PRISONER IN ITALY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 24024, 23 July 1941, Page 8

PRISONER IN ITALY

AIRMAN QUITE CONTENTED

A MATTER OF WAITING' (0.C.) NEW PLYMOUTH, Tuesday

Interesting sidelights on life in a prison camp in Italy are given in a letter from Flying-Officer R. D. Campbell, of Opunake, who was taken prisoner when the machine that he was piloting was brought down in Albania. He writes that he was taken from the hospital at Tirana to a concentration camp in that country and then on to Italy by boat. "We are quite a crowd and live in rooms ; two in each," he says. "The food is good and we are paid a few pounds a month, with which we buy extra things. We have a piano and run a book club. We also have a shop and can order sugar and other things. In our rooms we have a small fire and usually make cocoa every afternoon at 4 p.m. "There are two boys from my squadron here, and I know quite a few others, having met them in Egypt. We are a very nappy family, and it is really amazing the way we manage everything. Commander Brown, R.N., who' is our commandant and spokesman, is a jolly good chap. "We saw and cut all our own wood for the galley and rooms, so get quite a hit of exercise. I can walk all night now, but the old foot is still very weak, so I have to take things easily. I am the only New Zealand officer prisoner of war at'the moment. "Do not send any money, as we cannot have cash," concludes the letter. "Any foodstuffs have to be examined and pierced before eating. A tailor from Rome calls, so I will buy a complete new uniform. I am quite contented and know it is only a matter of waiting."