British Pathe

Harwich, Essex

LS. B.O.A.R. leaving boat. LS. Eric Pleasents and William Piddington leaving boat. CU. of Pleasents. CU. Piddington and Pleasents. MS. Reporters and cameramen. CU. Pleasent MS. Parsons with Piddington. CU. Parson interviewing Piddington. Parsons: Mr. Piddington can you give the...

Harwich, Essex

LS. B.O.A.R. leaving boat. LS. Eric Pleasents and William Piddington leaving boat. CU. of Pleasents. CU. Piddington and Pleasents. MS. Reporters and cameramen. CU. Pleasent MS. Parsons with Piddington. CU. Parson interviewing Piddington. Parsons: Mr. Piddington can you give the circumstances of your arrest. Piddington: I was arrested in the Eastern Zone of Germany, on a charge of espionage. Parsons: In what form of Espionage. Piddington: The Russians took me to Berlin and placed in political prison, They told me I was a Spy and put me in solitary confinement, I though I would tell you this Parsons: What was your worst experience. Piddington: Well what can I say about that, the two years in solitary confinement naturally. Incidentally I have a message for the people of Britain, from the prisoners in Russia. Parsons: May I have that message please. Piddington: They send their thanks to Sir Winston Churchill for the better conditions, which took place after his election. Parsons: And after your experience with the Russians, what is your opinion of communism. Piddington: It's rotten inside, it stinks, and the outside is very nice, and the inside is rotten. Parsons: What do you plan to do now? Piddington: Well I don't quite know. Parsons: If you could just tell me know that you back in England what you would do. Piddington: Well I am going to have a rest for three months if I can, I want to get my health back again, my nerves are pretty bad at the moment. Parsons: Is that caused from the beating up you had. Piddington: No it was caused from the bad air, from solitary confinement cells, where I was kept that's my opinion of course, I want to get my health back again We will see what is going to happen later. CU. Parsons interviews Eric Pleasents:- Parsons: Can I know the circumstances of your arrest. Pleasents: Well I happen to be in the Russian Zone and they just took me. Parsons. Why did they charge with espionage. Pleasents Well they did not only charge with espionage. they charged me with every thing they could think of, Sabotage, Agitation and Demoralisation of Russian troops and every possible thing. Parsons: Why do you think they picked on you to arrest you in particular. Pleasents: Well I expect somebody said I was English, that's enough. Parsons: What is your opinion of communism after your Experiences. Pleasents: My Opinion of Communism after your Experiences. Pleasents: My Opinion of Communism, Well I just can't say, to hear it, it would be too bad Parsons: Tell me, your time with the Russians, what was your worst memory. Pleasents: Two years solitary confinement. Parsons: What did you do during you time. Pleasents: What could I do, Wait for the four hundred grams of bread and soup came each day, and sleep when possible. Parsons: How did you keep the time and date. Pleasents: Scratching it on the wall or on the bed underneath or on the floors. Parsons: Are there any other English people over there, did you meet any? Pleasents: I did not meet any, only one man, who has been 16 years in the Soviet Union, but I think he has taken over Russian Nationality. Parsons: Now this fighting with your Guards, it was an irregular thing wasn't it. Pleasents: Not only fighting with the Guards, but there were several gang warfare's in the camp, Instigated mostly by the people in charge of the camp. The Camp officials. (Orig. Neg.)