Evening star., 1944-03-26

ment OF the Army.
Star stan Photo.
ton home even If the man is only Slight
ly injured far behind the lines.
The first notification of any casualty
Is always sent out by telegram. Ordi-
narily. within "a hours the letter of con-
f1rmation follows. If a soldier is wound
ed, injured or seriously ill-as Gen. Uho
pointed out in his letter to Mrs Rogers
the Casualty Branch keeps the family
informed of his progress.
These progress letters normally are
sent out every Is days. With every other
one goes blank form on which the FIVE
word radiograms may be sent at Gov
ernment expense.
Progress Reports
Progress reports are received regularly
by the Casualty Branch from overseas.
When one doesn't arrive on time, the
branch gets busy and shortly has an
answer to its radioed query.
This plan to relieve the anxiety of
relatives as much as possible was in
augurated by Gen. Marshall in July, 1912
Hundreds of letters of appreciation at
test to its effectiveness.
When man is reported missing in
action. there is seldom further infor-
nation available at once. In the vast
majority of cases, the man is missing
in enemy territory. His unit has lost
touch with him and thus information
is cut off at the source. If he is in
enemy hands, Uncle Sam can learn only
what the enemy government wishes to
tell, at the time it wishes to tell it.
But the family of man reported
missing in action need never fear the
Casualty Branch has forgotten" him.
If three months pass from the time he
is reported missing without further in
formation from overseas, the Casualty
Branch informs the family it has heard
nothing further. At three month inter-
vals SIMILAR letters go out until it is
established the man is either dead, a
prisoner of war, or has returned to his
organization. This service was ordered
by Gen. Ulio. The Casualty Branch re-
ports it is widely appreciated.
The German government apparently
has been trying to comply with terms of
the Geneva Convention covering pris-
oners-of-war reports The Japs, sigma
tories to the convention, failed to ratify
it. Their tagging reports, when received,
are described as sketchy, incomplete.
Not long ago an American bomber
was shot down over Germany Five of
its crew of 10 were reported prisoners
of war and two were found dead Three
others, said the German government,
were dead, according to" members of
the crews.
The Casualty Branch informed next of
kin the three flyers were missing in
action. Eventually, they found their way
back to rejoin their squadron.
Reason for Hope
A report that man is a prisoner
Of war has been received from the Nazis
in as short time as six weeks after
he originally was listed missing. One
fact offers reason to hold tenacious
hope for a mans safety long after he
has been reported missing in action
against the Nazi foe. That fact is that
Gcrmanys reports on prisoner -of-war
cases spring from prison camps
What often happens is this: A flyer
is shot down over Germany and suffers
wounds requiring long stay in an
enemy hospital. So long as he stays at
the hospital no report is sent to the
International Red Cross Committee at
Geneva for transmission to the United
States. Months may pass. Then, when
his family may almost have lost hope,
the flyer is discharged from the Ger
man hospital and sent to prisoner of
war camp. Only then is a report on
his status started on its way through