After Escape From Italian Prison Camps

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 53, 6 March 1944, Page 4

After Escape From Italian Prison Camps

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 5. The story of how they eluded the Germans and Fascist Italians after the collapse of Italy was told hy former prisoners of war included in the party of 88 members of the Second N.Z.E.F. recently returned to New Zealand. Of 20 former prisoners of war in the party 24 were held in prison camps in Northern Italy. “At the time the armistice was signed the Italian guards quietly began putting on their civilian clothes and making for home, ’ ’ said the spokesman for the party. “Left practically to their own devices the prisoners set out to join the Yugoslav partisans in the mountains near the border. They travelled on foot by devious routes, avoiding main towns held by the Germans. Italian peasants showed them every possible kindness, fed them, clothed them and hid them from the enemy. “Actually in the confusion they had little to fear of molestation, more from the Italian Fascists than from the Germans because the former were an unknown quantity in their civilian clothes. Before they reached the border the escaping prisoners met parties of Yugoslav partisans who gave them guides to their headquarters in the mountains. “The partisans were well organised but poorly equipped, having little food and no boots, a vitally important item after weeks of tramping. They gave all the assistance they could to the New Zealanders who fought with them for periods of from one to three motnhs. Most of the former prisoners had learnt Italian, some knew a little German and a few words of Yugoslav. Communication was managed by these means with sometimes the help of interpreters. Eventually the party, which had by this time grown to 24, reached the shores of the Adriatic and took ship to Southern Italy where they rejoined the Allied forces.” Also in the latest group which recently returned to New Zealand were 26 men on furlough, eight sick and wounded, and six for duty in the Dominion. The men were welcomed at a reception by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) who expressed the country’s appreciation of their services. The Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) said the services were proud of the work the men had done overseas. Mr. W. G. Leadly spoke on behalf of the New Zealand Returned Services Association and the Minister of Rehabilitation (Mr. Skinner) also addressed the men. Captain R. C. Hosking, M.C., responded.