Hidden camera gives real images of POWs

Nine of these prisoners of war photographed in Stalag 383 came from Gisborne, but eight are unknown. “It would be interesting to know who they are,” said author Nick Seymour. “I would be grateful if anyone can help.” Allan Palairet is third from the right, in the back row. Picture from book by Liam Clayton

A collection of surreptitiously taken photographs showing life as a POW (prisoner of war), backed by diaries never discovered by German captors, will fascinate any World War 2 buff or descendant of a veteran.

Prominent Gisborne farmer Nick Seymour, working with his stepfather’s photographs and diaries, has produced a compelling read in his self-published book entitled Allan’s Journey in World War II (1939 -1945) And His Return Home.

His stepfather was Allan Palairet, who was captured at Crete in May 1941 and spent the remainder of the war as a POW at Stalag 383 at Hohenfels, near Nuremberg, and at Lamsdorf POW Camp, which is in Poland today.

The photographs start with Kiwi soldiers sailing to Egypt, training, swimming and socialising in Egypt, visiting pyramids and enjoying the attractions of Cairo.

One photo shows General Bernard Freyberg, commander of the New Zealand Division, standing on his own and willingly posing for Corporal Palairet, who was in one of the division’s transport companies.

Palairet did not take any photographs during the defeats in Greece and Crete.

He went into captivity on June 1, 1941 and spent 1430 days as a POW — during which time he carefully took 33 photos.

Those photos include images of the POWs in their barracks, German soldiers, an escape tunnel, a funeral, a sugar beet factory where he worked, an Anzac Day parade, POWs enjoying their Red Cross parcels, and a New Zealand (POW) side which won a (POW) “Empire Games” rugby gold medal.

One photograph shows a double-roof support above Palairet’s bunk where he placed his camera and where a third piece of wood helped to hide the camera.

Palairet also had two hip water cannisters, one for water and the other to conceal his camera.

The non-smoker used cigarettes, chocolates and the much-desired Red Cross parcels to barter for rolls of film.

His last photos show the POWs marching away from their camps as the Germans retreated, meeting advancing American soldiers and enjoying freedom in France and England before coming home.

Ironically, Palairet lost his camera on the boat coming home to New Zealand — where he became manager of the Union of Australia (later ANZ bank) in Tolaga Bay.

Mr Seymour also uses his stepfather’s diaries, but relies more on other sources, some contemporary, others from more official sources, to give more detail about what was going on in the war.

He said it took about four years — “when I felt like it” — to complete the book.

“I enjoyed it.”

He thanked his stepfather, who died in 1990.

“It has been a great pleasure to create his life story, so those in our family can understand the trials and waste of lives that wars can create.”