REPATRIATED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 87, 14 April 1942, Page 4

REPATRIATED

RELEASED FROM ITALY

29 NEWZEALANDERS

RUGBY, April 12. The exchange of British and Italian prisoners, according to a news agency correspondent, was carried out at Smyrna to the satisfaction of all parties concerned. • A doctor of the International Red Cross said: "When we arrived with the Italians from Alexandria the Italian hospital ship Gradisca had already arrived from Brindisi, and with great help by the Turkish authorities and the good will of the captains of both ships the agreement was carried out next day at 7 a.m." The Llandovery Castle left at 8 p.m. The morale' of the British prisoners is excellent, and they said that the Italians had done their best for them. Arrangements are being made for all the sick and wounded to be returned to their homes as soon as.they are well enough to travel and the necessary transport facilities are available. The protected personnel will similarly be returned to their homes on. leave, prior to re-employment. The negotiations which resulted in the present exchange have been conducted through the medium of the Swiss Government, as protecting Power. It is the intention of the Imperial Government and also the Italian Government that it shall be followed by similar operations in the near future, and that all those entitled to repatriation should be similarly transferred as soon as their claims have been investigated by medical commissions which have been established.