PRISONERS OF WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1944, Page 5

PRISONERS OF WAR

REPORTS ON CAMPS

The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office headquarters has received advice that Camp Stalag VIIA is situated at Gorlitz, which is approximately halfway between Dresden and Breslau. Stalag VIIIC is at Sagan, which is in exactly the same position as Stalag Luft 111 on the prisoner-of-war map. During the week 146 notifications were received regarding New Zealanders previously in Italian hands. One hundred and forty-two were transfers to Germany, two escaped to Switzerland, and two are safe with the Allies. Approximately 1876 prisoners have been transferred to German camps, and there are 81 in Switzerland, 193 are safe with the Allies, leaving approximately 1440 still to be officially accounted for. The majority of the prisoners to be accounted for are from the following camps:—P.G. 107, 532 prisoners; P.G. 57, 481 prisoners; P.G. 85 and P.G. 106, 75" each; P.G. 47, 16. There are not more than 15 men to be accounted for in each of the 39 Italian camps where New Zealanders are known to have been at the time of Italy's capitulation. "A GOOD CAMP." A report on the visit to Stalag 383 in December by the representative of the International Red Cross states that there were approximately 4700 prisoners, including 334 New Zealanders, in the camp at that time. Six new barracks had been erected, each man had at least two blankets, heating was sufficient, and lighting satisfactory. The, food was prepared by British cooks, and the rations controlled by the British representative. Clothing is stated to be satisfactory. The canteen sells toilet articles and the profits are controlled by the British representative. One hot shower is available monthly. All prisoners were vaccinated against typhus and there is excellent dental care. The library has 7000 books, study courses are held, and there is an orchestra, theatre, and sports. The report concluded by stating that the discipline was excellent and that Stalag 383 was a good camp. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office headquarters is still anxious to receive copies of letters written by prisoners since their transfer from Italian camps to Germany.