LIVELY FORTNIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 133, 7 June 1945, Page 9

LIVELY FORTNIGHT

NELSON MAN'S STORY

ADVENTURES IN PRAGUE

NELSON, June 6,

A 200-mile trek through Czechoslovakia, including 80 miles on a German tank which was blown up, fighting with Czech partisans against German SS troops in Prague, being mobbed and feted in the streets, and riding through Prague on a tank when the Russians entered the city, were among the experiences of Driver Geoff. B. Harman, of Nelson, after his escape from a marching prisoner of war column. . . . Captured in Crete, Driver Harman remained a prisoner of war until ne escaped about 10 days before the war in Europe ended. In a letter from ■London, written on the day he arrived in England (May 13). he told an interesting story of his experiences. "I have had a rather adventurous and exciting two weeks," he wrote. "A fortnight ago our guards started marching us away from the advancing Russians and so an English companion and I decided to escape and make our destination the American lines which were then being advanced into Czechoslovakia. We marched many weary miles, sleepless for several days. Altogether we covered 200 miles, for 80 of which we rode on a German tank, the occupants of which begged us to take them through to the Americans. The tank was blown up, and so we marched again. Finally we entered Prague, shortly before the Russians arrived in the city. Fighting was then going on between Czech partisans and SS troops," Driver Harman then told of joining the partisans in dealing with the remaining Germans and of avenging the murder of a prisoner of war friend by an SS guard in January. "The SS are cruel swine," the letter continued, "but the partisans gave them a good dose of their own medicine. Three or four days of fighting and it was all over except for snipers. "My English friend, three Scotsmen, and I were, I think, the only British in Prague at that time, and we were feted right royally. We could not move in the streets. Women and girls mobbed us, kissed us, and made such a fuss that finally the pdlice provided a car to take us to our apartments (they formerly belonged to an SS chief and were fit for a king). We slept for 15 hours on feather beds, and, after the mud and straw of the previous eight weeks it was marvellous.

"On the Wednesday the Russian tanks entered Prague. We rode through the streets sitting on one of their huge tanks. We expected the Yanks in, and the people also hoped they would come. However, the Russians received a tremendous ovation and we received our share, too. We also met the Russian Women's Fighting Corps. "The next day we decided it was time to get in touch with the Americans and try to reach England. Taking a German car we drove to Pilsen, and the next day the Americans took us to Regensburg and flew us to Brussels, where we spent a night—and what a night! This morning the R.A.F. brought us to England. Incidentally, the troops in the prisoner of war column from which we escaped have not yet reached England. There were several Kiwis among them. It is great to be back and to know I'm physically sound."