HAD A PASS

Waikato Independent, Volume XLIV, Issue 1100, 28 February 1945, Page 3

HAD A PASS

PROM GERMAN GENERAL GUNNER WITH CAMBRIDGE RELATIVES In the Auckland "Star" on Saturday last appeared a most interesting article by a writer under the nom de plume of "J.C.L." This article tells the story of the escape from a pris-oner-of-war camp and the subsequent experiences among: the Italian peasants of an Auckland gunner, Geoffrey George Speight, son of Mr and Mrs R. G. Speight, of Gnehunga, and a relative of Mr H. H. Speight, of Cambridge. It is, dramatic that at one stage Speigtit, disguised as an Italian, under the name of Goffredo Perri obtained a pass signed by the German General, Kesselring. This pass gave gunner Speight safe conduct wherever there were German troops and it was never questioned by them. He got the pass through the good offices of an Italian girl typist working in a German office. Gunner Speight will always remember that girl with the greatest reverence for later she was killed during an Allied air raid.

"An old woman is toiling with primitive tool as Italian women are wont to do. She is barefooted, wears ragged clothes, with a dirty handkerchief tied over her head. Germans and Fascists pass by; others search the area.. None trouble to speak to the old woman. At "the end of the day the old woman makes her way to the home of the partisan family which is befriending her. Stripped of her disguise the old woman becomes Gunner Speight. Even his own mother would not have recognised him as he worked in the field." It was in this disguise that Gunner Speight saw Rome fall With some reluctance Gunner Speight tells the story of another narrow escape when he was hidden by two Italian women in their bed during a search of the house by suspicious Germans. The Nazis were known to be coming, for the alarm had been given in the manner known only to the underground movement, Speight turned out of his bed, and his place was taken by a woman, so that the warm clothes would not provide any tell-tale evidence. A few mumbled words were exchanged, and the soldier was pushed into a double bed occupied by two wonien. He was nearly suffocated, for the women lay on top of him as he sajik into the feather mattress. The searchers looked into the room—they were satisfied—they passed on. After talking at some length about the Fascists and their way Gunner Speight concludes with a note for parents of N.Z. soldiers missing in Italy. He says: "Parents of New Zealand soldiers missing in Italy should not give up hope. I feel sure that many men are still in hiding in the mountains with friendly Italians while awaiting the chance to rejoin the Allied forces. Gunner Speight was the last of a group of 12 to reach home.

Among men still missing in Italy is Corporal Bert. Cubis, son of Mr and Mrs Harold Cubis, of Hautapu.