CONFIDENTIAL

No.682.

BRITISH

Date of visit: January 16th 1945.

Reserve-Lazaret für Kgf. TOST.

        Reference is made to our last report, NO. 572, of our visit of the 13th of September 1944.

        With the removal of the previous German doctor, the situation in this hospital has changed very much for the better. Although on the whole, conditions have more or less remained the same as they were before the new German doctor has done quite a lot to improve matters in minor details which mean so much to Prisoners of War. As a matter of fact, the S.B.M.O. had no real complaints and only a few minor points had to be straightened out at the conference with Hospital authorities.

        On the day of visit the following was the British strength in this hospital:

        None of these patients are very serious cases. Since the opening of this hospital only two cases were fatal, the last one on the 16th of December 1944, the previous one on November 16th 1944. The two men are buried at the Kommunal-Friedhof at Tost, the burial having taken place with military honours and to the British Staff's entire satisfaction. The names of these two men are:

                Pte John T. Bashford,   born on 19-2-20, died on 16-11-44, and

                Fus. Alexander S. Laing,  "     "  7-3-20,     "      "  16-12-44.

        No decrease in German rations since our last visit. Due to the fact that Tost is situated in an agricultural part of Upper-Silesia, the supply of vegetables, etc. has been more favourable than elsewhere. Red Cross food parcels are now again being issued at a rate of one parcel per week. The present stock in camp consists of 514 Standard Food parcels and 521 Diet parcels (supplementary diet, milk and diabetic.)

        Medical attention is well in the hands of the British doctors here. Little or no interference is experienced from the German side. The supply of medicines is reported to be satisfactory and having improved since a new German chemist has been appointed to this hospital. On one occasion, Major Thompson, the eye specialist from the Stalag hospital at Lamsdorf, has been here for the examination of some cases and at present an application for a visit of Major Henderson, the nerve specialist at the same hospital, is running. There are two or three cases here needing an examination by this famous physician. In general, all these cases are sent to Lamsdorf hospital, where better and specialised treatment is available. There are also two mental cases here at present whose transfer to the above named hospital is only a question of accommodation there and transport facilities here. Their removal will be a matter of a few weeks.

        The clothing position for patients and staff is not too good. The only things in the clothing store are at present:

                6 caps, and

                2 pairs of shoes.

        A shipment from the IRCC is expected for the last 4 months, but nothing has arrived so far.

        The mail situation is reported to be very bad. The last letters here date as far back as October 1944. With the taking-up of the Air-Mail service from Lisbon, the situation is hoped to improve within short. Outgoing mail is in order.

        The following points were to be discussed with hospital authorities:

                1.) Discharged men. The number of men discharged from medical treatment amounts always to 20 to 50% of the whole strength. This is mostly due to the lack of transport facilities from Tost to the various Labour-Detachments to which these men belong to. The SBMO suggested to arrange for larger groups of men sent to the Stalag at Teschen from where they could easier reach their individual Kommando or where they would at least not take up hospital accommodation. As no solution could be reached here, the matter will be taken up at Stalag and it without any result there, with the OKW.

                2.) Summary of medical history of patients. Upon the Delegate's request a summary of individual's medical history will be given to each man when leaving the lazaret to be taken in account for further detailing to working-parties,

        The points of several private interviews were dealt with by the Delegate.

        Material conditions in this hospital have remained on the whole as they were before, i.e. fairly satisfactory. The understanding between the two parties, however, has very much improved resulting in Res. Laz. Tost being now a reasonably good hospital.

(sgn.) Albert A. Kadler.