Stalag 344

Man of Confidence for RAF personnel: Fl/Serg. Taylor Gill, p.o.w. 233 Stalag Luft.

The camp which has not been visited since October 1941 has not changed in the meantime. The barracks which are of low one story brick type are built directly on the ground which now during the winter makes the floor very cold and the rooms rather damp. The whole camp is divided into compounds with four barracks in each compound and the inhabitants in one compound are not allowed outside the parting barbed wire without special permission. Only the Man of Confidence, the priests and the doctors can move freely in the camp. The camp makes a very neat and tidy impression and although there was a lot of snow at the time of the visit it could be seen that much had been done to give the camp a more attractive look. Along the roads trees have been planted and in the summer there were said to be flowers and vegetable gardens. There are no air shelters in the camp.

This camp is now almost an entirely British camp and there are only 1 Belgian and 1 Greek prisoner left. In the camp itself there were at the time of the visit 4882 Englishmen including 649 RAF men, 157 British Jews, mostly from Palestine, 251 Indians, 45 Irishmen and 3 Poles who, however, were captured while fighting in the RAF. In the lazaret dependant on the base camp were 324 British patients. In the camp were also about 55 Officers, including several doctors and priests who are only here temporarily and are waiting for a transport to Oflag IX A/H. The transfer was said to have been postponed because of the heavy snowfall. In the area dependent on Stalag VIII B there are 236 work camps. In 17 of these are 1112 British Jews and in the others are 11497 English prisoners of war. The total number of prisoners in the camp area is 18,273.

In the base camp the RAF men are kept in a separate compound and not allowed to communicate with the other prisoners, and so are the Jews. This matter and a few complaints in connection herewith will be discussed in point XVI below.

As this camp had been stated closed because of typhus when the trip to this area was planned, only visits to some work camps had been foreseen. When it was found that the base camp had been reopened it was thought more important to make a visit there and that as much more as it would have been very hard to reach the work camps because of snow. A trip to several of the work camps will be planned later.

The barracks are of the ordinary type with two big rooms separated by a wash room. As mentioned under point I the cement floor is built directly on the ground and in the present cold weather ice had formed on the inside of the walls down to the floor. In the daytime when the rooms are better heated this ice melts away which makes the floor wet and dirty. This was especially the case in the barrack used by the RAF men. The rooms were also rather cold which was said to be due to small supplies of coal. Even the light was bad as only 7 bulbs had been provided for the whole double barrack. The Man of Confidence stated that this meant only 3 bulbs for 117 men. All these defects were discussed with the Commander at once. He stated that it of course was impossible to change the buildings but that he would take all possible steps to have the matter of the floor settled. About the light it was said that it was very hard to procure sufficient number of bulbs. The Commander also stated that the coal supply to the camp was that ordered by the higher authorities but that coal was used by the prisoners also in the stove where private food could be heated and that the supply therefore was not sufficient. (All those matters will be taken up with the German High Command.)

The barracks are furnished with the usual type of wooden triple tier bunks of which, however, the lower bunk is not used due to order from the German Camp physician. There is no real overcrowding and there is a sufficient number of tables and benches.

The officers are living in the same kind of barracks as the other prisoners of war although a little less crowded. The quarters are not suitable for officers but as they are all to be transferred at the earliest convenience no representations will be made on this matter.

The washing facilities are of the usual type with a wash room and a laundry room in the middle of each barrack. There are 24 spigots with running cold water in each barrack for about 350 men. The only possibility to have warm water is to heat it in the cauldron. This was also said to be the only facility for bathing except for the showers in connection with delousing. Regular baths cannot be given in the delousing plant which is nearly always in use for its real purpose. Strong representations about those lacking bathing facilities will be made to the German High Command.

The latrines are of pit type with some kind of "septic tank". They were kept clean and in good order.

There are two kitchens in the camp, one for the ordinary food and one "coffee kitchen". In both are British prisoners doing the job. The kitchens are kept in very good order and are well equipped.

As in nearly all camps there has been a small cut in the food ration due to assorted waste of food by the prisoners. This waste is always denied by the prisoners. The present ration includes:

Meat...........

Fish.............

Fat..............

Marmalade..

Bread..........

345 gr. weekly

70 " "

165 " "

140 " "

2225 " "

Farines.....

Sugar.......

Cheese.....

Potatoes...

Vegetables

100 gr. weekly

130 " "

31 " "

3000 " "

1900 " "

This ration still means a daily caloric amount of about 2200 and with the help of their food parcels from home the prisoners ought to be doing well. The principle of cutting the food in this way is, however, contradictory to article 11 of the Convention of 1929 and the matter will in general be taken up with the German High Command.

The medical personnel in this camp is very big. There are together 46 medical officers, 6 dentists and 1062 medical orderlies. Of these are 13 doctors and 43 orderlies working in the infirmary and 11 doctors and 89 orderlies in the lazaret but there are 22 doctors and 930 orderlies doing no medical work.

The infirmary consists of two ordinary barracks with four wards in each and two small huts as isolation rooms. There are now sufficient space for the patients and the medical outfit is satisfactory in every respect. The wards are furnished with steel beds in single rows and each bed is provided with sheets and a quilt sent from the Turkish Red Crescent. At the time of the visit there were in all 250 patients, with all kinds of diseases. Since the new lazaret is now in work the cases treated in the infirmary are only minor ones.

In the isolation huts were still some patients recovering from typhus. There have been in all 18 cases of this disease among the British prisoners two of whom have died. It was stated by the Commander that there had been 18 deaths among the German guard. There had been no new cases since Christmas. The steps taken against typhus in the camp have been the usual ones. The whole camp has been deloused and all new prisoners are deloused and kept separated before entering the camp. A British medical officer controls the cleanliness of each barrack with regular intervals. The International Red Cross has provided 88 lots of anti-typhus vaccine and so far 70 of the doctors and medical personnel, who are in nearest contact with new coming patients have been inoculated.

The lazaret which was described in the last report about this camp is now completed and in full use. There were at the time of the visit 324 patients most of them British.

The lazaret makes a very good impression. The rooms are all light and airy and well heated. The beds are comfortable. The medical equipment seems to be quite adequate. The surgical apartment which has only recently been brought into use is good and gives facilities also for bigger operations. The doctors stated that the surgical equipment is quite up to date.

Among the patients were about 20 chronic nephritis most of whom had passed the mixed medical commission. There were also several cases of pleurisy and a few suspected tuberculosis. 10 patients were suffering from ulcus ventriculi or duodeni. With the help of the Red Cross food parcels the doctors have managed to give them a good diet. There were also some cases of colitis and some amoeba dysenteri.

In the surgical ward were mostly cases of hernia, appendicitis and wounds. One man had just been operated from a lung abscess and was in a very critical state. His name is William Tabbs, p.o.w. 17983, Stalag VIII B.

In the epidemic wards were 10 patients with diphtheria, all now negative and without complications. There had been no new cases of diphtheria in the last 10 days. A few convalescents from typhus were also treated here.

The Senior British doctor stated that the British doctors here are given all help to carry on their work. In most respects the supplies were quite sufficient but they would like to receive, if possible, an incubator for laboratory work, Elastoplast, Prostigmin, Dysentery anti-vaccin, different iron-drugs for treating anoemias, atraumatic needles for eye- and nerve sutures. They would also appreciate to receive more typhus anti-vaccin. All those requests will be brought to the attention of the International Red Cross.

In the base camp itself the clothing conditions are quite satisfactory. In the work camps, however, the conditions were said to be almost desperate in some respects. The system for distributing clothes sent by the British Red Cross was said to be now satisfactory. The Man of Confidence in the work camp makes together with the German camp leader a list of what is needed in the camp and on account of this list the clothes are issued from the stores to the base camp by the German authorities together with the British Man of Confidence. At the moment there was, however, hardly any stock at all of British clothes and the Man of Confidence stated that in order to supply all the British prisoners here with good British uniforms 14000 uniforms including great coats and 12000 pair of boots would be required. Correspondent amounts of under-clothes and socks are also needed. In the meantime the British prisoners have to wear French and Polish clothes which was said mostly to be in rather bad state. In many work camps the men were said to have only one shirt and one pair of clogs. This matter was discussed with the Commander who promised to investigate the matter. A thorough investigation of the clothing conditions will also be made at the planned visit to work camps in this district.

The laundry is done by the men themselves. The Man of Confidence was very dissatisfied with the accommodations for the laundry in the camp which, however, seems to be the same as in most other prisoner of war camps in Germany with a laundry room in the middle of each barrack and in common for the whole barrack. As in most other camps there is, however, no place for drying the clothes which now in the winter has to be done in the rooms.

All men working in the camp receive the usual pay of 70 pfg per day. The Men of Confidence have received no complaints regarding pay from the work camps. From one work camp (E 72) complaints had reached the Man of Confidence that when the men had changed 500 Mark camp money into RM to pay for photographies taken they had been charged RM 21,35 for the exchange. The Commander promised to settle this question.

In each compound of four barracks there is a small canteen to which articles are brought from the main canteen run by the German authorities. The small canteens seemed adequately provided with the most necessary articles and to the usual prices. Things like tooth brushes, tooth paste and combs are, however, very hard to get in Germany at present and it would be much appreciated if these articles could be sent.

The religious activity is now very well arranged in this camp. There are 4 Protestant (1 Church of England, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 Baptist) and one Roman Catholic priests working here and a very nice church has been put at their disposal, in which services are held each Sunday. The church is only used for this purpose and is arranged with a nicely carved altar and a pulpit. There is also a big harmonium. The priests stated that they receive all help and supplies from the German priests in town but asked for hymn books, Bibles and Church of England and Catholic prayer-books. This will be brought to the attention of the Y.M.C.A.

The question mentioned in the last report about the Union Jack to be used at funerals is settled in a satisfactory way.

The priests asked if it could be allowed for them to get the men under arrest in the cells. The Commander promised to consider this matter. It has been arranged for the priests to go out to the work camps but so far no visit had been made because of the hard winter.

As regards recreation this camp is one of the very best, although there are still some things to be improved.

There is a very good theatre room for about 300 men in which theatre performances and concerts are regularly given. There are three big orchestras, a dance band with 14 men, a military band with 25 members and a string orchestra with 25 members. The dance band played for the representatives and was found to be first class.

A school has been arranged and there are several small rooms for the classes. A school time table is added to this report. There were said to be about 150 students among the prisoners. They have been unable to carry on their studies because of lack of books. In this connection it ought to be mentioned that sometimes, when several students have asked for the same book to be sent to them, only one book has been sent with the suggestion that the students should get in touch with each other and study together. This is usually impossible as the students are mostly out in work camps and have no possibility to reach each other.

There is a library with about 1600 books in the base camp and 3000 books out in the work camp. This number is too small and many more books are wanted. It has been found impossible to arrange a circulating library to the work camps because of the difficult transports in this part of the country. There is a good number of indoor games of different kinds.

For outdoor exercise there is a rather small space inside each compound, but probably adequate now during the winter. The Commander has promised to arrange a Gymnastic hall and a sport field. 100 small sport boxes from the YMCA and 5 from the Red Cross have arrived and will be distributed. The Commander asked if two foot ball nets could be sent for the sport field. They could be paid for out of the camp fund but were said to be almost impossible to procure in Germany. The matter will be brought to the attention of the YMCA.

There were said to have been very long delay in the arrival of mail. The letters seem to arrive in bulks every 6 weeks to two months and the Man of Confidence asked if the letters are held up somewhere. The censoring in the camp was said to run smoothly now. A letter from England takes from 3 weeks to 4 months.

The prisoners now write the regular number of letters and cards, 2 letters and four cards for the privates, 3 letters and four cards for the officers and 6 letters and 8 cards for the medical officers. They are now allowed to write to friends anywhere and not only to relatives.

There were complaints among the RAF men that men of other than English nationalities had to write in English even when they write to relatives for instance in Poland. The Commander promised to allow them to write in their own language.

Food parcels have arrived in sufficient number till last month when there were 20000 too few to allow an issue of one per man weekly. No distribution at all had been possible for the last two weeks in the base camp but parcels had been sent out to work camps. Now there were no reserves at all.

The camp had recently been visited by representatives of the International Red Cross and Y.M.C.A.

1/ The officers of the camp complained about the state of their quarters which undoubtedly are not suitable for officers. As they are to be transferred as soon as the weather allows it no representations will, however, be made.

2/ A British officer of Egyptian origin stated that he could not stand this cold climate for another winter and wanted to be transferred to a warmer climate. As steps have already been taken by the American Embassy when acting as protecting power to have men used to a milder climate transferred, but, without effect, no further steps will be taken at present.

3/ The British officer Major de Clive Lowe, NZMC, asked if he could be sent to the same camp as his brother, also British officer, and in German captivity. The Legation will take up this request with the German High Command.

4/ The RAF men in this camp complained that they were treated in a different way from the other prisoners. They are held completely separated from the other prisoners, can only attend sermons and theatre performances arranged specially for them. The Man of Confidence also stated that he had not the same rights as the other Men of Confidence and that it was very hard for him to get in touch with the chief Man of Confidence. This matter was discussed with the Commander who agreed that they were treated harder than the other British prisoners but that this was necessary as they tried each opportunity to escape. Most of the trouble in the camp was said to be caused by the RAF men. It seems that most of the complaints are caused by the fact that prisoners from different units are kept in one camp and the question of having the RAF prisoners sent to a special air force camp will be taken up with the German High Command.

5/ The Man of Confidence stated that the Jews in the camp who are kept separated from the other prisoners, although in other respects treated in the same way as the other prisoners, were not allowed to the entertainments. The Commanded stated that he had not been aware of this and promised to give the Jews opportunity to all entertainments. The matter will be checked on the next visit. Visits to special work camps for Jews will also be planned.

6/ It was also stated that the prisoners under arrest were not allowed to read or to write letters. Several prisoners were visited in the cells and the complaints were found correct. The matter was immediately arranged with the Commander who gave order that in the future the prisoners should be allowed books and be given their regular number of letters and cards. The arrest cells are quite satisfactory with good light and well heated.

7/ Only in two barracks are facilities for the prisoners to warm the private food. The Commander stated that the supplies of coal were not big enough to have special stoves for this purpose and the regular could not be used. The only way would be to have the food prepared in bulk in the kitchen. The question will be taken up with the German High Command.

8/ There are many sanitators in the camp who have not been recognized by the German authorities. Their names have all been forwarded through the American Embassy in Berlin. They were, however, anxious to know if a deduction from their pay has been done in England during the whole time of their captivity. The Legation would be glad to receive an answer to this question.

9/ There had in several cases been requests from close relatives in different camps to be transferred to the same camp, but these requests were said to have been refused. The matter was discussed with the Commander who stated that when the prisoners were in camp in different Wehrkreise he could do nothing about it but promised to forward the requests to the German High Command.

10/ The Man of Confidence stated that in many cases his applications did not seem to reach the Commander. The Commander asked the Man of Confidence to let him know if it happened again so that the matter could be dealt with.

11/ Most and the most serious complaints were about the work camps and will be looked into as soon as possible. In many camps the men were said to have to work on Sundays without having another day free in the week. The Commander stated that he had order that the prisoners should work as much as the German civilians who also worked on Sundays. Representations in general about this question have already been done to the German Foreign Office.

The general impression of this base camp is not bad and the new Commander who has only been in charge for a short time makes a very sympathetic and energetic impression. It was also stated by the Man of Confidence that the general conditions in the camp were quite satisfactory.

All matters subject to complaint in this report have been discussed with the local camp authorities. Defects which the local camp authorities refuse to correct or state they are unable to correct have been taken up with the German High Command.