PRISON CAMPS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 255, 25 July 1944, Page 4

PRISON CAMPS

Welfare Of Men In Germany Many of the British prisoners of war from Italian camps were placed in Stalag VIII C in Germany.. In a recent report received from the Prisoners’ Aid Y.M.C.A., through headquarters. Madison Square. Ncav York, the National Council of the Y.M.C.A. in New Zealand has been advised as to conditions in that camp at the end of January. It stated that a fine library had been built of the packing cases which had come from the offices in Geneva. There were available to prisoners of war courses in bookkeeping. English. German, shorthand. Afrikaans, and other subjects. The men were then eager to start a camp magazine. and needed paper and a typewriter for that purpose, both of which had been promised. It Avas to appear in English and Afrikaans, ns a large number of the prisoners in camn were South Africans. A good theatre bad been set up. and a concert was held there one afternoon during the inspection. There Avas a dance band, also choir singing and solo singing. The visitor left the camp happy and satisfied that the Y.M.C.A. had helped to lighten the burden of the men in captiv-

ity. "During this visit, says the report, a German officer asked if Ave could not ninke a special effort to supply working detachments with musical instruments. We agreed to draw up a list of musical instruments, which Is the longest ever. We know that nil the instruments cannot be sent nt once, as for instance 100 guitars. but if made the situation clear as to the musical needs of the camp.”