Secret News Service Maintains P.O.W. Morale

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5330, 17 February 1947, Page 2

Secret News Service Maintains P.O.W. Morale

WIASHENiGTON. At the Australian Em'bassy Colonel »V. S. Kent-Hughes presented silver igarette cases to United States Colmels R. Hoffman and S. Wood, Brigidier Gordon Sage, and Electrician's Vlate Emet Lee Kilmer. The gifts were a tribute for what .hey did for the morale of 'British and Vustralian officers in Japanese pris-mer-of-war camps by running- a landestine daily news service. The Australian Ambassador, Mr. Vlakin presided. Field-Marshal Lord Vilson of the Uombined Chiefs of Btaff hanked Colonel Hoffman on behalf ff British officers. Colonel Kent-Hughes said that Vustralian and British officers soon jecame firm friends of General Wainvright and his officers in FOrmosa. Ouring two years of ill-treatment and itarvation at Karenko and Shiakawa, n the centre of Formosa, aft6r oeptember, 1942. Colonels Hoffman ind Wood were the only two among 350 officers who spoke Japanese. They had to interpret orders, smooth oiut .liffi'cultie&, and often as a result receive most of the blows. When the senior officers were moved to Manchuria, 'all news from the outside world was cut off. Kilmer and a British soldier who worked" outside in a factory brought in newspapers received from friendly Chinese. Hoffman and Wood translated the papers while Sage kept guard. Colonel Kent-Hughes said that the uews service thus provided kept up morale more than anything else.