Role of Red Cross in feeding POWs?

[Sid Guttridge]

As I understand it, it was the duty of the holding power to feed POWs.

If so, what was the role of the International Committeee of the Red Cross in distributing food to them?

I ask, because the British community in Argentina undertook regularly to provide the ICRC with food sufficient for 20,000 British POWs in 1940.

Was this because the Germans were thought not to be feeding them adequately, or was this food in addition to the ration the Germans were obliged to provide?

Cheers,

Sid.

[LWD]

The Red Cross deliveries were supposed to be supplemental. Even if adequate rations are being issued the arrival of Red Cross deliveries would have been a moral boost among the prisoners especially if it contained items not otherwise obtainable.

[Ironmachine]

This may be of interest:
http://www.redcross.org.uk/About-us/Who ... od-parcels