Stalag IIA

Stalag Commandant

Deputy

German doctor

Lazarett

Accompanying Officer German High Command

American Chief Man of Confidence

British Chief Man of Confidence

American Medical Officer

American Catholic Chaplain

: Oberstlt. Wuttge.

: Major Schnaase

: Stabsarzt Dr. Kleeberg

: Oberstabsarzt Dr. Hartmann

: Major Boesenberg

: Sgt. Harley Lucas, PoW No.15002

: RSM E.W. Brock, PoW No.89686

: Capt. Cecil Hawes, PoW No.160569

: Capt. Francis Sempson, PoW No.160564

The section of the American and British PoW consists now of 7 sleeping barracks & 1 separate barrack used as Revier. All of these barracks are at the moment highly overcrowded. Every sleeping barrack holds 400 PoW; there are triple-tier beds. Lighting and heating are in order. The recreation hall and the theatre are used as sleeping-rooms. In a so-called "Sonder"-Company there were on the day of visit 10 American PoW waiting to be sentenced.

Air raid precautions: there are good open slit-trenches - no military target near the camp.

on 55 working detachments

in Stalag-Revier, Lazarett and in the base camp

Total number of Americans:

2,147 PoW

1,028 "

3,175 "

on 3 working detachments

in Stalag main camp (mostly NCO)

in Lazarett and Revier

Total number of British PoW:

38 PoW

463 "

20 "

521 "

The above mentioned figures include all the new PoW coming from other Stalags. A list of all working detachments is attached to this report.

In order. There is cold running water in each barrack. Due to lack of water and electricity hot showers or baths cannot be taken by the PoW at the moment.

The German supply is cooked in the central kitchen of the camp for all PoW. of the base camp. There are also British and American PoW in the kitchen. Food is said to be adequate.

Ration scale: until now the Chief Man of Confidence could not control the German supply. The Stalag Commandant promised that in the future the Chief Man of Confidence will be provided with a ration scale so that all food issued may be controlled.

Red Cross parcels: these parcels are kept in a separate store room for the American and British PoW together, one key being in the possession of the Man of Confidence, another being held by the Germans. On the day of visit the following parcels were in stock.

Americans

British
Invalid parcels (total)

Medical parcels

Surgical parcels

Clothing in stock

6,496

270

264

Since the arrival of new PoW the American Chief Man of Confidence distributed about 1500 standard food parcels to 2500 British and American PoW.

The barrack allocated for use as revier holds 90 beds. Besides the B.M.O. there are at the moment 12 medical and surgical technicians working as medical orderlies. Due to the arrival of over one hundred sick PoW. half of the French revier, with 40 beds, was put at the disposal of the British and American PoW. The American Medical Officer in charge, Capt. Hawes, gave the following report.

"There have entered Stalag II A a large number of PoW suffering from various illnesses which they had contracted on the road during their evacuation from other Stalags. These men underwent extreme hardships, suffering from lack of food, shelter and water. Many of them have been on the road from 15 to 30 days - walking and staggering over terrain under conditions unsuitable for man. In order to cope with the problems that face us, we have a complete lack of medical supplies, drugs and bandages. The supplies we draw from the Camp Pharmacy are inadequate to cope with our needs. For example, we now use paper bandages instead of gauze bandages and that supply is insufficient. In many instances substitute drugs are used but do not fill the requirements as well as is expected. We have in our possession 8 American Medical parcels and 12 British Medical parcels which have been held in reserve for emergency cases. The space allocated by the Germans for use as infirmary houses 90 patients, but at present we have 140 patients in the said space. It is not sufficient to deal with the gigantic problems that faces us. For the men that are extremely ill, the Germans allow us a special diet which consists of white bread, mash potatoes and a double ration of butter daily. The above ration is allowed for 40 men only. The largest percentage of the patient are in dire need of the special diet but 40 is all we are permitted.

The PoW were admitted to our infirmary where they were examined by myself. The men were placed in the following categories: 70% suffering from trench feet, in various stages of infection, 15% suffering from severe bronchitis and pneumonia, acute appendicitis, infected wounds. The majority of the group suffered dysentery as well as their other ailments. A number of the men suffered from wounds that were inflicted by German guards on the march. Such as the case of Pvt. Andrew Aberdein PoW 5301, who was assaulted by German guards on February 2, 1945, in which he received a severe injury to his left shoulder, from a rifle butt because he fainted on the march. This is a typical situation that has confronted me with men who have been left at this Stalag and who were unable to continue their march of evacuation from other Stalags."

As there are not sufficient beds in the revier, many of the new patients have to sleep with one blanket only on straw or wood-wool spread on the floor. Rest of the patients suffer from foot ailments (frozen feet) and dysentery. About 25-30 patients need amputation of one or more toes. Serious cases are sent to the Stalag hospital, but this is also highly overcrowded, so that not all emergency cases can be hospitalized there.

Dental Treatment is done by a French dentist in the Stalag. As far as the "old" PoW are concerned, the general state of health is fairly good.

Mental case: American - Pvt. Ira Nixon, ASN 6253931, POW 077908, returned from Kommando on January 17, because of illness. On January 20th, Pvt. Nixon was transferred to an institution at Veckermunde because he was suffering from a mental illness. There is no nearest of kin. The address for reference is the Adjutant General, War Department, Washington, DC.

The situation has not improved since our last visit. PoW need underwear, socks and boots. Some old worn-out clothing was given by the Germans, but all new PoW have only one set of clothing. Instead of socks, foot-wrappings were issued in several cases. (The representative of the I.R.C.C., who visited this camp the same day, is aware of this situation).

The canteen in the Stalag is very poorly stocked. There is a monthly issue of 2 boxes of matches, 1 razor-blade, cigarette-paper, and 50 cigarettes per man.

The PoW play volley-ball, basket-ball they have a library and some indoor games.

The American chaplain holds services every Sunday. In addition to these there are regular Confessions, Catechetical instructions, and Choir rehearsals.

Outgoing mail in order; the new PoW received no mail since their arrival at this camp.

The following complaints were brought up for discussion with the Stalag authorities.

1. Clothing: as most of the new PoW have only one light summer-uniform, one shirt, one pair boots, and one pair of socks, the Delegate of the Protecting Power asked for a better supply by the Detaining Power, as stipulated in the Geneva Convention. The Stalag Commandant regrets this lack of proper clothing and promised to provide for some improvements if possible.

2. Geneva Convention: in all working detachments visited by the Delegate of the Protecting Power there were no copies of the Geneva Convention. It was promised that these would be provided.

3. Disinfection of the barracks: as most of the barracks are infected with bugs, the Delegate asked for a better disinfection of these quarters. This was promised.

4. Telegrams to the I.R.C.C. and the Protecting Power: both Men of Confidence complained that they were unable to send telegrams to the I.R.C.C. and the Protecting Power. In the future telegrams will be allowed.

5. Drinking cups: as all Pow. in this Stalag have no drinking cups (they made cup from tins), the Delegate requested the issue of some drinking utensils. The Stalag Commandant regrets this fact, but nothing can be done to alter this situation since drinking cups are unobtainable at the moment.

6. Jewish working detachments: the Delegate asked for the reason why all Pow. of Hebrew faith have been segregated and put into special working Kommandos (Jewish). The Stalag Commandant declared that this was an order from the German High Command.

7. Working Detachment Glashütte No. 1/XIII: in this camp the German guard in charge of the distribution of Red Cross parcels sent from Stalag refused to give out several pairs of shoe laces unless cigarettes were given to him in return. The Stalag Commandant declared that his disapproves of such action and will have this case thoroughly investigated.

8. Revier: the Stalag Commandant was reminded of the overcrowded condition of the revier and the lack of light when the electric current is cut off. It was promised that the revier will be enlarged by one more barrack and that a special lamp will be provided for use when there is no electricity.

9. Drugs: all kinds of drugs are badly needed by the revier. The German authorities declared themselves unable to increase the German supply and are awaiting the arrival of new consignments from the I.R.C.C.

On the day of visit this Stalag made a sad impression due to the overcrowded condition caused by the uninterrupted arrival of new Pow. from the East. About half of all the new-comers are ill and in need of medical attention. The Delegate of the Protecting Power received an excellent impression of the American Medical Officer and his staff, who are working day and night for the benefit of all patients in the revier. Both Men of Confidence, American and British, are also doing their best on behalf of their comrades.

1. American PoW T/Sgt. Frank Prochessini (Army No. could not be given) died on December 25, 1944, due to injuries received during a bombing raid. The Sgt. was struck in the back by bomb fragments. He received the last Sacraments and burial rights of the Catholic Church and was buried in the village cemetery (plot 4 - grave 171) in Gerolstein, 75 miles west of Koblenz in Germany. Funeral services were held under the direction of Capt. Francis L. Sampson, American Catholic Chaplain.

2. British PoW Pte. J.L. MacDougal, PoW No.26094 arrived at Stalag Neubrandenburg the 14th of February, 1945, at 23:30 P.M. He was admitted to the revier at 23:40 P.M. and transferred from the revier to the Lazarett where he died at 2 A.M. on February 16th, 1945. He was buried at the cemetery of Neubrandenburg. Cause of death: exhaustion and dysentery. Next of kin: Richens Grove, Victoria, Australia.

4. William Gray Mann, Army S. No.185355, PoW No.8999 (British) - both were killed by a Russian bombing raid while passing through Stargard. (Information from German sources). Bodies were identified at Lazarett Stargard. Next of kin for Snell: E.M.Snell, Richmond, Surrey, 125 Lower Mortlake Road - for Mann: Mrs. W.H. Mann, 57, St. Stebens Road, Shepherds Bush, London, W.12.

5. British Pow. Pte. James Noble, Pow No. 5712, from camp Marienburg. He died of exhaustion in a French camp at Anklam on February 13th, 1945. Next of kin: Mother Mrs. Helen Noble, 237 Wood Street, Galashiels, Selkirkshire.

6. British PoW. William Hancock, Pow No.26209. He was admitted to Stalag Neubrandenburg at 19:30 hours on February 21st, 1945. During the night his condition became serious and at 5:15 hours on February 22nd, 1945, he died in the presence of the doctor. The cause of death was described by the doctor as cardiac failure and extreme nervous exhaustion accelerated by prolonged exposure and hunger resulting probably from his evacuation from Thorn. No address of next of kin could be given.

The camp lies near the repairing shops of the Reichsbahn. Good air-raid shelters are in the factory. As the above mentioned buildings must be considered as military targets, the Delegate of the Protecting Power protested against the situation of the camp.

170 American POWs all engaged in digging and similar work. They do 9 hours a day and 5 hours on Sundays. (See under title "Complaints"). On February 19th 80 prisoners arrived from a working detachment at Dannenwalde which was dissolved. The other 90 men arrived on January 10th, 1945.

One barrack with 4 sleeping-rooms with double-tier beds is occupied by the old party and a similar barrack is allotted to the new-comers. Lighting is fair. As the new-comers had no blankets at all, one was given to each of them by the old complement. Now each man has only one blanket.

Washing facilities are poor. There is only one tap in each room, i.e. one tap for 22 men.

These are miserable. The Delegate protested against the unsatisfactory toilet facilities and asked the manager of the factory to complete the latrines under construction within the shortest possible time, as he considered the actual situation as most unhygienic.

2 cooks are preparing the food in the separate kitchen-barrack. Rations are checked and found according to scale. No coal is available at the moment. Wood-details are organised which will gather wood in the forest. Red Cross parcels are stored in the warehouse of the Stalag, where the supply is drawn weekly.

Sick parade every morning by a civilian doctor. Serious cases are sent to the Stalag Revier. There is one recognised medical orderly in the camp, but he has no medical outfit. Some medicaments will be sent from the Stalag. Up to now no dental treatment was needed.

1) Since January 10th, the prisoners had to work every Sunday for several hours. Upon request of the Delegate of the Protecting Power, at least one Sunday out of three will in future be at the entire disposal of the prisoners.

2) A second blanket will be issued to all prisoners, as one is considered as insufficient.

3) The supply with heating fuel is stated to be insufficient. As no coal is obtainable, wood parties will be sent out daily.

4) It could not be ascertained if the digging work done by the prisoners had any military character. To prevent any misunderstanding, the German authorities approved to assign other work to the American POWs.

If all requests expressed by the Delegate of the Protecting Power are settled the camp will much improve.

Nature of work: Different jobs for the Reichsbahn, 10 hours daily, no Sunday work.

Air-raid shelters: Open Slit-trenches. The camp lies 200 yards from the station. The Delegate protested against the situation of the camp.

Medical: Sick parade twice a week by a Serbian doctor. No recognised medical orderly in the camp. Good dental treatment by a French dentist in the Stalag.

The camp lies in a stone building, 2 miles from an airport. Good air-raid shelters are provided for the prisoners.

One large room is furnished with wooden three-tier beds and chairs and tables. Lighting is good. For heating the prisoners do not receive any coal, but plenty of wood. Each man has two blankets.

One man is permanently in the kitchen and cooks for his comrades. Cooking facilities are adequate. The supply with wood is sufficient. Food parcels are stored in a room next to the kitchen. A second locker will be fixed to the door and the key given to the Man of Confidence.

Sickparade is held every morning. Serious cases are sent to the Stalag. There is no recognised medical orderly and no first-aid equipment in the camp. As none of the prisoners had any dental troubles, nothing can be said about dental treatment.

Each man has one outfit and one set of underwear, which is definitely insufficient.

Laundry is done by the prisoners themselves. A small supply of soap is received monthly.

The Delegate of the Protecting Power had to complain very strongly, as no spoons and no drinking cups were supplied for this camp. The Camp authorities promised to do their best to procure the missing utensils.

Stone-building in the yard of the Plattenfabrik, Friedland. Near the camp is a store-house of airplane parts. There are good air-raid shelters.

40 American POWs doing forest - and gardening work, 6-8 hours a day. There is no Sunday work.

One large room with wooden double tier beds, chairs and tables. Lighting and heating facilities are good. The fuel ration is one bucket of coal and as much wood as can be gathered on the work.

There are no facilities for hot showers. Hot water, however, can be heated in the kitchen boilers.

Two German women, helped by one of the prisoners, are cooking the German food. In the safe store-room there is one issue of Red Cross parcels left. One of the two keys is in possession of the Man of Confidence.

Sickparade is held by a civilian doctor at Friedland. Dental treatment by a civilian dentist. Serious cases are sent to the Stalag. On the day of visit, there was no patient in the camp. No medical orderly.

Each man has one Red Cross outfit. Some clogs and some underwear were issued by the German authorities.

Once in a month a razor-blade and a box of matches are available. Beer is rather scarce at the moment.

Only minor complaints were brought to the knowledge of the Delegate of the Protecting Power. They were settled by discussing them with the German officer in charge of the camp.

The camp is established in a stone-building near the Schotterwerke. There are no military targets in the neighbourhood. The air-raid shelters are good.

70 POWs in a quarry or at the machines of the Schotterwerke. They work 9 hours a day but, as compensation, have Sunday and Monday off.

The building is divided in two rooms with wooden triple-tier beds, chairs and tables. Lighting and heating are satisfactory. Every day a box of coal and a sufficient quantity of wood is issued. Each man has two blankets.

The food is drawn from the canteen. It is controlled regularly and found according to scale. Red Cross parcels are weekly fetched from the store-house at Waren and kept in a safe room with two lockers.

Prisoners who report sick in the evening are presented the next morning to a civilian doctor at Waren. Serious cases are sent back to the Stalag. There is one recognised medical orderly in the camp who has a small supply of medical parcels. Dental treatment at Waren is reported to be good.

The clothing position is very bad in this camp. The men have one set of underwear and one battle-dress, but the majority has no socks. The Germans are not in a position to issue any of these articles and the stock in the stalag is exhausted. Only some pairs of foot-wrappings were issued.

The camp consists of a wooden barrack in a region with no military targets. There are no air-raid shelters.

20 American POWs loading and unloading wagons for a sawmill. They work 9 hours daily and have one day off in a week.

The one room with double-tier beds is in the same time used as dining-room. Lighting and heating facilities are reported to be good. Sufficient wood is supplied by the sawmill. The Delegate asked for a second blanket. The request was granted.

A small kitchen is installed in a corner of the barrack, where one of the prisoners is cooking for the others. Rations are according to scale. Red Cross parcels arrive weekly and are stored in a large cupboard with two lockers.

Sick are daily examined by a civilian doctor at Stavenhagen. There is no First-aid box and no medical orderly in the camp. Up to now no dental treatment was needed.

The camp is equipped with games and playing cards. Books will be sent from the Stalag, when new consignments arrive from Geneva.

Red Cross: A stock of Red Cross food parcels lasting for a month is stored in a safe room with two lockers.

MEDICAL: Sick can see a German civilian doctor at Stavenhagen at any time. The same for dental treatment.

Drugs: There is no first-aid box in the camp, but in case of an accident, medical equipment can be obtained from the guard.

Red Cross: The stock of Red Cross food parcels is kept in a large cupboard with two lockers. There are about 32 parcels stored at the moment lasting for 4 weeks.

Medical: As mentioned above the civilian doctor at Stavenhagen can be seen at any time. Good dental treatment by the same doctor.

Complaints: The men have only one blanket. The German officer promised to supply the second one as quickly as possible.

Pvt. William J. Johnson, ASN 36808952, died on November 10, 1944 in Lazarett of Stalag II A. Next of kin: Mrs Carol Johnson (mother) 1418 S. Broadway St. Greenbay, Wisc. (Blood Poison).

Pfc. Glenn A. Smith, ASN 36815439, died on December 26, 1944 in Lazarett of Stalag II A. Next of kin: Mary Smith (wife) 3113 W. Michigan St., Milwaukee 8, Wisc. (Heart Attack).

Pvt. Woodrow Bowling, ASN 35084485, accidentally killed on January 18, 1945, at Dierkow. Next of kin: Mrs. Bessie Bowling, (wife) 1214, Sycamore St., Cincinnati, Ohio. (struck by train).

Pvt. Harry Huber, ASN 39558218, died on January 26, 1945, in Lazarett of Stalag II A. Next of kin: Sgt. Frederick S. Huber, (brother) A.A.F., E.P.D., Cillicot Building, Buffalo, N.Y. (Pneumonia).

Pvt. Elmer Winburn, ASN 35134365, died on February 9, 1945 in Lazarett of Stalag II A. Next of kin: Mrs. Elmer Winburn, (wife) 312 West Robbins, Covington, Kentucky. (Wounds from combat).

Pvt. Harry E. Lauffer, ASN 33705347, died on February 10, 1945 in Lazarett of Stalag II A. Next of kin: Mrs. Margaret Lauffer, (wife), Box 171. Harrison, Penna. (Spinal Meningitis).

T/Sgt. Joseph W. Bradford, ASN 18177453, died on July 22, 1944 in Lazarett of Stalag II A. Next of kin: Mrs. Margaret Bradford (wife) Boyd, Texas. (Wounds and shock from combat).

S/Sgt. Barton E. Weaver, ASN 17053436, died on February 16, 1945 in Lazarett of Stalag II A. Next of kin: Mrs. Stella Weaver (wife) 1320 Central Avenue, Hawarden, Iowa. (Double Pneumonia).

Pvt. James Benson, ASN 33537401, shot and killed in an attempt to escape on November 06, 1944 at Malchin. Next of kin: Mrs. C.H. Benson, Road 3, Staunton, Virginia.

Pvt. Harold Birchell, ASN 39562807 shot and killed in an attempt to escape on November 16, 1944 at Malchin. Next of kin: Mrs. V.R. Birchell, 5354, Wilburn Street, Compton, California.

T/5 Peter J. Predovic, ASN 15101326, died on February 9, 1945 in Lazarett of Stalag II A. Next of kin is not known. He died from spinal meningitis. Refer to Adj. Gen, Washington, D.C.

While visiting Stalag II A Neubrandenburg the delegate of the Protecting Power met in the base camp prisoners of war who had come from camps in East- and West-Prussia (for instance from Thorn, Graudenz, Marienburg, Hammerstein, Stargard). All the prisoners of war had to march from seven to twenty-eight days before arriving at Neubrandenburg. Half of them are sick and in need of medical attendance. They were left behind at Neubrandenburg, the main groups continuing their march in an unknown destination.

The delegate of the Protecting Power interrogated several of these new prisoners of war at Neubrandenburg concerning their march from the East; copies of their signed statements are attached to this report.

Statement from Sgt. Herbert D. Horsyth, British POW No. 18943 and Sgt. H. Watt, British POW No. 14838. (March from Marienburg to Anklam).

Food: For the first 18 days of the march absolutely no attempt was made to supply the prisoners of war with a hot mea. On the first and second day of the march we received a bread and meat ration, but for the next 12 days we did not receive any food of any kind and not even a drink of hot coffee was issued.

Billeting: No arrangements were made beforehand to find sleeping quarters for the men, we just had to march on and on till we came to a farm that was considered suitable by the officer in charge of the column. In one instance the column of 2000 men were told to go into two barns that were already filled with Russian prisoners of war who were so tightly packed in they could not lay down. When I suggested to the German officer in charge that there was no room in there for another 2000 men he said "alright," if you don't go in there you can sleep out here in the farmyard" which was more than ankle deep in mud. Finally we were forced to go in by the guards who were ordered by the officer to shoot any man who did not go in. 4000 men spent the night sitting on top of each other in these two barns.

Treatment of sick: No attempt was made to provide any sort of treatment of first aid for the sick. In one instance one man of my party was so sick and weak he could hardly walk. The German Underofficer in charge of my party would not allow me to put him on the cart we had with us for the transport of the guards kit. He also would not allow us to leave him behind, with the result that for 14 days he had to be helped and carried along by his comrades. Then for three days I was allowed to put him on the wagon until one night a guard thrashed him with a stick and threw him off the wagon where he was left to lie in the mud till some of his comrades picked him up and carried him to the next barn. I have seen many other sick men who were beaten by the guards and forced to carry on until they dropped unconscious on the road.

Statement from Pte. Frank Lofthouse, British POW NO. 19721, marching with a column of prisoners from Graudenz.

My comrades and I had to sleep 3 nights out in open fields on 2 feet of snow and 19 degrees of frost. In 21 days we never received a hot meal. We had to march 25 to 30 kilometres a day. Sick men were forced to carry on for 21 days without attention. I have seen a British Medical Officer (Capt. Sapsford, RAMC) beaten by a guard with the butt of a rifle while he was sick.

Statement by R.S.M. W.G. Cockaday, British POW No. 20699. March of Stalag XX A, Thorn, to Neubrandenburg.

600 British POWs of Lager 3 (a section of the Stalag XX A) started on the march on January 20th, 1945. They passed through the following towns: Thorn, Bromberg, Immelheim, Flatow, Jastrow, Tempelburg, Schivelbein, Swinemunde, Greifswlad, Demmin; they arrived on February 18th, 1945, at Neu-Kalen where they rested for three days. From the 600 British prisoners who left Thorn, only about 350 arrived at Neu-Kalen. A big party was left behind at Bromberg and about 50 men were caught by the Russians. - Some of them were re-captured by the Germans. On February 21st, 1945, 56 sick left Neu-Kalen by train and arrived the same day in Stalag II A Neubrandenburg. The rest of the 300 men continued to march. Their destination is not known.

March: 20 to 25 km. were covered daily. No days of rest were accorded apart from the three days in Neu-Kalen.

Food: No hot food was given out in the four weeks of the march. Sometimes even bread was not distributed for 3 or 4 days. They only real meal was prepared in Neu-Kalen on the 30th day of the march.

Quarters: The first night prisoners were compelled to sleep in the open, lying 2 feet deep in the snow. Afterwards they were primitively accommodated in barns etc.

Medical: No medical attention was given at all, except by the British sanitators. There was no German doctor. Sgt. Streeter, RAMC, did marvellous work and it is mostly due to him that the general state of health was not worse.

Report of death: When passing through Zirchow, Kr. Swinemunde, R.S.M. Cockaday was informed by civilians that a British Soldier was lying in a house. The man was dead and had no identification papers whatsoever. The only thing known is his POW No. 19355.

On January 29th, 1945, several working detachments with a total strength of 260 British POWs were gathered at Briesen and left the same day in the direction of Graudenz, arriving on February 10th 1945, at Anklam; they passed through Graudenz, Schwetz, Tuchel, Konitz, Hammerstein, Neustettin, Bad Polzen, Grosswalden, Klenzow, Regenwalde, where they rested for one day, Zimmerhausen, Tessin, Wailin, Swinemunde, Usedom. When arriving at Anklam 25 sick were sent to a Lager in Anklam, where they got medical treatment by an Italian doctor. They day after they were sent by train to Pasewalk and in a cattle-truck to Neubrandenburg, where they arrived on February 13th, 1945. 17 men were left behind at Regenwalde. The main column with a total strength of about 220 men continued the march from Anklam. Its whereabouts is not known.

Food: The following food was issued during the 20 days of the march: 2 soups, 2 1/5 loafs of bread, 70 grs. of cheese and 200 grs. of margarine. 4 times hot water was distributed for making tea or coffee. 4 times hot potatoes were available.

Medical: The only medical attention was given by British sanitators. Supply with medical equipment which was carried by British medical orderlies was insufficient.

RED CROSS PARCELS: When passing through Hammerstein, prisoners were allowed to take as much Red Cross food stuff with them as they were able to carry. The German guards loaded several cars with Red Cross parcels which lasted much longer than the small supply carried by the prisoners themselves. They continued to smoke British and American cigarettes and to eat Red Cross tins when the prisoners had run out of their reserve long ago, but never did they give anything to the starving prisoners, not even to the sick. No death reported.

On January 20th, 1945, several working detachments were gathered at Graudenz. About 750 British POWs started on the march together with 800 Russian prisoners. The route was more or less the same as reported by Cpl. F. Cluer. At Regenwalde Pte. Ellis and one of his comrades joined another group from Stalag XX A and continued with them the march to Anklam where they arrived on February 9th, 1945. With 50 sick they were sent to Neubrandenburg, where they arrived on February 13th, 1945. The main column continued their march with a strength of about 580, another 120 men having been lost in the first 10 days.

March: The column marched daily between 25 and 30 km. and the first days even 40 km.

Treatment: Treatment was not good, but no serious case of ill treatment was reported.

Food: For 20 days the following rations were distributed: 5 pounds of bread, 250 grs. sugar, 250 grs. margarine, 100 grs. meat and 250 grs. soup-powder. On some evenings hot potatoes were available, or hot water for making tea. At Hammerstein every prisoner took one Red Cross food parcel.

Quarters: For four nights the prisoners slept in the open air. Afterwards barns and such were provided for them.

Medical: British medical orderlies were looking after the sick. No supply of medicaments or bandages.

Report of death: The following prisoner died on February 11th, 1945 in a French camp near Usedom:

Next of kin: Mrs. H. Bell, c/o Miss Goates, St. Joseph's Guest House, Franciscan Convent, Woodchester, Nth. Stroud, Glos. England.

We left Stalag II D on February 8th for an unknown destination. We were given rations for three days. The first day we marched about 25 km. and slept on the ground out in the open for the night. Mostly all of the men were hospital cases and when several of the men dropped back, they were given very rough treatment by the guards. After marching for three days, we were given a rest-period of twenty-four hours. We marched again for three more days without any German rations whatsoever and also without water to drink. After nine days of walking the men's feet were in very bad condition with blisters, etc. We reached Stalag II A. We were refused entrance to this Stalag and had to walk twelve km. more during the evening. We slept in a barn with two straw lofts with only one ladder and no latrine facilities. Many of the men had dysentery and were unable to get down from the left. The next day we marched about 10 km. and then turned back. We were sent to sleep in the same barn that we slept in the night be-fore but the owner and the guards refused to admit us because of the condition and they called us swine and hounds. All along the route the guard kept asking us why we were here and why didn't we stay in America where they said we belong. We marched back to Stalag IIA and were permitted entrance.

We left Stargard on February 8th, 1945, at 8:30 hours. and walked about 24 km. for the first day without any break for the first three hours, including men who were ill. We stopped at night and slept in an open field and it was very cold. On February 9th we started walking at 7:30 in the cold and rain, including the sick men who were in very bad shape. We stopped at a large farm which was an Emergency Lazarett and there the German doctor declared some of the men unfit for the march. The sick men were separated and left to sleep in a barn with a Canadian medical orderly in charge of these men. On February 10th, at 8.00 a.m. we started walking again and the sick men were allowed to ride in a wagon and we changed wagon at each town. We witnessed very cruel treatment along the march and the last we saw of the main group was about 10:30 p.m. The Unter-offizier in charge put us in a barn to sleep for the night. On February 11th, we were refused admission and examination in several Lazarets so we continued walking to Peaswalk, where we met 44 English who were also unable to walk. We were put in box-cars about 4:00 p.m. with 62 men crowded in a card including three stretcher cases. Fourteen hours later we arrived in Neubrandenburg, Stalag II A.

The first day of our march from Stalag II B to Stalag II D we walked 32 km. and slept in a barn the first night. The rations consisted of one British invalid package for three men, a loaf of bread for five men for eight days and a small can of meat. We received potatoes and water only 2 times on the entire trip. The German officer in charge of the group promised us more food and coffee, but it was only given to us two times. We did not receive proper medical attention and if it had not been for the British doctor more of our men would have died and more men would have been taken seriously ill. At roll-call we were made to stand in zero weather from an hour to an hour and a half, and many men had frozen feet or developed them while we were there. We left the hospital and had to make a march of eight km. to the rail-road station. Our march totalled 140 km. for the entire trip.

On January 30th, 1945, we began our march from Stalag II D to Stalag II A. The morning we started the march we were not given anything to eat. Later rations which were given to us consisted of 3/4 of a loaf of bread, a little sausage and butter for three days. The first day we walked 30 km. and the same amount for the second day, then we were given a rest of one day. The sick men who fell by the side of the road and who were unable to continue walking were beaten with the butt of the rifle by the guards. In the morning when the men were awakened some of the men could not put their shoes on because of frozen or swollen feet and the guards would again beat them with the butt of the rifle. Had it not been for the Red Cross food, I believe we could not have made it this far.

We started marching on Saturday, January 27th, 1945, from Neiderausmas, West Prussia, en route to Kulm, West Prussia, where all transports gather for movement. On Sunday we had reveille at 4.00 and started marching to Kolmishwenslow, a distance of 20 km. We were told to put our rations and other foodstuffs on the wagons which were attached to each transport. At noon of that day we arrived at Kolmishwenslow and were permitted to draw from our rations what we desired. One hour later we were on the road marching toward Fordon, a distance of 18 km. We spent the night in a farmhouse where we met men from other transports. The following day we marched through the town of Fordon toward Bromberg, 20 km. away. We stopped at noon and proceeded to our food wagons where we saw the German guards taking our rations and on pleading with them, they gave us a very small share. The road to Bromberg was in turmoil, civilian refugees and German troops filled the road. The town was avoided and we proceeded towards Vonsberg. The night was spent in a barn and the following day was spent in marching from Vonsberg to Krone approx. 25 km. away. We rested the next day and received a pig weighing about 200 pounds and potatoes which were mixed together and made into a stew, the first food in 4 days. The next morning we proceeded to Schneidemuhl and marched all day, but toward evening we changed direction toward Konitz and spent the night in a barn, receiving four potatoes per man. The following morning we again changed direction and started toward Hammerstein, spending the night 8 km. outside the town. En route to Hammerstein, we saw civilians and German soldiers carrying Red Cross parcels. We were marched through the town to a barn 19km. away without drawing any rations. On February 3rd, we received a pig and 3 pails of potatoes to feed 600 men which was divided as equally as possible. The above is just a minute picture of what we encountered on our 3 weeks march. On the 21st of February I entered Stalag II A, was taken into the infirmary and examined by Captain Cecil Howes, American Medical Officer and found to be in a state of complete exhaustion, infected trench feet suffering from malnutrition and severe diarrhea with blood in the stools and numerous abscesses scattered over my body.

According to telegraphic report from Swiss Legation, Berlin, Stalag IIA and detachments were visited 19th to 22nd February. Camp containing 744 British 3,175 Americans is reception centre for prisoners fallen sick during evacuation from eastern Germany. Main camp and infirmary very overcrowded adequate number Red Cross parcels.

While visiting Stalag IIA Neubrandenburg Swiss delegate met prisoners from Thorn Graudenz M. Trienburg Hammerstein and Stargard who had been on march 7 to 28 days. Half who were sick and needing medical attention were left at Neubrandenburg, main groups continuing to march to unknown destination.

Delegate interrogated several prisoners on 23rd February. Copies of their signed statements follow by bag. In general, conditions were bad with prisoners having to sleep in snow or barns, no proper rations or medical treatment, and some ill-treatment.

Delegate learned that Private H. Bell P.O.W. 1345 died of exhaustion 11th February in French camp near Usedom. Next of kin Mrs H. Bell St. Joseph's Guest House, Franciscan Convent, Woodchester, Stroud.

2) Very bad conditions at Camp Hospital at NEU BRANDENBURG. Prisoners are ex Stalag II D. Death rate 10 per day. Medical supplies urgently needed. Chiefly dysentery.