Stalag 344

Camp Commander

Adjutant

Security Officer

German Chief Physician

Assistants

Accompanying Officer from OKW

Senior British Officers

British Man of Confidence

British Man of Confidence for RAF

Red Cross Trustee

: Oberst Praxator

: Hauptm. Bachstein

: Hauptm. Nelz

: Oberstarzt Dr. Springer

: Stabsarzt Dr. Richter (Revier)

Stabsarzt Dr. Schaffranik (Revier)

: Hauptm. Schade

: Lt.-Col. D.M. Crawford, RAMC (Revier)

Lt.-Col. T.H. Wilson, RAMC (Lazaret)

: R.S.M. Sheriff

: Sgt. A.M. Curry

: W.O.I. J. Lowo.

The former camp commander, Oberstlt. Messner, has been replaced in the beginning of December 1944 by the present commander, Oberst Praxator.

Upon arrival at this Stalag in the afternoon, the camp commander informed the Delegate, that the camp is being evacuated to Stalag VIII A, Gorlitz in Lower Silesia. The reason for this evacuation was to make room for the prisoners of war from Stalag VIII B Teschen with its working detachments, as well as for some of the working detachments depending on this Stalag, who were already marching towards Lamsdorf. The camp commander has figured out that about 8,000 POWs from this Stalag would be able to march, the total strength being 9,609 inclusive the Revier and the lazaret. The march would be carried out in groups of 1,000 men each. Gorlitz is at a distance of approximate 240 km., the march should take place about 12 days, counting at the rate of 20 km. marching per day. A special route on by-passes has been prescribed to avoid the main roads with all their traffic and special arrangements had been made on various points to accommodate the POWs for the nights.

The Delegate was present at the departure of the first group of 1000 men in the afternoon at about 4. The POWs were issued with one Red Cross parcel and one loaf of German bread each. They were in very high spirit, all expecting to be captured by the advancing Russian Army before they would reach Gorlitz. The guards accompanying the group were provided with rifles, some of them had hand-grenades tucked into their belts and 2 of the guards had a police-dog each. The camp commander told the Delegate, that one Company (Landes-Schutzen-Kompagnie) was detailed as guards for four groups of 1000 POWs each.

The camp commander informed the Delegate, that the lazaret and the revier with the Medical Officers, Sanitators and the sick, as well as those who were unable to march such a distance would remain here, since he had received no order to evacuate them. It is therefore believed, that the German plan, which was made last year by the former camp commander, is still in effect, meaning that the lazaret and the revier would be left behind in case of a Russian advance, to be taken over by that Army in case of its occupation.

According to the Man of Confidence as well as the Medical Officers there has been little change since our last visit on September 21st and 22nd, 1944, with the exception of some minor improvements, which are carried out continuously. The strength of this Stalag with its working detachments is as follows:

On January 15th, 1945, about 700 POWs who had passed the Mixed Medical Commission left this Stalag to be repatriated.

The drug supply from the Germans is said to be better than ever before and together with the Red Cross supply there is sufficient for the present need. The lazaret is having a stock of 14 1/2 Million units of Penicillin.

The Delegate was supposed to make a three days tour in the Sudetenland to visit working detachments depending on this Stalag in the region of Troppau. However, the camp commander informed the Delegate, that these working detachments as well as the others depending on this Stalag would receive their marching order within the next few days, therefore he did not think it necessary to visit any working detachments, as they might already start moving by the time the Delegate would reach them.

The evacuation of Stalag 344 Lamsdorf with its working detachment would involve about 20,000 POWs who are marching towards Stalag VIII A, Gorlitz. The camp commander mentioned that unfortunately no transport facilities of any kind could be obtained to save the men from walking such a long distance. It is very doubtful whether any transport facilities could be found for the evacuation of the sick, therefore it is strongly believed, that they will remain and eventually be taken over by the advancing Russian Army. The OKW will be approached for further information.

His Majesty's Minster at Berne presents his compliments to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and has the honour to transmit to him the under-mentioned documents.

From: Federal Political Department. Reports concerning conditions of evacuation of Stalag 344.

The Federal Political Department, Foreign Interests Division, has the honour to make known herewith to His Majesty's Legation the terms of 2 communications concerning the evacuation of Stalag 344, which were given to a representative of the Swiss Legation at Berlin during a visit to Reserve Lazaret Eger in Wehrkreis IV:

Long marchers through snow, bad accommodation, no warm food nor warm drinks, much too little bread. The prisoners of war were left to procure their own potatoes. Rough treatment from the guards. The prisoners who were unable to march, were transported in open wagons. Two men died of malnutrition and Privates MULLINS and MACLEAN died for lack of medical attention. A. RUSSELL of E 3/344 was shot when he once took a rest on the way, and was immediately buried.

"The only reason the men here at Eger are alive is because of the wonderful work the French doctor and his staff of orderlies who, with scanty medical and food supplies, have done wonders. We hope you can ensure them better supplies of these things."

Supplies which could just suffice for a few days had to last several weeks. Brutal treatment, three men were shot, because they made an attempt to acquire some supplies in one place.