PRISONERS OF WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 64, 12 September 1942, Page 8

PRISONERS OF WAR

IMPROVED POSITION

SUPPLY OF FOOD PARCELS

Letters being received from New Zealand prisoners of war now show definitely that, as expected, the supply of food parcels, cigarettes, and next-of-kin personal parcels is improving. It was stated today by the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office headquarters that this impx'ovement was not confined to any particular camp in Germany or Italy, but appeared to be general.

Writing from Stalag VII A on April 17, a prisoner reported receiving a clothing parcel from home, three book j parcels from the Students' Relief at Geneva, and, that week, three parcels of 200 cigarettes each from the New Zealand Patriotic Funds. The prisoners, he said, were still receiving a weekly Red Cross food parcel. The following extracts from letters are also indicative of the general improvement. From Stalag 306 XVIII D, May 17:—"I have received your-first personal parcel, and I also received three parcels of cigarettes, 200 in each, from the Red Cross, so it was a great day." From-the same camp, May 24: "I was pleased to receive your parcel last Sunday^ Everything was in good order, and I am well off for clothes now. By the way, I received another 200 cigarettes on Thursday, so that makes 600 I have had." From Stalag XWII A, June 14: "I have had another parcel of clothing from New Zealand, also 200 cigarettes. Red Cross parcels are still arriving and are much appreciated." From Stalag XXI A, May 31: "I received a parcel of 200 cigarettes from the New Zealand Patriotic Fund this Week, and it was good to get the parcel; you sent containing the gym. shoes, etc." From Stalag Luft 111, June 10: "Your parcel (from New Zealand, August, 1941) arrived a fortnight ago, and.it was great. It was intact, but for the soap." Details have just been received of the standard food parcels being packed in England and Scotland at the rate of 90,000 each week. The contents are selected from the following commodities; the figures indicating the weight in ounces:—Biscuits (8). cheese (3s>). chocolate (4), fish (8), sausages or bacon (8), sugar, two varieties (4). tea (2). vegetables (10), tomatoes (10), cocoa (4), soap (2). oatmeal (8), dried or tinned fruit (8), puddings (12). jam (12), syrup (8), margarine (8). meat, to be heated (16), meat, to be eaten cold (10). milk (14). paste (3). sweets (2). creamed rice (12). In addition, assortments are made with small foodstuffs, such as pancake batter, mustard, pepper, curry powder, beef cubes, lemon curd, salmon, herrings, and pilchards.

Officially-notified prisoners now number 6379, and there are still 12 unofficial cases. $