Prisoners kept in sheep pens

Press, 2 June 1982, Page 8

Prisoners kept in sheep pens

NZPA-Reuter London Argentine soldiers captured in the Falklands are sleeping in sheep pens because British forces have nowhere else to put then) before they are transferred to prison ships, a correspondent with the British troops has reported. Brian Hanrahan of the British Broadcasting Corporation said the number of prisoners taken — 1400 men according to official figures — had all but overwhelmed the British. Most of the Argentinians surrended at Goose Green on East Falkland, about 30km south of the British beachhead at Port San Carlos. Hanrahan said they were being flown back io San Carlos Bay when helicopters were available and taken

aboard ; ,one of the landing ships for processing. Those still ashore are sleeping in sheep pens until they can be transferred to a prison ship and removed from the fighting area. ■ He described them as "short, apprehensive men under the guard of sentries with sub-machine-guns.” “They are taken below to sit facing a wall with their hands on their heads while they are being processed," the 8.8. C. reporter .said. “One at a time, they are brought forward to be stripped and searched, standing on a paper sack to ease the chill of the metal deck. “They seemed well enough clad, although some had holes in their boots, but most were . young and painfully thin." Hanrahan said.