The Occasion when P.O.Ws Willingly Worked Overtime
by J.D.Chew
The Camp was situated between high buildings in the main Adolf Hitler Strasse with very limited space for any exercise or sports. When the camp opened, an open space outside the camp was available for a weekly game of football on a Sunday morning but this space was taken over by the military for a vehicle park, so we lost this facility.
Our British Camp Leader complained to the German Commandant, who agreed that alternative space should be found but the problem was, Where? It was suggested that whilst the boys were out on working parties that they should keep their eyes open for possible space not too far from the camp.
After various suggested were made, to no avail, a certain Sports Complex was noted that belonged to a factory that in pre-war days made fabrics.
The area had four or five good football pitches with a running track round the perimeter and at one end was a swimming pool with central changing rooms and showers etc. The Commandant remarked that he thought we were aiming rather 'high' in such a choice but he was willing to enquire about our use of the area.
It was arranged that our Camp Leader with our interpreter should meet the Directors of the Firm and they were shown into the Board Room where two German Directors and their Polish Works Manager were at desks. When asked the nature of their business and on hearing that the Camp would like to have use of one of their football pitches and that the small delegation was from a British P.o.W Camp in the City" the balloon went up" and in no uncertain manner they were ordered out of the Office to the shouts of "English Swinehund".
With having made such a quick exit back in the street with the words "Ah Well!" It was worth having a try" "Nothing gained nothing lost". After walking a 100 yards or so the Polish Works Manager caught up with them explaining that the Directors had had second thought - would they please come back.
It transpired that the Polish Manager overhearing that we were a Working Camp, he reminded the Directors that for months they had planned to have tennis courts in the Complex but although they had brick rubble and cinders they had no Labour! Here was a camp of P.o.W workers, was a deal not possible?
On return to the Board Room it was agreed that for supplying labour for the tennis courts, facilities would be available for weekly football. Back at camp a list was put up for working /footballers for 2/3 evening working parties and some 50/60 of the lads signed the list.
Our Camp Leader gave the list to the Commandant and then it was realised that guards would be needed for normal security. The Commandant would need to approach his guards and he could not order them to do "overtime" when they had already worked during the day , and evenings were their "free time".
The guards showed no interest to guard "mad English P.o.Ws who want to work extra hours". The whole arrangement looked as though it was doomed on the score of no guards available. Our Camp Leader on hearing this hinted to the Commandant that "of course "Gold Flake Cigs" will be available for such guards that cooperate.
The result was that the guards formed their own list, as there became more guards than needed for this project. During the summer of 1943 twice or three times a week a keen working party of 20/30 men left the camp on the "Tennis Court Squad".
Our British Camp Leader complained to the German Commandant, who agreed that alternative space should be found but the problem was, Where? It was suggested that whilst the boys were out on working parties that they should keep their eyes open for possible space not too far from the camp.
After various suggested were made, to no avail, a certain Sports Complex was noted that belonged to a factory that in pre-war days made fabrics.
The area had four or five good football pitches with a running track round the perimeter and at one end was a swimming pool with central changing rooms and showers etc. The Commandant remarked that he thought we were aiming rather 'high' in such a choice but he was willing to enquire about our use of the area.
It was arranged that our Camp Leader with our interpreter should meet the Directors of the Firm and they were shown into the Board Room where two German Directors and their Polish Works Manager were at desks. When asked the nature of their business and on hearing that the Camp would like to have use of one of their football pitches and that the small delegation was from a British P.o.W Camp in the City" the balloon went up" and in no uncertain manner they were ordered out of the Office to the shouts of "English Swinehund".
With having made such a quick exit back in the street with the words "Ah Well!" It was worth having a try" "Nothing gained nothing lost". After walking a 100 yards or so the Polish Works Manager caught up with them explaining that the Directors had had second thought - would they please come back.
It transpired that the Polish Manager overhearing that we were a Working Camp, he reminded the Directors that for months they had planned to have tennis courts in the Complex but although they had brick rubble and cinders they had no Labour! Here was a camp of P.o.W workers, was a deal not possible?
On return to the Board Room it was agreed that for supplying labour for the tennis courts, facilities would be available for weekly football. Back at camp a list was put up for working /footballers for 2/3 evening working parties and some 50/60 of the lads signed the list.
Our Camp Leader gave the list to the Commandant and then it was realised that guards would be needed for normal security. The Commandant would need to approach his guards and he could not order them to do "overtime" when they had already worked during the day , and evenings were their "free time".
The guards showed no interest to guard "mad English P.o.Ws who want to work extra hours". The whole arrangement looked as though it was doomed on the score of no guards available. Our Camp Leader on hearing this hinted to the Commandant that "of course "Gold Flake Cigs" will be available for such guards that cooperate.
The result was that the guards formed their own list, as there became more guards than needed for this project. During the summer of 1943 twice or three times a week a keen working party of 20/30 men left the camp on the "Tennis Court Squad".
As the photo above shows Rail Track and skips were provided to shift the material to build the courts.
For "services rendered", mid week and on Sunday mornings football sessions were arranged and the Polish Works Manager (who was very pro-British) made available football kits and boots from the Stadium Store with hot showers after the games. This project proved a wonderful asset for the Camp.
Above is the Camp's Scottish Team which could have been a team back at home.
As the weather became warmer , during the football sessions any of the boys not watching the game were able to use the Swimming Pool with swimming trunks available from the store and on the evenings when light allowed, the footballers were able to use the pool after their game. It seemed hardly true, but the Polish Works Manager even organised some English Dance Music over the 'Tannoy' System while we were swimming.
Above is the Camp's Scottish Team which could have been a team back at home.
As the weather became warmer , during the football sessions any of the boys not watching the game were able to use the Swimming Pool with swimming trunks available from the store and on the evenings when light allowed, the footballers were able to use the pool after their game. It seemed hardly true, but the Polish Works Manager even organised some English Dance Music over the 'Tannoy' System while we were swimming.