The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-18
Sergeant Ploski Tells
 Of 'P.W.' Experiences
Confined to Nazi Camp for Several Months Describes
 Food, Treatment as 'Terrible" Home for Rest

| Naugatuck, April 18-A meeting
 of great interest to loyal resident
 of Naugatuck has been called 10.
 Tuesday, April "A, at 8 p. m. 1T the Y. M. c. A. when an opportuni- l ty will be given to meet Mrs. Con- stance Mclaughlin Green, who is writing history of Naugatuck, il was announced this morning.
 Mrs. Green will be introduced by Earl M. Barnum, chairman of the history committee of the Naugatuc,, Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the publication.
 Up to this time, Mrs. Green has been reading old records and diaries as well as old newspapers, and has already begun to realize the value of Naugatuck and its people. At the time when the Chamber of Con- merce engaged Mrs. Green she stressed the importance of intimate talks with persons who had lived in Naugatuck over period of years and asked for the privilege of com- ing face to face with as many per- sons as possible at an early date.
 The Stimu.ation Of interest in Naugatuck history which was caused by the 400th anniversary in 1944 has aroused families connected with Naugatuck for many years, and those of more recent acquaint- ance, to a sense of historical per- spective. The history of Naugatuck must come from it's people. A warm invitation is being extended to all who are willing to aid Mrs. Green In presenting a true picture of the borough to come to the Y. M. c. A. and meet her.
 The program will consist of 8 talk by Mrs. Green, who will out line her ideas, a question period and social hour.
 The history committee, of which Earl M. Barnum is chairman in- cludes: Harold P. Baldwin, Emily sophie Brown, Warden Leo J. Bro phy, Harold E. Chittenden, William M. Chittenden, Jessie F. DeShong Lewis A. Dibhle, Rev. George F Dunn, Rev. Edward R. Hance. Helen G. Moroney, Philip E. Rice, Carlisle B. Futile, Donald s. Futile and Harris Whittemore, Jr.
 A near-Starvation diet and ston- :ng by Nazi followers in Paris were among the experiences of Sgt. Wal ter Ploski of Greenwood street. Naugtuck, who was freed from a German prison camp January 21 l945, after having been a prisoner seven months.
 Sgt. Ploski is home on a 60-day 1urlough. visiting his parents. MT and Mrs. Louis Ploski.
 HIS prison camp was near Kues- trln and he characterized the food as terrible. Americans received an average of six meals per week and these consisted mostly of soup with "hartack" sort of meat every other day. A loaf of bread was di- vided among six men. Only the Red Cross supplies helped to keep down the death toll at the camp. he said.
 There were 50 men to a barracks Tn the prison camp and they took turns at sleeping inside, half sleep ing inside while the other half slept cn the ground. To keep alive they had to wear their uniforms night and day. They received four pounds Of fuel every three days, but this was insufficient to keep them warm and many died, Sgt. Ploski said.
 While at the camp members of Hitler's Youth Movement stoned the prisoners with German guards failing to lift hand to protect the cap- tives, he added.
 He was captured June 6, 1914, D. Day. in Normandy, and German trick Led to their capture. The enemy forced captured Americans to march in front of them when they attacked Sgt. Ploski's unit and It was impossible to fire without hitting the captured Americans. the sergeant said.
 They were marched through Paris July 4. 1914, with Germans, wear ing French attire to give the im- pression they were Freedmen, hurling stones. boards and other missiles at them.
 On January 31 the prisoners were moved out of the camp by the Nazis, But Russians in lend-l lease Gen. Sherman tanks caught up with them. Russians fired at them first, killing several believing they were Hum