IN GERMAN PRISON CAMPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 24 October 1941, Page 2

IN GERMAN PRISON CAMPS

EXPERIENCES OF NEW ZEALAND OFFICER A letter telling of some of his experiences as a prisoner of war has been received in Wellington front Captain J. H. Hall, who went abroad as official war correspondent with the N.Z E.F., and was head of the Public Relations Office of the New Zealand Division when taken prisoner in Greece. Before going overseas Mr Hall was De-puty-Director of Publicity in the Prime Minister's Department. “Just had my weekly hot shower . . grand.” he writes from a German prison camp. “Considering circumstances, our accommodation and amenities are good. About 850 officers here, rather more from France and Greece; Seaforths and Camerons, included. New buildings, bunks, running cold water. About 90 to a building, like St. Andrew's dormitory. Rooms each with stove, from 22 to two (colonels). We have 18 Scots. Australian, New Zealand. all from Greece. “Whole surrounded double fence, barbed wire 10 feet high, commanded at every corner by elevated sentry-box with searchlight (censored) beyond. Promenade round inside compound 600 yards. Games on gravelled courtyards. Two parades daily for outing. DOWN TO JUMPING WEIGHT 'Am getting down to jumping weight, otherwise Al except for a mental selfannoyance consequent upon capture, and the constant reminder that one’s usefulness to his country is over for the time being. “I was under fire for three days onlv. Taken on evening 23th April. 1941. at Kalamata, southern Greece, while waiting for ships German tanks got there first. Thence Corinth ia (all May), Salonika. Germany via Yugoslavia, and former Austria. Austria lovely. Serbian people unforgettably generous with food. “Travelled cattle trucks up to 36 men apiece, mostly 30, for seven full days and nights, Salonika-Germany. Floors strawed. room everyone stretch out sleep. Much more comfortable than third-class carriages. Leisurely progress. but week passed quickly. 'Please send slippers or sandshoes before boots. Red Cross will doubtless instruct about parcels. German regulations enclosed. Write clipper. Parcels via San Francisco for quick sure de-