Missing The Boat: War Stories of Thomas Alan Dirkin

63 sleep. Eventually, they tumbled out to begin the final leg of their march to the POW camp. Arrival at Camp 344, Stalag VIIIB, in Lamsdorf, Poland Stalag VIIB was a grim depressing place, resurrected from previous duties in the 1870’s’ as a Prison. By the autumn of 1940 the Germans were still unprepared to house thousands of prisoners. Historical accounts indicate that the first year, late 1940-1941, was a day to day endurance challenge. Little food, little heat, poor clothing, poor sleep and a period of adjustment for the men. Becoming accustomed to institutionalized behavior takes time for most men. Fear and uncertainty was normal. Routines were slow to be established, even with the best efforts of the senior officers. Prison guards at Stalag VIIIB