IN GERMAN STALAG FOR FOUR YEARS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 214, 10 September 1945, Page 4

IN GERMAN STALAG FOR FOUR YEARS

THREE MARTON SERVICEMEN. (0.C.) Marton, Sept. 8. Three Marton servicemen who returned to New Zealand recently after being prisoners ot war were in the same Stalag 18a for four years. Lance-Corporal H. M. Adams, Privates C. A. Wasson, R. S. Wasson and K. Nielsen. Describing lite in lhe camp LanceCorporal Adams stated that the life was bearable, but monotonous and they anxiously waited lor news for the second front attack to be launched and when it did come it raised the hopes of the inmates. They had to reiy solely :>n the Red Cross for .clothing, food, cigarettes, sports equipment and practically everything they required. The camp was solely for the working personnel and the officers were sent to a Stalag camp. On the three weeks’ march from Graz to Makponga, Lance-Corporal Adams escaped and hid in the hills to the end of the war and contacted the Russians on the day of victory. After staying with the Russians for eight days he made his way back to the Allies line at Koflach. From there he was taken by a British transport, to WolfsbeTg and later to the Klagenfurt Air Force station and flown by the Americans to Naples and then sailed for England in the Empress of Scotland.

Alter a stay in England for two months, where he had a wonderful time, he met. his young brother SubLieutenant F. K. Adams. After a short stay at Folkestone camp, in the South of England he embarked on the, Orion at Liverpool for New Zealand.