PRISONERS IN ITALY

Southland Times, Issue 24838, 2 September 1942, Page 4

PRISONERS IN ITALY

Brigadier Hargest’s Letter STORY OF~CAPTURE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, September 1. In a statement toiiight the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said that just before his departure for the United States the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, received letters from Brigadiers J. Hargest and R. Miles, who are now prisoners of war in Italy. “These officers would, if they were able, communicate with the relations of those men under their command who, in the last engagement were either killed in action or made prisoners of war,” said Mr Sullivan. He added that this, unfortunately, was not possible, but the following letters from them would be a comfort and inspiration to the relations of the men concerned and in fact to all. The following is the letter from Brigadier Hargest, dated April 29:— “The last letter I wrote was concerned with the death of Lieutenant A. G. Hultquist, since when much has happened and Captain A. N. Grigg and Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. Allen have also gone. Parliament has at least contributed its share in the sacrifice of precioils lives. Since my last fight on November 27, I wanted to write to you, but we are strictly limited and I asked the High Commissioner in London, Mr W. J. Jordan, to pass on messages to you and our mutual friends. I was most anxious that you should know that I did not fail in the trust you reposed in me by appointing me as one of the leaders of our men. MANY ACTS OF GALLANTRY “In the last battle I knew the dangers to which we were exposed. I was given a job to do, to hold a certain area which was vital, and as someone had to do it I have no complaint of the task. We were few in number, but I did contrive to get all who could be spared out of the way and save a lot of transport, but elected that I and my staff should share in whatever befell. We were not taken by surprise, but were well warned and were only overwhelmed by sheer weight after all our guns were destroyed. No man of ours left his place, and there were many acts 1 of gallantry that if I live to return, I hope to see rewarded. The only troops who moved were gallant men going forward to threatened spots. “After it was over—after two hours — Field-Marshal Rommel congratulated me on the courage of our men. Captain Grigg fell like a true hero. I would be grateful if you would tell the people of my unbounded admiration for their soldier relations, who were never finer than when facing a hopeless situation or in the first sad hours in captivity. _ It has been a great honour to serve beside them through several campaigns. Please tell them that I regret my inability personally to express my sympathy with those who mourn. Some day I shall. Brigadier Miles, Bishop G. V. Gerard and I held a little Anzac service—just we three. They are well. We are treated well. Give my regards to Mrs Fraser, your colleagues and mutual friends. We think much about New Zealand.” BRIGADIER MILES’S LETTER The following letter has been received from Brigadier Miles, dated March 20:— , . “I need hardly say how deeply humiliated I am to be writing to you from captivity. I have been deeply concerned, however, because my present circumstances prevent my writing individually to relations of those gallant officers, n.c.o.’s and men who fell while fighting so nobly under by command. My main purpose in writing is therefore to ask you by radio, or such means as you think best, to express to their relations, and friends my deep sympathy with them and my deep appreciation of the good services of those whose loss they mourn. It is a source of pride to me, as I trust it may be of comfort to the mourners, that all ranks of the artillery fought nobly and well, and I am confident that their efforts and their, sacri-

fice, though at such heavy cost, largely contributed to the success with which the division withstood for several days attacks by superior forces and was able to go on to eventual success. I do not know the full tally of our losses, but outstanding among them was Lieuten-ant-Colonel T. H. Oakes and Captain Grigg. Brigadier Hargest is writing to you with a similar request, and if by any chance only one of our letters should arrive, would you please act on it for both of us in reference to our respective commands. SOME DAYS ON CRETE “En route here I was some days on Crete, where there are still many men captured in that battle. They were in great heart, confident of ultimate victory, but need parcels of food and clothing more than those in this country. Our thoughts are with you all in your present anxiety, but we trust the svar will not reach our shores. Brigadier Hargest and Bishop Gerard join me in regards.” “Brigadier Miles refers to the need of prisoners in Crete for parcels of food and clothing,” said Mr Sullivan. “I understand, however, that the majority, if not all of these men, have since been removed to prison camps in Germany, where parcels of food and clothing are available for supply to them."