Function and purpose
The report of the Directorate of Prisoners of War and Internees of Army Headquarters, Melbourne was drawn up for three reasons: 1. as a complete historical review as required by staff duties (Military History Section), 2. as a basis for study by students of staff schools and 3. as a guide to those who may be concerned during any future hostilities, with the administration of prisoners of war and/or internees.

This report is made up of eleven sections. The first three being an Index, a Preface and details of the organisation of the Directorate. The next six are numbered Part I to Part VI and cover the below subjects:

Part I - Enemy Internees
Part II - Enemy Prisoners of War
Part III - Matters affecting both enemy internees and enemy prisoners of war.
Part IV - Australian Prisoners of War
Part V - War Crimes
Part VI - Prisoner of War Information Bureau. Revision of Geneva Convention.

Each part has a title page with the part number and title shown on it. Within each part there are chapters. Part I has 23 Chapters, examples of these are Internment Policy, Correspondence, Education, Deaths, Funds, Visits, Rations, Clothing and Disposal. Part II has 24 Chapters, examples are : Treatment, Discipline, Segregation, Deaths and Injuries, Visits, Pay, Important events and Surrendered Personnel. Part III has 11 Chapters, examples are: Accommodation, Canteens, inspections of Camps, Important events and Disposal of monies. Part IV has 10 Chapters, examples are: Statistics of PW and missing Personnel, Relief for PW, Important Events, Rewards to helpers. Part V has 9 Chapters, examples are: The United Nations War Crimes Commission Establishment, functions and activities, Trials of minor war criminals in the Pacific area, 1 Australian War Criminals compound. Part VI has 2 Chapters, these are: Report on the activities of the Prisoners of War Information Bureau in Australia and the revision of conventions.

After the parts there are two more sections; Nominal rolls containing the names of officers serving with the Directorate, officers attached to the Directorate, officers serving with 1. Australian War Crimes Section and officers serving with 2. Australian War Crimes Section. The second section is meant to contain Photographs but as this is a copy only no photos have been included.

The master copy of this report is held by the Directorate of Prisoners of War and Internees, a copy is held by the Australian War Memorial, a copy held by Archives and Historical Studies section, Department of Defence and this is the third copy which is to be held by the National Archives of Australia.

System of arrangement and control
A single number system was imposed on this series by the National Archives of Australia. There is only one volume in this series.

Finding aids
All items in the custody of the National Archives of Australia have been entered onto the item level database.