TRANSLATION BY THE LONDON DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEE

RESERVELAZARET COSEL

visited by Drs. Rossel and Lehner on the 5th May 1944

Site and Accommodation

       The Lazaret is situated in the suburbs of a small town in very pleasant, wooded country. The external arrangement of the camp is perfect: it is surrounded by gardens (a pleasure garden and a vegetable garden) and there is much verdure.

        The air-raid shelters are nearly finished. Since the last visit by the delegates the camp has distinctly improved. It now comprises 7 huts of which:-

                1 is a hut for the British

                1 is for tubercular patients and

                1 is for working sections (operating theatre, offices etc.)

        These huts are divided into 7 wards for the accommodation of British patients. Patients who are but slightly ill sleep on two-tier bunks, serious cases have individual medal bedsteads.

        Electric light is installed throughout. The heating works satisfactorily.

Food

        In the first place, the doctors made it clear that the food is of better quality and issued by the German authorities in larger quantities at this lazaret than at any other German prison camp. It would be possible for the men to subsist, even without Red Cross parcels. This lazaret gets the same rations as the one for German patients. The doctors are able to prescribe such special diets as they think fit and thanks to the American invalid parcels all the prisoners are very well fed. The doctor reported with pride the following cases: one patient who gained 20 kg in 25 days and another 27 kgs in 60 days.

Clothing

        All the men are properly equipped. The British have a small reserve stock of clothing. The only thing the head doctor asks for urgently is pyjamas.

Hygiene and Medical Attention

        All hygienic installations, such as shower-baths latrines and wash-places are in good order.

        With regard to medical attention, the doctors get on extremely well with the German Staff doctor and are allowed complete professional freedom in prescribing treatment and outings (or possibly "discharges" - the word used is "sorties", trans.) for their patients. In 13 months 445 major operations (hernias, appendicotomies, nephrecotomies, trepannings, abdominal incisions etc) were performed; in the month of April 35 operations were performed. The sets of instruments available for use are almost complete, thanks to the fact that the doctors are able to make use of their own sets. The doctors have, moreover, spent 10,000 RM in perfecting their store of instruments.

        As treatment rooms, the lazaret possesses one septic and one aseptic operating theatre, one preparation room and a well-equipped laboratory.

        German drugs are rationed, 60% of the things asked for are supplied. Enough drugs came from the Red Cross; they are sent out from Stalag 344. There is however a shortage of dressings materials for the constitution of a reserve stock. The same applies to the laxatives and rubber gloves for use in operations. (N.B. The gloves are urgently needed).

        Prisoners with dental trouble are cared for at the German hospital. Two British dentists are attached to the lazaret.

        Since November 1941, 10 British have died.

Canteen

        The patients and the medical staff can make use of a local German canteen, where beer is procurable. Naturally the profits from this canteen are not employed for the benefit of the prisoners, but they make no complaints about this.

Leisure and Intellectual and Religious Needs

        There is at present a Church of England chaplain Llewellyn Glyndwr Tudor, No, 28736, at the lazaret. He is able to visit the neighbouring labour detachments but he would like to have a pass as the chaplains at Stalag 344 have. He asks that he may be sent a "Communion Set (preferably British Army issue R.A.Ch.D.).

        The British have not enough books. They are particularly in need of fiction.

        Last year the lazaret was able to rent a Sports Ground adjacent to the camp. This year the town will not, however, allow this.

        The prisoners ask for some table tennis balls and a Ping-pong set.

Work and Pay

        The British medical orderlies get 1.00 RM per day which is paid to them once every 10 days.

Correspondence

        This functions normally. Letters to and from England take about one month.

Discipline

        This maintained in a very satisfactory way. The British head doctor has the sole responsibility for the discipline of the prisoners. The lazaret enjoys a kind of extra-territorial autonomy: no German soldier is allowed to come into the lazaret without a permit from the German Staff doctor.

Final Interview with the German Commandant

        1. Would it be possible to obtain a pass for the Church of England chaplain. Reply One shall at once be applied for from the Commandant of the Stalag.

        2. The prisoners [like] would very much to obtain a new Sports Ground. Reply The German doctor will personally intervene with the Burgomaster of the town with a view to obtaining the extension of the lease of the ground previously used for this year also.

Special requests

        Gramophone records.

        French music

        Primers for elementary students of the French language.

        Lemonade powder.

Conclusion

        This is an excellent lazarett.