CONFIDENTIAL
STALAG VIII B
Date of visit: August 4, 1942.
Camp Commander: Oberst von Poschinger
Assistant Commander: Major Henckel
Man of Confidence: SM S. Sherriff
I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This camp has been described in previous reports. No important change has occurred since last visit.
II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL
On the day of the visit there were in the main camp 5061 British prisoners of whom 316 RAF, 53 Iranians and 96 Indians.
13510 prisoners are working on 298 working detachments.
The total number of prisoners is therefore 18571.
It is planned that the RAF men will be sent to Stalag Luft 3 but this last camp is not yet completed and for the time being full to its capacity.
Some prisoners of the main camp are working in the neighbourhood and receive a pay of 70 pfng. a day.
III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
No important change since last visit.
In some rooms the lighting is still insufficient, some bulbs having been taken away; this matter was discussed with the camp's authorities on the spot and it was decided that when the autumn comes more bulbs and stronger ones will be provided. This will be checked at next visit.
Like in many other camps it was ascertained that prisoners, although having two blankets each, have very few German ones; the camp authorities stated that it was ordered by the German High Command that German blankets ought to be issued only as a complement to Red Cross and private blankets in case if a man has not two of those; this matter will be discussed with the German High Command.
RAF men and prisoners who have tried to escape and lodged in a special compound inside the camp; they are not illtreated but are more carefully watched.
IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES
No change in the washing facilities; in the upper part of the camp the water supply seems to be insufficient and sometimes the prisoners have only a very short time in the morning to wash. This deficiency will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.
Bathing facilities are better and the prisoners receive now a hot shower bath every ten days.
V.) TOILET FACILITIES
Nothing new to be reported.
VI.) FOOD AND COOKING
There was no complaint about the quantity or the quality of the food.
Indians receive exactly the same rations as other prisoners except that meat is replaced for them by about 16 gr. margarine a day per man.
There was a complaint that there were not enough spoons for all prisoners. This complaint was brought before the camp authorities who promised to inquire and take the necessary steps.
The arrival of Red Cross parcels was said to have improved greatly recently, but there is only a very small stock of them.
The Man of Confidence asked for a really large stock (about 60,000) as he has to provide so many work detachments; owing to the present transport difficulties, if he does not dispose of enough stock, it is simply impossible to provide regularly and in time all the detachments; thus it happens that some of them, where prisoners are working and need most the extra food, are sometimes without parcels for some time.
The distribution of sugar in bulk to the prisoners, which had been introduced after the last visit of the Legation's Representatives, was stopped again after a few weeks following an order of some "Oberzahlmeister".
VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS
The Revier situated within the compound of the camp has been described in previous report. There has been no change since last visit.
There were 200 patients in the Revier when visited, all light cases coming mostly from working parties of the Stalag area. Besides there is a sick-parade of from 200 to 260 men daily from the Camp itself and from working parties in the neighbourhood; 15 British Medical Officers are working in work camps of 150 men and more throughout the Stalag area.
The Senior British Medical Officer, Capt. R.F.K. Webster, P.o.W. 650, RAMC, who is the head of it, has a staff of 5 British Medical Officers, two British dentists and 60 sanitators, all recognised and paid. Capt. Webster pointed out the excellent collaboration existing between the British Doctors and the German Stabsarzt Dr. Schaffer. He does not consider the large number of sanitators as exaggerated, because they have also to carry the patients from the railroad station to the Revier and from the Revier to the nearby Lazarett. Since a certain time the transport facilities of the patients have improved. In former times they had to come from the working parties to the Revier by train, but now an ambulance car is available to transport the severer cases.
There was a complaint that the patients in the Revier are to the greater extent only provided with "Esschuesseln" but not with forks and spoons. This was discussed with the Camp Commander, who promised to issue a new set of them to incoming patients.
The Dental Station is a part of the Revier and seems to do very good work. Two dental Officers and two dental mechanicians are in charge of it. Fillings and extractions are without charge. Due to the fact, that a great amount of artificial teeth have arrived lately from Geneva, and some Palladom of German origin, the station can produce 40 whole dentiers a month. But the visitors were told that about 800 men in the Stalag area are in need of dentiers.
The Lazarett.
German Physician: Oberstabsarzt Dr. Wolthall.
Brit. Sen. Officer: Major C.W. Horncastle, RAMC, P.o.W. 1581.
The resident staff of the Lazarett consists of 8 British Medical Officers and 92 sanitators. In addition to this personnel 40 sanitators from the main camp are coming in daily as a working party to help in the wards and in the gardens. And another working party of 20 men come in daily for cleaning all the parts of the Lazarett.
The Lazarett holds 350 beds. At the time of the visit there were cases of gastric troubles including ulcers, intestinal troubles and dyspepsias, glomerulo-nephritis, a few malaria, diabetics (6 weeks ago a large Insulin-supply arrived, which will last up to 3-4 months), 12 psychoses, 2 tuberculosis of the lungs (10 days ago, 19 cases of TBC could be evacuated to the Reserve Lazarett Koenigswartha, where they get expert specialized treatment).
The surgical department had cases of hernias, haemorrhoids, varicosis, appendicitis, tonsillitis, mastoiditis, spondylitis, fractures of the bones (work accidents) and amputations.
The Mixed Medical Commission for Repatriation has been in the Stalag VIII B in May 1942. 63 men are waiting in the Lazarett for repatriation and 300 in the main camp. They are all cases of chronic lung or heart diseases, malaria and wounded.
A Swiss board of orthopaedists is expected to arrive this week to take the measures for protheses for the amputees.
Three weeks ago 2 British Medical Officers were sent to a Russian P.o.W. camp in Neuhammer. They are Capt. Jan Spencer RAMC P.o.W. 684 and Capt. John Sherman RAMC, P.o.W. 23807. Those 2 physicians are still there, but the German authorities intend to have them replaced as soon as possible by Russian doctors.
An eye specialist of the staff of the Lazarett had been ordered to Ilag VIII for a few days.
A few instruments needed in the surgical department have been asked for directly from the International Red Cross Committee.
Red Cross parcels are coming in without delay. They are under full control of the British staff and the physicians are able to build up the necessary diets out of the food- and the invalid comfort parcels. The cooking is done in the Lazarett by British prisoners of war.
There were no real complaints and the Revier as well as the Lazarett made still a good and satisfactory impression to the Legation's Representatives.
VIII.) CLOTHING
The clothing condition has greatly improved. The prisoners who work either in the main camp or in work detachments are mostly provided with two uniforms; however, in certain sorts of work they are deteriorating rapidly and the camp authorities were asked if overalls could not be provided by the firms for which the prisoners work. The Camp Commander stated that he will try to obtain some for the different work but, that it will be probably very difficult, owing to the lack of material in Germany.
The camp authorities allow the issuing of boots, even Red Cross ones, only to the men, who are working in the main camp or in work detachments; the men, who do not work, have their boots repaired in the camp workshop. Although this order seems reasonable, this will be, as a matter of principle, brought to the attention of the German High Command.
IX.) LAUNDRY
Nothing to be reported.
X.) MONEY AND PAY
The members of the Fields Ambulance Units (Quakers) do not yet receive any pay as sanitators; however, as their identity cards have been handed over to the German "Zahlmeister" on the 21st of July, it is hoped that the payment will occur soon.
XI.) CANTEEN
As in most other camps the canteen finds it more and more difficult to procure articles for sale.
XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
Out of 4 chaplains which used to be in this camp, only 2 are left, the Presbyterian and one Roman Catholic, the two Church of England having been transferred, one in Stalag Luft 3 and one in Bau & Arbeitsbatallion 20. As the chaplains are allowed to go on tours and visit the work detachments, two are by far not enough and the German High Command will be asked to have some sent from Oflag IX A/H where some 30 chaplains are idle.
XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE
The school has been enlarged and more rooms are available.
Writing paper and copy-books were asked for; the camp authorities will try to provide some more but it is very difficult and a shipment through the Red Cross for instance would be greatly welcomed.
Besides the activities already described in previous reports, a cinema has been provided by the German Authorities which goes on tours and shows films in the different work detachments.
The sportsground has been somewhat enlarged but the gymnasium is no longer in use; the camp authorities asked by the inspectors to permit it to be used again said that they will consider the matter again.
XIV.) MAIL
Incoming mail had improved in the last weeks till new regulations of German High Command.
XV.) WELFARE WORK
Nothing to be reported.
XVI.) COMPLAINTS
1) There was a complaint that, some time ago, 511 loafs of bread had been stolen from the barrack where they are stocked during the night, the ration of the prisoners was cut in accordance during a few days; The Man of Confidence considers it as a sort of collective punishment as it could not be found out if prisoners stole the bread or other people; on the other hand the camp authorities denied that it was a collective punishment and stated that they had to cut down the ration being absolutely unable to procure more bread to replace the stolen one. Anyhow, the consequence is that some prisoners have to guard the bread and parcels barrack every night and that the Man of Confidence and his assistant, who used to sleep in a small room in that barrack, are no longer allowed to do so, which causes them much inconvenient, as they used to work often late at night in their office in the same barrack. The Camp Commander, who was asked to come back to the status quo ante replied that he will reconsider his decision.
2) The Man of Confidence complained that in the Work detachment E 188 the German "Kommandofuehrer" once did not allow the issuing of Red Cross food parcels because the prisoners had refused to do overwork. The matter was discussed with the Camp Commander, who promised to enquire about it and to have such practices stopped.
3) The Man of Confidence complained that in Work detachment E 338 prisoners were employed in a saw mill which produced wooden boxes for grenades; the camp authorities were very surprised to hear about it, as this factory is supposed to make wooden barracks; but they will enquire into the matter and take the necessary steps if it can be proved that the complaint is founded. Unfortunately this detachment could not be visited this time for technical reasons.
4) 17 sailors of the R.N. have been sent to this camp from the Marlag Nord and want to go back to Marlag to be with their own people of the R.N. This wish will be communicated to the German High Command.
5) Corp. Quelch, P.o.W. No.17664 complained that 5 weeks ago expensive winter gloves received from home had been confiscated without a receipt being delivered. The Abwehr Offizier stated that they had to be taken from him because they could be used as a mean of escape over the barbed wire but, that a receipt will be delivered. Will be checked at next visit.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 412 - Kl.Stehlitz
Date of visit: August 5, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Sgt. Michael Greenstein, P.o.W. No.6530.
127 Jews, mostly Palestinians.
The prisoners are working in a paper mill in a neighbouring town and, although they work actually 10 hours, they have to go by train and leave at 5 in the morning and come back after 6 in the evening.
They have sometimes to work on Sunday but, then have a day off during the week.
There is a night shift which leaves at 3½ o'clock in the afternoon and returns at 5½ in the morning.
This detachment is accommodated in the centre of a village, the prisoners being lodged in two quarters on both sides of the street, one for 73 men, the other for 54. The accommodation is sufficient but, as there is no recreation room provided, the men have to stay the whole time in their rooms. They sleep in triple tier bunks with straw mattresses but they have only one German blanket mostly worn out and thin; the accompanying officer, Major Henckel, from Stalag VIII B promised to take the necessary steps to have a second one sent from the Stalag.
The washing facilities are rather primitive but sufficient, considering that the men can have a hot bath every day at the factory.
The toilet facilities are sufficient but there are no night latrines and, the men being locked up during the night, have to use buckets in their own rooms which is of course most unhygienic.
The cooking is done by the prisoners but, they do not receive the higher rations for heavy work.
There was a complaint that there are not enough spoons and cups. The accompanying officer promised to see that more of the be given to the prisoners.
Red Cross food parcels allright.
The clothing conditions are satisfactory, each prisoner having now two uniforms and the boots being in good order.
There is no canteen, but the prisoners are allowed to buy in town what they need.
There is neither a recreation room nor sport facilities; there is a football ground outside the camp but not enough guards to bring the prisoners there.
There are indoor games and a table tennis. Books are provided by the Stalag's library.
The mail was said to be normal.
There was one prisoner under arrest treated according to the Geneva Convention.
The British Medical Officer of this Work Camp is Major Silvian de Clive-Lowe RAMC P.o.W. No.23917. He is also in charge of the medical attention for 700 men who belong to 13 different working parties in the neighbourhood. 2 sanitators are under his orders. At the moment of the visit no prisoner of war was confined to bed, but there are 4 men unfit for work owing to boils and rheumatismus. Twice a week there is a sick parade in this party for the outside work camps and twice a week there are medical visits at Krappitz.
The British Doctor is allowed to take walks whenever a guard is available.
According to his statements there are many cases of furunculosis. He holds the long work-hours and the insufficient food as responsible for them.
All the drugs are coming in, sometimes with some difficulties from the Stalag VIII B.
For dental treatment there is a civil dentist in Krappitz, but he can only look after 4 patients at one time, in spite of the fact, that 500 out of the 700 men in this area are in need of dental treatment.
Another 100 men, the representatives were told, are in need of eye examination and spectacles. About this item Major de Clive is getting in touch with the German Stabsarzt of the Stalag.
There is one sanitator without evidence of identity. We forward his name:
Pte. D. Clark, 152 field ambulance RAMC P.o.W. 6954.
There was a complaint that sometimes the men are, as punishment, deprived by the civilian foreman of the soup they receive from the work in the middle of the day; the accompanying officer declared himself this to be inadmissible and will take the necessary steps to stop that practice.
This detachment does not make altogether a very good impression; the material conditions are not very satisfactory and the spirit seems to be rather low. Unfortunately the Man of Confidence does not seem to be the right man for this post and does not make the impression to be energetic enough.
However, as this detachment is going to be transferred in the near future in a new barracks' camp in course of building in the neighbouring town, no representations will be made to the German High Command.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 8 - Krappitz
Date of visit: August 5, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Sgt. German, P.o.W. No. 16269.
There are in this detachment 101 British prisoners.
They work in the same paper-mill as those of detachment E 412 and are now working 12 hours a day with two interruptions of ½ hour each; they are working in 4 shifts, one being a night shift.
Till a few weeks ago they worked only 8 hours a day, but had only 2 Sundays free in 4 weeks but, since they work 12 hours, they are free every Sunday.
The prisoners are accommodated in a separate one-story stone building with two large rooms, the entrance one used as dining and recreation room and the other one as dormitory.
The men sleep in triple tiers iron beds with paper mattresses and two blankets each. It was said that there are many fleas and order was given to have the room disinfected.
There is a night toilet adjacent to the sleeping quarters.
The washing facilities are adequate; in a corner of the recreation room are enough spigots of running cold water and the prisoners have an opportunity for hot shower baths every day at the factory.
There is a latrine in the courtyard with only 4 seats, but it was said to be sufficient as only a part of the men are present at the same time. The latrines are emptied 3 times a week.
The food is prepared by a British cook in a good and clean kitchen in a separate building. The rations are the ordinary ones of the civilian population. There was no complaint about the food but the British cook had no control over the rations given out to him and the Legation's Representatives insisted that he should control every day the food received; the accompanying officer gave orders in consequence to the Kommandoführer.
The cook asked to have an assistant and this was at once granted to him.
For several months after Christmas the Red Cross food parcels shipments were very irregular and only one parcel per man could be issued monthly with some bulk food.
Now enough parcels have arrived and there is a stock for 6 weeks issues.
There is in this camp a British sanitator, Pte. Basil KEEBLE, P.o.W. No. 23354; on the day of the visit there were 14 men on the sick parade, colds, small lesions, boils. Urgent cases are sent to the civilian hospital in the town. Major de Clive-Lowe comes from time to time from Detachment E 412.
The clothing is now in good condition, each prisoner having 2 uniforms; the boots too are in good condition.
The laundry is washed in town and the arrangement satisfactory.
There is a small canteen and besides it is possible for the prisoners to buy certain articles in town.
The chaplains from the Stalag VIII B come from time to time.
There is good sport opportunity with a football field outside the camp; prisoners are allowed to go and swim every day in the nearby river. Boxing is practised too.
In the recreation room there is a piano and books are received from the main camp.
The arrest cell was visited and found satisfactory, but it was said that up to now no prisoner was punished.
There was no complaint and this detachment makes certainly a good impression; the Man of Confidence seems to have the situated well in hand.
This detachment will be in the near future transferred to a new barracks' camp in course of building in the same town.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 150 - Oderfest
Date of visit: August 5, 1942.
British Man of Confidence: Lce Sgt. Roodhouse, P.o.W. No. 17133.
This is a small detachment of 15 British prisoners working in a wood-mill.
They work 8 hours a day and are free every Sunday.
The prisoners are accommodated in two rooms in the mill's building.
Material conditions (washing, bathing, toilets) are satisfactory.
No complaint about the food cooked in the mill's owner's kitchen. Red Cross parcels are now arriving regularly and 6 weeks issues are in stock.
Clothing conditions now good, each man having now two uniforms; boots too in good condition.
No canteen, but prisoners can buy at local shops.
Up to now no chaplain has ever come to this small detachment but, one of the prisoners reads the service from time to time.
The Man of Confidence is at the same time sanitator; on the day of the visit there were 3 patients; one with an infection of the hand, one with a torticolli and one with an osteomyelitis chr.
Serious cases are sent to the civilian doctor, but they have to walk about one hour; however, it was said that, if a man is too seriously ill to walk such a long way, the owner of the mill will bring him in his car.
There is no recreation room; however, there is a ping-pong in a wooden shed; facility for sports and swimming. Books from the main camp. A piano accordion is wanted and this wish will be brought to the knowledge of the Y.M.C.A.
This is an excellent detachment; the prisoners receive everything they need from the owner of the mill and stated that they are as happy as possible under the circumstances.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 203 - Groschowitz
Date of visit: August 5, 1942.
British Camp Commander: Sgt. Simpson, P.o.W. No.36183.
British Man of Confidence: Cpl. Hardy, P.o.W. No.16272.
On the day of the visit there were in this detachment 57 British prisoners working in a cement work.
The working hours are from 6 o'clock till 3½ in the afternoon with ½ hour for breakfast and one hour for lunch. As a rule Saturday afternoon and Sunday free.
The prisoners are accommodated in a one storey stone building on the premises of the factory; all the men are sleeping in one large room where they take their meals; tables and benches are provided. Each man has two German blankets but they are rather thin and worn out and the accompanying officer made a note in order to have better blankets sent from the Stalag. The ventilation was not sufficient as the windows could not be opened and order was given to the German Kommandofuehrer to have them modified at once so that they could be opened. As prisoners are not allowed to leave the quarters at night, buckets are placed in the room as night toilets; the Legation's Representatives asked them to be placed in a sort of entrance hall and to build a door to separate it from the sleeping quarter. This was granted at once and orders have been given to that effect.
Washing facilities rather primitive but sufficient considering that the men can have every day a hot shower-bath at the fabrik.
Toilet facilities sufficient.
There was no complaint about the food which is cooked by a civilian woman, who seems to take good care of it. Some of the men receive the special ration for heavy work. The kitchen is in a special small building inside the compound and is clean and well kept.
For the last two months the Red Cross food parcels have been issued at the rate of one per man every ten days; now there are in the camp three weeks issues in stock.
There is one sanitator, Pte. Charles McColly, P.o.W. No. 22139; there is no revier but he has a small pharmacy at his disposal. When needed the prisoners have to go and see the German civilian doctor in the village; but it seems that sometimes he sends to work prisoners who are not well enough.
On the day of the visit there were 3 men sick: one case of herpes zoster, one of contusion of the foot and one furunculosis, none serious.
The clothing condition can be described as good, each prisoner having two uniforms and one good pair of boots; a second pair per man is in stock. There is one cobbler, who does the necessary reparations.
The laundry facilities are satisfactory.
There is no real canteen but prisoners are allowed to buy the articles they need at the local shop.
Up to now there was no visit of a chaplain and the accompanying officer agreed to try to organise from time to time a visit from a chaplain from Stalag.
There is no recreation room; indoor games and specially playing cards are wanted as well as a table tennis, a football and cricket balls; these wishes will be communicated to the Y.M.C.A.
The books are lent by the main camp's library.
There is a good football and sport's place.
The mail was said to be pretty regular.
There was no man under arrest.
No complaints.
This detachment, although the material conditions are not particularly good, does not make a bad impression, as the prisoners are fairly treated; the spirit seemed high.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 17 (Zementwerke Stadt Oppeln)
Date of visit: August 5, 1942.
British Man of Confidence: Sgt. Malans, P.o.W. No. 14861.
This detachment is strong of 156 British prisoners working in a big cement factory; up to recently they worked 8 hours a day but now they have to work 10 hours with ½ hour interruption. They work in three shifts. An average of 40 prisoners have to work on Sunday but they receive a free day in the week.
The prisoners are accommodated in two barracks distant a few hundred yards from each other; in the larger one are lodged 114 men in several rooms; for the time being the quarter are rather overcrowded, but two new barracks are in course of building and it will give more space to the prisoners. The smaller barrack is occupied by 42 men but it will be closed and the prisoners transferred to one of the new barracks as soon as they will be completed.
It was said that the camp is infested with fleas and the accompanying officer gave orders that the entire camp should be disinfected.
The washing facilities are sufficient and the men can have hot shower baths at the factory.
The toilets are adequate but the pit situated just outside the barrack was said to smell, as it is not closed tightly enough; the question was discussed with the accompanying officer and the necessary improvements will be made.
There was no complaint about the food, which is prepared by British cooks in a kitchen which is situated in the larger barrack. Facility for cooking private food is sufficient.
Red Cross food parcels arrive now regularly again after the general gap of last spring, and three weeks issues are in stock.
There are two British sanitators in this camp; their names are:
Pte. Michel EVANS, NZMC 22958
Pte. John TWAMLEY, NZMC 12589
but there is no revier; the sick parade tales place twice a week at the German Army Doctor in town.
The general health condition was said to be good but there are often minor accidents and the Legation's representatives asked to the accompanying officer to have a British doctor sent to this camp permanently; he could take care as well of the several detachments in the neighbourhood.
Clothing in good order, each man, with the exception of 17, having now 2 uniforms; the boots condition is pretty good too. There are 3 cobblers working in the camp and the material is received from the Stalag.
There is a canteen which can be described as fairly well provided considering the present conditions.
The chaplains from Stalag VIII B are sometimes visiting this camp; last month there were one visit from the Roman Catholic chaplain and one from the Church of England chaplain.
There is a recreation room but which is now used as dormitory till the new barracks are erected. There are enough indoor games, and books are received from the Stalag. The wish was expressed to have some musical instruments (saxophone, piano-accordion, mouth organs) as well as a gramophone and it will be communicated to the Y.M.C.A.
There is plenty of sport in this camp, football, cricket, swimming, boxing and the sport field, which is outside the compound, is excellent.
The incoming mail was said to be satisfactory up to now.
There was no serious complaint in this detachment and it is believed that when the new barracks are completed and taken in use, it will be a fairly good camp.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 165 - Oppeln Dampfschiffahrt.
Date of visit: August 5, 1942.
British Man of Confidence: Sgt. Sadler, P.o.W. 95775.
There are in this detachment 67 British prisoners doing loading and unloading work on the ships on the Oder river. They work on accord and mostly have completed their work in 5 to 6 hours. About one third of the men have to work on Sunday and in principle it is replaced by a day off in the week but, it happened often that they did not receive their free day.
The camp is composed of two wooden barracks built very near each other in a too small compound. In each room are lodged 15 men and there is no overcrowding. The ventilation seems to be rather poor and the accompanying officer agreed to have it improved. The men are locked up in the rooms at night and have therefore to use, as night toilets, buckets placed in the rooms; although this arrangement is far from satisfactory, it seems difficult to find another solution and the Legation's representatives insisted that better covers should be provided for the buckets. Bugs have been occasionally found and the rooms in those cases have been disinfected.
At the moment the washing facilities are very poor as there is no running water inside the camp; the water has to be brought from the kitchen outside the camp and the washing takes place in basins in the sleeping rooms. However it was said that it is planned to establish a pipe to bring the water in the camp. The prisoners can have every day hot shower baths outside the camp.
Latrines are of the pit type and sufficient; however, they are built too near the barracks and not emptied often enough. This was brought to the attention of the accompanying officer who agreed that something must be done.
The food is cooked by civilians in a well organised kitchen outside the camp; the men receive the rations for heavy workers; they complained that they receive 5 times a week meat and potatoes and sometimes vegetables and only twice soup; they would prefer to have more often soup and it was arranged that they should receive soup four times a week.
For some time past the Red Cross parcels were issued at the rate of ¾ per week per man and there are enough in stock till the 28th of September.
The present clothing condition is good, each prisoner having two uniforms; but they are wearing out rapidly. However, working overalls have been promised by the employer and the Legation's representatives insisted that they should be issued as soon as possible.
There is one British sanitator in the camp; Corp. Frederick BENNET, p.o.w. No.18265. Sick parade takes place twice a week at the German army doctor in town. His attention was said to be good but he is very strict. In urgent cases the Dr. called by telephone will come to the camp and, if necessary, the patient is evacuated in an ambulance or in the doctor's own car. There is a small pharmacy in the camp, which is well provided with drugs from the Stalag or from the German military hospital, if necessary.
On the day of the visit there were two patients, both cases of gastritis.
The water is not good for drinking and prisoners were told to drink it only boiled.
There is no canteen in the camp and it seems very difficult to provide the necessary articles in town. Razor blades, tooth paste and boot polish are badly needed. Beer and lemonade are for sale every week in limited quantities.
From time to time a chaplain comes on a visit from the Stalag.
There is no recreation room. Books are sent from the Stalag. The wish was expressed for music instruments (clarinet and other instruments) and will be communicated to the Y.M.C.A.
Sport opportunities are rather poor, as there is no space inside the compound and as the football ground outside cannot be used at present, being used for agricultural purposes; in summer swimming is allowed in the river.
The incoming mail was said to have been pretty regular recently.
The general impression of this detachment is not a very good one; the camp is too small, the barracks built too close to each other and, certainly the lack of space and of view from the windows has a depressing influence on the spirit of the prisoners; besides the prisoners have been now over a year here and are somewhat tired of these surroundings. The Legation's representatives suggested to the accompanying officer to have, if not all, but at least some of the prisoners, transferred to another detachment and replaced by others; their opinion is, that such a change would be salutary. It is hoped that this suggested will be considered.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 152
Date of visit: August 6, 1942.
British Man of Confidence: Sgt. Peter Hunter, P.o.W. No.42901.
This is a detachment of 40 prisoners, all British, working in the "Graf Haugwitz" Cement work. 11 prisoners out of them are working in the woods in the neighbourhood.
The men work 9 hours daily and are as a rule free on Sundays; it happens, however, sometimes that some prisoners have to work on Sundays, but no man has ever worked more than one Sunday in a month. The pay is 70 pfng. a day; Sunday work is paid extra.
The prisoners are accommodated in two small stone buildings on the factory's premises; they are about hundred yards apart from each other and each one in a separate compound. Men sleep in double tier bunks and each one is provided with 2 blankets; the rooms were said to be well heated in winter and the meals are taken in the sleeping quarters; tables and benches are provided.
The washing and bathing facilities are sufficient; the prisoners can have cold showers every day and once a week hot showers.
Toilet facilities sufficient.
Cooking is done by a British cook in a third building outside the two other compounds. There are no complaint about the food.
There is some difficulty about the cooking of private food specially in summer, as the prisoners are not given any fuel for cooking in their rooms; as the kitchen is outside the compounds, it is impossible to cook any private food after 8 o'clock at night. It was, therefore, arranged with the accompanying German Officer that a large compound will be built with barbed wires, which will enclose both sleeping buildings as well as the kitchen; that solution seems quite reasonable.
For some time up to the day of the visit 1/2 a Red Cross food parcel was issued per man weekly plus some bulk food. At the time of the visit there were 240 parcels in stock.
There is no sanitator in this camp but one was asked for from the main camp and it is hoped that he will soon be sent. Sick men go twice a week to see a German military doctor in a nearby village and more serious cases are taken by train to the next hospital. On the day of the visit 4 men were unable to work; one with a septic skin condition, one with a poisoned finger, two with rheumatism.
The clothing condition is fairly good, each prisoner having two uniforms; there is a small stock of them. Boots are not too bad but a consignment of them has been asked for from the Stalag.
Laundry is done for the men in the village.
No canteen and great difficulty to procure articles in the village; sometimes the Stalag sends some items.
A Church of England service is held every Sunday by one of the prisoners and a chaplain came once from the Stalag.
There is no recreation room, but there are some musical instruments and indoor games; books are received from the Stalag. Football is played and boxing seems to be popular too.
The incoming mail was said to be regular.
As a whole, this is a good party; the connections with the German camp leader are good and the Man of Confidence makes an excellent impression.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 244
Date of visit: August 6, 1942.
British Man of Confidence: Sgt. Gray, P.o.W. No.10069.
There are 38 British prisoners in this detachment, all working in a cement factory; some have 9 hours of work daily, some 12 hours and others are working on accord on unloading wagons and can go back to the camp when their work is finished. As a rule there is no Sunday work.
All prisoners are paid at least 70 pfng. a day.
This detachment is accommodated in a separate house near the factory, all the men sleeping in one large room with a kitchen and a dining room adjacent.
The camp compound is too small but the accompanying German Officer gave orders for it to be enlarged; it will in the future comprise a shady garden where prisoners will be able to sit out of doors.
There were no complaints about the washing, bathing and toilet facilities. Prisoners can have showers every day at the factory.
The food is cooked by a British cook; all prisoners receive the ration for heavy work. There is not enough room on the stove for cooking private food and a second stove for that purpose has been promised. For some time Red Cross food parcels were issued at the rate of 1/2 parcel a week per man. No bulk parcels have been received. At the time of the visit there was a stock of 129 parcels.
There is a British sanitator in this detachment: Pte. David SCOTT, No.7416. The general health condition was said to be good. On the day of the visit there were 4 patients: 2 with small lesions of the hands, one with stomach troubles, and one with boils. A sick parade is held twice a week in the German lazarett of the town.
Clothing condition very good, each man having two suits and two pairs of boots in good order.
The laundry is washed in town, if the men wish it.
The canteen is poorly stocked; however, the prisoners are allowed to have things bought for them in town by the Man of Confidence.
The clothing is in general in very good condition, each man having now two suits and two pairs of boots. Prisoners are allowed to have only one uniform in the sleeping quarters, the other one being kept in a sort of store room, this is prevent untidiness in the men's room; the prisoners complained that thus their best uniform was not always at their disposal when wanted, and the accompanying officer gave order to the German under-officer that the second uniform in future be put at the disposal of the men. if they want to change after work or of course on free days.
Up to now this detachment was never visited by a chaplain and the Stalag authorities were asked to send one from time to time.
The dining room is used as well as recreation room and there are indoor games at disposal as well as books from the Stalag's library. Football is played on a field outside the compound; however there was a complaint that there were some difficulties in the way of the organisation of matches ve. the teams of some other British prisoners detachments in the neighbourhood. The accompanying German Officer gave orders in view to facilitate such matches and it is hoped that in the future they will prove possible. Swimming in the nearby river is practised too.
The incoming mail seems somewhat irregular in this detachment.
This detachment cannot be described as bad, but it needs several improvements which, it is hoped, will be made after the visit of the Legation's representatives.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 460
Date of visit: August 6, 1942.
British Man of Confidence: SM. MacKonnel P.o.W. No.15902.
145 British prisoners of war are in this detachment doing different sorts of work in connection with the building of a railway bridge. The working hours are rather long as they work from 6 o'clock in the morning till 6 o'clock at night with 1/2 hour for breakfast and 1/2 hour for lunch. Each man is free one day a week, at least twice on Sundays every month. Some of the prisoners are on accord work and can go back to the camp as soon as their work for the day is finished.
The pay is 70 pfng. a day minimum.
The camp is composed of the usual type of wooden barracks each one with 4 rooms. Some of the rooms accommodate now up to 23 men which means that they are definitely overcrowded.
The washing and bathing facilities in a special barrack (which is in course of enlargement) can be considered as sufficient: cold showers at any time and hot showers once a week.
The cooking is done by German women and was said to have improved lately. Red Cross food parcels have been issued for a certain time at the rate of 1/2 parcel a week plus some bulk food. At the time of the visit there was a stock of 391 parcels.
There is a small revier in the camp with a sick ward for 3 beds. One sanitator is in the camp, corp. Reginald BUSHELL NZMC P.o.W. No.22398. He stated that the general health condition in the camp is not bad, but that there are always some cases of stomach troubles. On the day of the visit one patient was confined to bed with stomach troubles, diarrhoea and slight temperature. 3 patients were at the Lazarett Gleiwitz with probable pneumonia; 11 men were declared unfit for work by the British sanitator; they were suffering from muscles strain, boils, rheumatism, harmorrhoids, varicosis and distortion of the joint.
A German military doctor comes to the detachment twice a week and holds a sick parade; in between he can be called for by telephone at any time. An ambulance car is available when needed for the treatment of serious cases to Lazarett Gleiwitz.
Prisoners in need of dental treatment are sent to a civil dentist in the village; costs are paid directly from the Stalag from a special camp fund.
The pharmacy of the camp is well provided.
In this camp the men have only one uniform but the accompanying officer promised to discuss the matter with the British Man of Confidence of Stalag and to try to have a second uniform per man as well as more boots sent. This detachment is in great need of socks; they have been asked for from the Stalag. There are a tailors and a cobblers work shops.
The laundry is washed by the prisoners; there is a boiler in the wash-barrack, where they can have hot water.
There is no canteen but some articles can be bought in two through the German Camp Commander; however, the German accompanying officer gave him a definite order to start a real canteen and to see to it that it is sufficiently well provided.
A chaplain comes from time to time from the Stalag on a visit.
There is no recreation room and only very few indoor games; some more have been asked for from the Y.M.C.A. Musical instruments are provided and books received from the library of the Stalag. Prisoners are allowed to go and play football and games on a sports-field outside the compound.
Up to recently the mail was not bad but it seems that the last two weeks before the visit it was worse again.
There were two causes of complaints in this camp:
(1) each man has two German blankets but they are so worn out and so thin that they are certainly not suitable for the winter; the German accompanying officer promised to have some other blankets sent to the detachment.
(2) Some of the barracks are very old and certainly not fit to accommodate prisoners during the winter; the accompanying officer agreed absolutely on that point; he discussed on the spot the matter with the representative of the contractor for whom the prisoners work and told him in front of the Legation's representatives that in case if the barracks are not fully repaired at once or the prisoners transferred to a better empty camp which exists some hundred yards away, they won't be allowed to work anymore for his firm. Thus the matter seems to be settled satisfactorily.
Although the material conditions in this camp are not as good as they could be, the spirit is high among the prisoner and, it is hoped that, after the Legation's representatives' visit, the conditions will improve.
WORKING DETACHMENT E 46 - Mechtal
Date of visit: August 6, 1942.
British Man of Confidence: Sgt. Pettit, P.o.W. No.11579.
This detachment was already visited on May 8th, 1942 and there were no changes since then in the general outlook of the camp.
The sleeping quarters are just as before but, it was said that some 60 more British prisoners were expected in the near future; the mine's representative pointed out that there would be enough room in the present quarters for those 60 men; the inspectors protested very strongly as, in their opinion, it would be impossible to accommodate more than 15 prisoners in addition to the 121 actually in the camp. The accompanying German officer was of the same opinion and promised to take the necessary steps.
The working conditions are still the same; after the last visit prisoners had to work less on Sundays; however, in July they had again to work as an average nearly two Sundays. As this question has been the subject of a general complaint to the German High Command that special cases will not be taken up again.
The clothing condition is fairly good and all the men are given overalls and special boots to work in. The prisoners' boots are in good condition and there are 24 pairs in stock.
There was a complaint that some Red Cross clothes (19 jackets and 37 trousers) sent to this detachment, instead of being delivered to the Man of Confidence, had been returned to the main camp; the German accompanying officer will enquire with the British Man of Confidence of the main camp and take the necessary steps.
There is a new recreation and theatre room at the top of the building.
The arrest place was greatly improved since last visit.
Capt. Louis Longmore, NZMC, is still in charge of the medical part. He is assisted by one medical orderly.
The sick rate for the last two months has been of about 6%. At the time of the visit 2 prisoners were confined to bed, one with influenza and one recovering from a pleurisy.
The hygienic conditions in the camp are satisfactory, all the beds being deloused and all the straw being burned every eight weeks.
Dental treatment is done by a civil dentist, extractions and fillings without charge; for prothesis the men are sent to the Stalag.
Drugs are supplied in sufficient quantity.
The British Doctor made three propositions which were granted by the German accompanying officer:
(1) There will be in the future one day every week when prisoners can be X-rayed in the nearby hospital.
(2) The British medical officer will be allowed to visit some of the British working parties in the neighbourhood.
(3) The British Senior Medical Officer of the Stalag will send special instructions to each sanitator in the Stalag's area concerning the use and applications of drugs received from the Red Cross.
There was a complaint about some dangerous work which the prisoners have to do in certain parts of the mine called "Feile". The Legation's representatives inquired with some British prisoners, who are professional miners in other parties and their reply was, that that sort of work is definitely dangerous for non-professionals, which is the case of most of the prisoners working now in these mines. Of course the representative of the mine's owners denied it. But the matter was brought before the Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen des Wehrkreises VIII; he promised to have a serious enquiry made about it and to take eventually the necessary measures.
The general impression of this party is better than at last visit; the German camp leader has been changed but unfortunately the new Man of Confidence does not seem to be quite the right man, being not energetic enough. The great trouble is still the representative of the owners, who seems to be an asocial man and does absolutely nothing to improve the prisoners' fate. However, no special complaint will be made about it, as the Legation's representative were told that this party is going to be transferred somewhere else in the near future.
Gabriel Naville.
Dr. Hans Wehrle.
CYPHER TELEGRAM
To: FOREIGN OFFICE.
From: BERNE.
Mr. Norton.
No. 3289.
16th September, 1942.
D. 8.15 p.m. 16th September, 1942.
R. 2.50 p.m. 17th September, 1942.
Received S.4.(O.G.) 1130 hours 20.9.42.
Following is substance of report Stalag VIII B and work detachments visited by representative Swiss Legation Berlin 4th 5th 6th August: In main camp owing to theft of loaves rations of prisoners cut as punishment.
Work detachment E188, Kommandofuehrer refused issue of Red Cross parcels because prisoners refused to overwork.
Work detachmentE338. Man of confidence complained prisoners employed in sawmill producing wooden boxes for grenades.
British doctor of work detachment E412 states, many cases of furunculosis due to long work hours and insufficient food. Dental treatment given by civilian dentist in village who can only attend four patients during one session though 500 to 700 men in area need treatment. Civilian foreman as punishment deprived some men of soup received from factory mid-day. This detachment will shortly be transferred to new barracks.
Work detachment E8. Men sleep in triple tiered beds with paper mattresses infested with fleas.
Work detachment E.165. Washing facilities poor. Latrines too near barracks not emptied often enough. Lack of space and view has depressed prisoners' morale.
Work detachment E460. Wooden barracks definitely overcrowded unsuitable for winter.
Work detachment E.46. Prisoners complained dangerous work in certain parts of mine. Prisoners - professional miners - state work definitely dangerous to unskilled labour. Representative of mineowners does nothing for prisoners wellbeing.
