The Diary of František Josef Geisler

THE DIARY OF FRANTIŠEK JOSEF GEISLER

A daily account of the journey he made from his home city of Brno Czechoslovakia to France and thence his time in Agde and La Palme Covering the period 18th December 1939 to 16th April 1940

Transcribed and translated into English from the original hand written text by Matúš Ličko The photographs are additional for illustrative purposes

18th of December 1939

You, who have chosen this way, do not expect any reward; -freedom of the motherland will be the biggest reward to you.

A garden France 8th of April 1940

Whoever will find this diary please give it to: Mrs. Anna Holčíková Olomouc VIII Sibířská 2 Czechoslovakia!

Monday, 18th of December 1939 The morning is covered up in the mist, a short leave taking with my parents, I have to leave, the motherland is calling me. I am running to the train station. The monotonous sound of the wheels and whistle of the locomotive – Farewell ..farewell….

Before 9am I get to Veselí na Moravě. No one is waiting here; suddenly there comes a man saying: “Engineer?” I answer: “Brno”. I follow him to room number 10, Deputy Laušman – Liška is waiting there. I was introduced as Střecha (the Roof). At 8pm in the evening I am leaving the station with the deputy as a stoker to Slovakia, my fund of 400 crowns has decreased significantly. Finally I am in Skalica.

Even though I had to go through the customs inspection twice, I stayed unrecognized. I jumped off from driving the locomotive, I made it, the deputy falls directly onto ice that has broken under him. Finally I managed to get him out. U. H. helped us a lot. I will never forget how the deputy was loading into the boiler, how he was snuffling. Hey, there will come the time we will retribute.

Tuesday, 19th of December 1939 Morning, 6.30, we are sitting in a car. My name is Šterba Ivan. I have his documents. We are having lunch in Švancbach. In the evening I exchanged my spare crowns for pengó I got 17 pengó which is 119 Czechoslovak crowns. I destroy the documents but the attempt to cross the border was unsuccessful. Maybe tomorrow. I received a sketch of the border. One more Hungarian will go with us.

Wednesday, 20th of December 1939 I am spending the whole day on a farm. In the afternoon I am reviewing terrain of the border from the roof! At 18.00 I am ready to leave. I would like to know, what stupid man drew the sketch. We are walking safely being sure that the guards booth is on the right side whilst I almost hit it on the left side. “Stop or I shoot!!!” Yes I will wait, 1,2,3,4 shots – well, our Slovak brothers really can shoot! We keep running watching out for the dog, my pistol is jammed, poor Hungarian I will remember him for a long time. Finally a second shot. The dog just whined. And now we are wading through a stream. How pleasant it was. Another shot. He may have a crooked barrel, I am throwing everything away and lying down, I can’t feel my legs, rattle of the teeth merges together. Instead of politics the deputy should better learn how to climb over the fences. Pay attention: do not trust the automatic pistols, Colt is better. It took us 4 hours to walk 4 kilometers. It was really pleasant to lie down in the ditch in wet clothes.

Well done we are in Szenc, Hungary. We stay over night in a house of a Slovak man.

Thursday, 21st of December 1939 In the morning we are leaving by car to Galanta and it costs 9 pengó. From there by train to Budapest, it costs 16 pengó, that means I don’t have enough money for that. I am lucky that the deputy pays for it. We arrived in Budapest at 11.30. They caught me just before the goal. A little talk and they wanted to transport me back to Slovak borders but I managed to run away to the consulate. Here I get to a known captain who testifies that he knows me and that I am Czech – he only minds my name. Only here do I see how many obstacles there are on our way. A morose dealing, I stay calm. We call each other brother but where is the brotherhood. I am led to a small apartment if I can call

this stall so. 4 of us sleep on two couches. I am carrying out correspondence. The deputy leaves in the morning. Everything is expensive here. Except for wine, it is tasty and cheap.

Friday, 22nd of December 1939 We are spending the day between four walls only an electric light is shining. We get 2 pengó every day, breakfast costs 90 fillers. I will never forget the view of Budapest. I wrote to Ludka to come I don’t know but I hope she will. I am sending her 200 Slovak crowns. No one wants to sell me anything for them. I am without money now. There is a little celebration in the evening. People here think we are Polish refugees.

About the food, we eat as Germans in our country. The wine is really good. So much fun while buying it. One’s arms could hurt from it. I am falling asleep in hope to leave soon.

Saturday, 23rd of December 1939 Bazděch is leaving this morning. According to local tradition he left here the rest of his money. I wash my clothes later. We only eat one warm meal a day. I decided to buy a cooker. Afternoon we sleep to reduce a little hunger. How simple it was to lose the motherland but how much of danger and fight there will be to regain it. We are cleaning up our shed. Finally this night everybody is going to sleep alone. We cook wine in the evening and create a budget for Christmas Eve. We decided not to eat for the whole day so that we can buy a Christmas tree, only a little one much smaller that the one I brought home and it costs 14 crowns. I hope we can afford it.

Sunday, 24th of December 1939 We sleep over the breakfast and lunch. The deputy came back from the border. They return them all back from the border. The Consulate is short with money. What now? We have paid for the apartment until Wednesday and for food for two people we have 160 pengó. We are selling everything we have. I only keep my watches. But never lose hope. The Captain, who testified for me is Šeda, husband of Hela Buzdová, he has left on his own.

Hungarians give us to the Germans, we have to pretend to be Polish. In the afternoon I went to French military attaché Donis with the deputy. I found out nice things for example: There came a colonel with his mistress here, another one ordered to bring his children and wife; that is how they spend the money for soldiers. Behavior of Czech people will never change, will it?! English transmitter is bribed by Germans and so on. After I returned home I can see the Christmas tree with 9 candles on it and next to it on the table there is an invitation for a Christmas dinner to one French family.

Even there they think we are Polacks. After a long debate we found out how badly the locals think of Czechs even this family is against them.

When I heard them saying that Czechs are not soldiers that they are cowards I stood up and left the room. That is how I celebrated Christmas Eve. After I came back to the shed I lit 9 candles prepared some tea and ate bread. I am falling asleep hoping that there will come a day when we pay everything back. I am planning how to cross the border into Yugoslavia. I will try it on Thursday.

Monday, 25th of December 1939 I was awakened by the coldness. We bought breakfast with our remaining money, what will be tomorrow? The day is gloomy, fog from the Danube covers the city. Day as created for murder, thinking about it

while going through the city with an empty stomach… You, who will come after us do it knowing it is for the motherland then you get through the problems easily. I wash my clothes in the morning. Poor deputy he is totally destroyed. He came to us to have lunch. Oh God if we can call it a lunch. Perhaps. The day is going slowly. In the shed you don’t even know if it is day the electric light is shining all the time. Bread for dinner, oh how tasty. The last letter to Ludka, I received a telegraph from her. A letter to Věra, to deliver it to our house. It is written between the lines with lemon. I hope they will understand it at home. There are 46 fillers on the table in front of me. Not even enough for the breakfast. We don’t have anything to smoke either. Well, we will go to sleep so that we are not hungry.

Tuesday, 26th of December 1939 I am having breakfast at 12.00, breakfast replaces lunch. Láďa went to look for some money. Laušman came to visit us poor guy he is so destroyed. Finally Láďa came back and brought some pengó. We can’t use it anyway everything is closed. With the help of God I bought some bread in taverns. Time goes slowly. After all, it is evening now. We are playing cards. I visit room number 33. There are only Bolsheviks there. I am going to the consulate tomorrow. They must do something with us. The mood is terrible.

Wednesday, 27th of December 1939 The chambermaid wakes me up. She gives me a letter from Ludka. She can’t come. Her parents. The old saying: ‘You will know your friend in need’. I am running to the consulate curious of what I will arrange.

Nothing probably.

Oh how surprised I was by their behavior. They have sent me to be photographed. Maybe I will get a Polish passport. I am looking for it all afternoon. They made me the commander of 5 dormitories that means I will stay here for a long time. I hope I will run away from there. We have got money for 2 days. In the evening I am going back home tired. For lunch we had bread with greaves. For dinner we had the same. What glory.

I managed to find a half of pocket novel. It starts on the 17th page, never mind. Good night.

Thursday, 28th of December 1939 Bad times are here I have to write with a pencil. It is Thursday I have to write the dates here otherwise I wouldn’t know what day it is. Our daily ration was reduced. Food stays unchanged. Bread with greaves. I am in a hurry since the morning. No sign of leaving the place. I met Láďa Prchala in the consulate. So many legionnaires at the last minute. What can we do.

It seems we will arrive to France just after the war. This can be named the funny resistance. Ladies gathered here in the evening. I am trying to change money from Czechoslovak crowns to pengó I hope I’ll succeed.

The French girls speak perfect Hungarian, so she will try it. There is a terrible mess here. Around 20 people come here every day but no one leaves the place.

Friday, 29th of December 1939 Sending to the police office begins. It looks like this: One goes to fight for his country, full of enthusiasm and they welcome him with words: “What do you want here why didn’t you stay at home? Well, you have to be imprisoned.” And your enthusiasm is gone. When they said this to one of the old legionnaires he blanched the consulate. People here are treated as dogs. Once again after one week I had a warm lunch. After lunch I get my boots fixed, I am not going to eat for two days

because of this. Oh, how beautiful are the Hungarian girls here. I am changing my name – Menšík – I have a passport that is only valid in Budapest. Today I am going to share my room with the deputy – poor guy.

Saturday, 30th of December 1939 For the whole morning I am sitting in Kufózeši, that means “Czech café” I am on duty here. At noon I go to look for some apartment somewhere beyond the Danube. I came to the building where it was supposed to be.

There I invade a Jewish apartment and search for Polacks. The Jew asks me if I am Polack. After a positive answer he tries to speak polish with me.

I started with Šariš dialect of Slovak language and he with Polish – I said ‘walking cactus’ (a sort of humor in Czechoslovakia based on hilarious words that sound as Polish words, but in actual Polish language, they make no sense. – translator’s note). So much fun. In the end I had to run away.

In the evening I become a commander of 6 dormitories. Blast it, I am going to have a busy night.

Sunday 31st of December 1939 It is New Years Eve tonight. I woke up, they promised us money. Of course, we didn’t get any. I am very busy for the whole day. I have never celebrated such a holiday, many goblets there are three of us and so many bottles already empty and yet we are not drunk. The milk is tasty with bread. At 10 I fall asleep, full of memories.

Monday, 1st of January 1940 In the morning I am looking to report because I am supposed to report at 10 am I have never felt so fresh after New Years Eve as today. At 10.15 am I finally found headquarters without commander. He came totally drunk at 11.30. At 12.00 I find out that at 2.00 pm I will go further. After 11 days I am leaving Budapest. From 3 to 9.30 pm I am going by car with Dr. Fandrlík to the Yugoslav border. They dropped us off without knowing where we are. What now? They found some Hungarians who were probably still celebrating New Year, barely standing, they led us for a while and then said that in a moment we will be in Zadoš. And he cheated us. We are moving through the bush along the route, snow is cracking under our boots and it is freezing we had to go into the woods to hide repeatedly. We are somewhere and don’t know where. We keep going slowly until midnight. All of a sudden the silence of the night is interrupted – “Stop!” It was the Yugoslavian. That means we are home. He took us to ‘Brodvaj no. 6’ that was actually name of the lost guard. I see beautiful barracks. Everything reminds me a picture of Russian recons.

They fed us and got kings’ lodges ready. I am falling asleep thankful to the Yugoslavs.

Tuesday, 2nd of January 1940 They let us sleep in the morning and gave us breakfast, black coffee and tea. Later they take us to the police station where we are treated kindly again. Afternoon, at 4 we are going to Zagreb. Half of the village sees us off to the train station. A train from there goes only once a day. What a glory. They seated us in economy class giving us apples and cigarettes. We leave as some nobles. In Murska Sobota the stationmaster was already awaiting us. We were given food and 50 dinars each. We will never forget – and you who will read this diary – never forget the Yugoslavs and what they have done for us, that means

for our motherland. Next stop is Ormoš: A café after a long time. We will go through Čakovac and at 7.05 in the morning I am in Zagreb. Here in Yugoslavia I see true brotherhood. What would be our talking without deeds?!

Wednesday, 3rd of January 1940 After a long wandering we found a Czech house. There we got breakfast and lunch. I have written to the scout. They photographed us and we are going to Belgrade in the evening. The whole journey takes 14 hours. My whole bottom is calloused.

Thursday, 4th of January 1940 In the Czech house again, breakfast and waiting. On Tuesday we will hopefully go to Beirut through Greece.

Friday, 5th of January 1940 Everything is as it should be. I visited the city. Beautiful East. You can see the signs of orient here. Some men with turbans, some women with a veil over the face. At noon I visited Štancl. The merciful mistress is sick. They invited me to the dinner, it was delicious. I am returning back at 9.30 pm. I see the company in a good mood. A few young guys. We are going to sleep at 11.30.

Saturday, 6th of January 1940 In the morning again in the city, where everything is getting ready for Christmas. I am coming back to have lunch. I am spending the whole afternoon at home. I found out that on Monday evening we are leaving for sure.

Sunday, 7th of January 1940 I am on a duty – heating. I am spending the whole morning in the Czech house. A man came to us and gave us 100 dinars to buy cigarettes. We almost had nothing to smoke. There are 70 of us here already. One transport of 24 men left yesterday, we leave tomorrow. In the evening I am invited to Štancl. I feel very good. If I get home one day I will roast the whole piglet. We split at 2.45. Thanks to the Štancls. We were writing to Oto hopefully he will understand.

Monday, 8th of January 1940 In the morning I am awakened by some speaking. Young guys are returning home. Seems like I didn’t come last. I realize that I can’t recognize a shirt from black trousers it is so dirty. Hands to work. Before noon Lanóna came. Afternoon the last orders for the journey. For the dinner I go to Štancls. I will never be able to pay my debt. I feel amazing.

Honza is a slicker. I left there a hat for a beret. They gave me 80 Diplom cigarettes, I would never think that one day I will smoke Diplom cigarettes – Mr. Štancl is a press attaché. Then leave-taking. Wine, excellent mood.

Departure at 11.00.

Tuesday, 9th of January 1940 After a 22 hour-long journey during which they give you Yugoslav cigarettes, meat and sweets we are crossing the Yugoslav – Greek border and we are in Thessaloniki. Here I am accommodated in a fancy hotel.

Everywhere we are welcomed as French, only with the language it is poor.

Before sleep I see the sea for the first time in my life – it is the turbulent Aegean Sea. In the morning we continue our journey. At 3.40 I changed the time zone to Eastern European time 4.40 pm.

Wednesday, 10th of January 1940 We continue in our journey since 6.30. First transfer is in Alexandria, from there economy class to Pythio in 2 hours. By Orient express to Istanbul.

Yugoslavia – wonderful country. Rocky hills along Vardar river accompanying us to Greece, I’ve sent a letter to Zdeněk Z. and Ludka. I am sitting in a train and recalling. I am thinking when I hear young guys talking about their girls, what about me? I have no girl! Why would I return home. Straits surround you, am I really so ugly and bad that it always has to be me who didn’t leave anything at home, for whom there is nothing to call back home. Never mind. All the more I can fulfill my duty.

How difficult it is to get back to the motherland I am sure this time we are going to appreciate it much more.

Thursday, 11th of January 1940 Unfortunately, our Express was late for 3 and half hours so that we arrived to Istanbul at 12.00. We are accommodated in a first class hotel. Palace de Europe. I would never say I would meet such luxury

on this journey. Afternoon, after a delicious lunch, I went to visit Istanbul.

If I were here for the whole week it wouldn’t be enough to visit everything. Mosques, bazaars, water pipes and much more. Fancy dinner, sea fish, splendidly cooked and Turkish black coffee + cigarette. Turkish again I am refilling my well-being. This night I am going to sleep as a king.

Friday, 12th of January 1940 In the morning at 7.30 we are leaving Europe. By steamship through Dardanelles. What a wonderful view of waking-up Istanbul. Minarets, cupolas, towers, sky, what fineness. In Haydarpasa we are being photographed. We are sitting to agreed compartments, the next transfer is in two days in Aleppo. We sleep in the nets on the benches, wherever it is possible. I allow myself to go to the dining car for the dinner. A sea fish, deliciously prepared.

Saturday, 13th of January 1940 I was on duty in the morning. We slept really well. We are going through an amazing landscape. Rocks, rocks – what beauty. I will never regret this journey. For example, in 2,400 metres we are going through 11 tunnels approximately 26 kilometres long. I have lunch in the dining car. 6 dishes, one would never eat so much in my country. After 5 hours we arrive to the true south. Some palms next to the road. One kilogramme of oranges 0,80 crowns, bananas 1,90 crowns. One can’t even eat it anymore. Next stop Aleppo.

Sunday, 14th of January 1940 At 2.00 am we arrive to Aleppo. They led us to an elegant hotel. I was laughing of cold. Breakfast in the morning. After that to the Headquarters.

The paper war again. We are having lunch with men from Senegal. Lunch is pretty tasty. Canned food, oranges after lunch, wine. Afternoon I visit the city, glorious orient. In the evening at 9.30 we are leaving to Beirut.

We occupied one compartment, I sleep on the bench. The night was quiet.

Monday, 15th of January 1940 In the morning transfer in Ryah. The Samaritans give us breakfast. We are going by cog railway through Lebanon. We arrived in Beirut, now waiting at the train station. Later they lead us to the camp. We are accommodated in barracks with the Senegali regiment and The Foreign Legion. They just showed us how they live. They fought so hard that both of them had their heads hurt. All of you who wanted to join The Foreign Legion, think about it twice. In the evening I reconoitre the place. Beauty, dirt, poverty, filth, everything mixed together. Palms, sea, wine, singing, no girls, I’m glad it is so. Not the best sleep of my life.

Tuesday, 16th of January 1940 We are presented in the morning. According to the confirmation of identity from captain Šeda, I became ‘sergeant aspiré de officier’. I am the commander and teacher of military life basics to the new recruits, 15 men total. In the afternoon we are swimming in the sea. Impossible to describe the beauty. Tomorrow I will try to catch some fish. We still eat sheep meat, wine, oranges and bananas, you are drunk all the

time here. We have to get used to it. Water is not drinkable. One orange here is for 14 halers for 1 franc you get 6 bananas.

Wednesday, 17th of January 1940 The same life constantly, sheep meat, wine, rats, bedbugs, bananas. In the evening I go to see the nuns they are sewing tricolors for us.

Beirut, Thursday 18th of January 1940 Morning at the sea, until noon. I cook my own lunch, peeling potatoes. Finally I met a guy from our regiment. After lunch I go back to the sea again but I have nothing to smoke anymore, I have to sell something in the evening. And it really happened I am selling a partially cracked pen for 20 francs and a rubber coat for 150 francs that means I have money again. You can’t even imagine how divine it is to sleep among the rats, they are climbing on you, you move your shoulder and it runs onto the other one. One feels like it is sentenced to death in the last hours he lives in well-being.

Beirut, Friday 19th of January 1940 I am on duty in the morning. One can live here relatively well, we go to swim in the sea often. Yesterday I was a little more far from the shore and perhaps I made Poseidon angry and he threw me against the rocks. I am all scratched. We are still waiting for the ship that would take us to France. It is a difficult journey. Today I am going to write to the Ĺ tancls, they will hopefully be able to send it home. In the evening I had an argument with one of the gentlemen and I was right. I became platoon commander.

Beirut, Saturday, 20th of January 1940 The day went as usual, the sea, sheep meat, wine. In the evening I am at home. I have drunk some wine and I was in a good mood.

Beirut, Sunday, 21st of January 1940 Sea, sea, beach, lunch, fish, sea again. I am going to the city. My civil clothes are in poor shape already. I am curious, when will we get away from here. We will get uniforms only in Marseilles. No salary. I am recalling home. So far I feel all right. I will write Ludka and she will write to my parents.

Beirut, Monday, 22nd of January 1940 After morning 30 minutes I am lying on the bunk. In the afternoon I am in the city, where I stay until evening. Nothing new here.

Beirut, Tuesday, 23rd of January 1940 In the morning we see a ship approaching. I hope we can sail with this one.

We’ve been here for 9 days already. Everything is getting boring here already. I keep thinking of home. I sit next to the rocks on the shore and while listening to the roar of waves I recall my whole life I lived before. In the afternoon we found out that we will sail with the ship that arrived in the morning. I am washing my laundry. Bedbug bites everywhere. What a pleasure.

Beirut, Wednesday, 24th of January 1940 Some kind of formation in the morning. We found out we will leave tomorrow. Because of this we are on alert all the time! Oh that food, after all, I only eat here oranges, bananas, wine, figs. I was in the city for the groceries. Few kilos of oranges, some lemons. This will be our food on the ship. They say it will take around 8 days. It is going to be fun. I have 130 francs and 300 cigarettes. Evening leave prohibited. That is why we crossed the cactus field and went to look at the sunset. Return home in a cheerful mood. Wake-up at 5 am.

Beirut, Thursday, 25th of January 1940 Morning, 6 am, we are embarked. I mean, we are supposed to be embarked. So far it looks like in the war. Around 9 am we are finally on board. Our little boat is called Qatrie. It is around 150 meters long. For the first time in my life I see the naval fleet. I can’t describe it. Beirut didn’t seem to be so big. At 11 am we lift the anchor. We are accommodated in economy class. It is pretty good. I just can’t describe it. In the evening I am sitting in the smoking salon of the economy class and looking at the French NCO’s how noisy they can be. The first night on the ship.

The sea, Friday, 26th of January 1940 Sailing merrily. I don’t have seasickness yet. At 10.30 we can see the African shores. At 1.30 we land in Alexandria, Egypt. I buy a silver armband. I wish one day I will give it personally. For the whole night we are loading the goods, cotton, oil. Hopefully we will sail tomorrow.

The sea, Saturday, 27th of January 1940 Everything is loaded in the morning. We leave at 11 am. The next stop is Tunis or Algiers. We will sail for 6 days without stop. Seasickness doesn’t bother me so far, although I don’t feel very good. Financial status – 120 francs. I am on duty since midnight. Alert, life jackets and boats. There are two dolphins swimming around the ship, such adorable animals.

The sea, Sunday, 28th of January 1940 The same all the time. Land on the horizon – Malta. Dolphins swimming behind the ship. I am lying for the whole day, because as soon as I stand up, everything is spinning.

The sea, Monday, 29th of January 1940 At midnight we shift the time 2 times half an hour back. At 2 am the storm broke out. The waves overboard. The seasickness knocks on my door finally. In the morning we pass nearby Malta, I see the dolphins when I bend overboard. After lunch I play chess. I won 40 francs. In the evening I am trying to fall asleep. The storm is raging certainly.

The sea, Tuesday, 30th of January 1940 I wake up healthy. The sea is calm, we pass nearby Pantelleria, Italian island, the most fortified. We see a submarine emerging. Then we pass nearby Sicily, Etna on the horizon. I play chess and cards, it is pretty

boring here. The sea is calm already. Every day we sail around 750 kilometers. I find out that we may land on Thursday.

The sea, Wednesday, 31st of January 1940 I spend almost the whole morning at the back of our little ship. I really can’t get used to the French food. You can see a segregation here. It seems that the brotherhood is ending here, it is a bit soon. Afternoon I play chess.

After play my financial status is 170 francs. I broke my shin on the threshold, more and more of it every day. I look at the sunset on the back of ship and think about, according to the game in which I am lucky, no one faithful stayed at home for me. But I don’t need it, it hurts that everyone hides some picture, and me? – I am just a soldier. The sea was restless at night.

The sea, Thursday, 1st of February 1940 A boy wakes me up in the morning. We should land soon. Everything is getting ready for landing. Who hasn’t seen the sunrise over the Atlas, doesn’t know what real beauty is. Beautiful, snowy Atlas and oranges maturing below it. 6 pieces are for 1 franc. At 8 we land in Algiers. We can’t leave the ship but I’ve already been on African soil. I send a letter to Ludka, where I beg her, to report home. We are leaving at 3, I mean, we are supposed to.

We are leaving at 6.30 from Algiers, in 36 hours we are supposed to be in Marseilles. We shift the time 2 times half an hour forward. My watch is somehow broken – it doesn’t work. The beautiful sunset over Algiers, in front of which there is a sea, where from we leave. I have a headache. I’ve been on the sea for a week, and over 6 weeks from home. I washed my shirts in salt water, I hope they will be cleaner. In the evening I catch fish.

The rope is thick as a pinky finger. It goes slowly but surely – it is a pity

we can’t use them. What may you do at home? What is new in Brno.

Libuška has a holiday for sure. Was she honored? What?

The sea, Friday, 2nd of February 1940 Land on the horizon – Balearic islands. Except for this, the sea for the whole day. In the afternoon I play chess. In the evening we are singing our songs. After this we say goodbye to the ship and the sea, because in the morning we will arrive to Marseilles. Sublime mood. I am trying to swim.

I managed to swim in hot salt water.

Marseilles, Saturday, 3rd of February 1940 6.10 am, the French coast. We will land at about 8.30, learning the French anthem. We finally got to Marseilles. On the boat we will wait until 11.

They disembarked and drove us to the fortress, where we have lunch and stay until the evening. We are supposed to go to Agde even today.

Everything is cancelled, we will probably go in the morning. I am at enlistment again. Enlisted. We are accommodated in the barracks of the Foreign Legion. Only here one can see what it means to be a legionnaire.

As you can see, I have bought a new pen. It cost 18 francs. Financial status – 170 francs. We didn’t get our salary yet. God knows how we are going to sleep.

Marseilles, Sunday, 4th of February 1940 In the morning at 5 we leave Marseilles. After 4 hours of an express ride via Nimes we arrive to Agde. From the train I can see barbed wire – concentration camp. This is where they lead us. I’ve

already seen a lot of messes, but never such a mess as here. Now I understand why I was always told to stay at home. Disappointed – disappointed and disappointed again. Jews everywhere. In the office and everywhere. First Lieutenant Matl takes care of me here. They led us to the wood barrack, only thatch is there. In the afternoon I got my watch repaired. Mistake – home is home.

Agde, Monday, 5th of February 1940 Presentation – enlisted to cavalry again. I serve under staff captain Voves.

For the whole day we are wandering around the camp. I am at SPO (smíšený přezvědný oddíl – mixed reconnaissance unit – translator’s note), that means a hope I don’t get back home. In the evening we are thinking about home together. Little Johnny, if you were….

Agde, Tuesday, 6th of February 1940 In the morning they finally led us to the cavalry company. Hopefully they will dress us before noon. What a terrible mess. We are going to fight for Jews. Villains. We have got the equipment. Weapons 50 years before apes, this is going to be fun. Now I am really saying goodbye to my life. The war.

Agde, Wednesday, 7th of February 1940 I am training with the cavalry company. I train recruits. I inform the lieutenant that I don’t have proper exams. I was ordered to sew the aspirant straps on. Military life. Evening in the cinema. I bought

myself a tobacco pipe. Cigarettes are terrible here one can’t smoke them.

Financial status is 105 francs, salary is 3,50 francs a day.

Agde, Thursday, 8th of February 1940 Life is still the same. We have pretty good food here. Before noon training ground in vineyards. Afternoon the same. Officers are good. Pavelka, Krčmár, Matoušek, Láslo are here. Such good people. Only I wish there were no ‘Sokols’ here (patriotic and gymnastic organization – translator’s note).

Agde, Friday, 9th of February 1940 All the time the same military life. I wrote to Štancls and Ludka, hopefully the letters will arrive. In the evening we sit in the office and eat roasted bread. Impossible to describe our woes. Maybe later. In the evening’s order I am chosen to be a platoon deputy commander. Platoon commander is Lt. Špot.

Agde, Saturday, 10th of February 1940 Morning at the training camp. Oh no, I would never want to go to war with these men. 80% Slovaks. Some old guys. In the evening I found out that we leave on Thursday. We are going to celebrate the farewell. At 9.30 I am at home. Finally I have my watch repaired – 25 francs. Financial status 50 francs. What do you do at home? Tomorrow I am on duty as a barrack supervisor officer.

Agde, Sunday, 11th of February 1940 My pen is not worth anything again. Even though I was on duty I went to the sea. On the way back I got lost and made my way through the swamps.

Many species of water birds. I came home just before 9 pm.

Agde, Monday, 12th of February 1940 Training camp in the morning. The whole day is boring. In the evening it was announced, that on 15th of February the whole SPO will be relocated.

Agde, Tuesday, 13th of February 1940 March training in the morning. Swimming in the afternoon. It is a little cold. Bathing of the whole squadron and clothing exchange.

Agde, Wednesday, 14th of February 1940 Getting ready for departure. In the afternoon I go to change my clothes.

I’ve got a pretty good coat. In the evening I say goodbye to the young guys and in the morning at 2 we wake up. Hopefully it will be better there.

La Palme, Thursday, 15th of February 1940 It was really cold while travelling. At 10 we arrive in Narbonne. Cold. The trees bloom. We tear the almonds off the trees. It is 8 kilometers

from here to La Palme. It is just by the sea. Terrible accommodation. I am looking for some private apartment. I’ve found something.

La Palme, Friday, 16th of February 1940 I didn’t sleep that well for a long time. I slept really well. We are arranging the barracks for the whole day. I shot 7 ducks in the afternoon, beautiful ones. In the evening we drank really tasty wine. 2 francs a liter.

La Palme, Saturday, 17th of February 1940 Always the same. Hopefully we will get our salary today. Not a single coin in my pocket. What fun. There are no horses here. Parade in the afternoon, later visit. Wine, wine, wine. Tomorrow I will parade in front of the general. They say he has already proposed my promotion. Staff captain Voves told me so.

La Palme, Sunday, 18th of February 1940 Preparations for the parade in the morning. I am the deputy of the honour guard company commander. At 10.30 we parade in front of the French general. We put the wreaths on the monument of fallen comrades. It is almost over. It went well. In the afternoon I walk alone. I go to sleep early in the evening.

La Palme, Monday, 19th of February 1940 Always the same. Training in the morning. In the afternoon as well. We have got a lot of things again. In the evening I am at the cinema, King Kong. I’ve sold the boots, because I have no money. What fun.

La Palme, Tuesday, 20th of February 1940 I almost overslept. A serviceman woke me up. All the same for the whole day, training. We are the cavalry without horses. I am improving my French slowly. I will be able to speak soon.

La Palme, Wednesday, 21st of February 1940 Repeating the learnt curriculum. I’ve sold the boots because I had no money. I got 40 francs for the boots. I’ve bought alcohol for moonshine, sugar and tea and I only have few coins left. Well this is military life. I am glad I have a flat. The owners are good people. The serviceman does everything for of me.

La Palme, Thursday, 22nd of February 1940 Barrack officer duty at SPO. Nothing new. Barracks relatively fine. In the evening I sit in a rocking chair looking at the far sea smoking from a Turkish pipe. I live on the first floor. My windows are directed to the sea and to the blooming garden that is full of pink and white blossoms of the almond trees ending with a slope covered with the grape-wine. I can also see blooming agaves. But much stronger than all this is my desire for my home. But what a home that suffers in thralldom.

Thralldom is much worse than death. Freedom is more precious than death.

La Palme, Friday, 23rd of February 1940 General Viest came to look at us. Finally I have my clothes alright. Proper uniform, trousers, puttees and brown boots. In the afternoon shouting at the training place again. In the evening I was invited to another family for soupé. It is the family of a state secretary which was evacuated here with his two daughters.

La Palme, Saturday, 24th of February 1940 Training in the morning, fishing in the afternoon. My dear daddy, what beautiful trout here. In the evening I was invited to a celebration on a yacht and to dolphin hunt with a rifle. Fineness. Fineness. Today I’ve been promoted to staff sergeant, by what my daily salary increased to 4,10 francs.

La Palme, Sunday, 25th of February 1940 Duck hunting in the morning. Lunch with the French. In the afternoon I am invited to ‘le diné’. Later a walk to the palms grove. Another week is gone again. And I am still sitting away from the front lines.

La Palme, Monday, 26th of February 1940 Time change, so we wake up 1 hour earlier. Always the same. Evenings are relatively good. An illness has spread here, stiff neck. The village is closed. In quarantine.

La Palme, Tuesday, 27th of February 1940 Training, both in the morning and in the afternoon. Preparations for tomorrow’s night training. We live in an always-drunk situation here, killing bacteria with alcohol. I spend the evening with the family of the French state secretary.

La Palme, Wednesday, 28th of February 1940 I am drinking since the morning. The second instance of illness appeared. I think I will die before I get to the front line. During night training we train really combatively but we are in a tipsy state. Despite the drunk squad I captured most of the marksmen. I fell in love with the first of the French women. The older daughter of the state secretary Juju (Žužu). A type of true French girl. I bring her a twig of blooming almonds. How beautiful it is when cherry trees, almonds, dates and apricots flower.

La Palme, Wednesday, 29th of February 1940 We are awaiting the evening excitedly. Promotion maybe? At noon Lt. Matoušek and Lt. Krčmář came. I’ve served under them. Title and

characterisation ‘sergeant aspiring’ was confirmed to me. So that we were not promoted in the evening.

La Palme, Friday, 1st of March 1940 It is too hot here, it is impossible and also restricted to drink water. We drink wine. And it also looks like that. 1 litre of champagne costs 4 francs here, that is around 3.5 crowns. There are three of us aspirants. We stick together. Tipsiness for the whole day. A little hullabaloo in the evening.

We pissed just in front of the guardhouse of the black dog. There will be a terrible racket again tomorrow.

La Palme, Saturday, 2nd of March 1940 Marching training in the morning. At noon I take barracks officer duty at SPO II. A terrible duty. Already at 4 pm I imprisoned one guy. At 10.30 there were already 7 of them. What fun. Later staff captain Voves forced me to walk around the village until 2.30 am to survey the area. ? ? ?

La Palme, Sunday, 3rd of March 1940 Meeting of the NCOs at 10.20. Before this we aspirants and other platoon deputy commanders had met to discuss the rebellion. A lecture at the meeting. After this they wanted aspirants to stay in the office. Being strengthened by cognac, we don’t give up. “ I think you have Sahara from your throat.” That was all and we won. Yes accuracy is the virtue of kings.

In the afternoon I slept until 6. Then I went to the French for dinner, I stayed there until 12. There is a blooming mimosa in the vase on the nightstand.

La Palme, Monday, 4th of March 1940 At 7 in the morning we go to training place. The day goes peacefully. In the evening we are drinking down sadness. How beautiful it is here by the sea and yet so sad. I could fall in love here. But I am soldier now I belong to the homeland.

La Palme, Tuesday, 5th of March 1940 Training in the morning again. When we were leaving the staff captain gave us aspirants 50 francs to each so that we can buy wine. In the afternoon I wanted to have a rest and they ordered me to bring the horses.

Half of the horses are from Africa and other half are from America. I ride an Arabic mare back home. I have already ridden many horses but this one – fairytale. What a flight. Jumps and gentleness of the body. It is a pity I will not get this one and I don’t have it in Brno. I am going for a visit. I bought French stamps for 40 marks, they will be stamped on the 7th of March.

La Palme, Wednesday, 6th of March 1940 Saddling horses in the morning. What a circus. Later I went to look at the riding school. Almost half of the horses running freely. I have sat on many wild ones but this time! I rode 9 horses. I fell 6 times. I am bleeding from nose, right arm hurt, right foot toe damaged, left shin without skin. When our old man said I am a good rider it must have meant something. In the end I sit on the Arab. I can’t hold him. He is jumping with me over the brook, ran into a little stone wall. He was lying on one side me on the other. He was dead before I got to him. What a casualty.

La Palme, Thursday, 7th of March 1940 Oath in the morning. I command a platoon. In the afternoon we are free. In the evening at Juju.

La Palme, Friday, 8th of March 1940 Honing the horses. White Arab honed. Rest of the day working around the horses. My platoon doesn’t have horses yet.

La Palme, Saturday, 9th of March 1940 Riding school and I am finishing the honing in the morning. In the afternoon, there is a visit. Gen. Ingr, Locker (?), Viest and the whole company. An evening of nightmares in the officer’s canteen. Well, it was terrible.

La Palme, Sunday, 10th of March 1940 I went to church in the morning. In the afternoon I went to Perpignan with the officers. Rugby and football. Evening with Juju.

La Palme, Monday, 11th of March 1940 Riding school in the morning. Before noon we are called to the headquarters. They told me that I am going to take an exam to be an officer. At 4.30 pm I wrote the exam. Thank God it went well. I have a good commander. Staff captain Voves.

La Palme, Tuesday, 12th of March 1940 The whole day was the same. I found out that my exam went really well.

Now I can only wait.

La Palme, Wednesday, 13th of March 1940 I am on duty. I got one guy imprisoned. Drunk. I will become the feared one soon. I go to Juju daily. Some new young guys came here. One of them brought me a letter from Zdena and Aťa. I am at the telegraph. The first greeting from home. They wrote me their address. I wrote that I would visit them.

La Palme, Thursday, 14th of March 1940 Riding school again. I don’t ride because I can ride, they say. I just stay there for now. Writing to Zdeno Zvěř today through Belgium, hopefully it will arrive.

La Palme, Friday, 15th of March 1940 Always the same. I found out that I will have to do the exam again for the Division headquarters. They got questions. One lieutenant will be preparing me. What fun again. I look forward to it already. I hope it won’t be so bad.

La Palme, Saturday, 16th of March 1940 The same task. I sleep in the afternoon. Evening at Juju. Later I will go fishing with the guys. Return from fishing at 2.30 am. A rich catch. At 2 am they asked me to drink at the officer’s canteen. Salary 62.70 francs.

La Palme, Sunday, 17th of March 1940 I woke up at 9, then I went to church. I am invited for a beer to the officer’s canteen. Sleep in the afternoon. At 3 I go for a walk with Juju.

Evening at her house again. A new commander will come tomorrow they say. Colonel Vrzáček.

La Palme, Monday, 18th of March 1940 Today’s task is the same as every day. Juju in the evening.

La Palme, Tuesday, 19th of March 1940 It is Juju’s birthday today. It was so difficult to get some flowers for her.

In the afternoon I commanded the squadron. Colonel Vrzáček has arrived.

In the evening I am at staff captain’s for a discussion. Later I go to see Juju. The first kiss.

La Palme, Wednesday, 20th of March 1940 Life is still the same. Boredom. First of the young guys are going for a holiday. Where and when will I go? Probably nowhere. I look forward.

La Palme, Thursday, 21st of March 1940 Horse check in the morning. I was interrupted. I leave for new horses. Oh God such horses all of them were heavy but I have chosen some. In the evening I was doing charts until 4 am. In the morning the charts were hanging already and by this I won 5 bottles of Champagne.

La Palme, Friday, 22nd of March 1940 New honing again. It is fun at least I was riding. In the afternoon quiet.

Easter at the gates not a single coin in my pocket and even though I am alive. How do I live, it doesn’t matter. Once the day will come.

La Palme, Saturday, 23rd of March 1940 Riding school in the morning again then the first ride to the sea. I am so bored that I have a camera. I was playing with horses all the time. One is still a foal hopefully he will calm down one day and I will make him my horse. For now it is the third horse that I have favored. Of course I have trained all of them. The first one was Elisa, the second one was Kiki and this one now is Boulete. He is a rascal. In the evening

a terrible uproar. You can’t recognize the canteen. Impossible to describe.

La Palme, Sunday, 24th of March 1940 I drink Champagne for breakfast. What a solution. Later I sleep. We have a French lunch. I sleep again. At 7 in the evening I go to Juju. Dinner and it got wild again. It is terrible. Going back home at 3 am.

La Palme, Easter Monday, 25th of March 1940 It is raining in the morning. Before noon we are in the stable. In the afternoon at Jarka’s office. In the evening I will go to Juju. I will go to them for holiday. I should get married already. I am curious what the new month will bring us.

La Palme, Tuesday, 26th of March 1940 It is raining in the morning. Nevertheless we go for a ride on the horses.

My Boullote still has a lot of mettle as a six-year-old horse. In the afternoon I clean the stable. In the evening we are sitting in the ‘Étoile du nude’.

La Palme, Wednesday, 27th of March 1940 Riding school in the morning. Juju went to Narbon. She brought me a photo. She is a nice girl and I’m glad I have someone to talk to. I improve my French slowly. I can speak already. Before noon I sleep and later we have a march. In the evening I sit by the blazing logs in the fireplace with Juju. It is raining outside.

La Palme, Thursday, 28th of March 1940 Riding school in the morning. After lunch I slept over application training.

Later I am sitting in barracks and thinking. We got Czechoslovak correspondence cards. I wrote home, to Manka and Věra.

La Palme, Friday, 29th of March 1940 Always the same task. It is a bit cold. I spend the evening at Juju.

La Palme, Saturday, 30th of March 1940 Riding school in the morning. Barracks cleanup after lunch. Evening at Juju. She will leave on Monday to St. Paterne. I have got a medallion in memory and for luck.

La Palme, Sunday, 31st of March 1940 I am at church in the morning. After church in the tavern. After lunch I went for a walk. I am on duty at SPO. In the evening we got very drunk.

The same with the other squads.

La Palme, Monday, 1st of April 1940 Because of yesterday I am somehow dissatisfied. Riding school in the morning. Infantry training in the afternoon. Juju is leaving. Maybe I

was a little bit rude. I was invited to them. Hopefully I will get my holiday on Friday.

La Palme, Tuesday, 2nd of April 1940 Well, Juju is away, everything is as it was. Riding school in the morning.

Infantry training in the afternoon. ‘Étoile du nude’ in the evening. Here I found out that Paris is prohibited. What luck I am not going there.

Tomorrow I will go to report my leave. What will they tell me?

La Palme, Wednesday, 3rd of April 1940 Riding school in the morning. I was complimented. After a lot of begging I got my leave. It starts on Friday. Training in the afternoon. Night training in the evening – what a terrible thing. After we got back I am drinking with officers – not much, only one shot and then champagne.

La Palme, Thursday, 4th of April 1940 There should be a parade in the afternoon so that we are training hard. I got a telegram from Juju. It says – I will wait with a car on Saturday morning at the train station in St. Paterne. Letter continues -. New transport arrived in the afternoon. Grýgera among others one of my year.

In the evening it is not even nice anymore. I will never drink champagne again.

La Palme, Friday, 5th of April 1940 Good fresh air over all and so let’s go to the riding school. After lunch I am getting ready for the journey. Boots from Lt. Šatana, trousers and underpants from Lt. Křičínský, a blouse from Sgt. asp. Tutch, tie, shirt and belt from Šatana too. What fun. Officer’s cap from Lt. Špot. I will go by express, economy class for the whole night. In the morning at 8 approximately I arrived. Financially, I have around 480 francs. 150 cigarettes. I am curious to see how everything will go.

La Roche, Saturday, 6th of April 1940 I’ve been trembling for the whole night in economy class hungry. French officers everywhere. Because of politeness I couldn’t even eat. Morning.

At 10 I am in St. Paterne. At the train station, Miss Juju is waiting apparently. In front of the station the driver bows deeply. What a glory – sergeant aspiring came. At a castle they have almost built a victory monument for me. From every side they are flying around me as if I were a baby. This guy takes my baggage, that one takes my officer’s cap, another one takes my coat. I don’t really understand it. I have 4 rooms for myself, bathroom and gym. I am called for lunch by gong. I am playing with the food, my stomach is twirling, snails, oysters, sepias and how can I know all the names. So many plates, so much cutlery. I pray to God for the end. Juju warned me quietly that the best will come – almost raw steak.

The blood stayed on the plate. I can’t anymore. I undo my belt inconspicuously. Now wine. Finally some fruit and it is over. I am having a rest in the afternoon. Later I took a walk to the park with my mademoiselle and the dogs. Later I go to my rooms angry. I am really afraid of the dinner. Yes, they are calling me already. It was awful. I will die tomorrow. I attach a picture of the villa where I will live from tomorrow with their son. If to wait then in France.

Vacation, La Roche, Sunday, 7th of April 1940 Night under the stars was amazing. Just after I woke up I can see a cart full of a. Z. a.

9. IV. 40 .

12.30 pm Engaged !?

How it was I can’t describe. I will never forget!

Tuesday, 16th of April 1940 La Palme again.

Brno – Veselí 22,10 Czech crowns – train Skalice – Švancbach 250 Slovak crowns – car Senec – Galanta 18 pengó – car Galanta – Budapest 11,70 pengó Budapest – Senyeháza 100 pengó Chodoš – Murska Sobota 10,50 dinars Murska Sobota – Zagreb 63,00 dinars Zagreb – Belgrade 150 dinars 617 700 1317

29. XII. 1939

11. 2x. first part

FRANTIÅ EK JOSEF GEISLER

25.VII.1918 - 18.IX.1944