“LIFE IN THE BAG

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23260, 23 July 1945, Page 4

“LIFE IN THE BAG

Prisoners Do Not Want Fussing ' Talk By Brigadier Clifton j “We do not want any special hissing and we do not want to be | exhibits,” declared Brigadier s>. H. ; Clifton, D. 5.0., M.C., in the course of a radio address last night. He was speaking of former prisoners of war, describing life in prison I camps and after liberation. lie was himself a prisoner in Germany and Italy far two and a half years, i being liberated by the American ' forces at Remagen on March 22. "For four days they nearly killed us with their typically lavish hospitality,” Brigadier Chiton said of Ihe Americans. "Then on Good Friday I flew in a Dakota to E:: hand; it was a great thrill io see the white cliffs of Dover, but it was a greater thrill to see Rangitoto only a fortnight later.” Brigadier Chiton was the first fit prisoner of war to pass through the New Zealand repatriation depot in England this year, and he spoke highly ol Ihe welcome and treatment given him by Major-General 11. K. Kippenberger and the officers and men who were runnii.g th? depot with him. Most, oi these were* original members of Ihi Division, and Brigadier Clifton considered that the return to freedom was made much, easier through association with people whom the former prisoners already knew. The comfort of the seaside hotels taken over for the New Zealand men was just what they | had dreamed about for years—fresh I sheets on good beds, plenty of hot water, good food, beautiful Kentish countryside in the background, social and recreation facilities and even New Zealand Tuis—and the grand old English inns just around the corner. All Reasonably Fit Although the earliest prisoners had completed four years in Italy or Germany most of them are reasonably fit and certainly sparking on all cylinders mentally. Brigadier Clifton continued. I He had been shot soon after he was transferred to Germany from Italy and had been in hospital but even so his friends told him he was little ' changed after five years overseas. Only those who had been in forced marches from Silesia in Febraury were in poor condition. They were improving fast, and should bo fit by the time they reach home. Most of them want to get back and I hey do not want any special fussing or to be exhibits, he declared. “How did you kill the time?” This was the most frequent question he was asked, the speaker continued. They played various sports and when, from October. 1944, they did not receive Red Cross parcels and did not have the strength to expend on games they had lectures and discussions, card games (contract bridge was the most popular with poker and roulette next), while, a camp orchestra and choral society were formed, theatricals helped to keep up the camp spirit and kept the men occupied. Reading took up a great deal of time—the more solid books that one should read but did not have the time to read when free, and New Zealand books were very popular. Many nonKiwis in his camp, he said, were interested in the Dominion, asking questions which ranged from mountaineering to Karitane nursing. “The best news of all is that there are fewer than 42 New Zealand prisoners not accounted for. and that more than 8000 will be home or on the way home by September. It is grand to be home, but there is still a lot of work to be done over there, and after two months’ rest I hope to be soon on my way back to lend a hand.’