Reserve Lazaret Sandbostel

CAMP COMMANDER

SECOND IN COMMAND

ACCOMPANYING OFFICER

OF OKW

BRITISH MAN OF CONFIDENCE

: Oberstabsarzt Dr. von Haymann

: Dr. Bensch

: Hptm. Schade

: F/Lt W.C. Poole CRAF

This R/L. has been described on various occasions after visits paid by the Delegate of the Protecting Power. On the day of this visit, there were 2 Canadians from the CRAF and 2 Americans from the USAAF in this Lazaret. All four were in one room of good size with plenty of air and light. They are taken care of by two Serbian surgeons, Lt. Col. Komenkowic and Major Lazarevic. The following details have been given by the camp commander and the two Serbian surgeons with regard to the four patients:

Diagnosis: Seven fractures on his legs and injuries on his spine. Healing process very satisfactory. Danger of paralysis. Passed M.M.C. last May and is expected to be repatriated on September 8th, 1944.

His plane was shot down by Flak on July 29th, 1944 near Stade, about 30 km. distance from here and came to this lazaret on July 31st, 1944. One member of his crew, Sgt. Brown, came down with P/O. Grant and said, that three others from the crew bailed out at the same time, their fate, however, is unknown. Sgt. Brown is believed to have been taken to Frankfurt. The crew of the plane was 7 men. According to P/O. Grant, he received his injuries from Flak while still in the plane.

Diagnosis: Several Flak splinters in the head and neck, piercing the skull, one metal splinter in the left brain. Operation performed extracting all splinters except the one in the brain. Opening was made to relieve pressure. No infection, no suppuration and no temperature. The metal splinter in the brain has so far not affected either his mental or physical state. The healing process is satisfactory, according to Dr. Lazarevic the danger of suppuration will remain for the next six months.

His plane was shot down on June 24th, 1944 quite near this lazaret. The navigator of the plane, Lt. James GEORGE bailed out first, F/O Carson followed. Nothing is known of the fate of the other 7 members of the crew, neither does F/O Carson know what happened to Lt. George. After a perfect landing by parachute, F/O Carson was shot at by one of the guards. According to the commander, Carson was trying to escape. He was shot from the side, the injury received is a tangential shot on the chest and through the right arm above the elbow. It was only an injury of the flesh and the 6th rib being broken. Suppuration set in, however, the wound is now healing beautifully. Shortly after his arrival at the lazaret he contracted broncho-pneumonia, which has entirely healed. P/O. Grand [incorrect, but written as such] is getting up daily and according to the doctors can be transferred to Wismar within the next three weeks.

Plane was shot down on August 6th, 1944 about 15 to 20 km. from here. The Pilot, Lt. James M. Beatty and the tailgunner Sgt. E.A. Dowell bailed out at the same time as Sgt. Zybort. According to him, Lt. Beatty sprained his leg and Sgt. Dowell received a flak splinter in his heel, both believed to be at DULAG Westertimke. Nothing is known of the other 6 members of the crew.

Diagnosis: Sgt. Zybort received a very bad shot in the lower segment of his left leg while still in the plane. When coming down by parachute the weight of his whole body came down on this left leg, thus breaking the bones of both of his legs. The knee of his left leg came out of joint, the broken bone piercing through the flesh. According to the Serbian doctor, Sgt. Zybort lost about 50% of his blood. 2 blood transfusions were made at once. Infection set in and it is not yet known, whether amputation of his left leg can be avoided, every effort is being made to save his leg. His daily temperature is 102° Fahrenheit (39° Celsius).

All the four Prisoners of was informed the Delegate, that they are receiving the best treatment and attention possible in any hospital; they had high praises for the Serbian surgeons, who are left to treat their patients to the best of their knowledge. The German Oberstabsarzt mentioned that both Serbian surgeons are the very best he has in this lazaret and that he considers them superior to the German doctors. The four patients informed the Delegate, that the food they receive is first class. They receive the weekly Red Cross parcels, private parcels, mail and cigarettes and had no complaint whatsoever.

The Serbian surgeons said that they are short of cotton-wool, gauze, bandages, iodine and alcohol, this request will be transmitted to the International Red Cross.