PRISONERS OF WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1944, Page 8

PRISONERS OF WAR

NOW 6460 IN GERMANY During the past week advice ; has been received by the Prisoners of War Inquiry: Office concerning the transfer of another 66' New Zealanders from Italy to Germany, the majority having been located at P.G. 57 prior to the' capitulation. There, are now approximately 6460 New. Zealand prisoners of war in Germany.' Of: the 3560 prisoners known to be in .Italian camps at the time" of'the capitulation 92. have escaped 'to Switzerland, ■ 208 to Allied lines, 2976 transferred to.Germany, and 384, whose present whereabouts is.still unknown.■■■ '.'■■'• A report 'on the visit ;of an * International Red". Cross representative to Stalag. IX C in March last -has, just been received: It is stated that rations are according to regulations and there was a .three, weeks'„ reserve of food parcels. The. delegate . was successful in obtaining permission from theGerr man authorities to 'create ■ a reserve sufficient for three months. There are three-tier beds and lighting is sufficient, but the heating is not satisfactory. , .'.'.■'"■■■■' '.'■■■!■■' . ■ The; prisoners in the .work/detachments are mainly employed in the salt mines, and although they. were not fully accommodated with working clothes," requests for supplies would be satisfied by the International Red Cross in Geneva. The men can have showers. There are 20 medical orderlies distributed amongst the work detachments, and a British dentist takes care of the men arid,has appliances for making artificial teeth. Church of England and.Catholic:padres hold religious services. Discipline is strict. It is interesting to note from 'the report that air-raid shelters are provided for the prisoners. This is the:.first time that such facilities have been;mentioned in a camp report.