Chapter I: Preface

The writer has been so constantly and earnestly appealed to to write his experiences, and so weary recounting them, that he has at last decided to put into print a short account of things as they really happened within his own personal knowledge during his two and a half years’ imprisonment in Germany. He is also encouraged to do so for other and more important reasons. There are so many people throughout our Empire who are unfortunate enough to have intimate friends and relations in captivity in Germany. In the opinion of the writer these people ought to know, from one who has had a bitter experience, to which these pages will testify, the true conditions under which those nearest and dearest to them exist.

To those who are more fortunate, and who may be inclined to be sceptical towards the newspaper reports of German brutality, it is hoped this narrative will come as a revelation.

Further, there must be many who are already feeling war-weary and despondent, and who consequently may be ready to embrace any opportunity of making peace, even on the basis of the _status quo_. If the revelations disclosed herein bring home to these a knowledge of the infamous, relentless, and savage character of the Hun, deliberately dehumanised by the State for the purposes of the State, the writer will feel that his labour has not been in vain.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

PAGE

CAPTURED BY THE BOCHES 15

CHAPTER II

BY CATTLE-TRUCK TO MUNDEN 32

CHAPTER III

THE DREARINESS OF CAMP LIFE 47

CHAPTER IV

OUR REMOVAL TO BISCHOFSWERDA 63

CHAPTER V

MY JOURNEY TO CLAUSTHAL 78

CHAPTER VI

COURT-MARTIALLED AND INSULTED 108

CHAPTER VII

IN HOSPITAL AT DRESDEN 122

CHAPTER VIII

THE HELL-HOLE OF INGOLSTADT 142

CHAPTER IX

A “BLOND BEAST” COMMANDANT 161

CHAPTER X

BOUND FOR CREFELD 171

CHAPTER XI

WE JUMP FROM THE TRAIN 190

CHAPTER XII

ESCAPES BY NIGHT AND DAY 213

CHAPTER XIII

WE HIDE IN A DRAIN 234

CHAPTER XIV

MAKING FOR THE FRONTIER 251

CHAPTER XV

ELUDING THE SENTRIES 272

CHAPTER XVI

LIBERTY AND BLIGHTY! 302