Translation by the London Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

STALAG II A. HOSPITAL (Germany)

Visited on September 27th. 1944 by Dr Landolt.

STRENGTH - 388 patients of which -

                            3 British (2 officers and one N.C.O.)

                            3 Americans (2 officers and one N.C.O.)

GENERAL REMARKS - This P.O.W. Hospital is attached to Stalag II A and receives all sick P.O.W. from "Wehrkreis" II. It is specially used for surgical cases which are in the majority here. The Polish doctor, Dr. Markowski, a very clever surgeon, has effected over 3000 operations since being a prisoner; he undertakes all surgical cases.

SITUATION AND ACCOMMODATION - The hospital is situated on a hill to the South-West of a small town; it is built on sandy soil in very dry seasons the sand carried by the wind is very disagreeable. Eight well built huts (part wood, part brick) have been placed on level ground and surrounded with flowers beds. Three of the huts are used for medical wards and four for surgical cases, the remaining hut has been set up as an operating theatre, very well equipped, and the bandaging and plaster ward which is also used for operations on septic cases. An X Ray apparatus has also been installed.

        The huts contain wooden beds with mattresses stuffed with wood shavings. The majority of the patients have sheets and two blankets. The number of blankets is not sufficient in between seasons and will not be enough either for this winter in spite of the heating arrangements as it appears the hospital will not have sufficient fuel. The Delegate approached the Camp Commandant concerning  this matter and was informed that it is not possible to obtain further blankets: he begged that Geneva should be requested to send 400 blankets as soon as possible.

        Heating will begin at the hospital on October 15th 1944.

        The situation as regards lighting in the huts is not very good.

        The hospital is infested with bugs and fleas and all means taken to destroy them have been useless up to the present although the doctor confirms that all efforts have been made.

FOOD - According to the Doctor, the quantity of food supplied by the German authorities is not sufficient and the problem could never have been solved without the aid of the collective consignments which enable them to arrange special diets, a pro[ceed?]ing which would not be possible otherwise. To this effect, the suppression of reserves of collective consignments has made a most unfavourable, one may even say dangerous, impression.

CLOTHING - Owing to the fact that the hospital admits patients from all the East region of the "Wehrkreis" II, the state of the prisoners' clothing is that of the general state of clothing in this region. Whatever clothing is required for the hospital patients is procured from Stalag II A.

COLLECTIVE CONSIGNMENTS - These are also obtained from Stalag II A.

MEDICAL CARE - The surgical section is carrying out most remarkable work; all praise should be rendered to the Polish doctor, Dr. Markowski. Operations are performed for appendicitis, trepanation, removal of lymphatic iliacus ganglions in cases of Burger's disease. At the internal treatment section, the doctors have to treat a great many cases of tuberculosis. For these cases the post-operative treatment of patients and for stomach complaints the recent ruling of the "Oberkommando der Wehrmacht" makes dieting impossible with most regrettable consequences.

MEDICINE AND BANDAGES - The delivery of medical supplies from the German authorities is rapidly decreasing. The doctors make an urgent request for -

                Calcium Sandoz (in all degrees of concentration)

                Insuline

                Priscol

                Adenonsine tri-phosphoric acid

                Tincture of iodine

                Hormome preparations

                Cortical surrenal

                Raberantine

                Benzoate of soda

                Codeine

                Vitamines C.

        As regards bandages there have to be employed (as in the infirmary at Stalag II A) increasing quantities of paper bandages. For dressing the polish doctor is already obliged to use starched bands. The following supplies should therefore be sent soonest possible -

                Gauze

                Cotton wool

                Dressing material

                Leucoplaster

                Plaster bandages

                Bandages and supports

        According to the doctors, the instruments supplied by the German authorities are of bad quality. The old instruments which are very worn are becoming more and more useless.

        There is an urgent need for a complete set of instruments. Dr. Markowski states that the poor condition of instruments and supplies makes operations very difficult.

        No case of exanthematic typhus has occurred up to the present but as prophylactic precaution the doctors would like to have a small stock of exanthematic typhus vaccine.

        Dental attention is given at Stalag II A.

RECREATION, INTELLECTUAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS - Also at Stalag II A.

DISCIPLINE - The German Senior Medical Officer ("Oberstabsarzt") Dr. Hartmann is without doubt an ideal chief for a hospital. His attitude towards the doctors, P.O.W., is satisfactory in all ways.

FINAL INTERVIEW - The Delegate was able to speak for four hours without witnesses with the P.O.W. doctors. All questions discussed have already been mentioned in this report.

CONCLUSION - Apart from the needs mentioned in the report (blankets, bandages, instruments and medical supplies) the hospital may be considered excellent. If, however, the prisoners passed unfit for service and now at the hospital and in the camp are not repatriated in the near future the hospital will become uncomfortably overcrowded.