CONFIDENTIAL

AMERICAN/BRITISH

No.615

Date of visit: 14th November, 1944.

STALAG II A NEUBRANDENBURG

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

        This camp is situated in the vicinity of Neubrandenburg. The America/British section consists of three barracks, of which two are at present partly occupied and one serves as a reserve for expected new arrivals. Adequate recreation fields, slit trenches as air-raid precaution.

II. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL.

        American: 253 men in camp,

                        306 men detailed on seven work detachments.

                All these prisoners are of recent Western-Front captures.

        British:      200 Non-Commissioned Officers of parachute troops captured at Arnheim.

III. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS.

        Each barrack contains two sections. A section is divided into ten partitions, each partition holds 24 to 30 treble-tier bunks. Hessian mattresses filled with wood shavings, two blankets per man. Tables and benches; in each section one oven and one stove; between sections there is a wash-room and one boiler for heating water. Inadequate electric lighting.

IV. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES.

        24 taps with cold water in each wash-room, hot showers once a week.

V. TOILET FACILITIES.

        One large outside latrine - adequate accommodation - pit-type. One latrine, pit-type, in the entrance of each barrack.

VI. FOOD AND COOKING.

        Cooking is done by French cooks in the camps central kitchen. Detaining Power's issue of food is considered inadequate in both, quantity and quality. Commandant agreed to detail American cooks to the kitchen who may prepare food to American taste and check rations.

        At the time of visit Red Cross food supplies were exhausted; prisoners anxiously await further arrivals.

VII. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND STATE OF HEALTH.

        Sick parade daily at 9.30 except Sundays. Light cases are treated in the camp's infirmary under French and Yugo-Slav physicians. A French dentist is in charge of the dental station.

        The lazaret is excellently equipped; the surgical section is under the care of the able Polish surgeon Dr. Markowski. In this section the Delegate met 13 American and five British patients. The medical section is under the care of the Polish physician Dr. Kuberski, nine American patients under treatment, no British.

VIII. CLOTHING.

        Missing articles, such as greatcoats, trousers and vests have been replaced by Detaining Power Authorities out of booty stocks. No Red Cross clothing supplies have arrived so far; prisoners are in bad need of socks, underwear and shoes.

IX. LAUNDRY.

        So far done by the prisoners themselves; later it will be done by the camp's laundry which at present is under repair.

X. MONEY AND PAY.

        The British Non-Commissioned Officers received RM.8- per man since arriving on October 12th, 1944.

        Prisoners employed on work-detachments receive regular pay of not less than RM.-70 per day; they are engaged on railway work and stone quarries.

XI. CANTEEN.

        A poorly stocked canteen is outside the compound.

XII. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

        There is no American or British chaplain; prisoners of Roman Catholic faith may attend mass in the camp's chapel with a French priest.

XIII. RECREATION AND EXERCISE.

        Unorganised so far; complete lack of sports equipment. The only physical recreations are walks on the sports ground.

XIV. MAIL.

        Outgoing mail in order; no incoming mail yet.

XV. WELFARE ACTIVITY.

        Prisoners received 40 English books from French library. The German Batreuer has frequently telephoned to Y.M.C.A. Headquarters asking for books, musical instruments and sports equipment.

XVI. COMPLAINTS.

        Several window panes on barracks are broken and need repairs; Commandant promised to have them repaired with pasteboard, glass not being available.

XVII. GENERAL IMPRESSION.

        Camp Authorities appear reasonable and the Delegate's general impressions are satisfactory.

Sig.: Rudolph E. Denzler.

(EN CLAIR)

20th December, 1944.

DEPARTMENTAL NO. 1.

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton

No. 5277

15th December, 1944.

D. 1.16 p.m. 15th December, 1944.

R. 5.40 p.m. 15th December, 1944.

        Report on Stalag II A Neubrandenburg visited 14th November containing 200 British parachute troop NCOs captured Arnhem states lighting inadequate. Red Cross food supplies exhausted no Red Cross clothing yet arrived, prisoners badly need socks underwear and shoes (International Red Cross Committee informed) no British or American Chaplain, no recreation. Delegates general impression satisfactory.