Oflag VB

This new British officers' camp, which was established six weeks ago, is pleasantly located on top of a large hill near a small town in south-west Germany, about 35 miles north of Lake Constance. It is located in former German army barracks, built within the last few years and well constructed. These consist chiefly of a group of eight or ten story plaster covered buildings, which have now been surrounded with the usual barbed wire fence and sentry towers. The camp commands an excellent view over the surrounding country, and it is stated that on clear days the Alps may be seen in the south. The situation is probably exposed and windy in winter. The German camp doctor, however, commented upon the improvement in the morale of the prisoners which he believes is due to their transfer from the flat country in Poland to this location from which good views are obtainable.

No air-raid shelters have as yet been constructed. The danger of air-raids in this area appears small at present, and the camp commander stated that careful plans have been made so that, if necessary, the usual type of splinter shelters may be quickly dug between the barracks. This has not yet been done, inasmuch as it will reduce the recreational space within the camp confines.

At the time of the inspection, the camp was found to contain 748 British officers and 96 orderlies. These prisoners result partly from transfers from the two so-called "reprisal camps", now abolished, which were formerly under the jurisdiction of STALAG XX A and STALAG XXI D in Poland, and partly from prisoners captured in Greece. The latter group includes a large number of Australian and New Zealand nationals.

The camp commander informed the inspector that he hopes to obtain about thirty more British orderlies in the near future in order to provide more adequate service for the officers. He also intimated that it is planned to increase the population of this camp although this will probably not be done until additional barracks have been constructed. The camp already appears slightly crowded, particularly as far as recreational rooms and sport facilities are concerned. With summer weather this does not result in any practical difficulties, except on rainy days, although it may tend to cause discomfort next winter. (This matter will therefore be followed up in subsequent visits).

Also detained at the camp is a Polish doctor and two sick French soldiers. The former helps in the sick ward where the two French soldiers are undergoing treatment before being returned to nearby work camps. The British did not appear to have any objection to the presence of these two nationalities at the camp.

At the time of the visit five British prisoners were found to be "in arrest". The reasons for their detention were: one attempted escape (10 days arrest), three for refusing to obey orders (each two days arrest), and one for having in his possession a large knife (five days arrest). The latter was found to be a Maori from New Zealand. The arrest quarters with the inmates were inspected and it was ascertained that each man is kept in a small room equipped with a single bed, table and a chair. Those detained here are given two hours daily outside, as required by the Geneva Convention, and it appears that they are well treated, being supplied with books to pass away the time. Treatment while "in arrest" may be described as good at this camp.

Interior arrangements are generally speaking good. The barracks are divided into a number of small and medium rooms opening from the central corridor in each. These rooms contain 1, 2, 4, 8, 18 or 20 beds. Lieut. Colonel Tod, the Senior British Officer, has a single large room, and the officers of lower rank are generally speaking lodged in the larger rooms. Ventilation and electric lighting are both excellent. Heating, which of course at present is no problem, is provided by individual iron stoves for each room. Lockers are provided for individual prisoners or for two together. Each room also contains one or more tables and an appropriate number of stools. Apart from a few single beds, most of the men sleep in two-tier bunks, with either wood or metal frames. It appears that the beds with metal frames are slightly more desirable. Due to the fact that the orderlies apparently arrived at the camp before the officers, they were given the metal beds, and although the camp commander has informed Lieut. Colonel Tod that he and the officers are free to take over the metal beds if they desire, they have thus far refrained from doing so on the grounds that the "orderlies already have them". In this connection Oberstleutnant Eitner explained that his supply of metal beds is unfortunately limited. Each bed is covered with a straw-filled mattress, and an adequate number of blankets and a pillow. The mattress and pillow are covered with neat blue and white checkered linen covers of a washable type. It is presumed that these are what the German High Command considers as "bed linen", which is according to present regulations furnished to all British officer prisoners.

Bathing and washing facilities are quite modern and good. Each barrack is equipped with two rows of wash troughs, in which running cold water is supplied. There is also a central bath house located outside the barbed wire enclosure, in which each prisoner is given a warm shower bath once a week. Plumbing etc. in this bath house is excellent, and it is well heated.

With the exception of the two largest barracks, toilet facilities are excellent, consisting of the built in arrangements of the former German army barracks, which were used as offices when the camp was a German "Kaserne", each have only one seat toilet, which in view of the fact that each barrack now contains about 115 British prisoners, is not adequate, especially as they are locked in their barracks all night long and therefore have no access to toilets in neighbouring barracks. The camp commander stated that he had already requested permission from the Wehrkreis headquarters to install additional toilets in these two barracks, but that the permission had not been granted. (This matter will be drawn to the attention of the German High Command in Berlin).

The kitchen, although somewhat small for the present population of the camp, is well fitted out and appeared neat and clean. The staff consists entirely of British prisoners, 4 officers and 13 orderlies. Food is cooked in five large cookers, and storage space for food appeared adequate.

A sample weekly menu is attached to the end of this report. Its composition appears typical of present prisoner of war camps in Germany. Dr. Morris, the Senior British physician, estimates that this menu only provides about 1600 calories daily per prisoner and does not believe that this is adequate to maintain health, particularly as the diet includes little protein and a few fresh vegetables. It appears Dr. Morris' calories estimates are on the conservative side if any, and also that this menu does not differ much from other camp menus. This feature will however be drawn to the attention of the German High Command in Berlin to which the Embassy has from time to time made representations on the general subject of larger rations for prisoners of war. The camp commander is himself unable to increase the rations at this camp, which are determined by general military regulations. The British officer in charge of the kitchen explained that he is given each week a list of the rations for that week, from which he may arrange whatever daily menu he desires to serve.

The prisoners at this camp do not have a central dining room but eat in their individual quarters. For this reason Lieut. Colonel Tod expressed a desire to have separate food lockers provided for each barrack, which question will be followed up at the time of the next visit. Due to the small size of the central kitchen in comparison with the present population of the camp, it is rather difficult for the prisoners to prepare the extra food which they receive in parcels. This is usually done by heating it at special times during which they may use the central kitchen stoves for this purpose.

The food situation at this camp presented a special problem during the week in which the inspection was made, inasmuch as all meat and fish had been struck out from the menu, as a collective punishment. Oberstleutnant Eitner explained that a few days ago a quantity of razor blades were found in the garbage, which he regarded as attempted sabotage by the British. Lieut. Colonel Tod explained that the British orderlies, who collect waste products in the camp, undoubtedly failed to take adequate precaution so that used razor blades would not find their way into the garbage, denied the idea of sabotage and stated that British orderlies had now received careful instructions to avoid the recurrence of this in the future. The Embassy inspector drew the attention of the camp commander to the provisions of the last paragraph of Article XI of the Geneva Convention, which prohibits collective discipline measures affecting food. To this Oberstleutnant Eitner replied that the measure which deprives all British prisoners of meat and fish for an entire week is not a punishment, but an "Ausgleich", or compensation for the damage inflicted to the German war economy by the razor blades in the garbage. The inspector stated that regardless of the grounds for this measure, it appears to be nothing more or less than a collective penalty. Representations will therefore be made to the German High Command in Berlin.

The camp contains a sick ward and dispensary, located in two small barracks at one corner of the enclosure. Dr. Meringer, a Viennese German army doctor, is assisted by Dr. Morris and two other British physicians, three New Zealand dentists, and three other British sanitary personnel. Dr. Morris expressed a desire for at least two more British sanitary personnel, to assist in the work, and this will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.

Generally speaking, all minor injuries and illnesses are treated in this camp dispensary and sick ward. The sick ward contains about 15 beds, including isolation rooms, and also has adequate washing and toilet facilities. Cases on hand at the time of the visit consisted of one probable tuberculosis, not yet diagnosed with certainty. (This case will be transferred to a special tuberculosis hospital if the diagnosis is positive), several cases of diarrhoea and colds, and a number of cases of septic skin sores. Dr. Morris expressed his opinion, that the latter which are fairly prevalent in the camp, are due to lowered resistance following a year of captivity with somewhat unsatisfactory diet. Apart from this, the general health of the camp appears good.

It was stated that medical parcels have begun to arrive, and that the German doctor also cooperates fairly well in providing medicines obtained locally. The dentists were found at work and seem to be pretty well provided with equipment.

Serious cases are sent to Reserve Lazarett ROTTENMUENSTER, also in Wehrkreis V, or to a hospital in the town below the camp. The latter was not inspected as it does not at present have any British patients. Dr. Morris stated however that it is an excellent institution, using Catholic Sisters. Reserve Lazarett Rottenmuenster is regularly inspected by the Embassy's representatives and contains a number of British prisoners from Wehrkreis V.

The clothing situation at this camp appears relatively good. Some of the officers do not have complete uniforms in accordance with their particular rank, and Lieut. Colonel Tod also stated that the repair of shoes was becoming rather difficult. It appears that the Germans are making every effort to cope with the situation, although the British government might do well to ship some army boots to this camp for possible use during the coming months.

In reply to an inquiry, it was stated that laundry is well taken care of by a laundry company in the nearby town.

This question is also apparently well taken care of at this camp. The British officers are receiving their pay regularly and are given only the amount they actually wish to draw, the rest remaining to their credit on the camp administration books. The officers in turn pay the orderlies RM 15. each per month.

In reply to inquiries the Embassy representative explained the present status of the various proposals of the British government regarding the transmission of funds to Great Britain and the disposition of funds in the possession of prisoners when they are eventually repatriated.

The canteen is located at one end of the kitchen building, and presents a neat appearance. Supplies, as in the case of most other canteens in prisoner of war camps in Germany at present, are rather low. Each prisoners is able to purchase four cigarettes daily which cost 3 Pfennigs each, 20 grams of pipe tobacco monthly, and one half liter of beer every two weeks, the latter costing 30 Pfennigs. Toilet articles are said to be somewhat scarce, and in fact the most plentiful article appears to be hair oil. However, the local German authorities seem to be making every effort to keep the canteen supplied, and this situation is not so serious as long as the prisoners receive parcels from home. The canteen itself is controlled by the British who determine the selling prices of the articles. They are allowed to inspect the books which cover the purchases of the articles for sale. The system in general seems to be working satisfactorily.

The camp contains one British Presbyterian army priest, the Reverend McIntyre, who holds weekly services in the assembly room next to the canteen. It appears that his services are satisfactory to all but the Catholic prisoners, which number about fifty and who desire to have a priest if possible. It was stated that they would willingly accept a French army priest for this purpose. (Question being brought to the attention of the German High Command).

The camp also contains two Y.M.C.A. representatives and one Salvation Army officer, all captured in Greece. They inquired as to their status and were informed by the camp commander that they have been regarded as non-combatant religious personnel (Feldgeistliche) and are therefore protected by the Geneva Convention relative to the Sick and Wounded of Armies in the Field. These three men are:

1) F.E.S. LONG, Prisoner of War No.126. General Secretary, Young Men's Christian Association, Christchurch, Attach to New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

2) ALAN MacLACHLAN, Prisoner of War No.135. Representing the Australian Young Men's Christian Association, Minister of the Presbyterian Church of Australia in New South Wales.

3) HAROLD HOSIER, Prisoner of War No.119. Salvation Army Officer, Secretary with the Australian Imperial Forces.

The Reverend McIntyre informed the inspector that he had lost his Army Communion Service when captured a year ago, but understands that the camp commander is endeavoring to obtain for him another one.

The camp contains at present two relatively small recreation and assembly rooms, one located between the canteen and the kitchen, and the other in a separate building. The latter is equipped with a stage. Indoor recreation facilities consist chiefly of various study courses, in which 500 or 600 of the prisoners are participating, acting on the stage referred to above, and reading and playing games. In reply to an inquiry, it was stated that the camp contains a fairly good supply of various games. Some of the prisoners are also able to paint and do water colors, and the camp library, which is about to be installed in a small room adjoining the theatre assembly room, already has about 1500 English books.

Oberstleutnant Eitner informed the inspector that he hopes to obtain another and larger barrack room for recreational and assembly purposes, which appears desirable to arrange before Winter comes, if possible.

Although the prisoners are not permitted to leave the camp enclosure, there is considerable room between the barracks for walking, and also space for a small football field. The latter is at present covered with small stones, and the camp commander stated that he has applied for permission to cover it with asphalt, which would make it both more pleasant and safer for sport purposes. At the time of the visit, a group of the prisoners were playing cricket with home made bats.

Each British prisoner is permitted to write three letters and four postcards monthly. (This compares with general German army regulations, which allow British officers to write three letters and four cards monthly, and British soldiers two letters and four cards monthly). It was stated that incoming mail is satisfactory as far as the prisoners transferred from the two camps in Poland are concerned. Their mail is now beginning to arrive at this new camp. The men captured in Greece have of course as yet received no mail, and the inspector explained to them that it will probably take some weeks before they begin to do so. They inquired whether or not mail to and from New Zealand and Australia will be transmitted by air and expressed their hope that the Australian and New Zealand governments would be able to arrange this, presumably via Pan-American services from New Zealand to Lisbon via the United States. The British prisoners remarked that their letters arriving from Great Britain still bear special air mail stamps and therefore expressed their hope that, if such mail is now bring carried free of charge from their families, the latter will be notified in order that they will not have to spend this extra postage. In this connection, the inspector informed them that as far as is known by the Embassy, their outgoing mail to Great Britain is carried free of charge by air.

In reply to an inquiry, it was stated that the mail censorship personnel at this camp is not yet entirely adequate but that two or three more censors are expected to arrive at the camp shortly.

Parcels have begun to arrive at this new camp in good volume, and the usual monthly reports will be sent to the Embassy for transmission to the British government. It appears that the British prisoners are given adequate control of the disposition of collective parcels at this camp.

Representative of both the International Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A. in Berlin have visited the camp already and the latter have already sent some games.

Apart from the collective penalty involving no meat and fish for a week, the need for additional toilets in the two largest barracks, the questions of a new and larger recreation room and a better sport field, the provision of a Catholic Priest, and additional sanitary personnel, all referred to above, only one other complaint was registered. It was stated that on the 2nd of July, following an attempted escape, the quarters of some of the British officers were searched by the German authorities, after which the occupants of these quarters discovered that some of their things, including chocolate, personal watches and rings were missing. Lieut. Colonel Tod stated that since that date many of the missing articles have been returned, but not yet all of them. There appears to be a difference of opinion between the British and Germans as to what articles are still missing, but Oberstleutnant Eitner assured the Embassy representative that this question is being followed up carefully. The next time the camp is visited, inquiries will be made as to whether this incident has been settled satisfactorily.

The camp gives in general a good impression. Its physical equipment is, with the few exceptions noted above, quite satisfactory, and the local authorities also deserve praise for the way in which they have organized this new camp in six weeks. It appears that the prisoners have been given a good share of control of the canteen, kitchen, and parcel distribution. Administration of the camp, and the accommodations provided by it both appear good, and although food is a question, it appears typical of that provided by other camps in Germany.

It was however noted that there was considerable tension between the British and Germans at this camp. During lunch with the camp commander, the latter complained to the Embassy representative that he is unable to get along with Lieut. Colonel Tod and that his patience is already almost at an end. Lieut. Colonel Tod and other senior officers later informed the inspector that in their view the personality of the commander is the chief reason for this tension. They state that they get along very well with the sub-ordinate German authorities, but that the commander does not have much patience and is inclined to lose his temper and imposes collective and unreasonable penalties such as the meat and fish penalty discussed above. In this connection it is noted that Oberstleutnant Eitner has had no previous experience in prisoner of war camps, having come from a mail censorship job in Berlin. He impressed the Embassy inspector as a pleasant and kindly officer, who does however probably lack patience and may be inclined to lose his temper. Before leaving the camp, the inspector expressed his hope to Oberstleutnant Eitner and Lieut. Colonel Tod that both the Germans and British at the camp will make every effort to improve the feeling between them, in order that the welfare of the prisoners may be enhanced.

Lieut. Colonel Tod and his associates were asked how they liked conditions at the two so-called reprisal camps in Poland from which they have been brought to OFLAG V B. They stated that after the first week or two conditions were improved greatly and they had no complaints at all to register, being given many extra liberties which they have not enjoyed in other camps in Germany. This information appears to be similar to that given by the British who are now at OFLAG IX A/H and who were also at these reprisal camps.

It was ascertained that Lieut. Colonel Tod has a copy of the Geneva Convention in his possession.

Several New Zealand Maoris, in addition to the prisoner in arrest, were observed at this camp, and it appears that their treatment is correct in every respect.

(Zu dieser Speisefolge sind noch 2250 gr. Brot woechentlich fuer jeden Gefangenen hinzuzfuegen).

Datum

20.7

Sonntag

21.7

Montag

22.7

Dienstag

23.7

Mittwoch

24.7

Donnerstag

25.7

Freitag

26.7

Samstag

Mittangs

Fleisch

Graupen

Fett (Kock)

Salz

Fleisch

Trockengemuese

Salau

als Frischgemuese

Kochfett

Salz

Paprica (Rest)

Klippfische
Teigwaren

Frischgeemuese

Kochfett

Reis

Kochfett

Salz

Essig

Graupen

Fleisch

Frischgemuese

Kockfett

Pfeffer (Rest)

Klippfische

Teigwaren

Kockfett

Salz

Teigwaren

Frischgemuese

Kockfett

Salz

Gr.

100

11.4

250

11.4

0.027

100

277

11.4

1.6

100

250

11.4

0.014

100

11.4

100

250

11.4

Abends

Speisefett

Zucker

Marmelade

Tee aus eige-

nen Bestaenden

Speisefett

Zucker

Quark

Tee aus eigenen

Bestaenden

Kuemmel (Rest)

Speisefett

Zucker

Kaese

Tee aus eigenen

Bestaenden

Speisefett

Zucker

Schwartenmagen

Tee aus eigenen

Bestaenden

Speisefett

Zucker

Quark

Tee aus eigenen

Bestaenden

Zimt (Rest)

Speisefett

Zucker

Leberwurst

Speisefett

Zucker

Leberwurst

Gr.

25.7

150

25.7

125

0.135

25.7

62.5

25.7

125

0.135

25.7

Morgens

Kaffee
Zucker

Gr.

Oflag V B is situated in the South of Germany and the climate in this region is comparatively mild. The Camp, which consists of about a dozen hutments, has been built on a plateau overlooking a little town and has a very extensive view.

The Camp was opened for prisoners in August 1940. In the beginning it was occupied by French prisoners awaiting repatriation who remained there until June 1941 when the Camp was transformed into an Oflag and the first British officers arrived there in Jun 1941.

1. Officers taken prisoner during the campaign in France, who were previously in Oflag VII C and who were transferred from there to Stalag XX A and Stalag XXI D.

2. 13 Australians who were taken prisoner at Salonika and who had spent some time at Oflag X C.

3. 340 officers taken prisoner during the campaign in Greece and taken straight to Oflag V B.

The maximum capacity of the Camp is 850 officers. There are at the moment 757 officers and 71 orderlies, all British.

Amongst the officers there are 3 Lieutenant-Colonels, one of whom is a Doctor, 11 Majors, 98 Captains and 644 Lieutenants.

The Camp consists of about a dozen buildings, constructed in stone, which are simple but comfortable. They are easily heated, very well lit, well ventilated and each one contains rooms in which to wash. Each building is divided into a varying number of rooms, the largest room housing 20 officers. There are two big buildings with a strength of 116 officers, 6 smaller buildings with 80 beds, one building for the 15 senior officers and one building which is reserved for the orderlies.

In addition some small wooden buildings have been built as annexes for Common Rooms, theatre, kitchen, canteen, showers, delousing equipment, etc.