WAR NEWS IN BRIEF

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 June 1944, Page 5

WAR NEWS IN BRIEF

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

LONDON, June 23

Britain and Germany are to exchange all civilian nationals. The Swiss Government has announced that as the outcome of negotiations conducted by the Swiss Government, the British and German Governments have agreed to exchange all civilian internees desiring repatriation. The first exchange will take place in July. MURDERED AIRMEN. (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 25. The Allied custody of the Germans who murdered 50 R.A.F. officers in a German prison camp last April will be an armistice condition, savs the “Dailv Express” political correspondent. This was indicated in Mr. Eden’s statement on Friday, when he said the murderers “would be tracked down to the last man.” The correspondent adds that orders have been given that evidence be collected and a list made of these four criminals. Their crime will be regarded as having first priority. The Allies will not wait for them to be handed over when the peace treaty is concluded, but will insist that they be surrendered to the Allies before the cease fire order is given. GERMAN'S DISAPPEARANCE (Rec. 12.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 25. Baron Richard von Henschel, the millionaire’s son of Germany’s foremost tank and locomotive manufacturer, has disappeared from Ankara. He was a member of the German Embassy staff at Ankara, working with the Ambassador (Dr von Papen). Last month the Gestapo Chief at the Embassy, Erich Pfeiffer, ordered Henschel to return to Berlin. He stayed for a month, under German supervision while Gestapo guards watched outside his door.

In the meantime von Papen returned to Berlin, where he is stated to have interceded for Henschel, but despite von Papen’s efforts Henschel was given strict orders to leave Ankara last Thursday. Axis sources now. say Henschel vanished during the journey and that Gestapo agents are trying to find him.