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[Page 48]
in progress. During the operations the two nurses laugh and joke, whilst amusing themselves tying pieces of cat gut on the unfortunates, toes or fingers. This unwomanly horseplay clearly shows their inhuman, cruel and feelingless nature. I am position most men who have experienced Hun brutality, will agree with me in saying that the women are more inhuman than the men. The above is quite common here. Men are so accustomed to it, that they laugh at one if one ventures to speak of it.
29th-30th. Usual ordeal. 30th. Transferred to No. 7 barrack, situated in a block of ten huts, similar to huts in British training camps.
The weather is glorious. If I were free from vermin and hunger I should be quite content. The huts are an agreeable change from the awful ward just evacuated. The Russian Surgeon informed me that the Hun intended operating on the 3rd. July. I have waited three months for this operation, which had I been in a British hospital would have taken place within a few days of the date I received my wounds. Prior to the war the hospital building was a beer house, beer gardens adjoin the building and are still pleasant. Even now a few tables are used on Sunday. The beer is very light but it does not appeal to me in any way. The people tantalize us whilst sitting in the open; it reminds one of the pleasant days in the West. Beer and coffee are the only refreshments obtainable. The customers seem to derive such enjoyment from the slight diversion which is apparently, typical Hun pastime.
The lack of literature adds immensely to my misery. The crisp, cool air is my only delight, also I am unable to improve my health considerably by spending a few hours in the garden. I hope to receive a food parcel from Copenhagen shortly; the mere though of food encourages one. The men returned from reprisal in Russia, receive many re-directed parcels – they invariably find the contents missing. Undoubtedly the Huns make short work of the food "en route" from Russia.
1st. July. I am entering my third month in captivity; it seems an eternity since that fateful day in April. Ugh! I am awed when I