Allen Dahl Young: The Diary of a Prisoner of War

Allen Dahl Young: The Diary of a Prisoner of War

EDITED BY COLLEEN WHITLEY

ALLEN DAHL YOUNG WAS BORN IN SALT LAKE CITY on January 19, 1920, the same birthday, he notes, as Robert E. Lee. The oldest of six children born to Lawrence Alonzo and Louie May Dahl Young, he was just six weeks shy of his twenty-second birthday when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Until that December Allen had lived in Salt Lake City, taken some classes at the LDS Business College, and worked summers as a bellhop at Bryce Canyon He was finishing fall quarter at the University of Lieutenant Allen Young in the cockpit ofhisP-51. Utah and later recalled, "Another fellow and I had sat together many times on the grass at the U. trying to determine whether we should go up and join the Canadian Air Force. It was just thirty days after that I was drafted."1

Allen joined the field artillery in January 1942. After basic training, he was assigned to duty as an instructor in a radio battery at Camp Roberts, California. He applied for pilot training but "so many men were entering the service that the Air Corps was not prepared to take us all at once." In the field artillery he realized that his trigonometry classes from the university made the gunnery problems seem simple. His commanding officer invited him to attend a preparatory Officer Candidate School which he did and liked very much. He subsequently went to OCS at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After receiving his commission in the artillery, he was given ten days leave which he used to return to Utah and marry Betty June Fisher. The ceremony was performed by his uncle, Walter Rampton, ajustice of the peace in Farmington, Utah. He returned to service as an instructor in 155 mm howitzers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Being right next to Pope field at Fort Bragg, Allen realized again how much he wanted to fly. He was transferred to a replacement battalion in Monroe, North Carolina, which was preparing to go overseas when he received his orders to go to flight school. Successfully completing that training, he flew P-47 fighter planes, commonly known as Thunderbolts, out of Tallahassee, Florida.

Taking an opportunity to volunteer for duty in Europe, Allen was transferred to California in the winter of 1943. There he became part of the 339th Fighter Group and flew maneuvers with forces being trained for the invasion of Europe.

He was subsequently transferred to Lakeland, Florida, where he flew with the Third Air Commando Group under Col. Phil Cochran, the model for Col Flip Corkin in Milt Caniff's comic strip, "Terry and the Pirates," which was syndicated in papers across America for over thirty years.

In May 1944 the 339th Fighter Group was transferred to Fowlmere, near Cambridge, England, where Allen piloted a P-51 fighter protecting bombers flying raids over Germany. Following the Allied invasion at Normandy on June 6, 1944, and the German reversal at Stalingrad, Allied troops had been advancing toward Berlin from the west while Russian troops moved in from the East To aid the advancing ground troops, strategic targets were bombed heavily.

Allen's first child, a son, Terry Allen Young, was born on Halloween night, 1944 Allen learned of the birth on November 17; the next day he was shot down near Metz on his fifty-seventh mission over Germany Because the mail did not get through to the POW camp, he did not see a picture of his son or learn anything more about him until after he was liberated, six months later. At home, Betty first learned her husband was a prisoner from ham radio operators between Ohio and New York who heard German propaganda broadcasts on short-wave radio Eventually she received official notice from the War Department.

Allen was interned at Stalag One, Prisoner of War Camp, near Barth, Germany, on the coast of the Baltic Sea. Each prisoner was given American cigarettes; Allen, who did not smoke, carefully slit his cigarettes up the side, poured out the tobacco, and flattened the paper to write on. This became his initial diary. When he was given a "joy box," the Red Cross kit given to each prisoner, he found it contained necessary items like soap, razor blades, cigarettes, and candy bars, but it also included a YMCA notebook From that notebook he fashioned two records. In one he kept the minutes of the meetings of LDS prisoners; in February, 1995, he donated those minutes to the LDS Church Historical Department. 2 The rest of the notebook became his diary. He fashioned a cover from a tin can, which he flattened, bent to shape, and stamped with his name and a set of Air Force wings with a parachute.

The diary begins with a calendar, meticulously drawn, in which Allen entered the date on each day of his captivity, followed by daily entries Spelling, punctuation , an d commo n abbreviations, including the ampersand (&) have bee n preserve d as in th e original; editor' s notes are in brackets The original journal is in Allen Young's possession in Salt Lake City.

DIARY OF ALLEN DAHL YOUN G

PRISONER OF WAR STALAG LUFT I

BARTH, GERMANY

18 NOVEMBER 1944-1 8 MAY 1945

P.O.W. in Germany - Shot down near Sarlautern - 1330 hours Nov. 18.

Horror Story

On the way out from a fighter sweep near Munich, Germany I was hit directly in the Belly of my ship by heavy flak. I was flying at 15,000'. I lost my oil and coolant but worst of all I had lost my elevator controls. I made my first attempt at getting out at about 13,000'. I believe, at that time, that I was traveling at an indicated 300 mph. The air stream was so strong that it threw me straight back upon the radio section I couldn't pull myself free and it seemed an eternity before I was finally thrown free of the plane. That is the last I remember until I came to find myself practically on the ground Whether I pulled my ripchord or my chute was torn open on the radio, I'll never know I probably unconsciously pulled it after leaving the ship I later had a large bruise on my left shoulder and neck and some very sore ribs on my right side

For the first 3 or 4 days I could hardly move my left leg or my head. To feed me in the mornings the Jerries3 would have to come in and lift me out of bed Evidently the chute had been opened at an extremely high speed I can hardly see how I got out of it all without hitting the tail of my plane or without breaking my neck or back when the chute opened After hitting the ground (like a ton of lead) I got out of the chute as fast as I could and hid it in the water and mud of a trench that I had barely missed landing in I couldn't run so I hid in a hedgerow a few yards away. I layed there for about two seconds before a shot whistled through the hedge Whoever had fired shouted "stand up." I stayed where I was, hoping that I had not been seen. Another shot and this time it was much closer I figured then that they knew where I was so I started to stand up. I guess I waited too long for he shot again, missing my head by inches. I hit the ground with a bang. He shouted again so I stood up in a hurry. There was as I remember now, about six soldiers and a mess of young kids out there and they had me pretty well surrounded It seemed as though the world had come to an end for me Here I was, a P.O.W. and unable to help myself. They searched me and took everything I had—which wasn't much—a lighter, watch, and knife. A German officer then arrived and took charge. He spoke a little English and asked me if I was hurt and the old routine of what was I flying, where I had been and where I was going. (They already had parts of my plane) I gave him my N-R-S.41 was taken to a small village where I seemed to be regarded more as a curiosity with the civilians rather than an enemy. (I was in Alsace Lorraine—maybe I was not Their enemy) 5 Just at the edge of town T-Bolts were dive bombing and strafing.61 was taken into a cellar for shelter. I was then taken to Sarlautern to another Hdq The 3rd Hdq was in a church as was the 5th. The 4th was in a private home. Usually the army took over one part of the house and the owner would live in the other

I was first interrogated by a non-com who told me he had worked as a Butler in the Hearst Mansion in Calif All in all I was taken to eight different Hdq. My last for the day was at Saarbruken. There I was given the good food they had been promising me—Black Bread and Black Coffee (I couldn't eat it). I was given a straw bunk and got a few hours sleep. I stayed here in Solitary confinement for three days I couldn't stomach the food but was sure getting hungry.

While I was here I learned that a pilot named VanZandt had been shot down near where I was and was in the cell next to me. He told me later that he thought I was a Frenchman. We were both loaded on the train one morning and started out for Frankfurt. We had a wonderful chance for escape at the station but Van didn't have his dogtags and I was pretty well bunged up. I could hardly move The trip took us about 16 hrs during which Van & I got more or less acquainted—as much as we could without giving out information We did, however, speak of escape At one time during the trip we were threatened by P-51's strafing but flak drove them away. The civilians went crazy trying to get away from trains during such alerts From the time I was captured to the time I got on the train, I witnessed hundreds of families with their push carts and evacuating their homes with what belongings they could carry. It was a pitiful sight. We arrived at Frankfurt at about 1800 hours And was marched thru the middle of town It was really in shambles We then took a trolley to our first camp—Oberusal.

We were stripped and searched and then assigned to our room. I was interrogated that evening and asked to fill out a Red Cross form I filled in my name, rank and serial number. I crossed all the other lines out on the rest of the paper—It made [the interrogator] quite mad and he told me I wouldn't leave there until he got all the information on me. I was then taken to my room It was a dinky, little hole in the wall and the bed was bare wooden slats. The room had an electric heater but I didn't get any heat for 3 days. I had to keep moving to keep warm. The food was terrible. Breakfast was two slices of Black bread with warm Barley water. Lunch consisted of a "weed" soup It was sickening to smell let alone eat It looked like grass, leaves, cabbage & sugar beets all boiled together. I had to eat it however just to get something hot in my stomach. Dinner was the same as breakfast. I was in Solitary for 8 days and was then called in for more questioning. This time he told me where I was from etc I was sent back to my cell and was there for 3 more days. It sure was a relief to get out of this place. I thought I recognized my friend Muller there while I was going down the hall. I think he recognized me too. He was shot down a couple months before I was. The 3rd of Dec a bunch of us were sent to Wetzlar (Dulag Luft).

We were issued a "Joy Box" and clothed. This was stuff sent in by the Red Cross We were given a shower and some hot food We felt like new men The Jerry doesn't give you anything but misery and a pain in the neck. I was here at Dulag for a week. We had a few air raids while we were there. Gedson, which was just over the hill was plastered by the R. A. F. It burned for 8 days & was still burning when I left there For our trip to Stalag #1 we were issued 1/2 a Red Cross parcel and a 1/10 of a loaf of bread per day. We got along fairly well although I have as yet to fill the hole in my stomach. It took us five days to go little more than 300 mi I was quite cold because the civilians had knocked the windows out of our train There was ten in a compartment made for six It was quite cramped.7

After arriving at Stalag Luft I we were given a shower and delousing and assigned to our compound and Barracks We sleep 3 deep with 24 men to a room. Not like home but Sardines get along so I guess we can. We have our own cook and K.P.'s etc. Col. Gabreski is our C. O. of our compound. I met old Buddies—Lt. [Theodore R.] Staggers, [William] Moore, [John E.] Benbow and Capt. [Raymond] Mitchell. Major [John] Reynolds was killed by civilians down at Munich I also met a fellow from Salt Lake.

Dec. 17, 1944 — Got out of the sack at 0930 this morning. Had coffee and bread and jam Went to Protestant Services The lesson was on the Birth of Christ. After services I went to one of the rooms in the Bks. where they had a phonograph. It sure brought back a lot of precious memories. For lunch we had Sour Kraut and corn beef, bread and jam, and prunes. For supper we had scalloped potatos, bread and coffee It tasted very good but could have eaten twice as much.

Dec. 18, 1944 — Was on water detail today. Got our German dog tags. Went to the library and got a book Played a few games of Hearts before roll call Had fish and cheese and coffee for supper.

Dec. 19, 1944 — Traded two pkgs of tobacco and a pipe for 4 D bars.8 Was on K. P. with Van. Had a prune pie for dessert.

Dec. 20, 1944 — Had our picture taken again today That makes the 3rd time since I've been down. Sure am sweating out the war. Will be glad to get out of this barbed wire cage. I sympathize with the guys that have been here for yrs.

Dec. 21, 1944 — Shortest day of the year. Drew some wings on the back of my field jacket Took my mattress out and tried to fluf it up I'm sore & stiff as a board in the mornings It's like sleeping on concrete News is a bit encouraging.

Dec. 22, 1944 — Went on sick call this morning Wrote a letter home Sure hope they get it.9

Dec. 23, 1944 Got out and walked around the compound today Drew lots for pipe, tobacco, and a wash rag. 10 Had a few pes. of candy.

Dec. 24, 1944 — The day before Xmas Little did I expect to spend Xmas in Germany. Bob and I have been thinking about going into some type of business together. We would like to get some land near Indio, Calif. The compounds were open today Went over and visited Capt Mitchell Went to our Xmas program in the Mess Hall. Came back and had a snack of Cocoa and toast with a prune whip. Went to bed at 12:30 P.M. Took a bath in one of the old wooden tubs in the Latrine It was pretty cold out there.

Dec. 25, 1944 — Xmas Day Some contrast to last Xmas We did have a good dinner though — thanks to the Red Cross parcels. Some of the boys got sick, eating so much. Our stomachs sure aren't what they used to be. Bob, Hank, & I talked some more about the Date Business.11

Dec. 26, 1944 — Was on K. P. again today. I'll be glad when I can get back to the old way of eating & cleanliness.

Dec 27, 1944 — Was on coal detail this morning. We sure cheat the Heck out of the Jerries so far as our ration is concerned. Walked around the compound about six times.

Dec. 28, 1944 — Tried to sew some wings on my shirt but made a poor excuse of a job of it. Layed around and got tired of myself.

Dec. 29, 1944 — Getting pretty impatient for the war to end. Red Cross Pkgs. are getting scarce. At least there is a little action on the fronts now. 12 Weather has been good lately.

Dec. 30, 1944 — Snowed today so I didn't take my regular walk Am trying to get the stiffness out of my back. Got four new Rriegies13 in our room today. Am trying to sew epellets on one of my shirts. Have quite a headache so am going to turn in Hate to go to bed tho The sack is so darn hard Feel like I've been thro the mill every morning.

Dec. 31, 1944 — New Years Eve but just another day around here. Col. Henderson was shot down by a 190. He & Mitch came over to see me. I also paid them a visit Had another program in the Mess Hall Pretty good too Stayed up to see the New Year come in What a place to be in at this time Just wondering what Betty and the baby were doing.14

January 1, 1945 — New Years Day. Hope this year sees an early victory. Had a good meal today Just like Xmas Played a few games of Cribbage The day ended with a snack of hot milk and a piece of cake.

Jan. 2, 1945 — Did a bit of washing today. Am getting to be quite a wife. Weather was wet and miserable The chaplan gave me a copy of the New Testament.15 Hope I can read & really understand it Am still having trouble with my ribs on my right side. They are still quite sore.

Jan. 3, 1945 — Was on K.P again today Didn't work too hard but sure am tired Guess it's from being in this smelly old room all day Sometimes I think I'm going a bit batty, being stuck up here like this.

Jan. 4, 1945 Found out today that [Boyd] Jackson, [Bert] Stiles and [Leland] Stoudt had been killed. Was quite shocked to hear about them. Especially old Jackson. He was a class mate of mine [Richard C ] Cain came in as a P.O.W. last night. He was in my Sqd. in England. Room was quarantined for lice & scabies. Carved myself a P-51 of wood today.

Jan. 5, 1945 —Just another day except that we finally got a shower and had our clothing deloused.16 My hair has grown way down over my ears. Will cut it off soon.

Jan. 6, 1945 — Was on coal detail today Managed to sneak a few extra pieces from the Jerries again. Got deloused again. Had a date cake for a snack — was delicious Dates are one of my favorite—

Jan. 7, 1945 — Went to church this morning Sure would like to be hom e going to one of our own wards. Helped open Red X parcels. The Jerries cut open the sides of the cans before they are issued.

Jan. 8, 1945 Got another delousing. I haven't found any lice yet. I have my fingers crossed.

Jan. 9, 1945 Have been getting a little snow today It snows continually but very light. Walked around the compound and paced it off to be about a half mile Am making a cracker grinder out of cocoa cans for the cook.

Jan. 10, 1945 — Still snowing. Sure makes me homesick. Mixed some chocolate with snow & had some ice cream. Can really think up imitations and substitutes for things here.

Jan. 11, 1945 — My right eye is quite swollen today. Hope that nothing is wrong. Propped up one end of the bed. Just like a lawn chair (made of concrete).

Jan. 12, 1945 — Was to have a movie today but it fizzled out. They couldn't get any sound May see it Monday.

Jan. 13, 1945 — Had an inspection today. The Jerries also searched a couple of the Barracks.

Jan. 14, 1945 — Went to Church Bob & I did some walking around the compound. Built a shelf at the end of the Bunk. Got a few Jerry rations — cabbage, bread, rutabagas, potatos.

Jan. 15, 1945 — Went to a commercial Law class today The instructor was [a fellow POW and] a lawyer in civilian life & seems to be OK.

Jan. 16, 1945 — Saw the show "Andy Hardy's Double Life." Red Cross parcels have stopped & all we are eating is rutabagas, bread and spuds. Guess I'll live but I sure don't like them.

Jan. 17, 1945 — Have a touch of the Flu Feel quite bad News sounds good.17 Most of the fellows are quite optimistic but as yet I can't see it.

Jan. 18, 1945 Sure did sweat last night. My shoes aren't very good. The room is so stuffy that it alone is enough to make a guy sick Be glad to get in a place where I can see from one wall to the other.

Jan. 19, 1945 — Was quite sick today. Would give a lot to be back home right now. Was my 25th birthday today.

Jan. 20, 1945 — Was in bed most of the day. My eyes hurt quite bad. Had our first snack for a long time tonight.

Jan. 21, 1945 — Was down in bed all day today. Feeling pretty tough. A guy might be able to fight Flu Etc. if he had some decent food to eat.

Jan. 22, 1945 — Went on sick call this morning. Got some aspirin and cough syrup. Am staying in bed as much as possible.

Jan. 23, 1945 — Am trying to draw up the plans of a house and yard I would like to have an acre or so of land so I could raise a few vegetables, fruit & chickens.

Jan. 24, 1945 — Am still in bed Getting tired of laying on this concrete bunk. On top of being hard it's full of bumps.

Jan. 25, 1945 Some of the boys found more lice on them so we had to get deloused again The shower felt good It's getting quite cold here nowadays.

Jan. 26, 1945 Really cold around here Our coal ration has been cut again Sure sweating out the war. This place is no picnic.

Jan. 27, 1945 — Talk about windy places this place takes the cake. Have been debating with myself about getting some land near Indio, Calif, or at home I'd like to raise dates. All depends on what Betty wants to do.

Jan. 28, 1945 The weeks sure do drag by Blizzard outside Got 15 lumps of coal today Spent most of the day up with Hank in his bunk It's like ice down on the bottom bunks.

Jan. 29, 1945 Played Hank a lot of cards today Hope Russia & U.S don't ever break up I don't know what would happen to us if they did.

Jan. 30, 1945 Nothing much of anything to talk about today. It's usually the same old thing day after day.

Jan. 31, 1945 Started to read a book from the library. Started reading "Riders of The Night."

Feb. 1, 1945 — Thawing quite a bit today. Sure wet and muddy outside. Was on Goon Guard Got the names and addresses of the boys here in the room.

Feb. 2, 1945 — Ground Hog Day. Wonder if he saw his shadow. Ha d n o power today, so we had no water or lights. Hope that doesn't last long although I hope the Russians are destroying everything in their path. I think our power comes from Stettin.18

Feb. 3, 1945 — On K. P. today. Drew a plan of a cabin. Ralph cut my hair today. Sure like to take another shower.

Feb. 4, 1945 — Got out and got some fresh air today Be glad when summer comes. The P.O.W. camp we almost went to was liberated. Hope we get the same Soon No lights again tonight.

Feb. 5, 1945 — Did my washing today My left foot is in bad shape It is swollen and cracked around the toes. Have a 12% cut in Jerry rations and no Red Cross parcels Not a very bright future Sure could go for some of Betty's cooking right now.

Feb. 6, 1945 — Regardless of the bad weather I had to get out of this stuffy room. Got quite a headache. Had the portable phonograph in the Barracks today. Sounded good.19

Feb. 7, 1945 — 1500 wounded that were evacuated from Stalag #3 came in today Many who were able walked to Munich.

Feb. 8, 1945 — I guess we have it pretty good here compared to other camps according to the new bunch that came in. I guess they were treated pretty rough Had a few air raid alarms The Blasts were visible here.

Feb. 9, 1945 Have been thinking more & more about going back to school again I think I'll be better off in the long run, I think, if I do have a degree I want to Major in Geology. — Set my goal to at least a Masters Degree.

Feb. 10, 1945 — Still waiting for a shower. Read the book — "The Range Hawk."

Feb. 11, 1945 Got up a meeting of L.D.S. fellows in the compound. So far we have seven. We are going to try to get together with others who are in other compounds I was assigned the first lesson for our first class.

Feb. 12, 1945 Uncle Oscar Lundgren's birthday today Have been trying to plan out a shop and a den. Some place to cut and put my rocks.

Feb. 13, 1945 On K P again Real bad weather again.

Feb. 14, 1945 — St. Valentines Day. Wish I could send some way or another my love for Betty I'm no poet so I'll stop here.

Feb. 15, 1945 Had four roll calls today. Sure gets monotonous. The whole thing here gets on my nerves.

Feb. 16, 1945 — Went to Bible Class today. Got a Bible from Padre Clarke.

Feb. 17, 1945 Quite cold all day today. Hardly any fuel. Got a rutabaga stew from the Jerries Hungry as Heck Things sure taste flat without salt.

Feb. 18, 1945 Gave the Sunday School lesson today on the "Spirit of Giving." I am the secretary of the meetings.

Feb. 19, 1945 Hank, Pete [2d Lt. Harlan O. Peterson], & I talked quite a bit on what we'd like to do if and when we get out of here Played a few games of cribbage.

Feb. 20, 1945 — Another Blank day — Nothing about Nothing.

Feb. 21, 1945 — Tried to work a few algebra problems. Got a pencil from the Block trader.20 Was a sunny day. Geese are flying north so maybe that's a good sign.

Feb. 22, 1945 Shaved today for the first time in about a week Don't shave very often Lack Blades.21

Feb. 23, 1945 — Went to algebra class. Sure have forgotten a lot about it. My back is still quite sore between the shoulder blades.

Feb. 24, 1945 — Another day on K. P. Talked with Claire Oliphant about land up in Washington. He tells me there is a lot of Home Stead land there now.

Feb. 25, 1945 — Wonder how many more weeks I'll spend in this place. Went to church Had a show at the mess hall but I didn't go.

Feb. 26, 1945 — Got lazy & forgot to write.

Feb. 27, 1945— " " " " " "

Feb. 28, 1945—" " " " " "

March. 1, 1945 — Nice clear day today. Walked around the compound . Played a few games of cribbage.

March 2, 1945 — Like to see a big raid around here to break the monotony. Some are busy catching lice.

March 3, 1945 — Was going over to North Compound No #11 but the Jerries screwed up on the list so I didn't go. 22

March 4, 1945 — Was supposed to play the accordion for singing in Sunday school but was unable to get it.23

March 5, 1945 — Did quite a bit of walking today. Good day for air warfare. Sure like to be up there. Was on K. P. again.

March 6, 1945 Trying to absorb the sun when it comes out. Oliphant came over for a while. Waterproofed some matches and a "D" bar in case we walk out of here.

March 7, 1945 — Layed around all day No fuel & no food so have to conserve energy Had a little bread and stew today Future looks dull.

March 8, 1945 Stayed in bed most of the day. (To keep warm) Went over & had a shower. First in about 3 weeks. Have the scabies & itch like heck.

March 9, 1945 — News sounds good Sure hope nothing stops the advances Quite optimistic now.

March 10, 1945 — Main subject for discussion is food. Sure am hungry. Reports are the Red X parcels are being rushed to POW's but haven't seen any here yet.

March 11, 1945 — Had a rutabaga stew today Very poo r food Went to church We have had 7 or 8 fellows out each Sunday Sure wish I knew more about my church I hope to do as much as I can in it when I get home.

March 12, 1945 Stayed in bed most of the day. Nothing to do and nothing to eat. Really loosing weight & strength.

March 13, 1945 — Woke up early & read from the New Testament Wish I knew all about it or could understand it better.

March 14, 1945 — Got more Stew today. Not very tasty. Dr. tells us we are getting only about 200 calories a day That's not near enough There is enough food in camp to last another week Hope we get some relief.

March 15, 1945 Did some washing today. Thought much on what & where I would like to live after the war. Wonder if I'll ever see the states again.

March 16, 1945 Stew was a little better today. I think we had salt in it today.

March 17, 1945 — Played a little catch today. For the first time I found a louse on me. Covered myself with louse powder. It's no wonder with the amount of showers we get here.

March 18, 1945 — Went to church. Some fellows from South Compoun d came up for meeting. Had a thick stew today.24

March 19, 1945 — Am copying the ordinances of the church as far as I can get them from Oliphant. He knows quite a bit abut it. Took a lesson on "Bridge"

March 20, 1945 The cook made up a bread pudding today Sure isn't like Mom's puddings.

March 21, 1945 Got some oatmeal this morning for the first time Sure tastes good Sure takes something like this place to make you appreciate home.

March 22, 1945 — Mom's Birthday. Would give anything to be hom e with her. Sure do get homesick at times. Someone tried to escape tonight but they got them.

March 23, 1945 — Good weather but low morale. Would like to get out of the rut. Sewed up my pants. They came around and made a record of who could not walk in case we are evacuated May walk yet.

March 24, 1945 Spent most of the day basking in the sun. Morale is high when weather is good. Had a potato sandwich tonight.

March 25, 1945 — Went to church. Sure hope the good weather lasts. Oral Birch & I walked around the compound together. We may get together on school when we get home.

March 26, 1945 On K P again today Only one man at a time now because of nothing much to do. Rumor that we may get 1/4 issue of Red Cross Parcel.

March 27, 1945 Got deloused again today Doesn't seem to do much good. War news very good lately.

March 28, 1945 — Did more walking around. Just wondering if I couldn't work in the mines during the summers while going to school. Patton is reported near Nuremburg. Hope it's right.25

March 29, 1945 Chilly and dreary today. Stayed inside all day. Red Cross parcels are starting to come in now so maybe we'll get something to eat. I think the Germans are getting to a point where they think they'll get off a bit easier [when the war ends] if they give us something to eat.

March 30, 1945 — We are going to get a full issue of parcels now. May be able to put some weight back on again. I went down from 150 to 120 while we were on starvation rations. Am trying to design a plywood hut to use camping instead of a tent.

March 31, — [Blank]

April 1, 1945 — Easter and April Fool's Day. Went to church. Had a good dinner. A couple weeks ago all we had to look forward to was a few spuds. Walked around the compound for a while.

April 2, 1945 — Stomach has been upset for the past couple days. Not used to the change in food I guess. Rained quite a bit today.

April 3, 1945 — Sure a lot of machine gun fire close by early this morning.

Sounded like the camp was being clobbered. Firing at an airplane I believe.

April 4, 1945— [Blank]

April 5, 1945 — Making cigarette pks. from butter cans for some of the fellows.26 Talked some more to Oral abut raising chickens.

April 6, 1945 — Drew some more house plans and also some coops. I'd like to live up around Fisher's Lane.27

April 7, 1945 Had an inspection today. Sure is a pain in the neck. Did some more walking. It's about the only thing to do around here.

April 8, 1945 Our church services have been discontinued because of lack of room My back still bothers me a little Hope nothing ever develops from it.

April 9, 1945 — Sure hope we don't have many more weeks to spend here. War news is good.

April 10, 1945 — The Protecting Powers came around today. I sure can't see much that they are doing for us I may be wrong Made a buttercan toothbrush holder.

April 11, 1945 — Layed out in the Sun but was finally driven in by the bugs. At last we got a shower Sure will be something to be able to take a bath anytime you want.

April 12, 1945 Did some more washing today. The water was so cold tho I almost froze my hands. Had a delicious prune pie tonight.

April 13, 1945 Friday the 13th Have to take the Bad news along with the good Heard that Pres Roosevelt had died It was quite a blow Hop e it doesn't effect the Allies Policies Have kidded with Betty so much on when her birthday is that now I can't remembe r whether or not it is April 13 or Aug 13 Happy Birthday anyway Darling.28

April 14, 1945 Did nothing much today. Did make a miniature pan of the type we make to cook with. Eating a bit better nowadays.

April 15, 1945 — Latest rumor is that the 9th Army is 13 miles from Berlin. They are about a hundred miles from here. The following is a few expenditures I may expect to make — if & when.29

April 16, 1945—Did a little walking around with Clare Oliphant. We are starting to have quite a little air activity here. Hope they put this airfield out of commission.

April 17, 1945 Don't feel so hot today. Had a stomach ache all last night. Helped dig up a few stumps for firewood & also helped dig on our garden. Hope we're not here long enough to use it. Walked around the compound trying to settle my stomach.

April 18, 1945 — Have started to do a little carving in soap. It is something to do and may give me a few ideas for casting when I get home.

April 19, 1945 — Did a little more soap carving. Just for the exercise I got out and dug a hole 3' x 2' x 2' and then just filled it u p again. Also digging stumps for firewood.

April 20, 1945 — Am trying to collect prune boxes so I can get lead foil for casting wings. It's quite interesting an d I may try a little of it when I get home. 30

April 21, 1945 Saturday and another inspection. Nothing else except I am carving a P-51 and am going to try to cast it.

April 22, 1945 Cast the P-51 model & it turned out better than I thought it would. At least it will give m e something to work on for another mold. Th e sand I am using sticks to wood. Ha d a good dinne r considering Kriegie meals.

April 23, 1945 Had cereal muffins this morning. Very good. Got the book on Sam Brannan and the California Mormons Tried to cast aluminum but can't get it hot enough to pour. The Big "B" [Berlin] ought to be kapoot in a few days (I hope). I hope they don't forget to run up here. After all, this is the most important part of Germany.

April 24, 1945 — Did quite a bit of walking around the compound today Fooled around practicing making airplane molds. The Allies have linked up at both Whittenburgs now. I hope they decide to come up here someday (soon).31

April 25, 1945 — Not much doing today. Took my usual stroll around the compound. Am waiting very impatiently for a breakthrough at Stettin.

April 26, 1945 — Washed my pants etc. Hope it is the last time I do any washing here Had a couple airraids today and 3 during the night Read the book Samuel Brannan and the California Mormons.

April 27, 1945 — Had Oatmeal this morning — sure wish we could get it more often Lucky to get it once a week and then we don't get it that often most of the time.32

April 28, 1945 — Walked around the compound most of the morning. Had a personal inspection by Col. Gabreski which was a pain in the neck. I guess they're necessary to some extent The more I think about it the more I want to have some land. I guess I want to be a farmer. I don't suppose Betty would even hear of it though.

April 29, 1945 Did a little more walking around the compound. The Russians seem to have broken through. According to reports they are at Anklam, about 50 miles from here We have what sounds like Artillery at times. There is a lot of FW 190's on the Airfield near here now Sure wish I was up flying in a P-51 right now Did quite a bit more walking this evening.

April 30, 1945 — Busy day around here There has been an awful lot of air activity. The Jerries have been blowing up their Radar equipment and we have been digging fox holes with Klem Cans.

May 1, 1945 — Learned this morning that the camp came under Allied control abut 1:30 this morning There is no activity at all here today. No planes no nothing except that a few delayed action demolitions are still going off. Hoping to get outside the camp on the peninsula tomorrow. Berlin has fallen Straslund also. Sure would like to get some sort of souvenirs but I guess it will be impossible under the circumstances. — Boy what a day. Germany announces Hitler's Death and then the Russians arrived at a quarter to eleven tonight This is one day that I'll never forget What a day.33

May 2, 1945 — We finally got outside the camp. Everyone went crazy. Knocking down fences, guard towers, plunder, etc. Van & I went out in the woods, in town and over to the Airdrome so missed a lot of souvenirs 8 fellows were killed by land mines so I guess we were lucky to be safe, although I would like to have gotten something. On the way toward Barth we ran across 3 women, a baby and a young boy about 6 that had been shot through the head. It sure was a pitiful sight Probably some Jerry did it to his family so as not to let the Russians get ahold of them. The Russians were pretty hospitable except at first they were going to have us walk out of here. We sure did do a lot of walking.

May 3, 1945 — Did some more walking out on the peninsula. Some of Boys went out and got a mess offish Didn't do much else but walk around a lot Picked up a couple of souvenirs. Put up a shelter & cooked spuds outside tonight. The latest rumor is that we are definitely going to fly out. I surely hope so because we were, at first, supposed to go to Odessa under Russian control We have been missing quite a few fellows Eight of them were drowned in the bay when their boat turned over and some drunke n Englishmen were shot while fooling around with a drunk Russian. It sure doesn't pay to monkey around too much after what relations I've had with them in town. Also some fellows have walked on to some land mines and have been blown to bits. Some, too, have taken out for the front to meet the British or Am which also is a crazy trick.

May 4, 1945 — Did a lot more walking around today. Van & I got a boat and went across the bay Tried to get a chicken but the Russians couldn't see it Went down to the French & Italian concentration or worker camp. They are more crowded than we. 34 Got a piece of German and Russian money.

May 5, 1945 — Was confined to the camp for awhile today but was soon let loose on the peninsula Virag & I then cleaned up a sunken boat and rowed across the bay. We went over to a permanent Jerry camp about 3 mi. away. I finally got a Jerry bayonet & flag. Sure hope I can get them home. My shoes are almost falling off my feet they are so bad.

May 6, 1945 — Got up early and Van, Green & I went back over to Zingst to get some more souvenirs. The Russians had completely taken over so we didn't get anything Sure would like to get a luger I do have a bayonet anyway My shoes are really breaking up. Got my first shower in over 3 weeks. Also did a little washing. A lot of the fellows around camp are leaving for Rostok.35

35 Rostock, approximately thirty miles southwest of Barth, was closer to the advancing American forces. I think I'll stay and sweat it out here. It's Dad's birthday today. Sure wish I was home to see him. I got an extra bayonet for him if he wants it.

May 7, 1945 — Got up and did some more washing. Sure would like to get out of tiiis place. It looks like we'll be here for quite some time. Got a French sword today. Hope I can get most of this stuff home. Saw a Russian Show. Sure was good.

May 8, 1945 — Was on K.P. today.36 Hop e all this old crap ceases soon. Walked around for awhile just to keep away from the room. Wrote a letter to Betty & sent it thru an airborne outfit.

May 9, 1945 — Didn't bother to get up for roll call this morning After breakfast I went over to the airfield but was unable to get anything much Flubbed my dub by not staying over there the first night I was out Could have got a lot of nice things The Russian General told us we would leave here within four days Sure do hope so Am getting anxious to get home.

May 10, 1945 — Went over to the Flak School Got a pair of Jerry flying boots & gun which is no good Sure would like to get a good knife or gun.

May 11, 1945 — Tried to get in town but it was impossible to get thru our M P patrol & the Russian M P.'s Oh well, souvenirs don't mean a heck-of-a lot anyway Signed the passport for getting out & back to the States Made a raft so we could go fishing but guess we won't get a chance to now. Doesn't make much difference.

May 12, 1945 — Was told at formation today that the first Bl7s are due at 2:00 o'clock. We expect to leave in the morning. Didn't stay for inspection but went out in the woods & layed on my blanket for awhile.

May 13, 1945 — Most of the men have been taken out of camp by plane today. So far we, who went AWOL one morning are still sweating it out. Saw my first American girl today Had my picture taken with a couple of them (Nurses.) Sure hope we get out today Didn't leave so got to go in town Got a Saber.

May 14, 1945 — Today — the day we left Barth on a B-17. We sure got a wonderful greeting when we arrived at Reims, France. Had my first taste of white bread in a year. Also had a chicken dinner. Started at 10:30 for LeHavre. Thought we would fly but are going by train.

May 15, 1945 It is now about 4:00 o'clock & we are still on the train Boy is it tiresome. Have had good eats on the train. Fruits & White Bread also. Expect to be in St. Valory in about 2 hrs. — Finally made our destination. It is a huge tent City. We got a shower & delousing & hit the sack. Sure was a relief.

May 16, 1945 — Finally got our breakfast after waiting in line about 2 hrs. Am in Flight 2 PB. Just roamed around all day.

May 17, 1945 Got up at 0600 for breakfast. One meal I do not miss. Got a PX ration of soap, razor, toothpowder, brush, Juice, & Comb. Lots of luxuries Took a walk over to the PX They sell all French goods there I'll have to buy my wife some of their perfume.

AFTERWORD

As Allen and the other men were preparing to return home, fellow POW Morris J. Roy collected the names and home towns of all the prisoners, which he eventually published in a book, Behind Barbed Wire (New York: Richard Smith, 1946). Allen wanted to contribute to the publication but of course had no money. With his usual ingenuity, he created a check from one of those carefully culled pieces of cigarette paper. He was delighted when his bank in Salt Lake honored it and sent Morris Roy the money.

Allen returned home to Salt Lake and a happy reunion with Betty and Terry. He and his wife were to have two more children: Christine Marie in 1949 and Scott Fisher in 1953. He fulfilled his pledge to continue activity in his church, and he achieved his goals in education, receiving a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in educational administration and media, both from the University of Utah. From 1948 to 1982 he served as a teacher in Salt Lake City schools while also teaching engineering graphics and educational media for the University of Utah and educational media for Brigham Young University

Allen also continued flying. He was one of the original pilots of the Utah Air National Guard. During the Korean War, he went on active duty as a fighter pilot and squadron commander. He was appointed director of training at Clovis Air Force Base, New Mexico, and served as installations officer and director of materiel. He retired from the air force as a lieutenant colonel in January 1982.

NOTES

Colleen Whitley lives in Salt Lake City and is an instructor in the Honors and English departments at Brigham Young University

1 This and subsequent quotes from Allen Young in the introduction and footnotes are from his typescript notes to Colleen Whitley prepared in 1997 and in her possession.

2 Those minutes were recently published See Colleen Whitley, ed., "Prisoners of War: Minutes of Meetings of Latter-day Saint Servicemen Held in Stalag Luft 1, Barth, Germany," BYU Studies 37 (1997-98): 206-17.

3 "Germans" is inserted above.

4 Name, rank, and serial number, the only information prisoners of war were required to give in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.

5 Alsace and Lorraine were two of the historic provinces claimed by both Germany and France Bismark had annexed them to the Second Reich, an act denounced in France as brutal dismemberment. The Treaty of Versailles awarded them to France at the end of World War I though many Germans, including Hitier, insisted that they should be German The Nazis entered them in 1940 with the occupation of France Many of the citizens Young observed doubtless saw Americans as liberators rather than enemies Currently, those provinces are part of France, included in the Departments of Moselle, MeurtheMoselle, Bas-Rhin, Haut-Rhin, and Vosges.

6 T-Bolts were American fighter planes, P-47's, called Thunderbolts.

7 Young later recalled: "One of the most harrowing experiences I have ever had was on our way to Stalag Luft I at Barth The train went through the marshaling yards of Berlin during the night The British night bombers really plastered us The remaining windows of the train were blown out The train was rocked back and forth by the bombing, but miraculously we made it through When we were on the ground I sure got a different picture of what we had in our minds about Germany It wasjust utter, total confusion with die civilian population The trains werejust full of people trying to get away from the area they were in and I know the Ninth Air Force was bombing and strafing the railroads all the way through but theyjust seemed to be able to keep them going.

"While on the train Van and I must have looked quite pitiful A little elderly lady who was sitting close by must have had some feeling for our plight She shared an apple with us I'm sure she didn't own much more herself I will never forget her kindness It greatly softened my heart toward the German people in general but I guess we could have killed the guards if we'd had the chance."

8 D bars were the chocolate bars included in K rations, the highly condensed emergency food given to soldiers.

9 They did not Nor did their mail get through to him According to Young, "After I was shot down, I never heard from home again Betty made arrangements to send some packages, mainly cigarettes because that was a form of barter Cigarette companies made deals to get things through But I never got anything, no letters, no nothing."

10 Young did not use tobacco himself but recognized the value of American cigarettes to the Germans Some brands were more coveted than others, with Lucky Strike being worth five times as much as Old Gold.

11 Bob was 2d Lt Robert C Bueker, and Hank was 2d Lt Henry D Schmid The three had talked about raising dates after the war. Recalled Young: "One of these guys had been raised on a date farm and when I flew maneuvers in the California desert, Betty and I lived in a trailer amidst the date palms. It was very fascinating and I had thought it would be interesting to make the California desert my home after the war. I could have bought an acre of date palms for $500 then."

12 The Battle of the Bulge, the German offensive through the Ardennes Forest in France, begun in mid-December, had been halted at the Meuse River on December 24 By that same date, the Russians had surrounded Budapest In the Pacific, U.S troops had taken the main Japanese base in Leyte.

13 The word used for prisoners, probably from the German "Krieger," meaning warrior or soldier.

14 Betty and the baby were living with her parents in Salt Lake City She had the boy named by Bishop Kenneth Lake of the Salt Lake Highland Park Ward at a meeting she remembers as very sad In the congregation were two widows who had recently learned of their husbands' deaths and two other women whose husbands were POWs No one in the group was untouched by the war At the time, no one knew whether Allen was alive or dead, and, as a result, friends and neighbors did not know how to treat Betty—as a wife or a widow One friend later admitted to avoiding her because she did not know what to say In time ham radio operators on the east coast of the United States intercepted propaganda broadcasts and learned that Allen was a POW. See supra, p. 245.

15 Young notes, "Padre Clark was a chaplain assigned to a bomber group He apparently finagled a ride on a mission and was shot down He should never have been off the ground."

16 Reflecting back on that moment, Young recalled, "From what we had heard of concentration camps, it seemed to be quite a gamble whether or not to enter the shower room—one large room with many shower heads They would herd us into the showers, maybe 100 guys at a time We got one minute of warm water and three minutes of cold We didn't know for certain about the gas chambers, but we had our suspicions It could have been water or it could have been gas I don't remember whether it was in die camp or after but we heard that Hitler had given the order to exterminate the prisoners and that would have been one way of doing it We heard that his girlfriend Eva Braun countermanded that Anyway, that was the rumor."

17 Young remembers that the POWs received news in two ways "One was the camp newspaper The only truthful newspaper in Germany, the Pow Wow (Prisoners of War Waiting on Winning) was the largest circulating daily underground newspaper in Germany, growing from a small penciled newssheet read by hundreds into a neatly printed daily, eagerly perused by thousands. The copy was brought daily to Barracks 9, North Compound I, in a hollow wrist watch To save space, it was written on toilet paper The news was then checked on the maps, interpreted, and "printed" on two German typewriters Kriegie guards, or 'goon guards,' were posted to herald the approach of roaming Germans Goon Guards were prisoners guarding against the Germans. We were each given an assignment each day to be the guard for our particular barracks to watch for what we called the Germans, the goons, and to warn the barracks when they came around Sometimes they'd have surprise inspections They wanted to know what we were doing and we didn't always know what some of our guys were trying to do It gave us time to hide something if we needed to Copies of the paper, one for each barrack, were distributed by a team of hard-working Kriegie delivery boys before lock-up time at night. These delivery boys saw to it that the copies were destroyed before the following morning, so that the Germans would not uncover the underground press.

"News was also obtained from a tiny radio set hidden in a barrack wall of the South Compound. A correspondent from the United States who had been taken prisoner had organized this whole thing The parts to make this radio had been smuggled into camp by German guards in exchange for cigarettes The rest of the Germans didn't know about the radio and no one man among the prisoners in the camp knew where all the parts were so no one could tell them everything if they found out."

18 Stettin was southeast of Barth and in the path of the Russian advance.

19 The prisoners had a small hand-crank phonograph and a few records that the Red Cross and YMCA had succeeded in getting to them.

20 A block trader was the prisoner who received various items from the other POWs and used them as barter with the Germans.

21 Young remembers that the razor blades came in the Red Cross parcels "The idea I guess was that each prisoner would get a complete parcel but each prisoner got nothing, really They were so few and far between that we'd pool them all and the cook would put together what he could from it."

22 His errand was probably church related Contrary to usual procedure, the Germans allowed LDS prisoners to move from one compound to another for church meetings Young says, "Clare Oliphant had arranged with the Germans for the men to come over to join us, but I don't know how he did it Eventually we had about twenty people."

23 The POWs created their own amusements to punctuate the monotony of camp life Young later recalled: "They had an accordion there in camp that we could play and I had played the accordion for a number of years In fact, I won the state contest when I was at LDS Business College after the war There were several musical instruments in camp None of us came to the camp with anything, of course, but the Germans supplied them They had a little theater in the camp and the inmates would put on plays, mostly comedies There were some instruments and a bunch would get together once in awhile in the mess hall area and they'd put on plays and play music and it was kind of enjoyable Morris Roy has some pictures of some of the plays in his book, Behind Barbed Wire. These were all pictures confiscated from the Germans."

24 Young clarifies for the modern reader, "A thick stew is not what you may think It was still mostly water and tasted like Box Elder leaves and twigs."

25 Patton's Third Army was still several miles west of Nuremburg but was rapidly crossing the Rhine at Remagen where the First Army had rebuilt the bridge By March 28 the U.S Third Corps took Marburg, sixty miles east of the Rhine.

26 We didn't always have paper," Young explains. "I was lucky to have that notebook I could cut up and use for my diary We'd make little booklets out of cigarette paper and the guys could use them for what they wanted Not many prisoners actually smoked I don't think anyone in our room did Cigarettes were too valuable as trade with the Germans The butter cans were round tin cans, kind of like pork and bean cans We pounded the tin to make things out of it."

27 Allen and Betty Young later built their first home on a half-acre lot on Fisher Lane in Salt Lake City.

28 Betty's birthday is May 13, which was the day she received word that the camp had been liberated. The prisoners heard about Roosevelt's death from the radio hidden in the camp.

29 The list of items that Young hoped to buy upon liberation is omitted for brevity here. It included a suit for $35, shoes for $8, garters for $1, and ties for $1.50. He also listed his acquaintances in the Nordi III compound by name and address, similarly omitted. Those items are included in a full text of the diary on file with the Family History Library of the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City.

30 This was another interesting pastime within the camp The prisoners saved any lead they could find, melted it, and mixed it with a fine powdery soil "We'd carve out of wood whatever kind of model we'd want and then we'd cast it," Young explained "I cast a little model P-47 but never did get it home Some of the fellows did beautiful, very artistic work."

31 Allied troops reached Wittenberg on the Elbe River and were joined the next day by the Russians Berlin was close to collapse On March 28, Eisenhower had sent word to Stalin that the Allies would advance across southern Germany and Austria, leaving Berlin to Russian forces Soviet forces launched a major offensive on April 16 On April 23 Gestapo Chief Heinrich Himmler sent Eisenhower an offer to surrender to the Allies but not the Russians The Allies refused and Russian troops entered Berlin on April 28

32 Young inserted here a list of "Musts—in Books & Magazines for Home," omitted here for brevity It included the topics of premixed cereals, casting, molding clay, and rock cutting.

33 The German guardsjust simply disappeared in the night Young remembers that "we went to bed one night with the guards and woke up the next morning and there was nobody Theyjust evacuated."

34 "They were living horribly, a lot worse than we were," Young said "The camp was almost like a pigsty One Italian I came across gave me a bit of a chicken that he had been cooking If I did it today it would turn my stomach because of the filth, but it was food He was generous to share his food."

35 Rostock, approximately thirty miles southwest of Barth, was closer to the advancing American forces.

36 According to Young, "After we were liberated, guys went out and rounded up two or three head of cattle and butchered them. Some of us worked in the kitchen to prepare whatever was available. We just kind of scoured the countryside for whatever was available."