Repatriated New Zealanders

Hutt News, Volume 17, Issue 24, 17 November 1943, Page 8

Repatriated New Zealanders

(ARRIVAL AT ALEXANDRIA. GRATITUDE EXPRESSED TO RED CROSS. (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) ALEXANDRIA, Nov. 3. The sunshine of a typical autumn day was no brighter than the smiles and sallies of 389 New Zealanders —first to be repatriated from Germany — who disembarked to-day from the protected ship Cuba and the hospital ship Tairea after a sixday trip from Barcelona. These men —gick, wounded and protected personnel —were taken prisoner in Greece and Crete, the last-named group including many who volunteered to stay with their wounded comrades when the New Zealandl Division evacuated both places in April and May, 1941. The Cuba, prominently marked with the word "Protected" in 10ft. letters on both sides, together with huge Union Jacks and French flags (she was a former Vichy merchantman) was the first to berth. Railway carriages were drawn up the length of the quay in readiness, and Red Cross workers hajl mobile tea canteens operating. /The New Zealand Red Cross Commissioner had completed arrangements for the immediate distribution of cigarettes, etc.

After official exchanges and formalities, the men filed down the gangway. They were protected presonnel in the main, and looked remarkably healthy. In the short interval befort the train pulled out on the trip to a base camp, I had an opportunity of talking with thein. Most of them had spent the past two and a half years In Germany, but others had been shifted from camp to camp from Germany to Austria, Poland and France, Some of the Allied party were due for repatriation a year ago when arrangements were suspended at the last minute, and they were taken to Rouen, in France, which camp they described as foul, though their disappointment was the greatest hardShip. On the final trip under German "auspices" they crossed Germany and France, embarking at Marseilles for Barcelona. Excliango at .Barcelona. The exchange at Barcelona was carried out without a hitch, under the control of the Spanish Red Cross. The British Ambassador, Sif Samuel Hoare, Lady Hoare, and members of the British Embassy at Madrid made a special trip to Barcelona. "Sir Samuel made speeches to the New Zealanders and Australians on both ships. % He quoted / a message from the King and Queen to the repatriated men, Their Majesties -wishing them a good recovery. The men told me that German vessels were drawn up on one side of the dock and British vessels on the other side, with a long shed between them. From their position they had a good view of the departure of the late Allied guests bound for the Reich. A small party of Nazis drawn from the German colony in Barcelona valiantly heiled Hitler for an hour before, their departure, this being the sole demonstration on that side of the wharf. .On the other hand, hair of BarIcna seemed to turn out to wish good luCk to the Empire soldiers, and many "Viva Churchills'' were chalked on the wharf sheds. A generous gift from the Red Cross at the Spanish port included 2000 gallons of Spanish beer, 25 cases of best brandy, two tons of oranges, many barrels of wine, and- a rare gift of thousands of cigars. This was largely under the control at' Mrs. Hencken, formerly of Melbourne, and now a resident in Spain. The men told me that probably the most popular man aboard ship was a major of the New Zealand Pay Corps. This officer and his sergeant had a very difficult task, but the men speak of him almost with reverence. The major found tfte nominal rolls unavailable from the Germans, but these he speedily compiled and the men were paid with little loss of time. • All ranks were warned before leaving Germany that they were liable- to be taken out of the draft if found in possession of foreign currency. Nevertheless, some came out with a mixture of notes including Russian exchanged wit'h Red Army prisoners. > The pay major's roll included advice on all subjects, .specially home news, but this task was made easier by forethought in including copies of tile "N.Z.E.F. Times" for many weeks back, and thus the men learnt of' the election, the Pacific figiiting, etc. Cli/eerful Stretcher Cases. The trainload which pulled out first consisted almost entirely of New Zealanders, and they were well looked after by the train staff. The Tairea, which is a hospital ship proper, berthed later in thei afternoon, and though there was not so much shouting of greetings—the ship carried more seriously wounded and sick personnel—the . men nevertheless were extremely cheerful, even the stretcher .cases.. A fully staffed and equipped hospital ttrain was drawn up on the quay and the transfer was carried ouft. expeditiously. Here again the Red Cross organ-'

isation prepared for the reception of the repatriates. In fact, the Red Cross has been a major part in their lives, starting with them and finishing with them as the men themselves started from Alexandria and finished at Alexandria. These men were even more (fervent in their thanks, if possible, than the others repatriated from enemy countries. The usual weekly Red Cross parcel has been called a "lil'e.saver." These men say more simply: "Without these parcels we would have died." Sustenance to them during (heir long confinement in enemy prison camps, the Red Cross was ready at Barcelona with all arrangements and many gifts to the ex-prisoners. The Red Cross was with them on their ships and the Red Cross with all its services

was waiting to receive them at Alexandria.

So intense was their appreciation that New Zealanders on the Cuba alone (208) collected £1/200 as a donation to the Red Cross in tangible recognition of this institution's value. New Zealanders on both ships between them made a contribution of just under £2000 to the Red Cross funds. It is understood that the Australians were equally generous.

The real Anzac spirit was illustrated as the carriages rolled away: "Three l cheers for the Aussies," callod someone and the Alexandria dock area resounded with spontaneous cheering. Australians still aboard yelled "Three cheers for the i Kiwis," and gave them. I