OFLAG IX A/Z, BRANCH CAMP

Visited by Drs Bubb & Wenger, 6 Sept. 42

Camp Leader: Lieutenant-Colonel A. Duncan, No.3314

Strength: 353 officers (including 3 doctors and a dentist)

               79 orderlies

General circumstances and Situation

        At the time of our visit this camp had been occupied for one week only by British officers, most of whom had come from Oflag VI B. Oflag IX A/Z, which is dependant on Oflag IX A, is administered by the Commandant's substitute.

Quarters

        The camp occupied a wing of a former training college on the outskirts of a town. A small and a large kitchen and shower-baths had been fitted up in the cellars. The officers and the orderlies are accommodated on the ground floor and the two floors above; there are about 8 to 10 rooms on a floor with 4 to 32 bunks in a room. In the same building is the former Hall where 80 officers are accommodated. The bunks are mostly of wood, double-tiered; a few are in three tiers. A sack filled with straw takes the place of a mattress. Each officer has a blanket in addition to his own personal ones. The building is centrally heated. The men are very much cramped in all the rooms. It has been proposed to the Commandant of the camp that he should allot the rooms differently in order to improve the present position. The lighting and ventilation appear to be adequate. The rooms in which the prisoners spend the day are large enough and supplied with an adequate number of tables and chairs.

Food

        A British kitchen staff prepare the meals under the supervision of a British officer. The camp leader does not know the rations; the food leaves much to be desired. There is no special kitchen where the prisoners can cook food from the collective parcels; but one kitchen is available for them at certain hours of the day. As it is closed at 6 o'clock on working days and at 3 o'clock on Saturdays and Sundays (for reasons of fuel economy), it is sometimes difficult to cook the food. The Hindus have no special kitchen. The camp leader deals with and regularly distributes the collective parcels. At present he has stocks for 4 weeks and there is store room for double this amount.

Clothing

        Uniforms and shoes are in good condition and nearly all the officers have two uniforms. Underclothing is adequate. The camp has a stock of clothing, but the camp leader does not know what it contains and has not the administration of it, at least temporarily. There is a small work room in which the prisoners mend their clothes.

Hygiene

        Equipment for disinfection is lacking.

        The prisoners can take hot or cold showers once a week. The installations are fairly extensive. On each flood a suitable place is occupied by wash-rooms, separated from each other. The latrines are adequate in number and can be flushed. The camp has an open space bordered with trees on two sides; but it is not large enough for the prisoners to use as a sports ground. They have a ping-pong table.

Medical Service

        This is administered by a British doctor. There are 17 beds. The equipment is fairly good. The British doctor has a fair amount of work, as he is alone. There is a room used as a dental surgery. A German civilian dentist gives dental attention. The supply of medicaments is adequate. But here also the contents of the "Medicaments parcels" is not handed over to the British doctor. It is impossible to prescribe a diet for patients, even in cases of necessity. At the time of our visit, there was a man with one arm amputated interned at the camp, and another with an amputated leg. The doctor and medical staff have been vaccinated against exanthematic typhus.

Canteen

        At the time of our visit the canteen was just being fitted up. There is practically nothing for sale. The prisoners would very much like to have writing material and razor blades.

Work

        The number of orderlies seems to be sufficient.

Pay

        The Commandant is strict but correct. Two roll-calls take place every day. The discipline is good.

Recreations and Intellectual and Spiritual Needs

        An interned priest looks after the prisoners. The building of a chapel is anticipated. At the moment a library and a theatre are being fitted up in the gymnasium of the training college.

Correspondence

        Correspondence is subject to the present regulations of the Ober Kommando der Wehrmacht as to the postal correspondence of British prisoners of war. Since their transfer they have received one card. Parcels and letters arrived very irregularly and there are some prisoners who have to wait 16 months (Australia) to get news from home.

Interview with the Camp Leader (without witnesses)

        No other point was raised than those mentioned in the above report.

Conclusion

        It is difficult to give a definite opinion on the camp accommodation; improvement will be felt as soon as the refitting is finished which is now being carried out. The strength ought not to be increased.