6460 PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 194, 15 May 1944, Page 4

6460 PRISONERS

New Zealanders In Hands

Of Germans

There are now approximately 6460 New Zealand prisoners of war in Germany, according to the Prisoners ol Bar Inquiry Office. Wellington. Last week, advice was received of the transfer of another 66 New Zealanders ’from Italy to Germany, the majority haying been located at P.G. 57 before the capitulation. Of.the 3560 prisoners known to be in Italian camps at the time of the capi’ tnlation 92 have escaped to bwitzerland, 20S to Allied lines, 2976 transferred to Germany, and there are 081 whose present whereabouts is still unknown. A report on the visit of an International Red Cross representative to Statu- IN C in March last has just been received. It is stated that rations were according to regulations and there was a three weeks’ reserve of food parcels. The delegate was successful in obtaining permission from the German authorities to create a reserve sufficient for three months. There were three-tier beds and lighting was sufficient, but the heating was .not satisfactory. , , , The prisoners in the work detachments are mainly employed in the salt mines, and though they are not fully accommodated with working clothes, requests for stippl'es would be satisfied by the International Rod Cross in Geneva. The men can have showers. There are 21) medical orderlies distributed amongst Hie work detachments. 1