LISTENING IN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1942, Page 4

LISTENING IN

IN OCCUPIED NORWAY. “THANK GOD FOR THE TRUTH!” This story by an escaped Norwegian is typical of those that reach the 8.8. C. almost every day from the occupied countries. It shows the value that is set on the 8.8.C.’s European service. “I stood on the storm-swept headland somewhere in Northern Norway with a new-found friend, a fisherman. I had been hunted for days and found shelter in his home. It was night. The winds swept through the pines ■and the stars sparkled out of the blackness. ‘lt is time for the news,’ the fisherman said quietly. ‘Come.’ He led the way down to his boat, we jumped in and rowed out into the storm. The heavy seas tossed us about and nearly swamped us at times, but we went on and on, seemingly straight into the Atlantic. Nearly an hour later a hump loomed up out of the blackness, a tiny island. There were several boats in the small cove, and low voices came from a hole in the ground. We crept in through the opening. On a shelf stood a fine radio set, its green eye and lit dial was the only illumination in the silence as the London announcer’s voice was heard. It was' the midnight news. It was mostly bad news that night'. The pipes were puffed harder, that was the only sign of emotion. They could take it, those men. When it was ended one of the men said quietly: ‘Thank God for the truth, even if it hurts. It’s a real friend who dares to tell you the truth.’ Then we made for our boats, and rowed off into the storm, to our distant homes.”