once the red cross parcels began to arrive in bulk, 2,000-6,000 at wurzach at a time, those in camps were probably better fed than most people left in the occupied islands. some in camps were sending red cross parcels on to the channel islands. 300 bars of soap and 500 tins of cocoa were sent from biberach to the island children in march 1944. from august 1944 onwards the invasion of southern france cut the red cross parcel supply route which combined with the damage to the railway system reduced the parcel delivery to low numbers. by december 1944 food was in short supply resulting in internees breaking out to look for food at nearby farms.