AIRMEN IN GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 117, 12 February 1944, Page 6

AIRMEN IN GERMANY

Conflicting Addresses

According to official advice received from the Air Department, Wellington, confusion exists as to the correct address for correspondence to Air Force personnel who are prisoners of war in Germany. The German authorities have been issuing postcards printed Stalag Luft 111 to Air Force prisoners in other camps, such as Stalag IV B and IN C. It is understood thnt the reason for this is thnt all letters for Air Force personnel are censored at Stalng Luft HI, and for similar reasons the address oil the front of the cards from Stalag VI has been alteied. in many cases, to read Stalag Luft HL As parcels still require to be addressed to the camp at which the prisoners are actually interned, the receipt of cards appearing to indicate a transfer to Stalag'Luft HI is calculated to confuse next-of-kin and cause doubt as to where parcels should be addressed. Correspondents are advised that, despite reference to Stalag Luft 111 on any cards received, the prisoner should not be assumed as having been transferred there, unless official advice lias been received through tile Air Department, or when a personal message on the card itself definitely mentions a transfer. Correspondents are therefore advised to write to the last known official address, except as stated, to an address definitely indicated in personal correspondence from prisoners. From time to time, the Air Department receives changes of prison addresses. These changes are immediately notified to the next-of-kin and to the Prisoner of War Inquiry Bureau.