Bari Camp

Tramp, tramp, tramp, tramp...my brain was numb, my feet sore, my leg festering again and the pangs of hunger tearing at my stomach. My thoughts were directed to earth again as we marched past a fascist barracks and stones and abuse were thrown at us. We could eat neither, thus it was just forget what was behind and press on to Bari concentration camp.

The camp! The camp! This cry came from the front of the column. Visions of food, water and the chance of a bath came to mind. We halted near the tented camp, and after a wait of an hour, were told it would be two days before our entry would be possible owing to overcrowding.This was a transit camp and a batch of prisoners would be leaving in a few days.

So we had to put up with the alternative. We were marched along the bank of a dried-up river near the camp, down some steps to the river bed to a point where barbed wire stretched across. Through the gate and again we were behind the wire. As usual, the first question was 'When do we eat?'.

Again, as at Bengasi, we had to form up in groups of fifty and the groups numbered a Sergeant Major in charge of each group. From the main camp, an Aussie had got out when he heard a few hundred 'new boys' had arrived. He was anxious to hear what news we had. His 'gen' to us about the camp was not very pleasant. We should wait in the river bed for at least two days. Sleep on the rocky ground,the sky our blanket. Food would be brought once a day. A new word was now added to our vocabulary, 'skilly' . This was the food of POW's in Italy, and consisted of macaroni and boiled in about 20 gallons of water, and laced with olive oil. After two days, we would go into the camp, in the same groups of 50. First, our heads would be shaved, passing from the barber we would get searched and all valuables taken from us. That over, we would have a shower and all clothing would be de-loused. One man in ten was interrogated.

Haircuts, searching, de-lousing and bathing over, we should go into the camp, have blankets issued and a straw paliasse. We should sleep in tents, 30 men in a tent, our length of stay would be six weeks at the most, as it was only a transit camp. That first evening, we had our initiation to 'skilly', and all agreed that it was the best skilly we had tasted!

During the day, I had traded a pair of plimsolls with the Aussie who I found out was on the staff of the camp, employed as a barber. He brought me four tomatoes and a piece of bread (not exactly profiteering on my part) but I spent a happy five minutes eating this 'picnic lunch'.

Late in the afternoon of the second day, we moved out of the river bed. Being in Group 3, , I was soon on my way, for I was anxious to get a shower, for the lice on my body were making themselves too comfortable and getting free board and lodgings which I was not happy to give them!

It was not long before the news was heard that all hidden money was to be confiscated if found on us. In the lining of my overcoat I had hidden days earlier £17 - 10, guessing that we would be searched anyway; nevertheless, taking a chance that it would not be found.

Inside the camp, six Aussies were waiting for us, all of them employed as barbers.Bundles thrown on one side, we waited in the queue for the shears to cut our matted hair off. I sat down on the wooden stool - no word being necessary as to how I should like it cut. These barbers gave the same cut to all of us, regardless of rank. Three, four, five or six months growth all fell to the ground , the Aussie cursing all the time as the sand in my hair played havoc with his shears. After cutting, the head was shaved.

Haircut finished, and feeling quite light-headed, I walked to the tent where the Italian officers were waiting to search us. There were several others being searched and now it was my turn. Arms above the head, trousers down to the ankles, boots off. Clothes and person searched, nothing found on me except lice and dirt!