GERMAN CRUELTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25372, 2 November 1943, Page 2

GERMAN CRUELTY

PRISONERS OF WAR SOME EUROPEANS STARVED • Special) AUCKLAND, Nov. 1. Systematic starving cf certain classes of European prisoners in German dominated camps in Italy was referred to by the Rev. E. N. Broomhead, of Adelaide, who. with two repatriated New Zealanders, accompanied the New Zealand Forestry Unit to the Dominion after nr re than two years as a prisoner in Italian hands. Mr Broomhead indicated that the normal Italian food ration, which British prisoners received, was scarcely enough for subsistence, but that allowed to' such people as Jugoslavs, including hostages. in German-controlled camps was sufficient only to bring about a lingering death. A Methodist clergyman. Mr Broomhead declined a chaplaincy and went overseas as a private soldier “ to gain experience among the men.” After several campaigns he was captured at Derna on April 7, 1941. His captivity was spent in Italy, including 10 months at Lucca Hospital, and he was repatriated to England last Easter. He has been offered, and will accept, a chaplaincy on his return to Australia.

British Morale High

Three main impressions from his experiences have been formed by Mr Broomhead. He was impressed with the wonderful morale of British and Dominion troops in action, hospital, and prison, the magnificent work of the Red Cross, and what he describes as

“ the unquenchable liking of the ordinary Italian for the British.” The morale of British prisoners of war was kept high because they busily engaged in a variety of pursuits, Mr Broomhead said. They interested themselves in education, religion, entertainment. and sports. They kept both their minds and their bodies clean and healthy. “ Prisoners like myself who were in captivity for two years or more owe our lives to the Red Cross,” he added. Although as British prisoners they received the normal Italian food ration, they could hardly have existed had it not been for the parcels of food received through the Red Cross. They were also grateful for parcels of books, clothing, and equipment. “ Some of the poorer Italians would come to the prison camp and beseech us to share our Red Cross food with them,” he said. " But their plight was as nothing to that of some prisoners such as Jugoslavs ■who came from German-dominated camps and did not receive Red Cross parcels. Many were old men and women, and many had been taken from their country in reprisal for guerrilla activities. There were also children. The men were brought to Lucca Hospital for treatment, but they were too far gone and all they could hope for was death. Slow Starvation “To these people the Germans had allowed a daily ration of only onequarter of a loaf, the size of a bun, a ladle full of macaroni, and a cup of ersatz coffee. They were only a bundle of sticks, and when we helped them under showers they would collapse. In a camp of 7000 they were dying at one period at the rate of 45 a day. The more liberal hospital ration could not revive them after eight months of this slow starvation.” Of the Italian attitude to the British, Mr Broomhead said that he an<} his comrades could not leave these people without feelings of friendliness./ By the ordinary Italians they had been treated with kindness and cordiality.