital at Schwerin, where w© were well treated ; then we were sent to Parchim, and from there to Gustrow Camp. At the latter w e were treated like dogs. Although we were badly wounded, on arrival we were kept standing in the enow, without boots on, from 1 a.m. until lb 1 o’clock' at night. Then wo were herded into a building, where wo lay shivering for hours. At Gustrow several of us nearly died of starvation. Our sole food and drink consisted of a pot of coffee at 7 a.m., a basin of soup at 12 noon, and another basin of the same stuff at 7 p.m., whilst every fourth day each man was given a small’loaf of black broad. \Then we complained wc were either prodded with bayonets or the English blockade was given as the cans© of the shortage. The bedding was covered with vermin, and we slept on straw on the floor. After weeks of hell we were set to work to build a canal. All wounded men with arms and legs had to work, and if a man slackened off he received the buttend of a rifle. One day we saw several wounded men stabbed by the guards' ami they were afterwards carried to the hospital. One man who refused to work was taken away, and w© never saw him again.”