VICTIM OF NAZIS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22243, 31 January 1947, Page 4

VICTIM OF NAZIS

GREEK GIRL’S PLIGHT AIDED N.Z. SOLDIERS LOSS OF POSSESSIONS (P.A.) ROTORUA, Jan. 31. The dispatching of a pair of socks and a balaclava cap to a New Zealand soldier in Greece in 1941 has resulted in another sad story of German persecution coming to hand. In 1941, Miss Leona Ford, of Rotorua, who has since been married and now resides in Fort Pierce, Florida, U.S.A., sent a parcel of comforts to a soldier in Greece. The soldier, apparently deciding that the need of the civilians was greater than his, handed over the parcel to a young Greek girl. Inside was a brief message of cheer and Miss Ford’s address.

A few weeks ago a letter arrived addressed to Miss Ford, telling of the sad circumstances in which the girl and her mother now live through giving help to New Zealand soldiers who remained in her village of Katerina, in northern Greece, after the German occupation.

Should some of the soldiers whom she helped read this letter they will, no doubt, be pleased to help her in her plight. The letter states: Betrayed to Germans

“Dear Leona,-I thank you very much for vour lovely letter. I read it several times and I think I was speaking with your dear soldiers. My dear, let me tell you now a little about my life. “I am about 20 years old. I live with my mother, and I have an elder sister who is married. “In 1941 when the Germans came to our country, some New Zealand soldiers remained here. I tried very much to help them, but someone betrayed me to the Germans. "One day the Germans took me from my home. I was in prison for several months. When I was free I tried to find the soldiers again. I tried to help them, but this time it was very difficult. If I had been discovered I would have been killed.

“I helped them as it was possible to, but, unfortunately, one cold night 10 Germans surrounded my house. We had a secret door, and through this door my mother and I ran away. In the morning we went to a village and, after some days, we went with insurgents to save our.lives. “When they did not find us the Germans took all our clothes, furniture and everything that we had in the house. They also took all the doors and windows and left only the walls standing. “Now you can imagine In what condition we are. I do not have a dress to wear and I do not have a bed to sleep in. I also lost the addresses of our dear soldiers, but I feel myself happy because I saved my life and the lives of the soldiers.

“I do not know where they are, but I feel sure that if they knew where I was they would help me. “Dear friend, this is my 'sad Story. Will you please, if you have some old clothes, send them to me? I have practically none. I ask your pardon for giving such trouble. My English are very poor. Do not pay any attention to my mistakes. Greetings from my mother. With much love, your friend, Kristulo Taysa, Comodoura 10, Katerina, Greece.”