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

STALAG II D

Visited on August 12th. 1944 by Dr. Rossel.

Canadian Camp Leader - Sgt. Lucien MARTIN, No. 26721

Strength - 1,164 Canadians - 323 in camp out of a total of 18,908 prisoners.

                23 Canadian detachments.

Situation and accommodation - The camp has already been described in former reports and very few changes have been made. The brick huts are better than the usual wooden huts, being warmer and more waterproof.

        The camp is much improved by all free spaces having been turned into gardens; each room has a little garden (flowers and vegetables).

        The German authorities have tried to make as complete a separation as possible between British prisoners and others. The limits of the British camp are now well marked by a barbed wire enclosure; only the infirmary remains in the main camp but the Canadians will shortly be given a hut for this purpose and will thus be completely separated.

        The huts are usually well ventilated and the number of prisoners in each room is not too large. Unfortunately all the buildings are infested with fleas and bugs and disinfecting is not done regularly.

        Lighting, principally in the Canadian huts, is not sufficient. The Commandant states that this will be improved before the winter.

        The prisoners would like to have a washbasin in the disciplinary hut. The Commandant stated that it was not a disciplinary hut but a "Sonderbaracks" (special hut) and that the two water pipes therein are sufficient.

Food - The Delegate was unable to procure from the "Stabszahlemeister" a detailed list of the rations for the week (see appendix).

        On the whole, the prisoners are satisfied with the equipment allowed for personal cooking. Fuel is still very rate. The Canadians tea issued from the camp kitchens in the morning and ask to be given sugar and hot water in order to prepare their own tea or coffee from Red Cross parcels. Their request has been granted.

        The prisoners make no complaint regarding the food from camp kitchens.

Clothing - On the whole, the clothing situation in the camp is good compared to that of other camps. A list of articles required has been sent to Geneva.

Collective consignments - The Canadian Camp Leader has a stock of 9,972 Standard Parcels, sufficient for his needs. As the camp may possibly be moved elsewhere, he does not wish to have too large a stock which he could certainly not remove.

        The British detachments being few in number, there is not a Camp Leader for each company; the control of consignments from the main camp to the 23 working parties cannot be assured and losses are fairly high. In regard to this matter, the German Commandant states that he could not appoint a man in each party to control Red Cross consignments; as there are only 23 working parties the Camp Leader should be able to carry out such control as he is free to visit the parties.

        The Canadian Camp Leader would like the use of a lorry and asks for his request to be transmitted to the Canadian Red Cross. The Delegate warned him that there was little hope of his receiving a lorry at present but the Camp Leader wishes his request to be transmitted as he esteems that the Canadian Red Cross should let him have at least 600 litres of benzine per month.

        Losses of cigarettes are fairly high. The issues were based on 50 to 30 cigarettes each man, per week. When Geneva was advised, orders were given to recommence distribution at the rate of 50; thefts in transit were to be compensated by a supplementary consignment which has not yet arrived.

        The principal Camp Leader once again complaints that Relief Committees of other nations send parcels to the men without labels having been countersigned by him; some prisoners are thus taking an unfair advantage.

Discipline - There are no remarks to be made concerning discipline in the camp on the whole. Some men, however, have been placed in the "Sonderkompagnie" for reasons unknown. The Commandant himself can give no reason for this proceeding which is often the result of orders received from higher authorities.

        The Canadian N.C.O. complain of being frequently insulted by the sentries.

Work and Pay - The point raised in all working parties and camps is also discussed here, i.e. why are prisoners obliged to work every Sunday?

        The question of payment is quite in order.

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - Chaplains have all freedom to carry out their ministry. The Canadians would like to have a Roman Catholic priest; this request has been transmitted.

        Prisoners are quite satisfied as regards the sports question; requisites are always very much appreciated and the Y.M.C.A. have made a great effort in this direction.

        Books - the British only have about 1,200 volumes in the camp; the others are divided amongst the working parties; all further supplies would be gratefully received.

        A theatre for the British P.O.W. is now being put up; the Delegate visited the hall, which is being constructed and decorated by the prisoners themselves, and was favourably impressed.

Medical attention - One Canadian doctor (out of the seven others) Capt. Deryck TAVERNER, RAMC, No.1173.

        232 patients of which 33 are British.

Infirmary - The infirmary includes three huts, one of which has been fitted up as an infirmary. The installation is primitive. The isolated wards for infectious illnesses are badly kept. Under such conditions, doctors can only attend to slight urgent cases and patients have to be transferred rapidly elsewhere. The other huts available are just ordinary camp huts and only slight cases can be treated there.

        The British infirmary is quite apart from that for other prisoners. It has been set up temporarily in one of the usual camp huts and contains wooden three-tiered bunks. There are no separate rooms for the medical personnel. There is no water supply in the surgery and latrines are too far away outside. The German Commandant infirmed the Delegate that a new hut will shortly be ready to be used as an infirmary for Canadian P.O.W.

Medical supplies and instruments - Capt. D. TAVERNER has made out a detailed list of medical supplies and instruments for his infirmary; this list will be sent to Geneva.

        The British doctor would also like to receive -

                Shirts or pyjamas for sick prisoners

                Overalls for the Doctor and medical personnel

                An autoscope

                An opthalmoscope - a proctescope and a waste bucket with lid

Medical attention at working parties - There is often a lack of medical attention for working parties. The Delegate heard several complaints under this heading, the chief being that the two civilian doctors engaged on the work are overworked and do not take the trouble to make a thorough examination of the prisoners who ask for attention.

        In several of the working parties, the Delegate met British P.O.W. suffering from malaria, in bed with bouts of fever and no appropriate medicine available. The British doctor has also complained regarding this matter.

        The Delegate discussed the question of malaria at length with the Senior German Medical Officer. The latter admitted that the civilian doctors visiting detachments are not familiar with the disease which they discover too late, generally when the patient himself mentions it. On account of the language difficulty the treatment given is sometimes not appropriate. The Senior German Medical Officer will sent a circular letter to all civilian doctors, warning them of this matter and giving them the necessary instructions for discovering symptoms of malaria; all likely cases should be sent directly to the camp hospital.

Canadians unfit for service - Certain cases should go before the Mixed Medical Commission. Some candidates would not go before the Commission when it was last held as they arrived at the camp too late.

Evacuations - All men evacuated will be sent to Stargard Hospital.

Diet - The German authorities consider that diets are not necessary as only light cases remain in the camp. The prisoners can prepare appropriate meals from Red Cross supplies.

Tuberculosis - Systematic radioscope examinations are made in camp and certain working parties. When a case of open tuberculosis is found in a detachment, the case is examined at the nearest town.

Dental surgery - The dental surgery is badly installed; there is only one dentist's chair and the operator is overworked. The latter requests to be sent the largest amount possible of palladont and false teeth.

Canteen - The canteen is particularly well supplied and the prisoners are quite satisfied. The proceeds are practically useless.

Interview with Camp Leaders - The Delegate was able to converse freely with Camp Leaders and Doctors; interviews were based on the points above mentioned. Actually, prisoners are not occupied by details and only await the end of their captivity.

Conclusion - On the whole, conditions at this camp are above the average.

VISITS TO WORKING CAMPS

        Before visiting the main camp, the Delegate went to several working parties where he often found three or four camp leaders together with whom he could talk quite freely and visit the detachments in their company. All questions of detail were immediately settled with the German officers at the detachments. Questions of greater importance were recalled during the final interview in the Main Camp. On the whole, most of these detachments, which are engaged on agricultural work, are good working parties. On the other hand, in view of the present military situation, prisoners are inclined to consider that some new factor may intervene and forget to prepare their usual lists of slight complaints. Today, in all working parties in the Eastern region, there is much conjecture as to the prisoners' position in the events which may occur.

APPENDIX

MENU for the period 7/8/44 - 13/8/44 for Prisoners of War - Camp II D

Weekly ration - 200g Meat, 218 g Fat, 40g Cheese, 175g Other nourishing food, 175g Sugar, 24 gr. Ers. Coffee, 175g Marmalade, 2425 Bread.

COPY OF TELEGRAM.

0103/5885.(P.W.2.)

20th September, 1944

From: International Red Cross Committee, Geneva.

To: Delegate, London.

Sent: 12.9.44.

Received: 14.9.44.

        193 STALAG II D visited on 12th August see report of 26th February, 1164 Canadians out of 18900 prisoners Canadian Camp Leader Company Sergeant Lucien Martin 26721 Accommodation unchanged Vermin Disinfection only at irregular intervals Lighting inadequate Improvements promised. Available ground now well cultivated. Weekly rations in grammes: 220 meat 218 fat 40 cheese 175 nourishing foods 175 sugar 24 coffee substitute 175 marmalade 2425 bread No complaints Stock of 9972 parcels (standard) Difficulties in transmission to 23 Canadian labour detachments. Canadians have asked for catholic chaplain. Library of 1200 works in English. Theatre being constructed. Canadian doctor Captain Deryck Taverner 1173 33 Canadians patients in primitive infirmary three-tier wooden bunks. Outside latrines. New infirmary planned. Medical attention inadequate in labour detachments Some cases of malaria. Serious cases evacuated lazaret Dentist overworked. Requests for various supplies sent to Geneva.

        Lager Lazarett XVII A visited 8th August see report of 10th January 24 patients and 2 doctors and 6 orderlies all British out of 140 prisoners. Excellent conditions for slight cases except for lack hot water Other cases to neighbouring lazaret Second dentist to arrive 70 artificial dentures monthly 2 British deaths since January. Discipline all right Some difficulties in regard to outings of medical staff.

        Stalag XVII B visited 10th August Camp Leader Harry Williamson 153751 Strength 30000 prisoners of whom 1153 are British Among latter 103 a camp 8 at infirmary 19 at Lazaret 2 chaplains 5 medical orderlies 11 working in American section. No special complaints Some clothing requested from Geneva. Hygiene good save for frequent interruptions in water supply.

        Labour Detachments Nos. [9 or 3]717 and 704. Strength 252 British Camp Leader Bernard Dillon 153329 Quarters food good. 3 British check food and prepare meals Possibility of cooking individual dishes 80 British working on German State Railway wearing working outfits Others possess only one uniform each Trousers shabby 11 recently received 1 pair boots Parcels from Geneva arrived at regular intervals from Stalag Reserves for 5 months excepting cigarettes. Improvements in working conditions obtained 40 RM monthly Civilian doctor available and 1 medical orderly but need material. Various leisure occupations Delegates asking for better anti-air raid protective measures for 80 British.

        Reserve Lazarett II A Wehrkreis XVII 7th August 3 British airmen who are wounded out of 42 patients Camp Leader Vincent Clarke 53362 controls parcels perfectly Excellent medical care.

        Stalag 398 visited 12th August 3685 prisoners of whom 610 are British Refer to report of 17th January Camp Leader unchanged He has sent half reserve supplies for 2 months to detachments Otherwise no other remarks.

        Stalag XII D visited 11th August Indian Camp Leader Beg Mansur 73006 (a Corporal) Strength 891 Indians of whom 7 who are medical orderlies are separately housed from men of other nationalities Huts surrounded by gardens Three-tier bunks Food can be checked Individual cookery from contents parcels possible three times a week. Weekly showerbaths Infirmary overcrowded and infested with fleas admits and treats slight cases Work increased Various difficulties arising out of necessity ritual food 50 men want meatless parcels. A good camp.

        Stalag XII F visited 13th August Indian Camp Leader Vedara Chander Tagdish 7260 Strength 4 Indians at Camp 91 at Lazaret 529 in Labour Detachments. Camp situated in forts Food "claimless" (sic. probably means "no complaints" trans). Canteen well stocks 4 Tubercular Indians died in lazaret. Work arduous No special remarks.

        INTERCROIXROUGE D9934