CONFIDENTIAL

No.48

Date of visit: December 1, 1942.

BAU-UND ARBEITSBATAILLON 40

(Wehrkreis VIII)

Camp Commander: Hauptmann Krieter

British Man of Confidence: Sgt. John Lunn, p.o.w. No.7811.

British Medical Officer: Capt. Gordon Knowles, R.A.M.C.

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I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        No change since last visit except for air raid shelters which have been built or are in course of building.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        598 British prisoners of war of whom 43 are naval men who were transferred from Marlag Nord.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        Every prisoner has 2 blankets, one German and one from the Red Cross; however, they seem to be very thin and worn out; besides they have become rather dirty as the prisoners can wash them only in summer and then have no means to wash them thoroughly. The Man of Confidence has already applied in Geneva for some new ones but the question was discussed with the Camp Commander who said that new blankets ought to be provided by the employer and that he would ask the firm to issue some more; will be checked at next visit.

IV.) WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES AND

V.) TOILET FACILITIES.

        No change; excellent.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        No change; the food was said to be rather better than before.

        Good stock of Red Cross parcels.

        Eating bowls are rather worn out and the Camp Commander promised to try to obtain some new ones through the employer.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        British Medical Officer: Capt. Gordon Knowles, RAMC.

        He is assisted by recognised sanitators. On the day of visit there were 21 patients unfit for work suffering from colds, gastric and skin diseases (see special report); 5 of them with fever are confined to bed lying in the revier. General state of health was said to be fairly good. The rate of working accidents is about one per day. Drug supply comes from the Res.Laz.Cosel.

        For dental treatment see report of B.A.B. 20. Every 6th week the British dentist of Stalag VIII B comes and spends his week-end in this camp, doing all the necessary extractions.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        As regards clothing this camp is pretty well off except for trousers; the Man of Confidence has already applied in Geneva.

        Some overalls for the prisoners doing dirty and especially cement work were already provided by the firm but some more are required; this was discussed with the Camp Commander who promised to approach the employer in view to obtain more of them. Will be checked at next visit.

IX.) LAUNDRY

        Nothing to report.

X.) MONEY AND PAY

        Pay and working conditions still the same.

        It was asked if at the end of the captivity all the money on the prisoner's account will be exchanged at the rate of 15 marks to the pound or only the money corresponding to the wages or the sold paid to the prisoner during his captivity. The Swiss Legation acting as Protecting Power would be grateful for a declaration on that point.

XI.) CANTEEN

        Not well stocked at the moment except for some beer.

        As in other canteens writing paper, razor-blades, tooth-brushes, tooth-paste, boot-polish etc. are badly needed.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        Nothing to report.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        The orchestra has received a saxophone from the Y.M.C.A. for which the camp is very grateful.

        Some more books have arrived and the library comprises now 1444 books.

        Theatre performances are going on and the company is preparing a pantomime for Christmas.

        Sport facilities still satisfactory; however, ping pong balls are badly needed and this wish will be communicated to the YMCA.

XIV.) MAIL

        Although the mail restrictions have been removed for the present month, the incoming mail was very slow lately.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        This camp is regularly visited by representatives of the Y.M.C.A.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        (1) The Man of Confidence mentioned that owing to a new order a German guard in charge of a detachment of British prisoners does not command the saluting if a British Officer is met; this seems to be quite in order but the prisoners are rather annoyed about it and the Camp Commander stated that the British prisoners are in that case absolutely free to salute their Officers individually and therefore the matter seems to be settled.

        (2) There was a complaint that a German "Oberfeldwebel" gave order to be saluted by all N.C.Os.; the question was brought before the Camp Commander who declared that he knew nothing of that order and that he would at once rectify it.

        (3) It was asked if the Red Cross could not send hairclippers or at least clippersprings of both types coilsprings and wiresprings.

        Besides these there were no serious complaints in this camp.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This camp makes still a good impression; the material conditions are satisfactory and owing chiefly to the fairness and good understanding of the Camp Commander for the needs of the prisoners, the collaboration with the Man of Confidence is excellent.

        A copy of the Camp's newspaper is joined.

Gabriel Naville.

Dr. K. Schaeffeler.