OUR SOLDIERS IN ITALY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 6 October 1942, Page 3

OUR SOLDIERS IN ITALY

PRISONERS’ OF WAR CAMPS A reassuring account of conditions in prisoners of war camp.; in Italy was g'ven in a national broadcast last night by Lieutenant Colonel A. A. Tenncnt. of the New Zealand Medical Corps, who was recently opatriated from Italy. It was felt, he said, that the Italians on the whole were doing their best to observe the international convention for the care of prisoners, and they actually circulated copies of the convention among the prisoners. The universal message from the men in the camps to their people here would be: ‘'Don't worry unduly for us; we can set this through.” Lieutenant-Colonel xonnent said he had found New Zealand prisoners on Crete in great spirits, in spite of the lack of food, which was general on the island and, of course, on the mainland. Later as a prisoner in Italy he found food short and also deficient in fats and proteins, but this was remedied by the very timely arrival of Red Cross parcels that had been packed in Canada. Warm clothes were certainly required for prisoners .n Italy during the winter. There was very little wool in Italy, and any woollen clothes that could be sent were welcome. "But don't forget also,” he added, “a pair of shorts for the summer months.” Books were available i i limited quantity, Lieutenant-Colonel Tennent said, anc prisoners generally appreciated the more serious type of book because they had plenty of time for reflection. Generally speaking, there were plenty of blankets, and sheets were also provided. The mora’.e of the men was splendid, and a great factor in maintaining it was the receipt of letters from home.