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Brothers who knew of the hell of war
By Mercedes M. Cardona
Journal staff
[September 18, 1987, Poughkeepsie Journal, Poughkeepsie, New York]
Richard and Henry Kane wanted to see the world when they joined the Army.
But they spent most of their service time in prisoner of war camps in Italy and Germany.
For almost 2½ years during World War II, the Orange County brothers were held captive in the same prison camps. Today, national POW-MIA Day, they will join others at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Castle Point for ceremonies honoring POWs and those missing in action.
They know first-hand why POWs are recognized. Richard Kane’s feet were frozen while he was a POW. He once was lined up with others and was about to be shot when someone returned a loaf of bread that sparked the guards’ fury.
When they returned home, the brothers felt as if they were beginning new lives. Even hearing children speak English was a wonder.
Two Kane Brothers Prisoners of Italians
in North Africa
Newspaper article, early 1943, perhaps from the Newburgh News
Private First Class Henry Kane and Richard Kane, sons of Mr. and Mrs. George Kane of 192 Washington Street, are prisoners of war of the Italian government, as is indicated in dispatches received by the parents from the War Department.
On Jan. 19 Henry was reported as missing in action in North Africa, and last Saturday night the parents received another telegram informing them that Richard was reported as prisoner of war of the Italians.
On Monday afternoon still another telegram from the War Department stated that “your son, Henry Kane, previously reported as missing in action, has been located as a prisoner of war of the Italian government. Letter will follow”.
The latest telegram did not mention Richard, and the parents are of the impression that both their sons are prisoners. They are hopeful that the promised War Department letter will definitely locate both their sons.
Henry Kane was born in Middletown. He and Richard attended Salisbury Mills school. The brothers enlisted in Newburgh in 1941. Prior to that Henry was employed on the John Carbone farm in Little Britain, and Richard on the J. M. Coleman farm in the same area. Two other sons of Mr. and Mrs. Kane, Durwood and Walter Kane, are in Army service, and a fifth son, James, twin brother of Henry, is in Class 1A draft.
Monetary compensation was offered to ex-POWs of World War II through the War Claims Act of 1948 passed by the United States Congress.
Ralph Hoag was compensated for the 28 month period he was held prisoner.
This letter from the War Claims Commission, dated December 8, 1952 (or possibly 1953), offers a detailed account of his compensation.
The award covers the period from December 24, 1942 to May 3, 1945—from his capture in North Africa to reunion with the Allied forces. However, Ralph was not paid for the nine days between his escape from Camp 59 and recapture by the Germans.
Also, Ralph explained to me that he got “no pay for wandering around Germany from April 23 to May 5 [while] trying to get across the Elbe River.” The Russians had liberated the prisoners of Stalag 3-A on April 22.
In other words, compensation was for the actual number of days Ralph Hoag was held prisoner.
