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Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 88, 14 April 1945, Page 6

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BRIGADIER CLIFTON

RECENT RELEASE FROM NAZIS

Reported by cable from London on April 2 to have been freed from the Germans as a prisoner of war, Brigadier G. H. Clifton, D.5.0., M.C., arrived in Auckland this morning after having been flown from England for special reasons. On arrival in Auckland he was met by Brigadier A. B. Williams, D.5.0., R.N.Z.A., officer commanding the Northern Military District.

First captured during the North African campaign. Brigadier Clifton made seven unsuccessful attempts to escape. Twice he was successful— once when he was first captured at ■Ruweisat in July, 1942, and finally when he escaped recently.

After his first escape he was recaptured at El Alamein in September. 1942, being at that time in command of an infantry brigade. Brigadier Clifton, who began his military career at the Royal Military College of Australia, was appointed a lieutenant in the New Zealand Staff Corps in 1918. For a time he served 'in India and won the Military Cross there. Before leaving for overseas as brigade major in the Sixth Brigade, he was commandant of the Northern Military District School of Instruction, Narrow Neck. In the Middle East he became successively commander of the New Zealand Engineers and then chief engineer, ■30th Corps of the Bth Army. He was awarded the D.S.O. in the Middle East. .