PRISONERS OF WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25457, 11 February 1944, Page 3

PRISONERS OF WAR

AIRMEN IN GERMANY (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Feb. 10. According to official advice received by the Air Department, Wellington, confusion exists as to the correct address on correspondence for air force personnel who are prisoners of war in Germany. The German authorities have been issuing postcards, printed Stalag Luft 111, to air force prisoners in other camps, such as Stalag I VB and I XC. It is understood that the reason for this is that all letters for air force personnel are censored at Stalag Luft 111, and for similar reasons the address on the front of cards from Stalag VI has been .altered in many cases to read Stalag Luft 111. As parcels still require to be addressed to the camp at which the prisoners are actually interned, the receipt of cards appearing to indicate a transfer to Stalag Luft 111 is calculated to confuse next-of-kin and to cause doubt as to where parcels should be addressed. Correspondents are advised that in spite of the reference to Stalag Luft 111 on any cards received, the prisoner should not be assumed as having been transferred there —unless official advice has been received through the Air Department or when the personal message on the card itself definitely mentions a transfer. Correspondents are therefore advised to write to the last known official address, except where another address is definitely indicated in personal corresmmdence from prisoners. From time to time the Air Department receives changes of prison addresses, and these changes are immediately notified to the next-of-kin and to the Prisoner-of-war Inquiry Bureau.