CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH

No.716

Oflag IX A/Z Rotenburg a.d. Fulda

 

Date of visit: March 8th, 1945

 

Camp Commander

Security Officer

German Medical Officer

Accompanying Officer

German High Command

Senior British Officer

Adjutant

Senior British M.O.

: Oberstlt. Brix

: Hptm. Heyl

: Stabsarzt Dr. Hebenkempf

 

: Hptm. Schaefer

: Lt.Col. G.W. Kennedy, M.C. (1195)

: Major V.C. Buston (3330)

: Lt.Col. J.C. Mackay (1117)

 

Reference is made to our previous report dated November 9th 1945 (No.639).

 

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        No change since last report.

 

II. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        Since our last visit the camp strength has not increased on the contrary it has slightly diminished. There are at present:

                                391 British Officers, and

                                  53 Other Ranks

                totalling    444 men.

 

III. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        With the same number of men in camp the study and recreation room mentioned in our last report has been kept going. However, the camp authorities seemed not to be able to provide for better lights which makes any reading and studying in the earlier hours of the evening impossible. There are only three 25 Watt bulbs in this room measuring about 8 to 4 metres and two of these lamps are very high up on the ceiling. Once more the Delegate insisted for stronger lights for this room and in accordance with the officers Ps.o.W. suggested to take some lights out from the staircase or any other room agreed to by the British to give a certain equivalent for the higher consumption of electric current by those strong bulbs. The Camp Commander, however, declares to be unable to do so and covers himself by an order from the Gau-Wirtschaftsamt which demands a rigorous cut in the consumption of electric current, and an order from the OKW allowing only one 25 Watt lamp per room of the above mentioned sized. Having no definite promise as to an amelioration of the lighting conditions from the camp authorities the Delegate took the matter up with the Commandant at Spangenberg, of which Rotenberg is the sub-camp who promised to take the matter in his hands. It is hoped that some satisfactory arrangements will be found. Lights are at present on from complete darkness to 22.00 hrs.

        The heating position has remained very much the same as on the occasion of our last visit. Although wood collecting parties have been allowed to go out for some time, this so-called privilege has been interrupted many times for incidents which happened in its course, i.e. Officers talking to German civilians, to foreign workers, to Ps.o.W. of other nationalities, for bartering, etc. The wood which was collected has been given to the camp-revier, being a great help in securing for better heating. The central heating in the main-building has been running only for some hours in the afternoon during the whole of this winter, various coal rations being available according to the outside temperature. On the whole it must be stated that considerable suffering has been caused by this inadequate heating to all detained in this camp.

 

IV. BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

        No change.

 

V. TOILET FACILITIES

        The sanitary arrangements of the building have been kept in a better state of repair since our last visit and camp authorities promise to continue to do what is possible.

 

VI. FOOD AND COOKING

        The cut of rations and at the same time the lengthening of the ration period from 4 to 5 weeks has caused considerable unrest amongst the officers and a severe complaint by the S.B.O. to the camp authorities which, however, state not to be in a position to do anything about it. The following ration schedule shows the effect of change and the present issues: (per head per week in grams).

Commodity

 

 

Cooking fat 43 (

Margarine 175 (

Jam or Bread spread

Cheese/Curds

Fresh sausage

Fresh meat

Salt

Cereals

Coffee-Ersatz

Tea-Ersatz

Turnips

Peas (dried)

Sauerkraut

Bread

Potatoes

Fresh vegs.

Previous

ration

period

218

175

175

47

70

180

140

112

17.5

7

2400

150

170

2225

3750

nil

Present

ration

period

169.6

140

140

37.4

60

140

60

100

14

7

1920

150

nil

1780

2400

nil

Reduction

in gms

per week

48.4

35

35

9.6

10

40

140

12

3.5

-

480

-

170

445

1350

nil

Proportion

of reduct.

 

22.2%

20   "

20 "

20 "

13.3 "

22 "

100 "

10.7 "

20 "

-

20 "

-

100 "

20 "

36 "

-

Present

No. of

calories

1340

574

401

144

152

339

nil

354

-

-

348

518

nil

3970

2064

-

        The total calories per week amount at present to 10240 or 1463 calories per day. These calorie figures are obtained from nearest equivalent British.

        The coal ration allotted to the kitchen has been able to be kept on the same level as reported before. With the extra-wood coming into the camp the cookhouse was just able to cope with the situation.

        The replacement of broken and damaged crockery experiences great difficulties especially for mugs and plates. There was, however, an issue of these things the day previous to our visit which very much relieved the situation.

        The last issue of Red Cross parcels (1/2 parcel per head) was made on February 12th 1945. The lack of these highly estimated food parcels is felt very much. The stocks had been considerable diminished owing to the fact that this camp had to supply Oflag IX A/H with 822 parcels and Stalag IX A Ziegenhain with 114 - a total of 936 parcels (i.e. 4 weeks supply at 1/2 parcel per head). With some supplies coming to Oflag IX A/H this camp was informed two days ago that they would return 375 parcels out of 822 which they owe to this camp. The parcels are expected to arrive to-night. All Red Cross food except jam and milk is now issued out of its tins and pooled for communal cooking in the kitchen. The number of tins, including cigarette and tobacco tins, allowed to be kept by Ps.o.W. for storing food has been strictly limited, and requests to increase the number of tins have been refused.

 

VII. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        The general state of health is still reasonably good in this camp although an increasing number of officers are suffering from sores and boils which is probably due to the diet. On the day of the visit there were 18 patients at the revier, none of them seriously ill. One officer has gone to the Res.Laz.Obsermassfeld for a minor problem.

        Medical attention is well in the hands of Lt.Col. Mackay as S.B.M.O. assisted by two other British M.Os. and several sanitators. The drug supply by the Germans has again dropped since the previous German Medical Officer has returned from his 2 months leave. The camp depends widely on Red Cross supplies in order to be able to meet with the prescriptions of the British M.Os. - Dental treatment by a British Dental Officer is reported to be very satisfactory.

        On January 15th 1945 a party of 10 Officers passed by the last Mixed Medical Commission, 2 Protected Officers and 1 Protected Other Rank were warned to be ready to leave at short notice for repatriation. However, this party, whose nominal roll will be given below, is still here and of course is very much disappointed to have missed the opportunity to go home. Camp authorities state that they had no further orders received from higher quarters and to be unable to do anything about it. The OKW will be approached on their behalf.

        (a) Passed by Mixed Medical Commission.

                Major M.A. Bull (3288)

                Capt. A.H. Boyce (3407)
                Capt. S.A. Cole (1460)

                Capt. J.W. Goodled (302)

                Capt. W. Hunter (1363)

                Capt. J.J. Kennedy (994) Medical Officer

                Capt. A.G. Lyon (1459)

                Capt. J. Mortimer (1685)

                Capt. J.R. Prefontaine (43003)

                Lieut. S.W.G. Shaw (1202)

        (b) Protected Personnel.

                Major D.S. Bertram (23894) Medical Officer

                Capt. J.H. Mulligan (2657) Medical Officer

                Pte. C.E. Morris (19334) Medical Orderly

        The above mentioned officers and other ranks would very much appreciate if any information as to their whereabouts would be given to their next-of-kin by competent British authorities.

        Contrary to our last report regarding walks for the Protected Personnel, all members of this category of P.O.W. working or not working, are now enjoying their walks to which they are entitled to by the Geneva Convention.

        For the following members of the Protected Personnel Red Cross Protection Certificates are still outstanding:

                Capt. J. Connolly (2020) Medical Officer

                Lieut. L.M. Hill (33592) New Zealand Y.M.C.A. (Cinema)

                Cpt. P. Barry (23894) R.A.S.C. Medical Transport

                Pte. W. Welding (24314) R.A.M.C. Medical Orderly.

 

VIII. CLOTHING

        The clothing and boot situation is still satisfactory. Following an order of the OKW which lays down a scale of clothing for Ps.o.W. camp authorities requested to deliver all the clothing exceeding this scale. Upon strong representations by the S.B.O. and pointing out the special character of this clothing (i.e. officer's private property) camp authorities have not pressed the matter of adhering to any particular scale.

 

IX. LAUNDRY

        Nothing to report.

 

X. MONEY AND PAY

        No complaints. The question of locally printed camp-money as mentioned under this heading in the report of Oflag IX A/H will be settled together with that camp.

 

XI. CANTEEN

        No stores are forthcoming for the canteen. Even matches seem to be unavailable. Camp authorities are full of excuses and state to be unable to do anything about it.

 

XII. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        Satisfactory.

 

XIII. RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        Indoor recreation is said to be reasonably good although somewhat hampered by the lack of adequate lighting facilities.

        Outdoor recreation has been very good for a considerable length of time during this winter as the officers were able to arrange for a skating-rink within the camp compound.

        The situation with regard to parole walks is still very much the same as reported on the occasion of our last visit. The Camp Commandant from Spangenberg, commanding at the same time this camp, however, assured the Delegate that a satisfactory ruling and wording of this parole business will be found within the very next days. Negotiations between the two parties are going on already. The same parole card will then apply for the three camps thus settling the matter once and for all.

        The Delegate was able to give full information with regard to the re-opening of the holiday-camp for officers at Steinburg. The S.B.O. will see that preference is given to those officers who are morally suffering most under the prolonged imprisonment.

 

XIV. MAIL

        Letter and parcel mail in general is reported to be very bad. The following mail figures give a very good picture of the actual situation: (Entries from February 1944 to February 1945)

 

 

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

February

Total letters

received

7915

5489

3525

2374

2729

2571

6051

2036

4800

3407

2083

423

689

Daily

average

317

203

136

88

88

95

226

80

185

131

80

16

29

Monthly average

per head

18

13

10

7

7

7

14

5

11

8

5

1

1

        The average time letters take from England is 14 weeks, from Australia 18 weeks, Canada 14 weeks, New Zealand 20 weeks. Latest dates received are as far back as: England 28th December, Australia 8th December, Canada 12th December, New Zealand 8th November. Very few letters of those dates have been received, some English Officers have no later information than early October while Dominion Officers vary back to August. No letters have been received from Egypt and Spain for a long period. Mail from the IRCC at Geneva takes 10 to 12 weeks to reach this camp and mail from the Protecting Power in Berlin averages two months.

        The private parcel situation is even worse. There are a good many officers in this camp who had no private parcels for four, five and more months.

        Occasionally parcels are opened by the Security Dept., without the presence of a British Officer which makes it in some cases impossible to write and thank the donor of the parcel as when their contents are handed out they are devoid of any wrapping. The sender thus remains anonymous. Two particular cases were mentioned the two being connected with medical supplies apparently from the British Red Cross Society.

 

XV. WELFARE WORK

        The camp has lately been visited by a representative of the YMCA and a Delegate from the IRCC has been announced for the 19th of this month.

 

XVI. COMPLAINTS

        Besides the various points mentioned above, the following complaints have been brought to the Delegate's knowledge and have been taken up with the German High Command:

        1) On December 10th 1945 in course of low-flying British fighter aircraft attack on a goods train at a distance of about six to seven hundred yards from the camp, the Security officer who was outside the barbed wire fence took the rifle of a sentry and shot at one of the windows apparently to stop the cheering which came from there. Fortunately nobody was hurt although this particular room was, at the time, occupied by about 25 British officers. However, it must be stated that some sort of warning was given previous to the shooting, i.e. the German officer waved with his hands and shouted some remarks but they were inaudible in the noise which was going on.

        2) Soon after the arrival of the first shipment of Penicillin the German M.O. asked for a tube of this medicament stating that he was obliged to analyse any new sort of drugs which came into the camp. Up to date nothing has been returned.

 

XVII. GENERAL IMPRESSION

        Although material conditions are fairly good in this camp, except for the fuel situation, the tension between the two parties which has always been noticed particularly well in this camp, is still going on. Both parties feel more restless than ever since the military development draws nearer to this part of the country. The British officers show by majority an excellent spirit.

 

sgd. A.A. Kadler.