How was mail sent from prisoner of war camps

During World War II, prisoners of war (POWs) were held in camps by the Axis powers, primarily Germany, Italy, and Japan. Sending mail from POW camps was a challenging and often unreliable process. Here's an overview of how mail was sent from POW camps:

German POW camps:

  1. Censorship: Mail from German POW camps was heavily censored. Prisoners were only allowed to send and receive letters, and even those were subject to strict scrutiny.
  2. Mailbags: Mailbags were collected from the camps and sent to the German postal service, where they were sorted and censored.
  3. Censored letters: Prisoners' letters were often heavily censored, with sensitive information about the camp, fellow prisoners, and the war effort removed.
  4. Red Cross: The International Red Cross played a crucial role in facilitating communication between POWs and their families. The Red Cross would send mail to POWs, and prisoners would respond through the organization.
  5. Mail from home: Mail from home was a rare and precious commodity. Prisoners would often receive letters from their families, which were a vital source of comfort and morale.

Italian POW camps:

  1. Similar process: The process of sending mail from Italian POW camps was similar to that in German camps, with heavy censorship and limited communication.
  2. Red Cross involvement: The Italian Red Cross also played a significant role in facilitating communication between POWs and their families.

Japanese POW camps:

  1. Limited mail: Mail from Japanese POW camps was extremely limited. Prisoners were often forced to rely on smuggled letters or messages from fellow prisoners.
  2. Censorship: Japanese authorities censored mail extensively, and prisoners were rarely allowed to send or receive letters.
  3. Red Cross efforts: The International Red Cross made efforts to send mail to Japanese POWs, but these efforts were often hindered by the Japanese government's strict control over communication.

Smuggling mail:

In some cases, prisoners would attempt to smuggle mail out of the camps, often by hiding it in food packages or other items. This was a risky endeavor, as prisoners caught attempting to smuggle mail could face severe punishment or even death.

Receiving mail:

When mail did arrive at POW camps, it was often a significant morale booster. Prisoners would eagerly await letters from home, which provided a vital connection to their families and the outside world.

In summary, sending mail from POW camps during World War II was a challenging and often unreliable process, with heavy censorship and limited communication. Despite these challenges, the International Red Cross and other organizations played a crucial role in facilitating communication between POWs and their families.