LETTERS FROM WAR PRISONERS

Southland Times, Issue 24886, 28 October 1942, Page 3

LETTERS FROM WAR PRISONERS

Sergeant Hinton Well

Letters received from Southland men who are prisoners of war in Germany are reproduced in the latest issue of the “Prisoners of War Pamphlet.” Writing from Stalag IXC, in April, Sergeant J. D. Hinton, V.C., of Colac Bay, says: “A number of New Zealand Air Force lads are here from different parts of New Zealand—Forde (Nelson), Black (Auckland), Steve Jarvis (Auckland), Lew McCarthy (Wanganui), Fain (Westport), and several others, a number of Canadians and a good number of Polish Air Force boys—real tiptop boys they are, too. There are about 300 of us all told in the part I am in. It would do you good to see us managing and making the most of two stoves, boiling water and frying our eats. The room is very large and puts you in mind of a laundry and second-hand shop in one. I went to my first picture show, a talkie, two nights ago. It was in German, but I quite enjoyed it. They put one on once a week. We have a good dance band, and the boys also put on some really interesting plays. None of my old company is here; they must have been sent to some other camp. I have been out of hospital five weeks now, and feel really well. Thank all the people for their letters and kind thoughts.” Writing in May from Stalag Luft 111, Pilot Officer R. G. Stark says: “I am living on a slight eminence in a wood, and to the north is a town of some size. I am very favoured indeed in having a two-room with Major Dodge and having my meals in a room two doors away, where there are some excellent cooks and plenty of parcels. Most rooms have six chaps in them. I have not had any more clothing parcels yet, but I am not worrying as I am well equipped. I received 200 cigarettes from the New Zealand patriotic fund last week and had a lot of tobacco and cigarettes given me by John Gillis and Hugh Rowe.”