AMERICAN KINDNESS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25215, 30 May 1945, Page 9

AMERICAN KINDNESS

CARE FOR RELEASED MEN

FOOD, CLOTHES AND SHELTER (N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent) SALZBURG AERODROME, May 25 "These Yanks just can't do enough for us; they worry themselves about our well-being a lot more than we do," said a New Zealand ex-prisoner of war concerning a particularly fine example of spontaneous Allied co-operation. A week ago 2500 British, Dominions and American ex-prisoners were brought in to this airport, expecting that within a few hours 100 planes would take them on to England. Sixty planes did arrive, but they shifted scarcely more than half of the waiting men. There were no planes the following day. and then a few that did come in later could take only a dozen men each because of the petrol overload. Bad weather was one of a combination of factors. So the men had to face the prospect of waiting for days on the aerodrome itself, a prospect which appealed to them more than that of returning to the hated Marktpongau. As it happened, there was an American field artillery regiment stationed on the aerodrome. This was only a small unit, but nobly it rose to the occasion. From somewhere the Americans found extra rations, not just any ration, but the very best that could be procured. The prisoners ate better than they had done for many a day. The sight here now is a strange one. The aerodrome of Salzburg is an allweather one, with a broad tarmac landing strip. Around the circumference runs a concrete road, along which German fighting planes taxied to disperse among tall stands of pines. Many .of them are still there, but their flying days are over. Among the pines American cookhouses are smoking away. Strange figures in German winter overcoats are idling about in groups watching every incoming plane. .The German overcoats are another service provided by the artillerymen. As soon as the weather turned cold the Americans appeared with truckloads of new German greatcoats from some near-by store. Tents were also provided, but there were too many men. The exprisoners contrived their own shelter — some under the wings o' Luftwaffe planes and others in repaired guard huts. All managed to remain warm, dry and cheerful. Fifteen planes landed yesterday morn-! ing and off marched the required number of groups. They were followed bv American trucks from the battery with hot cocoa, biscuits and tinned rations for all hands. The groups are all a mixture of American, English, New Zealand, South African and Australian troops, for here there is no dividing line and it is hard to pick one Ally from another when they are all clad in battledress and odd headgear. Today there were only 200 left and soon it is hoped the other half of the ' Marktpongau contingent will arrive and wait its turn. REPATRIATION DELATED MEN IN SOUTHERN AUSTRIA (N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 98 Over 5300 liberated New Zealand Expeditionary Force prisoners of war have arrived in England and been checked through repatriation centres in Kent. Of-the remaining 1500, nearly 500 are expected to arrive from Italy this week, while others are still to come from the Continent. Transportation was considerably delayed last-week due to bad weather, which hampered flying. It is stated that the majority of men still unaccounted for were in Stalag 18A, in Southern Austria, where their repatriation has been delayed owing to what is described as a complicated political situation. In other words, the Russians are not allowing them to be moved for the time being. In other areas it is also possible that a number are in hospital and not fit for immediate repatriation. HAMILTON ROSE GARDEN (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday More than 100 yards of rosoheds have been prepared at Memorial Park, Hamilton, and early in November there will be a garden of almost 400 roses. Ultimately it is intended the garden will contain more than 1000 roses, while in a prominent place a shelter provided with seats will be erected to the memory of the late Dr H. Douglas, of Hamilton. Lying below the road and surrounded by treefc and shrubs, the setting is niost attractive. The project is sponsored bv the Waikato branch of the National Rose Society and the work is being done with the co-operation of the Hamilton Beautifying Society.