DOI issue:
No. 301 (April 1918)
DOI article:Jungmann, Nico: My life at Ruhleben
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.21356#0098
My Life at Rukleben
"THE RACECOURSE, RUHLEBEN " (SECTION OF PANORAMA) BY N1CO JUNGMANN
I had accomplished my task, and still more with me, as they were painted on panels of
happy at the thought that I would soon be at three-ply wood, and I did not want the Germans
home amongst my dear ones. But alas ! I to know that I had them ; they would probably
was not to see them again for many long months, suspect that I had something of importance
No sooner was our boat out of Dutch waters concealed between the layers of wood, and cut
than several German seaplanes appeared, and my pictures in pieces to find out ! 1 had on me
shortly four submarines emerged, closing in the steamship company's receipt for these
round us, and ordering our boat to stop. Our cases, and I was most anxious to destroy this,
captain at once sent a wireless to the Dutch but it was made of thick cardboard, and we
Admiralty, and very soon two Dutch warships were closely watched by the German guards,
appeared upon the scene, much parleying so I had no chance of doing away with it.
ensued, with the result that we were ordered From Zeebrugge we were taken to Bruges, and
to put in at Zeebrugge. Here Hun detectives locked in the town prison, and the first thing
boarded the steamer and all passengers were I did on finding myself alone in my cell was to
examined ; some of them (exchanged prisoners eat the company's receipt! For seventeen days
and Belgians) were provided with safe-conducts I remained in this cell, and it was for me a
and allowed to remain on the ship, but I and terrible experience; the cell was a filthy, evil-
two other British subjects, and some young smelling hole, into which hardly any light pene-
Belgians about to join the Army, were sent trated. Every day 1 was told by my guard
ashore. I was told to take my belongings with that I should probably be shot for a spy the
me, but I was puzzled what to do with my two next morning, so that my mental condition may
large cases of pictures. 1 dare not take them be better imagined than described. It was
92
"THE RACECOURSE, RUHLEBEN " (SECTION OF PANORAMA) BY N1CO JUNGMANN
I had accomplished my task, and still more with me, as they were painted on panels of
happy at the thought that I would soon be at three-ply wood, and I did not want the Germans
home amongst my dear ones. But alas ! I to know that I had them ; they would probably
was not to see them again for many long months, suspect that I had something of importance
No sooner was our boat out of Dutch waters concealed between the layers of wood, and cut
than several German seaplanes appeared, and my pictures in pieces to find out ! 1 had on me
shortly four submarines emerged, closing in the steamship company's receipt for these
round us, and ordering our boat to stop. Our cases, and I was most anxious to destroy this,
captain at once sent a wireless to the Dutch but it was made of thick cardboard, and we
Admiralty, and very soon two Dutch warships were closely watched by the German guards,
appeared upon the scene, much parleying so I had no chance of doing away with it.
ensued, with the result that we were ordered From Zeebrugge we were taken to Bruges, and
to put in at Zeebrugge. Here Hun detectives locked in the town prison, and the first thing
boarded the steamer and all passengers were I did on finding myself alone in my cell was to
examined ; some of them (exchanged prisoners eat the company's receipt! For seventeen days
and Belgians) were provided with safe-conducts I remained in this cell, and it was for me a
and allowed to remain on the ship, but I and terrible experience; the cell was a filthy, evil-
two other British subjects, and some young smelling hole, into which hardly any light pene-
Belgians about to join the Army, were sent trated. Every day 1 was told by my guard
ashore. I was told to take my belongings with that I should probably be shot for a spy the
me, but I was puzzled what to do with my two next morning, so that my mental condition may
large cases of pictures. 1 dare not take them be better imagined than described. It was
92