ESCAPE FROM ITALY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 6

ESCAPE FROM ITALY

N.Z. SOLDIERS' EXPERIENCE MET THE YUGOSLAV LEADER (0.C.) "VVANGANUI, this day. A pathetic story of the destitution of the people of Yugoslavia was told by Privates J. Abel and J. »Illston, who have returned to Hunterville, following their escape from an Italian prison camp on September 11 last year.

"Life in the prison camp in northern Italy could have been worse," they said. From the outset the guards seemed to be out of sympathy with Mussolini's policy. The prisoners were reasonably treated and the food wasn't bad, judged in the light of what the Italian civilians were getting.

When Italy capitulated the prisoners hoped that they would be returned to the British authorities, but it was soon found that German domination was too strong. The vigilance of the guard, however, was relaxed, and the prisoners cut the wires and escaped. At considerable risk, they were befriended by Italian civilians, and they hid in the hills until, after a month, they were guided across the border into Yugoslavia. There they were shown untold kindness by the populace, who were suffering severely under the thumb of German domination.

The poverty was appalling, yet the people were ready and eager to share what little they had with the prisoners, doing so at the risk of their lives.

"We shall never forget these wonderful people." They were personally entertained by rebel leader Marshal Tito, and both prize autographed photographs of the Partisan leader. Eventually the prisoners—there were about 80 in this party—were guided to safety. The escapees joined with the Eighth Army in Italy again (in the town of 13ari) on December 23 last, and spent what they describe as "the most memorable Christmas in our lives."