Smyrna times., 1943-12-02


not required to give any informa-
ton other than their names, ranks,
and serial numbers. A few can
speak a little English and can re-
late some interesting stories when
the opportunity offers. One of the
prisoners was a boy eighteen, who
had been in service for five years.
Most of these men are soldiers,
with a few sailors thrown in for
good measure.
One thing that is quite notice
able about the German soldiers is
that they are well disciplined. They
salute all American officers who
pass by. The German officers even
salute we Privates when we open
the gates to allow them to enter
their enclosed area.
Since their arrival, all the prison.
ers have been clothed in uniforms
similar to our regular fatigue
clothes, except that they are dyed
blue and have large P. w. mark
ed on the back of the coat and the
knee of the trousers to designate
them as prisoners of war.
The prisoner who volunteers to
work at jobs on the post receives
pay at the rate of 80 cents per day.
Men who do not volunteer their
service, outside of the required
tasks within the stockade, receive
an allotment of 10 cents per day.
Actually, no money is given to
these men, since they receive can
teen checks representing their
earnings or allotments. These they
can exchange for candy, tobacco,
soft drinks, shaving articles and
other articles available at the pris-
oners post exchange. In addition
to this, each man is allowed one
quart of beer each day.
The prisoners exchange, within
the stockade, did not open until a
few days ago. Prior to this, they
traded their medals and other per-
sonal items to the guards for Gig
arettes.
I feel sorry for these men, in a
way, because I think most of them
are satisfied to be out of the fight.
But, there are a few we can't trust,
so we have to treat them all the
same.
In our outfit some of the boys
German. While one of
these boys were standing close by
two of the prisoners, he heard them
talking about the possibilities of an
escape. One of the Germans said
I'D try getting out under the
fence, rather than over it." The
other German answered YEA, but
where would you go when you got
out of here p"
I think, as rule, the prisoners
are better satisfied than most of
our men are out here. We go on
guard for "a hours every other day,
and the day we have off, we have
to work around the post. It's
pretty darn hard on the men of our
outfit, but the camp is new and
there is still a lot of work to be
done beside guard duty. 1 think
things will be lot better after
things begin to run on schedule.
One thing, we are allowed to go
into town any night that we are
not on guard. However, the town
is SO small there isn't anything to
do after you get there. 1 under
stand that there will be quite a bit
of amusement right here in camp
when everything is completed. So
it won't be too bad. Beside this,
we hear that there will be another
company of men here soon. This
will give our boys more time off.
1 have not seen newspaper
since we arrived here at camp.
And since we do not have a radio
1ere at the barracks now, I don't
know how the war is going. One
If the fellows sent home for a
radio, so we should have one in
few days if we are lucky.
Please don't try and surprise me
oy sending me a radio, because 1
10 not want one. 1t would be nice
10 have, but it's too much trouble
to take care of when we move
If you want to give me
for Christmas, you can
send me camera and an electric
razor. These items 90 not. have to
be new. An old razor and a 6-16
camera would be fine.
1 received the box of candy to-
day and it was swell. Send along
some more the next opportunity
you have to make it.
It's Tuesday night = 1 started
this letter three days ago, so I'll
try and finish it to-day.
Since writing the last part of my
letter 1 have received the sencond
box of candy. 1t is even better
than the first box.
The prisoners out here are taken
good care of, so they really should
not mind their lot. 1 hope that our
soldiers and fliers who have been
and are now prisoners in
Germanv and Ianan will be treat