From the News

Dated: July 6, 1915

CAPTAIN HART TELLS OF HIS EXPERIENCES

Former Regina Medico Tells of Treatment at Hands of Germans

IN MEDICAL CORPS

Went to Help Wounded Soldiers and Was Made a Prisoner of War

Capt. M. Hart, one time head of the Sask[atchewan] Sanitorium for Consumptives,¹ and a resident of Regina, who was captured by the Germans while rescuing a wounded man and who was Sunday officially stated to have been repatriated, arrived in London on Monday and gave the following interview to a representative of the Canadian Associated Press.

LONDON, July 5 -- Captain M. Hart of the Canadian Medical Service attached to the 5th Battalion was taken prisoner on April 27. He had been close to the firing line and had a party of wounded, but there were no ambulances, so he went back to attempt to secure them. On his return with four ambulances he found the road blockedby an elm tree which had fallen through shell fire.

Consequently, the ambulances were forced to turn back as daylight was coming on and nothing is allowed on post where he had left the wounded - however, went on alone to the aid of the post where he had left the wounded. He passed two lines of British trenches and was told there was another line ahead so he went on. However, when he came to a cross road, two German soldiers stepped out covering him with rifles. Captain Hart jumped behind a tree but the Germans called out half a company who were in an adjoining house.

Pockets Rifled

These made their way from different directions and eventually surrounded the spot where the Captain was standing and captured him. He was first taken to Roulers, Belgium, and afterwards spent ten days at Maina² on the Rhine. Among his fellow captives were Captain Northwood,³ Lieutenants Andrews and Bell, all of the 8th Battalion. all of them were finally moved to Danholdt on the Baltic. The common lot of all these officers was to have their pockets rifled the first night they were in captivity.

White and Black

The railway carriages were crowded, British and Canadian officers being placed alternately with Turco officers. "White gentlemen will appreciate the company of black gentlemen" said one German officer sneeringly when this arrangement was made. The officers in charge forbade them to have the windows of the carriage down but when their backs were turned the ordinary soldiers on guard allowed them to get some ventilation.

Camp Treatment

German officers, said Captain Hart, used to gather round the carriages at different stations cursing English and Canadian captives in very gutteral and forcible German. The treatment at the camp was not bad, added Captain Hart, except in the matter of food, which, through they paid for it themselves, was supplied by contractors and was very bad. The commandant treated them with consideration. Nineteen of them were in one room for sleeping but it was airy and gave little cause for complaint. It was very different from the place where they spent ten days at Maina when they were held captives in compound like a magnified bird cage.

On June 17, Captain Hart was informed that medical officers would be released shortly and eight days later he was on his way to England. He says he left the other Canadian officers well and in good spirits. Packages already received have been most welcome as they have to depend upon their resources for anything in the way of decent food or clothing. Capt. Hart will spend 14 days in England and will then return to active duty.