N.Z. PILOTS IN BURMA

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1945, Page 2

N.Z. PILOTS IN BURMA

EXPERIENCES AS WAR PRISONERS

[R.Z.N.A.F. Official News Service] BURMA FRONT, May 12.

Two New Zealand Hurricane pilots who crashed within a month of each other and who met in a Rangoon jail were among the freed prisoners of war who ’ have just arrived in Calcutta. They are Flying Officer Anthony C. Krause, of Auckland, and Flying ’Officer C. D. Fergusson, of Havelock North. Fergusson crashed at Magwe on December 23, 19-12. He was burned about the head and arms hut was thrown clear of his aircraft. The Japanese gave him 'hospital treatment and then flew him to Rangoon. “We ate rice for years,” he said, “and then on the hospital ship, after we were freed, they, gave us rice pudding. The sight of it almost put us off, but it was all right after we had tasted it because it was made with milk and sugar. In prison we always had a craving for sweets.” Krause met Fergusson two months after he was taken prisoner and they kept together. Krause was the man who painted the famous sign, “Japs gone, British here,” on the roof of the Rangoon gaol. Another long-term prisoner was Flight Lieutenant D. L. McGregor MacDonald, of Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, who baled out from a Wellington on April 1, 1943. At that time he had completed 22 operations over Germany and 22 over Burma. He is still suffering from the effects of malnutrition. All three officers had to dig gun positions for the Japanese and work on docks, but dock work had its compensation that they could steal extra food from cargoes which consisted mainly, of Australian rations captured at Singapore.

A more recent arrival in gaol was Pilot Oflicer 11. C. Edwards, of Wanganui, a Thunderbolt pilot who was last seen by his comrades going down in flames and breaking up. They gave him up for dead. ‘"‘l hit some trees and tried to get my Thunderbolt into a mudhole,” he said. “I wakened 25 yards from the wreckage with a broken ankle and numerous strains. The Japanese took me on a three-weeks’ tour of camps and at one stage threatened to shoot me, but when I told them to go ahead as I didn’t care, they seemed impressed. After that, those particular guards couldn’t do enough for me. They, gave me mosquito netting and even made me a pair of chopsticks.” Edwards was later taken to Rangoon where lie shared a cell with Flight Lieutenant C. S'. Emeny, of Taranaki. All of these men are now resting in hospital ponding a recuperation period at a hill station. They are making the most of fresh food and comforts.