NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 95, 23 April 1945, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND TROOPS

GERMAN TESTIMONIAL

(Special Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.)

; .MEDICINA, April 20. A sincere tribute to the humanity and fighting efficiency of the New Zealanders was paid by an officer of the German paratroops before he passed to the rear, after having been captured in the battle for the Sillaro. Just before leaving the divisional prisoner-of-war cage, Captain H. Hoffman, a company commander of the 111 th Parachute Reconnaissance Unit, marched over to the interrogation officer. He stood at attention, saluted, and said'On behalf of my men and my 'fellowofficers. I should like to thank you for the fair and correct treatment you and your men have given us. after our having been taken prisoner by your troops. We were led to believe that We would be mistreated and would possibly be given little food, This was not the case.

Your troops are, very soldierly, clean fighters. The co-ordination between the artillery and infantry coming over in the attack in which we were captured was amazing. They were on us before we realised they were there and before we had time to get up." The prisoner said he had been a representative football player and had been at the Olympic Games, but whether in the German team is not clear. While there he met Dr, Jack Lovelock, with whom he had spoken many times, and whom he admired and greatly respected.