IN GERMAN PRISON CAMP

Camp News, Volume 2, Issue 96, 31 October 1941, Page 4

IN GERMAN PRISON CAMP

New Zealand Officer’s Experiences

A letter telling of some of his experiences as a prisoner of war has been received in Wellington from captain J. 11. Hall, who went abroad as official war correspondent with the N Z.E.F., and was head of the Public Relations Office of the New Zealand Division when taken prisoner in Greece. Before going overseas Mr. Hall was Deputy-Director of Publicity in the Prime Minister’s Department. "Just had my weekly hot shower. . grand,” he writes from a German prison camp. "Considering circumstances, our accommodation and amenities art 1 good. About 850 officers here, rather more from France than Greece:. Sea forths and Camerons included. New buildings, bunks, running cold water. About 00' to a building, like St. Andrew’s dormitory. Rooms each with stove, from 22 to two (colonels). We have 18 Scots, Australian, New Zealand, all from Greece. “Whole surrounded double fence, barbed wire 10 feet high, commanded at every corner by elevated sentry-box with searchlight (censored) beyond. Promenade round inside compound 600 yards. Games on gravelled courtyards. - Two parade daily for outing. Down to Jumping Weight. “Am getting down to jumping weight, otherwise Al except for a mental self-annoyance consequent upon capture, and the constant reminder that one’s usefulness, to his country is over for the Lime being. “I was under Are for three days only Taken on evening April 28, 1941. at Kalamata, southern Greece, whilewaiting for ships. German tanks got there first. Thence Corinthia (al* May), Salonika. Germany via Yugoslavia, and former Austria Austria lovely. Serbian people unforgettably generous with food. “Travelled cattle trucks up to 36 men apiece, mostly 30, for seven full days and nights, Salonika-Ger many. Floors strawed. room every one stretch out sleep. Much more comfortable than third class carriages Leisurely progress, hut week passed quickly. “Please send slippers or sandshoes before boots. Red Cross will doubtless instruct about parcels. German regula tions enclosed. Write clipper. Parcels via San Francisco for quick sure de livery.”

Hitler was reviewing his troops and stopped to talk to one private.

“How are things with you?” he asked.

“Oh, I can’t complain, sir,” answered the soldier.

“I’ll say you can’t,” agreed the Fuehrer.