RELEASE OF WAR PRISONERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 215, 11 September 1945, Page 5

RELEASE OF WAR PRISONERS

IT IS SLOW TASK

NEW ORGANISATION SET UP Recd. 6 p.m. London, Sept. 9. The Military Authorities have established a special organisation, R.A.P.W.I. (Release of Allied Prisoners of War and Internees) to deal with the gigantic problem of evacuation of liberated prisoners, says the "Times'” Singapore correspondent. The evacuation Is proceeding so slowly that currently it said that R.A.P.W.I. means “Retain All Prisoners of War Indefinitely.”

The correspondent describes the position as one of complete chaos. The chief reason for the delay is a shortage of ambulances and motor transport. The Japanese still seem to have plenty of transport and many private cars are running round the streets. The Japanese brought little to Singapore and took away much. They built nothing except air raid shelters and defences. They did not maintain roads, which, like Rangoon, are in poor condition. The Singapore radio reports that the evacuation of war prisoners and internees began this morning, when two Dakota air transports took off for Calcutta, carrying Lady Shenton Thpmas and several officers, a number af warrant-officers and British soldiers who have been overseas for periods up to 12 years. Only the fit are being tear sported at present., for the trip to Calcutta is long and arduous. Five hospital ships are now in harbour waiting to sail with war prisoners and internees. The radio estimates there are 2200 Germans in Malaya, plus 250 in Java. Most of the Germans are Army and Navy personnel who formerly were traders and donned uniforms when the Japanese overran south-east As a. They will be treated as war prisoners.