The Camp Song of Stalag Luft VII

Bankan, near Kreulberg, Upper Silesi

(Sung to the tune of “You are my sunshine”

The other night boys while we were flying
The night was dark and black as pitch
Up came the flak bursts and then the fighters
And our poor krate we had to ditch.

Then came the Jerries and we were captured
And taken to the local jail
We had a feed there and I assure you
The bread was scarce and black and stale.

Early next morning when we awoke boys
They took us to the Gest apo
We got no food, no cigarettes boys
For to the questions, we answered no.

After this course of human kindness
We went to Dulag Luft Hotel
The rooms were single, the food was lousy
And there was a nasty smel

Interrogation was unsuccessful
They only kept us for a week
Name, rank and number was all we gave them
After that we would not speak

Then the clouds turned into sunshine
The Red Cross parcels came our way
So, in this camp we live in comfort
Waiting for the Freedom Day

The other night dear, as I lay dreaming
I dreamt of you so far away
But when the day comes and we are free dear
I’ll come back home with you to stay.

Freedom is sunshine, the only sunshine
It makes us happy; it makes us gay
Despite the hardships, there’s consolation
That our mates will win the day.

Courtesy Elizabeth Lake (daughter of Fl/Sgt, Tranter)

The story of Fl/Sgt, Tranter