EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

Grey River Argus, 21 October 1943, Page 6

EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

WELLINGTON, Oct. 2u. A message received by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) from Mr. Eden gives full details of the arrangements for the exchange of prisoners of war. Mr. Eden explains the agreement for exchange provides for mutual repatriation from both sides, regardless of their rank, or numbers, of all seriously sick and seriously wounded prisoners of war who have been recommended by medical authorities. Doctors, chaplains, medical orderlies and stretcher-bearers, in excess of those needed for the care of their fellow-prisoners are also being repatriated under the agreement. Headquarters in New Zealand of the Y.M.c.A. have received cable advice from International Headquarters, Geneva, stating that a numoer of officers and men arrived in Stalag VIIIB (Germany) from Italy. The party: included Messrs H. W. Shove, A. J. Pritchard, and G. C. Kiddell, Y M.C.A. secretaries, who were prisoners of war in Italy. LONDON, Oct. 19.

Over one hundred British women, mostly elderly and a.ling, who were interned at Vittell, France, arrived with British repatriated, personnel at Gothenburg, says the AssociatePress. The hospital ships, Empress of Russia and Atlantic are over z 4 hours overdue in reaching Gothenburg. Alleging they were not given leave during the voyage to Mormugoa, Portugese India, occupying one month, 200 members of the crew struck on the Swedish vessel Gripsholm, which is carrying Allied nationals from Japan to Britain. A Reuter correspondent at Gothenburg, Sweden interviewed British wounded and protected personnel on arrival from Germany tor repatriation to Britain. He stated: “1 got the general impression their treatment has been decent and conditions are gradually improving. Most of the men attributed the improvement, firstly to a change .of the guards, who in the early days were often ruthless troops, but are now boys aged 16 to 17 sometimes even 15, or complete invalids aged 50 to 55. Secondly, the Germans openly admit they have lost all hope of victory, and seem to be currying .British favour. Cases of brutal treatment still .occur. More than a thousand Canadians, R.A.b'., and n c.o.’s were still chained three weeks ago in Stalag SB “in reprisal” for Dieppe. An undetermined number are still chained in that camp, also in Stalag 9C. A Glasgow soldier who spent 18 months at Stalag 208, Marienburg, estimated that the Germarts in that period executed about 60 prisoners for attempting to escape or tor refusal or incapacity to work. The last case occurred live weeks ago when the guard shot on the spot a prisoner who refused to work.’’