GREEK GIRL WHO HELPED NZ- SOLDIERS, IN SORRY PLIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 January 1947, Page 6

GREEK GIRL WHO HELPED NZ- SOLDIERS, IN SORRY PLIGHT

(PA.) Rotorua, Jan. 30 The dispatching of a pair of socks and a balaclava to a New Zealand soldier in Greece in 1941 has resulted in another sad story of German persecution coming to hand. In 1941 Miss Leona Ford, of Rotorua, who has since been married and now resides in Fort Pierce, Florida, U.S.A., sent a parcel of com-torts to a soldier in Greece. The soldier, apparently decided that tie need of civilians was greater than his, iiandeu over the parcel to a young Greek girl. Inside was a brief message of cheer, and Miss Ford’s address. A few weeks ago a letter arrived addressed to Miss Ford telling of the sad circumstances in which the girl and her mother now live through giving help to New Zealand soldiers who remained in Tier village, of Katerina, in northern Greece, alter the German occupation. Should some of the soldiers who she helped read this letter ,they will, no doubt, be pleased to help her in her plight: “Dear Leona, —1 thank you very much for your lovely letter. I read it several times and I think I was speaking with your dear soldiers. My dear, let me tell you now a little about my life. I am about 20 years old. I live with my mother and 1 have an elder sister, who is married. In 1941, when the Germans came to our country, some New Zealand soldiers remained here. ' I tried very much to help them, but someone betrayed me to the Germaus. One day the Germans took me from my home. I was in prison for several months. When I was free I tried to find the soldiers again. I tried to help them, but this time it was very difficult. If I had been discovered I would have been killed. I helped them, as it was possible to me, but, unfortunately, one cold night ten Germans surrounded my house. We had a secret door and through this door my mother and I ran away. In the morning we went to a village and after some days we went with the insurgents to save our lives. When they did not find u-» the Germans took all our clothes, furniture and everything that we had in the house. They also took all the doors and windows and left only the walls itanaing. “Now, you can imagine in what condition we are. I do not have a dress to wear, and I do not have a bed to sleep in. I also lust the addresses of our dear soldiers, but I feel myself happy because I saved my life and the lives of the soldiers. 1 do not know where they air, but I feel sure that if they knew where I was they would help me. “Dear friend, this is my sad story. Will you please, if you have some old clothes, send them to mel ! iav_* practically none. I ask your ar J.°P for giving such trouble. My English is very poor. Do not pay any attention to mv mistakes. Greetings from iffy mother. With much love, your friend. Kristalo Taysa Comodo.ra, 10 Katerina. Greece."