GENERAL DE WIART, V.C.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 29 September 1943, Page 5

GENERAL DE WIART, V.C.

ITALIAN PRISON CAMP ASSOCIATIONS VISIT TO N.Z. HOUSE (Rec. 10.55 a.m.) London, Sept. 28. General Carton De Wiart, V.C., who figured in the Italian armistice talks after being a prisoner of war for two years, called on Mr W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner for New Zealand. General De Wiart recalled being a prisoner with Brigadiers Hargest and Miles and Bishop Gerard. He told Mr Jordan that he had the highest regard for them and referred to Brigadier Hargest affectionately as ‘‘Old Jim.” General De Wiart also recalled associations with other New Zealanders, including Lieut.Colonel Arthur Porritt and Mr P. S. Falla, son of Brigadier N. S. Falla. He met Mr P. S. Falla, who was a diplomatic service member in Warsaw, prior to its capture early in the war. Upon hearing this, Mr Jordan telephoned Brigadier Falla, who called at New Zealand House and met General De Wiart. He told him that his son was now in Teheran. General De Wiart was interested to learn that Brigadier Hargest was returned unopposed in the General Election and that Mr Jordan had cabled Brigadier Hargest the election results to Switzerland. General De Wiart said he could only guess the present position of New Zealanders who are prisoners of war m Italy. He imagined that when the Italians opened the camps, those who were fit would probably make every e**ort to link up with the Allied forces, possibly aided by the Italians.— P.A. Special Correspondent