Prisoners of War - Snapshot
The Red Cross and the Prisoners of War
During the Battle of Fromelles on 19–20 July 1916, approximately 478 Australian soldiers were captured by German forces. Many were wounded, taken behind enemy lines, and sent into a vast system of prisoner of war camps across Germany.
Their survival—and their families’ search for answers—became closely tied to the work of the Australian Red Cross.
What Happened After Capture
For many, the ordeal began immediately. Wounded soldiers were marched from the battlefield, held in temporary locations, interrogated, and eventually transported into Germany.
Treatment varied. Close to the front line, conditions were often harsh. Further into Germany, conditions improved, particularly once Red Cross parcels began to arrive.
The Prison System
The Fromelles prisoners were distributed across Germany, held alongside British, French, and Russian troops.
By 1916, Germany’s system included over 100 major camps and more than 1.6 million Allied prisoners.
The Red Cross: A Lifeline
- Tracked captured soldiers
- Sent food, clothing and supplies
- Delivered letters between prisoners and families
- Investigated missing soldiers
- Recorded witness statements still used today
For many families, the Red Cross provided clearer and more compassionate answers than official military channels.
Key Figures
Vera Deakin
Founder of the Australian Wounded and Missing Inquiry Bureau, investigating the fate of missing soldiers and supporting thousands of families.
Mary Chomley
Head of the Red Cross POW Department in London, known as the “Angel of the Prison Camps” for her work supporting captured soldiers.
Captain Charles Mills
Captured at Fromelles, later worked with the Red Cross to locate missing Australian soldiers after the war.
Why This Still Matters
Red Cross records—letters, witness statements, and reports—remain critical today in identifying missing soldiers and supporting ongoing work at sites like Pheasant Wood.