THE LIGHTER SIDE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 270, 13 November 1943, Page 6

THE LIGHTER SIDE

WAR PRISONERS' LIFE

A LETTER TO CHURCHILL

N.Z.E.F. Official News Service CAIRO, Nov. 10. Though the consistent grimness of life in a German prison camp requires no emphasis and little imagination to conceive, there were occasionally lighter moments, according to some of the repatriated New Zealanders.

There was the occasion remembered by all when the enemy authorities circulated a long list of articles prohibited in prisoners' parcels. Each Allied soldier was handed this list, which included such items as refrigerators, washing machines, sewing machines and potatoes, and he was instructed to dispatch it to his next-of-kin forthwith. One New Zealander indicated to Stalag stooges that his next-of-kin was renowned for his common sense, and washing machines and the like were probably rationed in the Dominion anyway. "You must sent it to someone," he was told so ■he addressed it to "Winston Churchill," and earned himself three days' detention in the Stalag penetentiary.

GERMAN CAMP SITES \ SUPPLIES FOR THE EAST fP.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office has received advice to the effect that Oflag V.A is situated at weinsberg, near Hailbronn. Oflag XII.B is at Hadamar, in HessenNassau, about 20 miles east of Coblenz. Cabled advice regarding the exchange ships Bripsholm and Teia Maru states that all cay<;o from American and Canadian Red Cross societies, totalling nearly 900 cases and bundles, were put on board for distribution in IndoChina, Malaya, Siam, Sumatra, Burma, Borneo and Singapore. In addition 20,000 units of insulin were shipped in Bombay and rushed to Goa for loading on an urgent reouest from the International Red Cross delegate at Singapore from Changi civil camp. Approximately 3000 tons measurement contains Red Cross supplies, Y.M.C.A. recreational material. Catholic welfare material, mail and other parcels for discharge at Singapore. Malaya, Manila, Hongkong and Shanghai.

An analysis of transfers of prisoners from Italian camps to Germany which has been received to date shows that approximately 24 have heen transferred from P.G. 57, 14 from P.G. 103/7. 165 from P.G. 148. 89 from P.G. 47, and approximately 45 from a number of camps in Northern Italy. In addition some 160 from Italian camns have been I reported safe in Allied hands or in ' Switzerland.