N.Z. PRISONERS

Grey River Argus, 5 April 1943, Page 3

N.Z. PRISONERS

1782 IN STALAG VII 18. WELLINGTON, April 4. Latest cabled information received by the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office states that there are 1782 New Zealand prisoners of war interned at Stalag VIIIB. The Red Cross at Geneva has cabled a report on the hospital at this camp, which was visited by- its representative on February 13. Major Hoencastie, R.A.M.C., and Surgeon-Major A. N. Slater, N.Z.M.C., are mentioned, implying that they are the senior medical officers. The hospital personnel at that date consisted of ten doctors and ninetyseven on the medical staff. There are new buildings, well situated, with excellent dormitories separted for surgical, medical and isolation cases. The senior medical officer controls all rations and the prisoners, with the aid of their own private food parcels, prepare meals according to their own taste. Milk diets are available and there is a reserve stock of invalid comfort parcels.

During February there were 130 surgical, 90 medical, 30 mental, and 40 infectious cases, none of which were tubercular or typhus. The material required is complete, but a few medicaments are required, and those sent by the Red Cross are freely disposed of by the doctors. A camp preacher looks after the sick and there are concerts and cinema shows from the main camp.i English books are plentiful and working conditions for the medical staff are excellent. The hospital is a remarkable one. Parcels received in Italy early in December, some oi' which left New Zealand as late as July and August last year are acknowledged.