| Camp Atterbury Camp Crier May 12, 1944 PW Camp Houses German Prisoners; Transfer Italians |
An undisclosed number of German war prisoners recently have arrived at the prisoner of war camp here. The Italians, who first arrived here in April of last year, have been transferred, most of them to the newly formed volunteer noncombat units being created from among Italian prisoners of war. To what extent the Germans will be available for farm labor this summer has not been determined at the present time, according to Col John L. Gammell, commanding officer of the prisoner of war camp. The work of the Italians from Atterbury on farms and canning factories neat camp here has been of vital help in alleviating the agricultural labor shortage. The creation of volunteer noncombat units from among Italian prisoners of war, under command of American Army officers was announced earlier in the week by the War Department. The announcement stated the units "will render services of various kinds in support of the war effort against the common enemy, except in actual combat." Brig. Gen. John M. Eager, former chief of staff of the 5th Service Command, will command the units. The War Department said that the arrangement is expected to release thousands of American soldiers for other duty. Members of the Italian units will wear easily recognizable uniforms. All volunteers accepted have been approved by the intelligence section of the Army. They will continue to be paid the present rate of pay. However, a portion of this will be paid in cash and the remainder in post exchange coupons instead of the entire sum being paid in coupons as at present. The amount not paid in cash may be credited to the individual's account with the Treasury of the United States if he desires. The Army said that this action creating noncombat units was "in furtherance of Italian cobelligerent efforts" and that parallel arrangements are being made by the government of the United Kingdom. |
| Source: Camp Crier, 5/12/1944, page 2 |
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09/01/20222James D. West www.IndianaMilitary.org Host106th@106thInfDivAssn.org |