Belligerent Governments Communicate Re Prisoners

Northern Advocate, 7 October 1941, Page 6

Belligerent Governments Communicate Re Prisoners

[British Official Wireless] (Received 11 a.m.) RUGBY, October 6. T?OR WHAT WAS PROBABLY THE FIRST TIME FOR MANY HUNDREDS OF YEARS, TWO BELLIGERENT GOVERNMENTS COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE ACTUAL COURSE OF THE WAR, TODAY. This occurred at 12.30, British standard time, when the 8.8. C. “monitoring” service picked up from Germany a, message relating to the repatriation of prisoners addressed to the British Government on an overseas wave length. Five minutes later the 8.8. C. broadcast on behalf of the War Office that they were prepared to receive the message and half an hour later Germany stated: "The German Government to the British Government. 'Hospital ships having on board prisoners of war and German civilians can leave from iWewhaven harbour on Tuesday, October 7.

Messages Pass < ‘•Please indicate correct time of departure, total number of sick and wounded prisoners, number of German sanitary personnel and number of German civilian women and children on board. “The time of departure of a hospital ship from Dieppe will be announced tomorrow.” The British Government replied that the ships would sail and details would be given as soon as possible. Receipt of this message was acknowledged and details of the sailing were later broadcast by the War Office. Courtesies Exchanged The three-day hold-i.p in the exchange of British and German prisoners of war has led to the exchange Of dramatic wireless messages, an earlier cable stated. The German-controlled Calais radio this morning broadcast in English the following:— ‘The German Government wishes to give the British Government important information. Please confirm whether you are listening?” Later the British War Office said it wanted the German Government to know that two hospital ships with German prisoners on board were to leave Newhaven tomorrow. The German Government replied that the time of departure of the hospital ships from Dieppe with British prisoners on board would be announced tomorrow. The 8.8. C. broadcast in German acknowledged the receipt of the German Government’s messages by the British Government. The broadcast said: “We thank you for the message that has been transmitted.” It added that further information would be broadcast shortly. Zones of The Barrage The latest message received from the German Government concerning the repatriation of sick and wounded prisoners was received at 4.50 this evening, and stated: “The zones of the barrage proposed by the British Government for the course from Newhaven to Fecamp are also valid for the course of the hospital ships from Newhaven to Dieppe. The German Government asks if the hospital ships Dinard or St. Julien will make the course.

order that they may sail at daylight to reach Newhaven at 12 noon on October 8. “They will be loaded to full capacity with British prisoners of war and protected personnel eligible for repatriation. The ships will sail again from Newhaven for Dieppe on October 9, carrying approximately 60 German women and children evacuees. “The ships will return to Newhaven on October 10 loaded to full capacity with British sick and wounded prisoners of war and protected personnel. Further Voyages Arranged “Thereafter the ships will make such further voyages on successive days as are necessary to complete the repatriation of all remaining British sick and wounded prisoners of war and protected personnel eligible for repatriation. In this connection, the British Government points out that in view of the substitution of Dieppe, tides make it possible, if necessary, to continue sailings up to and including October 14. “The above arrangements will be put into effect provided no message to the contrary has been received by wireless from the German Government before 8 p.m. today, October 6. The British Government reaffirms its readiness to agree to the mutual repatriation of all British and German civilian internees other than men between the ages of 18 and 60. “The British Government will be glad to negotiate arrangements with the German Government, through the intermediary of the United States Government, immediately, in order that the repatriation of civilians may be carried out with the least possible delay.” German Thanks to Red Cross While the German sick and wounded prisoners were rehearsing disembarkation this afternoon, a gift of 100 packets. each containing 10 cigarettes, was taken aboard the Dinard and handed to Major Hackbarth, leader of the prisoners, on behalf of the Red Cross. The German leader, who is a majorin the Luftwaffe, expressed his sincere thanks for the gift, and asked that the President of the British Red Cross should be thanked for all that that organisation had done for the wounded and sick German prisoners.

“The pilot will be taken on board at 39 degrees 50 minutes north and 9 degrees 42.5 minutes east. Together with the pilots, the surveying detachment will go on board. “A complete list of every person on board, including the crew, is immediately to be handed over to the surveying detachment. The carrying of cameras is not allowed. The German Government expects the British Government to take measures in this direction.” British Repiy to Germany The following reply was immediately despatched from the British Government: “Your message received. Both ships St. Julien and Dinard will make the course.” Following is the text of another message being sent by the British Government to the German Government: “The British Government received the German Government's message broadcast this morning. For the sake of clarity, the British Government restates the arrangements which it is going to carry into effect. “The two hospital ships will sail from their anchorage off Newhaven at 5.30 a.m. Greenwich mean time, on October 7, arriving off Dieppe at 12.30 a.m. Greenwich mean time. They will carry all German sick and wounded prisoners of war due for repatriation, numbering 13 officers and 43 other ranks, and protected personnel numbering 28 officers, including a chaplain and 19 other ranks. The Return Voyage “For the return voyage the ships should move to anchorage off Dieppe during the night high tide. This is in