711.62114 Sick/12–2944: Telegram
The Chargé in Switzerland (Huddle) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 29—6:39 p.m.]
8418. American Interests Germany Repatriation Seriously Sick and Wounded. Swiss Foreign Office official telephoned 4:45 p.m. December 29th that a note has been received from German Legation Bern containing the following numbers of Allied seriously sick and seriously wounded POWs to be repatriated from Germany.
[Page 823]- (a)
-
Americans
- (1)
- 323 passed by Mixed Medical Commissions during October tour (326 actually declared eligible for repatriation but three since deceased).
- (2)
- 112 passed by German army doctors.
- (3)
- Five additional omitted from September exchange.
- (b)
-
British Commonwealth
- (1)
- 1504 passed by Mixed Medical Commissions (1505 declared eligible with one death).
- (2)
- 250 declared eligible by German army doctors.
- (3)
- Two additional omitted from September repatriation operations.
Swiss Foreign [Office] official also indicates that subject German note offers to repatriate British merchant seamen and inquires as to number German seamen to be repatriated by British Government.
Swiss Foreign Office official adds that a telegram has just been received from Swiss Legation Berlin to the effect that German authorities have delivered to it lists of American POWs declared eligible for repatriation by Mixed Medical Commissions and those passed by German army doctors who are to be included in forthcoming exchange operation. Swiss Legation, Berlin, forwarding lists by courier who will probably arrive Bern December 30.
Repeated London.