Letter re: prisoner of war
- Title
- Letter re: prisoner of war
- Creator
- Drake, Thomas D.
- Institution
- TCU
- Link
- https://repository.tcu.edu/handle/116099117/43866
- Description
- Dear Mr. Carter: I learned some disturbing news yesterday which, while I regret upsetting you, calls for some prompt action. I talked with Mr. Cotton, ARC Relief to POW and he asked me if I knew of the recent actions of the Germans. This was in answer to my query as to why clothes and food had not been sent to Oflag 64 as promised to me. I told him I did but hwas not aware of all the details where upon he said a recent order of the archfiend Himmler required all Red Cross food forbidden the americans. In some camps, the ermans went in and after issuing two or three parcels to each POW chopped open the other cans so they would spoil. In other camps the Germans confinscated and removed from the camps all of the parcels. My latest information (Sept. 28) No privative or Red Cross parcels had been received since 1 left that camp. NO clothing either. They were short blankets and 150 overcoats - remember I showed you the letter I got in response to my requests in (june) that IRC had NO authoricty to furnish blankets or woven clothes to anymore POWs? The ARC boys say our State Department has protested thru Swiss Govt. this latest outrage and further that the IRC had proposed and received agreement from the German GOVt to keep the food parcelsoutsie the camps and issue them weekly to thePOWS? May be this is true, However I know the Germans will not carry out their part. As I fully believe there is only one way to deal with the Germans. Foreceful leanguage - broadcast to the world every little violation of the convention just as the Germans do in their press. Tell them officially that anyone guilty of mistreating American Prisoners of War will be tried by a miitary court and be hanged - this will included each and every individual the one that issues the orders and well as the soldiers who carry them out. This is exactly what the Germans would do and is the only language they comprehend. I used that language in dealing with them an they respected me. It was a constant fight but I got results. All the Americans there know this. The Red Cross says that the IRce notified them that 600 overcoats and some blankets were shipped to Oflag 64 the first part of October. I hope that is true. They didn't know the food situation there but promised me to raido It makes me il to see the bountiful treatment (eggs, fresh milk by the quart, beefsteak, cake, cigarettes, etc) given the Nazi pisoners in this coutnry. Plans are laid to give them an extra ration of Turkey dinner for christmas! Our poor soldiers are starving! How many American people will not have turkey? I defy anyone to show me in the Geneva Convention where POWS will given extra rations for holidays or any other day. (I studied and learned the convention verbatim). I received a letter a couple of days ago from Mr. H. Gaither Perry, 1128 Southwest 19th Aven, Miami, Florida, whose son is in Oflag 64 he quotes and extracts from recent letters to his wife: My stomach has gone back on me and unless we get out of here soon I don't see how I'll be able to eat enough to keep going" Mr. Carter, POW censor evading talk that means the German food is so bad they can't eat it (it's making them ill) and ther are no Red Cross food parcels! Jack Marlowe to his momther: No food parcels here come from Geneva in 3 months. Mr. Perry asked what I thought of the probability of it helping he he got a few Senators, Congressmen, Writers, and Commentators, stirred up over this. " but nothing has come of it so far. Of course, I couldn't advise him to do that for it would be going against orders. But anyone should understand my attitude. As a solider, I want to ovey orders and keep still, but as a soldier I have a great duty tho those splendid young Americans eating their hearts out behind barbed wire. I know we can't go after the Red Cross too strongly because the Professionals are too strong (the workers are spendid Americans of course,) but if the truth will be furnished and strong protests made along with a real honest to goodness American in Geneva to supervise the distribution of Red cross supplies we will solve the problem. If our men ar ekept on the German POW fare along with overcrowding and shortage of fuel a great many will die this winter. How criminal when the solution lies in American hands! The report given our government and accepted by them, by the Swiss Government that POWS are given Civilian ration fare is a downright ile and I can prove that to any fair minded man. I don not belileve Mr. Carter that there is any danger whatever reprisals agains Amon or any other POW. I think the quiscent attitude, couched in spendid diplomatic langage, taken in reerence to the babarious treatment now accorded our men is assumed by the Germans to mean weakness. They are sadists and enjoy venting their will against the helpless in their power. Only world opinion will cause them to change. What Larry Allen is saying is the truth thru mature intelligent eyes, but there is a strong under current of villification going on against him. At times, it appears, a man can't be an honest forthright truthful man without incurring the enmity of his fellow Americans. I am always at your call to back up anything you can do (In my small way I'm doing what is in my power) but out of necessity, must remain anonymous as the source of this information. Do you think if you contacted Mr. Perry you coud join forces in getting food to our men? Ill keep you informated of anything coming my way that will throw light on it, I think I told you my last message (cable form Y) from Oflag 64 on Nov. 28. COld, snow, rain, and schools etc just some Ahare in camp caused great excitement! ove 900 prisoners with kindest regards, I remain Sincerely, Thomas D Drake
- Date
- 1944-12-17
- Decade
- 1940s
- Subjects
- Prisoners of war
- Carter, Amon G., Jr.
- Source
- Box 145, POW Drake Misc 1944-45 Folder 2 of 2, Item 011
- Type
- Document
- Formats
- 8x10 paper
- Rights
- Prior written permission from TCU Special Collections required to use any document or photograph