INTERNED IN EIRE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20823, 30 June 1942, Page 3

INTERNED IN EIRE

WELLINGTON PILOT CRASH DURING EXERCISES LONDON, March 24. Restlessness is the chief irritant in an internment camp in Eire, writes Sub-Lieutenant (A) Bruce Girdlestone, Wellington, who crashed in that country while he was taking part in exercises from an aircraftcarrier. “Our compound is situated on the outskirts of Eire’s largest military centre,” he says. “The plain on which the huge collection of buildings stand is called The Curragh, an extremely desolate spot. To the north lies the Bog of Allen, to the south is the rest of Ireland, and on either side the rolling green plain ends at Kildare and Kilcullen. “Five huts form our living quarters. They are built of wood, raised 2ft. from .the ground to prevent tunnelling, and heated by small iron stoves. Three tall fences of thicklycoiled barbed wire enclose these huts, patrolled by armed guards and brightly illuminated by night. The Irish have had much experience of detention camps and our security leaves nothing wanting. “Parole is granted daily. We pass out through a triple set of gates for our long walks over the Curragh and return for tea behind the wire,. A picture show at the main Eire camp is our usual nightly outing, but the majority of the evenings are spent in reading and writing in .the camp. “My smack from the cra'sh last December has healed up and I am feeling fit once again but restless. Our cosmopolitan collection includes English, French, Polish, Canadian, and American pilots, the strength being thirty-odd. Immediately adjacent is the German compound similar in size and security, and a tall iron fence prevents us from continuing the war privately."