DOCILE PRISONERS

Evening Star, Issue 24006, 3 October 1941, Page 7

DOCILE PRISONERS

EXPERIENCE. WITH ITALIANS SOME NASTY “ BOOBY " TRAPS SOAP THAT BURNED SKIN OFF <P.A.) WELLINGTON, October 2. The Italians are docile as prisoners of war. hut, according to accounts given by soldiers who have just returned, they thought up some nasty little tricks before they were gathered in by the New Zealand troops. For instance, they Used to leave thermos flasks and fountain pens lying around in conspicuous places. They were different from ■ tha commercial articles in that they were filled with high explosive which blew np at the slightest touch. After the first few casualties, the troops were awake to these “ booby ” traps. ’ Another little habit ,of the Italians was to leave cakes of soap about. These had acid in them,, and burned the skin off when used for washing. •‘ The rifles with which the Italians were equipped were almost as deadly as some of their ‘ booby 1 traps,’ said a man who had taken part in ■ the' last round-up of a large number of Italian conscripts. “ Several of our boys were badly hurt when the rifles exploded on being fired or the bolts blew out. The rest of their equipment, particularly motor vehicles,, which we, repaired and used, was first-class.” This soldier confirmed the previous tales that Italian prisoners were easy to look after. He was one of an escort that took a shipload of 1,500 to Durban, in South Africa, where they were put on to building roads.’ He said that it was rather pathetic to see some of them who could not be accommodated on the trucks that carted them away. “ They used to run alongside, jabbering excitedly because there was not room for them.” he said. “ They hated being left behind.” This man’s company was mentioned in despatches for an unusual exploit off the beach at Solium. The captain of an Italian transport was badly scared when British planes started to bomb him, and immediately turned his shin-for the shore and ran her aground. The company happened to be handy, and collected some hundreds of ItaVan prisoners as they waded ashore, without any trouble at all.