Judo in POW Camps in Germany

[RHH]

The following was taken from Judo Bulletin, Issue No. 80, January 1965, published by The Budokwai, London, England.

QUOTE
“In the beginning … an account of the Bulletin’s early years by Hazel Lister. …

A glance down the list of contents of the first volume alone shows how the members of the Budokwai did their best to continue practising judo despite at times serious disadvantages. When reading such articles as Judo in Germany one feels very humble. Quite a flourishing group started in this particular Stalag under Percy Sekine’s tuition and many of its members carried on after the war.

“The organisation of any sport in Prison Camps in Germany presented great difficulties, chiefly owing to the long hours the prisoners had to work, and of course, the complete lack of equipment . . .

“In September 1942, a special camp for W.O.’s and N.C.O.’s who had refused to work was opened in Bavaria and there, fortunately, was a very easy-going Commandant. A large stable was put at our disposable as a gym. and . . . Percy Sekine was elected to the committee with the intention of forming a Judo class.

“So far everything had been easy, but now the equipment had to be provided . . . Our first difficulty was that we had a brick floor, which, of course, gave far too solid a foundation for comfort. On this we placed thin wooden slats and across these wooden planks. In this plank base were laid about three layers of cardboard, from Red Cross food parcels, and on these two layers of empty canvas palliasses stolen from the German stores. Finally an appeal was made for anyone who was interested in wrestling to supply a blanket, and finally we managed to obtain enough to permit a double thickness for a mat 12ft by 20ft in area. The top surface consisted of a canvas mat made from good quality, hard-to-obtain German palliasse canvas ‘found’ by devious underhand methods. Finally, the finished article, with smooth seams and stitched eyelets all round to permit it to be pulled tight with cords, was put down and ring was complete.

“Now for the judo gear! More palliasse canvas was obtained and the camp searched for tailors, whofinally turned out some jackets looking somewhat civilian, but without pockets or buttons. Swimming trunks were worn and Sekine had the only pair of judo trousers. Other jackets were made from mail bags, much to the detriment of our skin, as they were rather rough. Two jackets were plainly marked across the back Royal Mail and another Deutche Reich Post. The making and wearing of these jackets from Germany Army stuff and mailbags carried with it the danger of court martial and a possible penalty of ten year imprisonment if any German officer had taken the matter seriously . . .”

(From Vol. 1 No. 2: Judo in Germany by E. Dominy)
UNQUOTE

And you complain about hard mats!!!

Jerry Hays
Santee, CA

[Joseph Svinth]

The original article by Eric Dominy (Budokwai Quarterly Bulletin, April 1945-January 1946) appears at http://ejmas.com/jnc/jncart_svinth1_0200.htm

[hydestewart]

Joe,

you may be interested to know that Percy Sekine, referred to in that article, is alive and well and teaching Judo at the London Judokan. He is still on the mat most nights at the age of 83 and with an artificial hip. He is a Kodokan 7th dan and 9th dan with the British Judo Association.

Stewart Hyde

ps the London Judokan has it's own website. Visitors to the club are always made welcome.

[hydestewart]

Sorry, I should have addressed my reply to Jerry as well as Joe.

Stewart Hyde