REPATRIATED NEW ZEALANDERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 36, 6 November 1943, Page 5

REPATRIATED NEW ZEALANDERS

Arrival At Alexandria GRATITUDE EXPRESSED

TO RED CROSS (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) ALEXANDRIA, November 3. The sunshine of a typical autumn day was no brighter than the smiles and sallies of 389 New Zealanders—* first to be repatriated from Germany —who disembarked today from the protected ship Cuba and the hospital ship Tairea after a six-day trip from Barcelona. These men—sick, wounded and protected personnel—were taken prisoner in Greece and Crete, the lastnamed group including many who volunteered to stay with their wounded comrades when the New Zealand. Division evacuated both places in April and May, 1941. ■ , * -h, The Cuba, prominently marked witn the word “Protected” in 10ft. letters on both sides, together with huge Union Jacks and French flags (she is a former Vichy merchantman) was the first berth. , . Railway carriages were drawn up tne length of the quay in readiness, and Red. Cross workers had mobile tea canteens operating. The New Zealand Red CrOeS Commissioner had completed arrangements for the immediate distribution of cigarettes, etc. ~,. After official exchanges and formalities, the mep filed down the gangway. They were protected personnel in the main, and looked remarkably healthy. In the short interval before the tram pulled out on the trip to a base camp, I had an opportunity of talking with them. Most of them had spent the past two and a half years in Germany, but others had been shifted from camp to camp—from Germany to Austria, Pojand, and France. Some of the Allied party were due for repatriation a year ago when arrangements were suspended at the last minute, and they were taken to Rouen, in France, which camp they described as foul, though their disappointment was the greatest hardship. On 'the final trip under German “auspices” they crossed Germany and France, embarking at Marseilles for Barcelona. Exchange at Barcelona. The exchange at Barcelona was carried out without a hitch, under the control of the Spanish Red Cross. The British Ambassador, Sir Samuel Hoare, Lady Hoare, and members of the British Embassy at Madrid made a special trip to Barcelona. Sir Samuel made speeches to the New Zealanders and Australians on both ships. He quoted a message from the King and Queen to the repatriated men, Their Maj’esties wishing them a good recovery. The men told me that German vessels were drawn up on one side of the dock and British, vessels on the other side, with a long "shed between them. From their position they had a good view of the departure of the late Allied guests bound for the Reich. A small party of Nazis drawn from the German colony in Barcelona valiantly heiled Hitler for about an hour before their departure, this being the sole demonstration on that side of the wharf.

On the other hand, half of Barcelona seemed to turn out to wish good luck to the Empire soldiers, and many “Viva Churchills” were chalked on the wharf sheds. A generous gift from the Red Cross at the Spanish port included 2000 gallons of Spanish beer, 25 cases of best brandy, two tons of oranges, many barrels of wine, and a rare gift of thousands of cigars. This was largely under the control of Mrs. Hencken, formerly of Melbourne, and now a resident in Spain. The men told me that probably the most popular man aboard ship was a major of the New Zealand Pay Corps. This officer and his sergeant had a very difficult task, but the men speak of him almost with reverence. The major found the nominal rolls unavailable from the Germans, but these he speedily compiled and the men were paid with little loss of time. All ranks were warned before leaving Germany that they were liable to be taken out of the draft if found in possession of foreign currency. Nevertheless. some came out with a mixture of notes including Russian exchanged with Red Army prisoners. .The pay major’s role included advice on all subjects, specially home news, but this task was made easier by forethought in including copies of the “N.Z.E.F. Times” for many weeks back, and thus the men learnt of the election, the Pacific fighting, etc. Cheerful Stretcher Cases.

The trainload, which pulled out first consisted almost entirely of New Zealanders, and they were well looked after by the train staff. The Tairea, which is a hospital ship proper, berthed later in the afternoon, and. though there was not so much shouting of greetings—the ship carried more seriously wounded, and sick personnel —the men nevertheless were extremely cheerful, even the stretcher cases. A fully staffed and equipped hospital train was drawn up on the quay and the transfer was carried out expeditiously. Harft again, the Red Cross orgamzation prepared for the reception of the repatriates. In fact, the. Red Cross has been a major part in their lives, starting with them and finishing with them as the men themselves started from Alexandria and finished at Alexandria. These men were even more fervent in their thanks, if possible, than the others repatriated from enemy countries. The usual -weekly Red Cross parcel has been called a lifesaver.” These men say more simply: “Without these parcels we would nave died.” Sustenance to them during their long confinement in enemy prison camps, the Red Cross was ready at Barcelona with all arrangements and many gifts to the ex-prisoners. The Red Gross was with them on their ships and the Red Cross with all its services was waiting to receive them at Alexandria. So intense was their appreciation that New Zealanders 0.1 the Cuba alone (208) collected £l2OO as a donation to the Led Cross in tangible recognition of this institution’s value. New Zealanders on both ships between them made a contribution of just under £2OOO to the IteJ Cross funds. It is understood that the Australians were equally generous. The real Anzac spirit was illustrated as the carriages rolled away: Three cheers for the 'Aussies.” called someone and the Alexandria dock area resounded with spontaneous cheering. Australians still aboard yelled “Three cheers for the Kiwis,” and gave them.

TO TRANSIT CAMPS

LONDON, November 4. Two ships carrying 1048 Dominion war prisoners who are being repatriated have arrived at Alexandria. The hospital ship Tairea brought 518 Australians, New Zealanders and Indians, including 44 stretcher cases, and 64 who contracted tuberculosis in German prison camps. The men went ashore dressed in new khaki uniforms distributed on voyage and carrying oddly assorted packages of personal belongiiigs. They were quickly transferred to waiting trains and lorries which carried them to transit eamps where they will rest till they are repatriated home. The first man off the Cuoa was a New Zealand officer who was captured at Kalamata in Greece. He is the only not sick and unwounded officer repatriated from Germany. Despondency In Reich.

The universal conviction was expressed that German home front morale had been badly shaken in the past six months. The men Said that the Germans were convinced that the war would last only another threfe months. They referred to deep depression and despondency inside Germany and said conditions were already bad. Food was extremely poor and clothing scarce and becoming scarcer. The devastating bombing was rapidly breaking down home front morale. The British Red Cross presented every man with a parcel of sweets, cigarettes, a bottle of beer, a newspaper and a magazine. One Australian who had passed through Frankfurt en route to Barcelona described Frankfurt as “the biggest mess I have ever seen.” •