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

AIRMEN HOSPITAL 4/11 WISMAR

Visited on September 24th. 1944 by Dr. H. Landolt.

Senior Medical Officer - Oberstarzt Bengsch.

British Camp Leader - Sgt. Frank MARSH (no number - has not yet been attached to a definite camp)

Strength - 21 Americans

                  1 British (Camp Leader)

The prisoners are lodged in a large modern German army hospital where they occupy one large ward.

They are principally men who have arrived direct from the front or whose planes have been shot down on German territory; others are from Dulag Luft.

The accommodation, the food and the attention given by the German medical officer, Colonel BENGSCH, leave nothing to be desired.

The prisoners have a reserve of 19 British parcels.

The Camp Leader requires 20 complete outfits (from uniforms to toothbrushes) as these airmen possess absolutely nothing. With this one exception, for which the Delegate requests prompt attention, the hospital may be considered excellent. The same applies to the morale of the prisoners, the majority of whom are badly wounded.

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

SCHLESWIG HOSPITAL II

Visited by Dr. Landolt and Dr. Thudichum on October 7th, 1944.

Medical Officer - Oberstabsarzt Dr. BÖWING-TREUDING.

French Senior Medical Officer - Pierre MICHAUD, Lt.

Strength - total p.o.w. 71 including -

                1 British

                6 Americans

Situation and accommodation - There have been no changes since the last visit of the Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

        The three large wards contain each about 24 patients, the smaller wards from 4 to 6; sheets are changed every month or more often if necessary.

Food - Prisoners are still unable to control rations but doctors believe that these are properly issued.

        For the last month, prisoners have been given sugar and marmalade, following the wish expressed during the last visit.

        17 diet portions are prepared daily and consist principally of mashed potatoes for midday and milk soup for the evening meal, also 25 gr. of margarine for each patient and three eggs for the whole of the hospital. Collective consignments continue to be the basis of all diet meals.

Clothing - Instead of pyjamas, most prisoners are given knitted shirts.

        There are 6 American airmen in the hospital without clothing.

Sanitary installation - Is quite satisfactory.

Medical attention - This is a surgical hospital. Operations are performed by the French surgeon, assisted by a doctor of another nationality, who attends to all the prisoners.

        Up to now, the operating ward was not convenient; it had been installed in the principal buildings of the hospital and was also used for German patients undergoing treatment for slight affections. When the Delegates visited the hospital, a new operating ward for the prisoners' use had been installed in the building where they are housed. As far as the Delegates could judge and according to the doctors' opinion, the new ward is better. Some inconvenience is caused by the fact that the radiological section for prisoners is at the Reservelazarett 1, about 4 kilometres away and it is often not easy to take the prisoners there. The lack of radiological apparatus at Hospital II is due to the German section only treating small surgical cases, which do not require radiographs and which can be easily sent elsewhere if necessary.

        There is an isolation ward in the hospital for infectious cases; on the day of the visit it only contained one slight case of diphtheria and one of styptic evolution. The Delegates were assured that only doubtful or slightly infectious cases were admitted, whereas dangerous cases, if any, would be transferred to Hospital III.

Medical supplies - The German authorities do not issue sufficient supplies; there is a great lack of alcohol, benzine and peroxide of hydrogen. The same applies to bandaging material; paper bandages are delivered in a far greater proportion than other supplies. Swabs are greatly required; there are now employed to replace these plaster bandages (unplastered) which are naturally not suitable; an urgent demand for swabs was made. There is a lack of rubber gloves; the same gloves must often be employed for 5 or 6 operations in turn; hands are washed in sterilizing solution.

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - A chaplain from a neighbouring camp comes to the hospital to hold a religious service every Sunday.

        Medical books are requested.

Pay - Pay is normal.

Mail - Depends upon present circumstances.

Conclusion - The hospital installation is still somewhat rudimentary but on the whole it gives a good impression and will be quite satisfactory when the operating ward has been finished.