WWII .- P.O.W. Archive

A collection of memorabilia related to soldier Mr. Evan P. Williams’s stay at Fort Rauch (Poznan), British prison of war in German-occupied Poland (1940-45), comprising: medals, Soldier’s Service & Pay book, a small copy of the New Testament, photographs of life at Fort Rauch, communications dated 1949-1986 about Williams’ applications for the positions of temporary clerical officer & executive officer, magazines (‘The Prisoner of War & Hot Pot), numerous postcards and letters to his family (1940-44), a small diary in faded pencil covering the period May 1940 -January 1941, and describing extreme living conditions before the arrival to Stalag XXID (Fort Rauch) (‘cold in the night… lack of food… weak condition… need of clothes and baths… think of home and food’), as well as war news such as the occupation of Paris in June 1940. In the letters Williams talks about the new camp and the activities to be carried out: German classes, theatre shows, playing piano, concerts, taking photographs, watching, and playing football, carpentry (quantity)

*** The archive provides a first-hand account of life in a prison of war. Particularly, the diary records of tedium, overwork, and malnutrition as experienced by a private soldier. Williams notes day by day what at the time seemed most important: food (or the lack of it), the weather, work, Red Cross parcels. There are references to bombing raids and occasional atrocities committed by the guards to keep the column of prisoners moving away from the advancing troops of the Red Army. The diary ends with the words ‘never give up hope’.