NEW ZEALENDERS AS PRISONERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 66, 20 March 1943, Page 5

NEW ZEALENDERS AS PRISONERS

EIGHT THOUSAND KNOWN Recd. 6 30 n.m. London. March 18. New Zealand House prisoners of war department states that the total number of New Zealanders of all forces, including the Merchant Navy, known to be prisoners in Axis hands now totals just over 8000. The number of those previously reported missing has been reduced considerably, as it has been confirmed that they are either prisoners or have died. There are a number of New Zealanders reported miss-n*’ in the Greek campaign who have held out in the hills for 16 mon hs. Some were recently cantured bv the Italians and Interned in Italy. Tt.ev include Privates G. T. Txmg (Le’fln) and R. L. Gain (Pnnsonbv). I* is honed they may b* ab’** to sunnlv the name* of other New ctu] uncantured.

On the whole, it is s ated, communirrtions with prisoners is quite goon, although in some cam ns prisoners were rccentl” prevented from comrr"nicati’i" direct with Government offices, letters having to go thro” o, h the Irternat’onal Red Cross. res”lti”g in deDv. Letter? from Italy arrive irregu’-rlv. som« taking a few weeks an' 1 mnnfhc.