Boche and Bolshevik: Experiences of an Englishman in the German Army and in Russian PrisonsPrice, Hereward Thimbleby
History
Boche and Bolshevik: Experiences of an Englishman in the German Army and in Russian Prisons
Price, Hereward Thimbleby
World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives; World War, 1914-1918 -- Prisoners and prisons, Russian
One other instance of ill-treatment I add. It is rather important and
I have not seen it referred to in any publication, although some of
the victims must already be in England. It is asserted that when war
broke out there was a sort of agreement between the English and German
Governments to the effect that male subjects of military age in either
country should be free to return home up to August 11. After that
date they would not be allowed to leave the country. Now, it was easy
for Germans to leave England--the trains were running, and the Dutch
service of ships was working just as in peace time. In Germany it was
quite different. Twenty-four hours after the declaration of war the
whole of the railways were taken over by the military authorities and
used solely for the purposes of mobilization. Englishmen, therefore,
who happened to be in Germany, had to stay just where they were. But
some enterprising Englishmen in Cologne endeavoured to charter a Dutch
steamer in order to go down the Rhine on her to Rotterdam. After
protracted negotiations they succeeded. But they had to face so many
difficulties that they did not reach Wesel, the last big place in
Germany on the Rhine, till midnight of August 11. As they had exceeded
their time, they were all taken prisoners and sent to Sennelager. No
preparations had been made to receive them, there were no huts or
buildings to shelter them, there were not even any tents. To make
matters worse, the rain came down in a steady downpour for two days.
They themselves were wet through to the skin, and even their good
leather suit-cases were sodden and the contents ruined by the rain.
After a little while the Englishmen were sent back home again until it
was time for them to go to Ruhleben.
CHAPTER IV IN THE ARMY
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account