WAR PRISONERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23620, 2 April 1940, Page 11

WAR PRISONERS

MEN HELD IN GERMANY CONTACT ESTABLISHED PARCELS BEING DELIVERED [FROM OUR OWN CORRKSrONDKNT] LONDON, March 1.7 Airmen were among the first prisoners to be taken by the enemy in this war, some of thein being men who did not return from the early raids on naval bases. Among them was Pilot Officer. L. H. Edwards (Patea). It is bad hick to be taken prisoner at any time, but especially in the first few weeks of a war. One reason is that the chance of getting parcels from home is slight. At first it was extremely difficult to make any sort of contact with prisoners in Germany. Parcels came back after long and unsuccessful wanderings. Direct Communication Now direct communication through Belgium w«th prisoners of war in Germany has uecn established by the lied Cross, and up to the present more than 86 per cent of the parcels of food and clothing despatched by the Prisoners of War Department of the British Bed Cross and Order of St. John of Jerusalem have been acknowledged as safely received. At present each Royal Air Force prisoner of war is receiving from the Red Cross two 101b. parcels of food (costing about 10s each) each week. The contents are varied, but a dietician checks the assortment, which cannot be altered to include "favourite" foods. But the "personal parcel," which the next-of-kin of each prisoner is allowed to send once in every three months, can cater for more individual tastes, although the only food it may contain is bar chocolate. Materials for Knitting Personal parcels may contain clothes, tobacco and cigarettes in packets, brushes, soap, sponges and pencils. It seems that knitting needles and wool are greatly appreciated, as well as materials for embroidery work_aiul small musical instruments. Goods in tins or tubes cannot bo sent. Knitted goods and handkerchiefs are recommended for inclusion in-personal parcels. The lied Cross sends a parcel of underclothes, shoes and pullover to every prisoner as soon as his name is received. Boredom is the prisoner's worst enemy. Relatives and friends may write as often as they wish, although they cannot send books or games except direct from shops which have a permit to send printed matter abroad. The Red Cross is working out a scheme under which it will be possible to obtain educational books for prisoners of war. Manv of them ask for books to study special subjects—languages particularly.