FREED PRISONERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 86, 12 April 1945, Page 5

FREED PRISONERS

MANY ARRIVING BY AIR JN ENGLAND Recd. 10.5 p.m. London, April 11. A stream of liberated prisoners who were in German camps situated near the Russian front is now arriving by air in England. They are of all nationalities, including some New Zealanders. Flying-Officer G. G. Ward, of Lumsden, who is based at a station whore the aircraft are arriving, said he spoke to several New Zealanlers, including a warrant-officer from Invercargill. “They told me tales of almost incredible hardship. While they were in camps in eastern Germany conditions wore not too bad. Rankers and noncommissioned officers had to work in sugar-beet factories or farms or mines. But once the Rus. ian advance began the Germans ordered the prisoners Io start marching westwards. It was stated that anyone attempting to e cape would be shot. Not only was this the case, but there were instances of men who were collapsing from fatigue also boinu shot. They trekked 500 miles in 44 days, once having only two meals in four days. The re.ailt may be imagined. They became weak, thin and emaciated. Eventually they reached Kassel, and as the Americans began to advance the G rmans tried to get them marching back eastwards again. Some prisoners escaped. Others were left in the camp:; when ihe guards cleared out. Eventually they were liberated on Good Friday, since when they have been waiting to be flown to England. 1 saw some pitiful sights as the planes arrived. Some men were still so weak that they fell down when they got. out of thp aircraft. The New Zealanders and Australian seemed in'much bettor condition than most, as their constitutions were apparently better, but several, Indians particularly, were in weak condition, each having to be assisted by two W.A.A.F.S. Many men were immediately sent off to hospitals. The New Zealanders had swopped their uniforms with the Americans for souvenirs, and at first sight I took them to bo Americans.” It i.. understood that nearly 100 members of the N.Z.E.F. were among these men and have already arrived at a repatriation centre in Kent. There are five members of the R.N.Z.A.F. who have gone to Brighton, with the exception one who was taken to hospital. Rankers and N.C.O.'s are reported io have arrived with only the clothes they <tood up in, but the officers apparently received belter treatament, many arriving with their kitx