BACK FROM ITALY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 127, 1 June 1942, Page 5

BACK FROM ITALY

PRISONERS RETURN

Repatriated Anzaes Tell Of

Conditions

United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 1 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. Despite the fact that they were on starvation rations and passed through last winter desperately in need of warm clothing, Australians in prison camps in Italy are in wonderful spirits, said some of the soldiers who have returned to Australia after having been repatriated from Italy. There were 11 in the party which reached Australia, including a New Zealander, Private L. E. ae Joux. of Christchurch. The food situation, however, was critical. Rations consisted mostly of rice and macaroni and not too much of that. The prisoners depended largely on parcels forwarded by and through the Red Cross Society for food, clothes and books. This party was at Gruppignano, where last winter the temperature reached 20 degrees below zero. Discipline in the Italian camps was very strict but very fair. One officer said that since March the sugar ration had been cut out, so had the issue of synthetic coffee. The vegetable ration "was at a minimum. There was meat only twice a week. However, the fare of the prisoners was superior to that of the ordinary Italian people, who seemed to get "absolutely nothing." Everything went to the soldiers, and the civilians had to exist as best ihav could.