page 132

Timeline of Events

3 May 1945

Denis liberated by American troops at Kraiberg in Bavaria, and trucked to Moosburg.

10 May 1945

Denis marched 4km to Landshut 134 airfield.

11 May 1945

Denis evacuated from Landshut by plane to Brussels in Belgium.

19 May 1945

Denis wrote from Folkestone in England. New pay book issued.

31 May 1945

Denis arrived in London.

1 June 1945

Denis began one month's leave. He visits relations in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

26 June 1945

Denis cut short his leave and traveled to Folkestone, hoping for an earlier berth home. He misses out.

9-16 July 1945

Denis had a week's leave in London.

17-25 July 1945

Denis passed time at Folkestone awaiting his ship's departure.

25 July 1945

Denis embarked for New Zealand on the H.M.S. Monowai.

2 September 1945

Denis disembarked at Wellington and sent a cable to Jean - "Home at last Darling".

3 September 1945

Denis arrived in Opotiki and is reunited with Jean and with his family.

page 133

On 3 May 1945, the 96th day since the march had commenced, the 14th American Armoured Division liberated Denis. The day before the prisoners refused to march any further and their guards abandoned them. They were first discovered by an American reconnaissance party, ahead of the main advance. Later that same day they were trucked out, back over the river northward, and billeted in a grain store near Stalag VIIA at Moosburg. At some stage the POWs moved to a barn closer to Landshut to await their turn to fly out. On 10 May they marched the 4km to the Landshut 134 airfield, and the next day Denis was on a plane to Brussels and Belgium.