Stalag 344

The original Stalag VIII B was completely reorganised in the month of November 1943. The present Stalag - known as 344 - comprises 4 divisions.

Many Labour Detachments having been attached for administrative purposes to Stalags VIII A, VIII B and VIII C, the original strength of more than 30,000 men has happily been able to be reduced. There remain about 14000 men divided between 238 Labour Detachments. At the Camp itself there are:

No change in the site of the camp has been reported. It is situated close beside the German barracks and drill-ground. The sandy ground is very dusty but, on the whole, thanks to the proximity of the forest, the camp makes a good impression.

The men's quarters have remained the same even to the broken window-panes which have only been replaced by boards. The German authorities, when questioned as to this reply that they can - unfortunately - not remedy this state of affairs, as glass is very scarce and, moreover, that the British prisoners have often broken a lot of windows, as they say "for fun" ("soit-disant ' parsport' ").

Throughout the whole camp the rooms are overcrowded, as the strength of the camp is too high.

The rations are posted up and the head cook is able to check the distributions of food-stuffs.

The fresh meat is usually of good quality but the percentage of bone it includes is from 30% to 35% pork is only very occasionally issued. The potato ration has progressively decreased, since the 19th of March it has amounted to only 400 grs. at each issue.

The clothing situation is normal; the men have each two complete sets of uniform clothing and enough underwear. The British prisoner in charge of clothing which comes from the Red Cross remarked that he does not receive enough foot-gear or trousers. The heavy wear and tear on clothes is explained by the very heavy and dirty work done in many of the Labour Detachments. The German employing Companies but rarely supply working outfits to the men.

A laundry has just been installed in an old factory for medicinal drinks, and it seems to work satisfactorily. This laundry has only one boiler and two tanks ("cuves) but two new tanks will soon be added; at the present moment hot water is available from 8.30 a.m. till 5.0 p.m.

The losses reported on the arrivals of parcels are very small. What is most usual, is a number of petty thefts committed between the Stalag and the Labour Detachments. The losses which occur between Geneva and the camp are laid to the account of the German State Railway.

Generally speaking, the good arrive in good condition. One serious exception, however occurred in regard to a recent consignment of 16,000 food parcels from New Zealand which arrive partly spoilt by immersion in sea water. The number of parcels arriving at the camp is greater than the number distributed and the reserves have thus been increased.

Statement of Reserves

Central store

Regional stores

Labour Detachments

Totals

Parcels

79705

164510

67843

312058

Cigarettes

2808 pkts.

3512 "

1542 "

7762 "

Bulk stores

5216 kgs.

5216 "

Transport from Geneva is effected very rapidly but difficulty commences to arise when the parcels have to be distributed from the Stalag to the Labour Detachments. Two trucks are sometimes put at the disposal of the Red Cross Trustee but this only happens very occasionally. For instance, the last distributions of collective parcels had to be deferred on 5 different occasions before the truck was at last available. The Red Cross Trustee would be grateful if the British Red Cross would see if it is possible to send him a truck. The Camp Commandant is agreeable to this request; he told the delegates that the Camp Leader should be given complete freedom to move round the Labour Detachments in it if he is supplied with such a truck.

There is considerable black market activity in the camp and this applied to all the articles contain in collective parcels.

The canteen only rarely has any useful articles for sale. Sometimes there are "Gauloises" cigarettes matches, cigarette papers, razor-blades (one per man per month) combs, tooth-paste and some pencils.

Although the camp produces, on the whole, a good impression, it is inadequately equipped with sanitary installations. One cannot say that this is the result of bad feeling or indifference on the part of the Camp Commandant; the real trouble commenced when the camp was constructed in a district and on a site where the construction of an adequate drainage system is practically impossible. The water supply, moreover, is insufficient. All the complaints made in regard to the Infirmary, the showerbaths, the kitchens etc., arise out of this one - major - defect, the water shortage.

The men can only take one showerbath each every 15 days; this is because the water is often cut off during the day time.

The latrines are totally inadequate. On account of the lack of proper evacuating pipes the lavatory pans have to be emptied by the prisoners and the faecal matter is collected and packed into a trench dug outside the camp. These much too primitive sanitary provisions have been the subject of continual complaints ever since the opening of the camp, but the comments and appeals of the camp leader have, up to now, produced no satisfactory results.

The medical attention is excellent. An Infirmary and a hospital contain 300 beds each. The British doctor is happy to be able to report the good understanding between himself and his staff and the German Staff doctor. This gentleman allows the prisoner doctors full liberty in their professional treatment of patients.

The delegates were able to talk freely to the two doctors and to visit the patients' wards and treatment rooms.

The number of patients under treatment during the past 6 months has been very high as a result of the arrival of 1000 sick and wounded men from Italy. The majority of these have been examined by the Mixed Medical Commission and have now been classed as repatriable.

The doctor at the Infirmary has an adequate reserve stock of drugs, although the quantity of these issued by the German authorities continually diminishes. It is impossible to obtain medical instruments in Germany, but the British doctors have their own sets of instruments and the position is therefore satisfactory.

The quarters of the officers at the Infirmary is particularly defective. This winter the heating was poor, the doctors had to work very often in their overcoats and sometimes had to hold consultations with patients in the officers' own rooms.

Here the housing conditions are better than those at the Infirmary, but the rooms reserved for the use of officers are very cramped.

The Mixed Medical Commission attended here last week. 1072 patients were examined and 704 were declared to be unfit for service.

1. The clothing situation is satisfactory. It would, however, be very helpful to receive numerous pairs of pyjamas, and - if possible - some working overalls for the medical staff who have at present to do their own in their uniform clothing only.

2. There is a normal reserve of drugs but there is a considerable shortage of Plaster of Paris.

3. In the case of repatriables, the German authorities make a declaration as to the monthly pay received by the prisoner. When it is a case of a medical orderly the date when the man concerned was recognised as belonging to the category of "protected personnel" is not indicated. At the final interview which the delegate had with the German authorities the Camp Commandant and the Senior Staff Quarter-and Pay-master said that in future this date shall be accurately given.

The spirits of the men at the camp are excellent. The Camp Commandant allows the prisoners complete liberty to organise and attend religious services and to indulge in Sports.

There is enough sporting equipment at the camp and the Camp Leader had no requests to make on this score. The medical staff of the hospital ask for a complete set of sticks, balls etc for playing hockey.

All the coal-mining Detachments are under the administration of Stalag VIII B. As a general rule the general working conditions and the relations established between the prisoners and the German authorities have been much improved during the last 6 months. Most of the men do arduous work and the hours are too long. (10 - 11). The men complain very much of the failure of the employing Companies to supply them with working outfits.

On the whole, the arrival of correspondence is satisfactory. During the delegates' visit the following special cases were brought to their notice:-

1. At the lazaret, 20 Frenchmen belonging to the French National Committee of Liberation, have never received any mail from North Africa. Their Camp Leader L Micciolo, who is a Troop Leader, and whose number is 35754, asks if it would not be possible to procure news for him of the small children Marianne and Louise Micciolo, of Medea, Algeria. He would be very grateful if they could be sent forms for express messages.

2. The prisoner, Sita Ram Oberai, who is of Indian extraction, (No. 1480, from Oflag VIII F) who is being given treatment in the lazaret, asks if it is possible to give him any news of his brother Moti Ram, who is a prisoner of war in Japanese hands and has no precise address.

The discipline is good. The living conditions have improved since the arrival of the new Commandant.

The delegates were able to talk freely with the Camp Leader; and the following requests were brought to the notice of the German authorities:-

1. The housing conditions of the officers who are members of the British medical staff, are inadequate. Reply Many of the doctors will be repatriated. The arrival of the doctors from Stalag VIII B who are to benefit from repatriation has aggravated the present situation. It is intended to build some new huts.

2. The lack of water inadequate to supply throughout the camp is a great hardship. Reply The water pipes are too small. Some water cisterns have been ordered and in a fortnight's time from now the contents will be available to the camp.

3. Cannot the latrine installations and the methods of emptying the pans be improved. Reply The Camp has unfortunately no drainage system. The strength of the camp is too high and the situation will be improved as soon as a large decrease in the strength is obtained; a request to have this effected has already been sent to the Defence Ministry.

4. The compound buildings are too dark, as a result of the replacement of a great many of the window panes by boards. Reply At the present time, glass is practically unprocurable. Moreover, the British have deliberately broken window panes.

5. There are no fresh vegetables. Reply The same thing applies to the German civilian and military population; the coming of next season should improve this position.

6. There is a shortage of kitchen utensils. Reply These shall be supplied. This is the first time such a complaint has been heard.

7. The Camp Leader is never given any control over the canteen accounts. Reply The officer representing the Defence Ministry says that according to instructions he has received, it is forbidden to allow the Camp Leader to manage the accounts. The profits are given to the prisoners. The Commandant will inform the Camp Leader of this in the officer's presence.

8. Losses from parcels. Reply All losses are reported to the State Railways and to the "Schutzpolizei". It is very difficult to discover the culprits as the trucks are often re-sealed after the thefts have occurred. Frequently the trucks pass the Swiss frontier bearing seals which have already been forged.

9. The delegates asked if Detachment 132 was one engaged on particularly heavy work. Reply No complaints in regard to this, nor any special report by the Camp Leader have reached the Camp Commandant. The Camp Commandant will himself visit the detachment in question tomorrow and take whatever steps he may deem necessary thereafter.

The newly appointed Camp Commandant has done a great deal to improve the living conditions of the prisoners. The British Camp Leader and the officer in charge of the distribution of Red Cross parcels are both men of admirable character. They administer their camp irreproachably.

The question of the water supply, and the lack of adequate waste-conduits creates unhygienic conditions. The camp would benefit from a diminution in its strength.

Visited 24th April containing 442 internees 23 of whom working voluntarily in three detachments states camp now depends Stalag 344 conditions satisfactory.

When visiting G.O.C. Wehrkreis VIII Swiss representative was informed of opening of British Prisoners of War Lazaret at Tost primarily intended for prisoners working in Upper Silesia mining and industrial districts. Visit will be made earliest possible.