We arrived at our destination on the morning of the 24th. Franzfontein
is a military post of some importance, in direct telegraphic and
telephonic communication with Windhuk and about a hundred and fifty
miles from the railway. On arrival here we were told off in messes of
ten, one man being in charge of each mess. We were then marched into
the barbed-wire enclosure, where we found two hundred and ninety-three
other prisoners. They had all been there for about four months, and
represented eighteen different regiments.
The first thing we did on arrival in the camp was to rig up a "bivvy"
for shelter from the blazing sun, and to sleep in at night. This was
done by fastening a blanket and waterproof sheet together, and with
two sticks, and stones for anchors, we made a little tent large enough
for two people. Cadman, of the S.A. Mounted Rifles, and myself were
the inmates of our particular "bivvy." Martins and Lawford, our other
mates, slept under a tree alongside. We then fixed up a fireplace.
Most of the men had already built little ovens, so we were soon as
comfortable as circumstances would permit.
The enclosure was of a triangular shape, about a quarter-acre in
extent, and had a stream of water running right through from fence to
fence. Outside the barbed wire there was a thick thorn-bush hedge built
up to form a sort of stockade. We were obliged to parade each morning
at 6 a.m., afternoon at four, and every evening at six, when the man
in charge of each mess reported if his ten men were on parade. This
report was conveyed through the sergeant-major to the German officer
who was always present. Rations were drawn each morning by the men in
charge of every mess. The only amusement in camp was bathing in a pool
which the prisoners had constructed by widening the stream, with an
occasional open-air concert at night-time, which always concluded with
the National Anthem and "Rule Britannia," everyone present standing
to attention. At the base of the triangle was the guard-house, which
was fitted with a large alarm-bell. Two soldiers were always on sentry
outside the triangle, night and day.
The garrison consisted of twenty-five to thirty soldiers, and a
number of Hottentots. The Germans were also reputed to have several
bloodhounds, and special native trackers. I also heard that they had a
Maxim gun in the barracks.
From the time we left Keetmanshoop until we arrived at Franzfontein my
sole thought was the best way of escape, and I discussed this matter
with several men on the journey. My first idea was to go north towards
Portuguese territory, through Ovamboland; but I found I should have to
travel through a fever-stricken country inhabited by hostile natives.
Immediately on my arrival at Franzfontein, one of the first things I
noticed--which appeared to me to be rather extraordinary--was that most
of the men appeared to be in possession of water-bottles. I could not
understand why the Germans had not taken these away.
Soon after our arrival in camp I received a message from Dr. Dawson--a
prisoner who acted as medical officer to the prisoners--stating that he
would like to see me. I found him in a rather dilapidated house close
to the base of the triangle. He told me that he had heard that I had
been caught on the Luderitzbucht side recently, and wanted to know all
the recent news.
After having talked with him for some time, I came to the conclusion
that I was speaking to a man who could be a good friend, and whom I
could trust, so I asked him what he thought of the chances of escaping.
He told me that several men had been discussing it, but he was afraid
it was hopeless, as he considered it a physical impossibility for
anyone to carry sufficient water to maintain a human being during the
time it would take to reach Swakopmund, the nearest point occupied by
our forces.
Life in the camp during the next few days was very monotonous, and food
appeared to be daily getting scarcer. They gave us flour, which we
mixed with our mealie meal porridge to make it "pan out," as we found
making bread not at all economical. Sometimes the meat was very bad,
and once or twice the doctor ordered us not to eat it. We received
firewood every evening, and of this there was no scarcity, on account
of the surrounding country being composed of thick bush.
All the time the problem of escape worried me.