Precious Red Cross Boxes

After we moved to Hammelburg, the food improved. We had our own cooks, but they had to prepare what Jerry gave, so it wasn't much better. We did have extra soup on several occasions. While there we got two complete Red Cross boxes that greatly helped us. The drawing of Red Cross boxes had many angles. Three parties were involved—the prisoners, the Germans, and the Red Cross authorities. The Red Cross officials tried to get the boxes to us as soon as they could. The Germans took charge of issuing them to us. It was several weeks before the Germans told us we were to write to Geneva and notify them of our need. Thus many days were lost to begin with. Transportation and other hindrances kept us from ever drawing a box that was intended for us.

We were fortunate to draw two boxes that had been sent to the Serbs. The Serbs had a few more boxes than they needed to go around so they diverted them to us. We did not have enough boxes to give each man one, so we divided them. Most of the time it would be one-half box per man. Thus the boxes were secured through the kindness of the Serbs and by permission of the Nazi. (All the food within the box was raised, canned or packed in
the U.S.A.) In seventeen weeks we drew two boxes per man.

The Germans were cantankerous in issuing them. They had petty reasons for not giving us the boxes, containers and food. The boxes and cans they kept. They also kept the salt and pepper. They were afraid we would use salt and pepper to throw the dogs off our tracks should we escape.

There were two cans that we were allowed to keep. One contained soluble coffee and the other powdered milk. These cans were opened for us. They said they opened them to see if they contained what was supposed to be in them. The reason they kept the cans was so we would not use the cans to dig out. I believe they didn't want us to build up a food supply and when the perishable foods were opened we had to use them. I also believe they wanted to show us they were running the "show."