CONFIDENTIAL

STALAG VIII B

Date of visit: May 5, 1942.

Camp Commander: Oberst von Poschinger.

Assistant Commander: Oberstleutnant Luger.

Abwehroffizier: Hauptmann Sandmann.

Man of Confidence: S. Sherriff RSM.

This time only a short visit was paid to the base camp as most of the attention was given to the dependent work camps. Only changes which occurred since last visit to the camp on February 12th, and new questions taken up by the Man of Confidence and the British doctors will be discussed below.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        In the base camp were on the day of the visit a total of 5678 British prisoners, including 85 Indians, and 356 Jews. Of the 830 RAF personnel here 200 were to leave for the new RAF camp Stalag Luft 3 on the following morning and the rest will probably be transferred within a few weeks. There are 272 work camps dependent on this Stalag with in all 13319 British prisoners, so that the total number of British prisoners in the camp area is 18997. With the exception of 41 medical officers, 11 of whom are out in work camps, there are no longer any officers in this camp. The Jews in the camp are no longer kept separated from the other prisoners.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        In the interior arrangements there have been no changes except for the light which has been improved and is now considered satisfactory.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

        The bathing facilities are now also in order and for the last six weeks each man has had the opportunity of having a hot shower at least every 10 days.

V.) FOOD AND COOKING

        The food ration is the typical one and has not changed since the last visit. There were no complaints about the quality of the food but the quantity was said to be hardly sufficient. The average calories number figured out on a week's menu was stated by the British doctors to be 1666 per day. In was emphasized that the prisoners were more than ever dependent on the Red Cross parcels which, however, for the last months have not arrived in sufficient number. The recent shipments have only contained tins in bulk and have by far not been sufficient for distribution of food on the usual scale. Last week there had arrived quite a big shipment but the Man of Confidence stated that it will take about six weeks to distribute parcels to all the work camps. He stated that he needs a stock of about 60,000 parcels to be able to supply each work camp regularly without a gap. At present there is no stock at all as everything coming in has to be sent out immediately.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        For the medical attention there are in the camp itself 11 British doctors and 39 sanitators. The infirmary is satisfactory and has not changed since the last visit. There were in all about 200 patients but no special serious cases. The health conditions were said to be satisfactory and there were hardly any infectious diseases at all at present. In most respects the medical supplies were satisfactory but it was asked for ointments of different kinds, surgical spirit and rubber gloves.

        In the camp are about 260 Grands blesses, who have returned here from Heilag Rouen. Many of these men are very badly in need of artificial limbs of different kinds. It was stated that artificial limbs had been ordered by the German authorities but the German chief physician could say nothing about when these limbs could be expected. There are also among these men about 90 who are in need of operating treatment because of nerve injuries. The nerve surgeon, Major Harvey, stated he has now received the necessary equipment to be able to perform the operations, but it is no use to start anything as long as the equipment for after-treatment is not there. Orders for the necessary apparatus were, however said to have been sent in by the German authorities. It will be suggested to the German High Command to have all these "Grands blesses" brought together in a smaller camp where they can be given more individual treatment than in a big camp like this.

        In the camp lazaret, which is situated just outside the camp there are 12 doctors and 43 sanitators. The lazaret is considered a very good one and was described in the last report. There were in all 313 patients, including some from other camps as well. Several rather seriously ill patients from the civilian internees camps at Tost, are treated here. Otherwise there are no special serious cases in the lazaret at present.

        The doctors were very satisfied with the working conditions and stated the supplies were good. It was, however asked for: Iron drugs for aneamia treatment, Insulin (there at present two patients who need about 100 u per day. So far it has been possible to provide the necessary insulin but sometimes with great difficulties); Davies gags; instruments for tonsillectomia; operating head lamp; Emetin hydrochloride. The German Chief physician also specially stated if teeths could be sent. They have already been asked for in Geneva four months ago, but none have arrived.

        Major Charters, the Senior medical officer in the lazaret, discussed the question about patients with eye injuries. He himself is an eye-specialist and is able to treat them here. He suggested that all the eye cases should be concentrated to a place which could be a centrum not only for treatment but also for teaching the blind Braille methods. The suggestion will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.

        There are 8 doctors unemployed in the camp. They asked to be either sent out to work or to be transferred to an Oflag. The matter will be brought to the attention of the German High Command with the suggestion that they be sent out to the bigger work camps in need of medical attention.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        The clothing conditions were stated to have been very bad, specially in the working camps up to quite recently. Since then, however, shipments have been received and the Man of Confidence had been able to provide about 30% of the whole camp area with new dresses. There is still a great need of battle dresses, blouses, great coats and boots. Underwear was asked for from the Red Cross a long time ago and had arrived but is no longer sufficient. The Man of Confidence received in December last a letter from the British Red Cross, announcing that they had sent 200,000 pairs of leather soles for boot repairs, but not had been received so far. [Note: This sentence is enclosed in brackets, marked in pencil, and underneath is written "Letter misunderstood; 200,000 pairs of leather soles were sent to Geneva, as a general issue. Miss Johnston]

X.) MONEY AND PAY

        The six Quakers from the Field Ambulance Unit, although recognised as sanitators have not yet received any pay. This will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.

XI.) CANTEEN

        The canteen is still very badly stocked and it does not seem to be possible for the German authorities to improve it. It was asked for razor blades, boot polish, tooth paste and tooth brushes.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        The religious activity is very satisfactory and the clergymen are now allowed to visit the men under arrest as well as to go out on tours in the work camps.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        The gymnasium promised at the last visit is now being put in order and a bigger sport ground is also being planned. As a new arrangement pictures are now shown in the camp. The school is also to be enlarged. There were said to be about 800 students each day at present.

XIV.) MAIL

        There were no special complaints about the mail. A new order has been issued that only the Man of Confidence is allowed to correspond with the different Relief organisations and only with a few specified ones. There are besides this no restrictions for the prisoners to write to anyone they want.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        It was asked if the amount of sugar to which each prisoner is entitled could be handed out to him in bulk and not as now put into the food. The Commander agreed that each barrack chief should receive the sugar for the whole barrack every day and that the distribution then should be done by him. This arrangement will be checked on the next visit.

        There were complaints that the prisoners receive only 25 cigarettes per week from the Red Cross and only very rarely any from the German camp authorities.

        The leader from the Quakers Field Ambulance Unit Mr. O.H.G. Dick, p.o.w. 8172 asked if he could not be recognised as an officer. He stated he used to be an officer in the British Red Cross but had, of course, never held any military rank. He is treated as a private sanitator and the camp authorities refuse to recognise him as an officer as long as no notification has been received from the British Government that he is recognised in the British Army as an officer.

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

Gabriel Naville.

Dr. Folke Malmquist.

WORK CAMPS STALAG VIII B

Dates of visit: 6th, 7th and 8th of May 1942.

Work Camp E.276 - Ottmachau

        In this camp there are British prisoners of war, all working in a sugar factory. At present they are working 9 3/4 hours a day and are free from Saturday afternoon till Monday morning. During the campaign from October to the middle of January they had, however to work 12 hours a day with 18 hours over week-end when the shifts were changing.

        The pay is at present 70 Pfg. a day; during the campaign it was RM 1.20. All the men are living in a small separate building close to the factory and not surrounded by barbed wires. The rooms are comfortable enough and not overcrowded, well heated and with sufficient light. The beds are of steel spring type and each man has two blankets.

        There is a small washroom with running cold water in the building. Hot showers are provided once a week in the factory. The latrines are satisfactory.

        The prisoners receive their food rations in bulk and the food is prepared by British cooks. The kitchen is well installed.

        A British sanitator is working in the camp and he has been provided with a small supply of necessary drugs. For sick parade the men are brought to the civilian doctor in a town about a mile away.

        Several of the men have rather bad uniforms and boots; new ones have been ordered from Stalag. Overalls have been provided for the men doing dirty work.

        A religious service is read by one of the men every Sunday. A few hymn-books have been received.

        Books have been sent from the Stalag and are changed regularly. The men have bought a violin and a clarinet but would very much like to receive an accordion and a trumpet. They have already gathered the money to pay for it. Their wish will be brought to the attention of the YMCA. A football and other sport equipment have arrived and games have been sent from the Stalag.

        The prisoners are allowed the regular monthly number of four cards and two letters. Mail arrives fairly regularly.

        Driver Harry SCOTT, p.o.w. 17695, has received only one letter from his wife in six months and of seven announced private parcels, none has arrived. His wife's address is:

                Mrs. G.B. Scott,

                6, Cottrell Rd.,

                Roath, Cardiff.

        The Man of Confidence, Sgt. OGLE, p.o.w. 7735, stated that he had been promoted Sergeant on the field on about 20th of May 1941. He belonged to the New Zealand expedition force. He wants to know if his rank has been substantiated.

        The general impression of this work camp is not bad at all and the Man of Confidence stated that there had been a great improvement since last autumn. The spirit of the prisoners is good.

Work Camp E 42 - Rothfest

Man of Confidence: Sgt. Harrywood Coldman, P.o.W. 14904.

        The 65 British prisoners in this camp are all employed in a paper factory. They work from 8 to 11 hours a day depending on the kind of work they are doing. Sunday is as a rule free but, sometimes, a few of them have to work for 4 to 5 hours. They pay is 70 pfg. for 8 to 9 hours work, RM 1,30 for 11 hours. They are all lodged in the village inn and the quarters are fairly satisfactory.

        The washing facilities and latrines are primitive but sufficient. Hot showers once a week, and every day for men doing dirty work.

        The prisoners receive the additional rations for heavy workers but stated the food was not substantial enough for hard work. They have had no ration scale enabling them to control the rations provided; a scale will be sent. They have received no Red Cross parcels for quite a long time, but in the last few weeks a small bulk issue has arrived.

        There has so far been no medical orderly but it was immediately arranged with the accompanying officer to have one transferred to this camp. For medical as well as dental treatment the men are brought to a Reserve Lazaret about 6 kilometers away. The few serious cases which had occurred had been brought to the lazaret by car.

        The clothing conditions are fairly satisfactory but a few more trousers were needed. Underwear and socks as well as blouses have been provided.

        The men have been able to buy a few necessary things in the village shops. It was asked if tooth-paste could be sent.

        The 16 Roman Catholics among the prisoners had been allowed to attend the Mass once. For the Protestants the Man of Confidence reads the service every Sunday.

        A fair number of novels and other books have been sent but it was asked if mechanical and other studying books could be sent. This wish will be brought to the attention of the YMCA.

        Mail is sent out from Stalag on Wednesdays and Fridays. A letter from England takes an average time of one to two months.

        The only complaint in the camp was that the Man of Confidence and 40 of the other men had been there in the same kind of job for 660 days, and would like to have a change. The accompanying officer promised to try to have some of these men sent to another working party.

Work Camp E 355 - Ziegenhals

Man of Confidence: Sgt. Daniel Lynn, P.o.W. 12886.

        The 21 prisoners here are employed in a wood factory. They work 8 hours a day and are free Saturday afternoon and Sunday. The pay is 70 pfg. a day. If overwork - 20 pfg. extra per hour.

        The men are lodged in the basement of the factory in two small rooms, 15 in one room and 6 in another. The bigger room is certainly overcrowded, but, in addition, there is a small dining and recreation room. The men stated they preferred to stay here in spite of being a bit crowded due to the big advantage of very good washrooms with showers and cold and hot running water, just outside the quarters. The food was stated to be sufficient and with the help of their Red Cross parcels, they were doing allright.

        There is a sanitator working in the camp and in serious cases as well as for dental treatment the men are brought to the hospital close by.

        The clothing conditions are satisfactory. Socks and shirts have just arrived from Stalag. The men with dirty jobs have received aprons. Overalls have been promised.

        There is no religious activity in the camp. For recreation, books, games and sport equipment have been sent.

        The mail is coming in allright. Red Cross parcels have arrived rather badly. Since February no individual parcels.

        There were no real complaints and the men were quite satisfied with their working conditions.

Work Camp E 109 - Niessnerberg

Man of Confidence: CSM Sutherland, New Zealand Army, P.o.W. 23434.

        There are here 77 British prisoners of war working in the forests. The working hours are 10 hours a day and the men are free on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. On the day of the visit the majority of the men had refused to work as a protest against the bad food. The matter was thoroughly investigated and it was found that the rations given out were in accordance with orders; that is, the men receive the day's ration for the German civilian population with a supplement of 2/3 of the additional ration for heavy workers. The food was said to be fairly well prepared and the protest was directed against the rations as such. The matter was discussed at length with the Man of Confidence and the men and it was pointed out that the rations given here, although not big, were the same as in all other p.o.w. camps. After a while only 7 men insisted on their refusal to work and order was given by the accompanying officer that these men should be taken back to the Stalag.

        The men are living in a big barrack consisting of a sleeping room and a living room. There is no overcrowding. There is no electric light and there was said to be a shortage of petroleum for the lamps. There were complaints that the straw sacks were very dirty and full of fleas. The accompanying officer gave an order that the room and the beds had to be thoroughly cleaned and new straw provided.

        The bathing and washing facilities, as well as the latrines are satisfactory.

        There is a medical orderly at work in the camp; necessary supplies have been sent from the Stalag.

        A consignment of clothing had just been received from the Stalag and the clothing conditions are now fairly good.

        During the winter, when the men worked for about 5 to 6 hours a day, the pay has been 54 pfg. but, from the 1st of April the regular pay is 70 pfg. a day.

        There is no religious activity in the camp. Books have been sent from the Stalag but the Man of Confidence stated that as many of them had been destroyed here by the men, he did not dare to ask for more. A few games have also arrived. The most popular sport is football, and is played on a sport ground outside the camp every Sunday.

        As the camp is situated far away from the Stalag, mail can only be sent out here once or twice a week. But there were no real complaints about this. One of the men Percy WALL, P.o.W. 381, Stalag VIII B, wanted to have the Red Cross parcel labels sent to his brother instead of to his mother, who does not send him any parcels. His brother's name and address are:

                Sidney Wall,

                70 Woodchester Street,

                Harrow Rd. Paddington,

                London W 2.

        There were complaints that the doors of the barracks are closed from 2 to 4 on Sunday afternoon, even when the prisoners were not allowed to the sport ground. Order was given that the doors should be closed only when the majority of the men are out playing football. The reason being the lack of guards.

        The general impression of this camp is somewhat mixed: the material conditions are fairly good but the spirit does not seem as high as in other camps; a new visit will be planned later on.

Work Camp E 250 - Adelsdorf Freiwalde

Man of Confidence: Sgt. Fred Hatkinson, P.o.W. 22424.

        At present there are 96 British prisoners of war in this camp but 50 more are expected as soon as new barracks will be ready. They are all employed in a factory for cellwool. They are working for 8 hours night shifts or 10 hours day shifts. They are free on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. They pay is 70 pfg. a day.

        The quarters are comfortable in new barracks built up around a neatly arranged courtyard. 24 men are lodged in each room, which does not make the rooms too crowded. Special dining rooms are foreseen in the new barrack. There is electric light and the rooms were said to have been very well heated during the winter.

        The washing and bathing facilities are excellent. In the shower-rooms hot water is provided any time. The latrines are satisfactory.

        The food was stated to be good and sufficient. It is prepared by German civilians but the British Man of Confidence is in full control of the rations given out.

        The British Medical orderly was satisfied with the medical arrangements. He has received all necessary supply of drugs and a small sick ward will be installed in the new barrack. He has had no difficulty to get into touch with the German civilian doctor whenever it had been necessary.

        The clothing conditions were good.

        Necessary toilet articles, etc., have been supplied by the factory.

        Mail is coming fairly regularly.

        Books, games and sport equipment have been sent from the Stalag. A new sport ground was just being prepared. There is a small band and a stage for theatre will be built in the new barrack.

        There were no complaints and this camp can be considered as one of the very best, owing chiefly to the human and social outlook of the factory's manager and his wife who supervise personally the cooking and is of great help in entertainment matters.

Work Camp E 352 - Freudenthal

        All 20 prisoners here are employed in a weaving mill. They work 8 hours a day in two shifts and are free on Sundays.

        They are lodged in a barrack containing 1 sleeping room with 20 double beds and a recreation room. There are good stoves and electric light.

        The washing facilities and latrines are satisfactory. Baths have only been provided once a fortnight but a promise was given to try to arrange it once a week in the future.

        The food is prepared by one of the prisoners in a small, well equipped kitchen. The rations were said to be satisfactory and there are no complaints about the food.

        The Man of Confidence has a sanitary education and has been supplied with the necessary drugs. There is a Reserve Lazaret in town to which the sick prisoners are brought.

        The clothing conditions were fairly satisfactory but tunics were needed and had been asked for in the Stalag. It was also asked for leather to repair the shoes. The washing of the laundry is done in town.

        There is no religious activity.

        A few books have arrived. It was asked for a football, tenni-coit ring monopoly game, playing cards, gramophone and plectrums and spare strings for mandola and mandolin. These wishes will be brought to the attention of the YMCA.

        The cook is allowed to go to town to buy the necessary articles for his comrades. Lemonade is provided, but no beer.

        There were no complaints about mail except for many personal parcels missing.

        As a whole, the camp is fairly satisfactory.

Work Camp E 354

Man of Confidence: Sgt. George Millne, P.o.W. 17150.

        There are 40 British prisoners of war in this camp. They are employed in building roads. They work for 10 hours a day but have Saturday afternoon and Sundays free. Pay is the regular 70 pfg. a day. The men are living in a part of an inn. The room is big and airy and there is plenty of free space. There is central heating. The electric light was not quite sufficient but it was immediately promised to have this matter arranged.

        The washing facilities were rather primitive.

        The food was said to be very good in quality but hardly sufficient in quantity. The Man of Confidence could control that they receive the rations they are entitled to.

        The Man of Confidence takes care of the medical attention as well. Necessary equipment has been provided.

        The men here have been rather bad off for clothes and it had caused rather bad feelings that new men coming from the Stalag had been fitted out in brand new British uniforms, while the other men here still had to wear worn out Polish great coats. It was asked for trousers, blouses and boots. The accompanying officer promised to bring this to the attention of the chief Man of Confidence at the Stalag.

        The Man of Confidence is allowed to go shopping for his comrades in town, but stated, he can get hold of very few things. He would like to receive, if possible, tooth-paste, tooth-brushes, boot-polish etc.

        There is no religious activity.

        Books and games have been sent out. A sport ground could be arranged but there is no sport equipment. This will be brought to the attention of the YMCA.

        Mail is coming in satisfactorily. There were no real complaints.

Work Camp E 140 and 381 - Oldersdorf

British Man of Confidence: Edgar Foster, P.o.W. 10264.

        This camp is a combination of two working parties working for different employers but lodged in the same camp. There are together 60 British prisoners of war.

        All the men work 8 hours a day and have Sundays and sometimes Saturday afternoon free. There were no complaints about the work.

        The pay is the regular 70 pfg. a day.

        The accommodations are fairly good. No overcrowding. Heating and light are sufficient. Every man has two blankets.

        The washing facilities are very primitive. In the winter the men had to wash in the room but now in the summer arrangements have been made in the courtyard. Hot water for bathing is provided from the kitchen. The latrines are satisfactory.

        There were no complaints about the food. All the men receive heavy workers rations and the Man of Confidence controls the rations given out.

        There was no medical orderly but the accompanying officer promised to have one sent here. The prisoners are brought to the German civilian doctor in the village.

        All the men in working party E 140 had never been provided with English clothing, but still have to wear rather worn out Belgian and French stuff. The men in the other working party who recently arrived in the camp from the Stalag, were well fitted out. The accompanying officer promised to bring the need for clothes to the attention of the British Man of Confidence in the Stalag.

        There is no canteen and the men are not able to buy anything. It was specially asked for knives and spoons which were promised to be sent from the Stalag.

        The Man of Confidence reads the service every Sunday.

        Books have been sent from the Stalag and are changed regularly. Even indoor games, table-tennis, tenni-coits and 2 footballs have been sent and the Camp Leader is trying to arrange for the men to use a sport-ground nearby.

        Mail is coming in allright. No Red Cross parcels have arrived for 10 weeks, except for a small bulk issue, four weeks ago.

        The camp made in general a good impression and there were no real complaints.

Work Camp E 398 - Bauerwitz

Man of Confidence: John Taylor, P.o.W. 15859.

        This is a small work commando with only 14 British prisoners of war, all working in a brick factory. They work for 8 hours a day and are free from Saturday afternoon till Monday morning. They receive the regular pay of 70 pfg. a day.

        The men are all living together in one room. The beds are close together, but otherwise there is sufficient free space in the room which is well heated and ventilated.

        The wash- and bath-room is situated in another part of the factory, quite a long way from the living rooms but is equipped with a tub and showers and hot water can be had at any time. The latrines are satisfactory.

        The food is prepared in a nice small kitchen by the Man of Confidence, who stated they had no real complaints to make. They all receive the additional ration for heavy workers. There had been some difficulty in getting the marmalade, prisoners are entitled to receive; but it has been promised that in the future they will receive their regular ration as well as the rations they did not receive up to now.

        The medical attention is paid by the German civilian doctor in the village.

        The clothing conditions were very bad indeed except for shirts which have recently arrived from Stalag. Complete outfits, as well as boots were, however, already announced.

        The Man of Confidence is allowed to buy in the village shops but has been able to procure very little. The prisoners were all bad in need of tooth-brushes, tooth-paste and boot polish.

        There is no religious activity. No books and very few games have been sent here. It was asked for chess, playing cards and a football. These wishes have been brought to the attention of the YMCA.

        Mail was said to be coming in fairly well.

        There were no special complaints.

E. 207 - Ehrenforst

Commando Leader: Lft. Baumgaertel

Man of Confidence: Sgt. Heim Glovinsky, P.o.W. 6743.

        The 184 prisoners of war in this camp are all Jewish citizens from Palestine, employed in road building or working on the construction of a channel. They work for 10 hours a day but are free on Sunday and Saturday afternoon. They receive the regular pay of 70 pfg. a day.

        As the camp used to keep about 400 men and only a few of the barracks have been taken down since the number of occupants was reduced, there is now plenty of room for the prisoners, who are lodged 20 men in each room. Besides there are several big recreation rooms. The quarters were said to have been well heated during the winter. There is electric light. Each man has received two blankets.

        The washroom and latrines in special barracks are satisfactory. Each man can have a bath once a week.

        So far the food has been prepared in a special kitchen by some of the prisoners but this arrangement had not been considered economical for the small number of men left and from now on the food will be prepared for the prisoners as well as for the civilian workers in the civilian canteen kitchen. It was arranged that the Man of Confidence should still be able to control that the prisoners were given the rations they are entitled to. All the men here receive the additional ration for heavy workers. For about two months no individual Red Cross food parcels had been received but one small bulk issue of food had recently arrived.

        In the camp is a well arranged infirmary in charge of which is the British doctor Captain Peter Tattersall, R.A.M.C. The infirmary is provided with ten single beds, but at the time of the visit there were only two patients, both of them with minor diseases. Capt. Tattersall stated he had so far received all supplies needed. As the camp at present was considered too small to have a doctor of its own, Cpt. Tattersall would within the near future be transferred to Res. Lazaret Cosel.

        All the men in this camp were well dressed and a new consignment had recently arrived. There is a small canteen with hardly any stock at all. It had lately been almost impossible to procure the articles needed. It was especially asked for tooth-paste.

        Only a few of the prisoners can read English but a lot of books in German and other languages have been sent out from the YMCA. Sport articles including football and table-tennis have also been provided and there is sufficient space within the camp for sport.

        No letters have arrived from Palestine for several months but many private parcels have arrived lately. The prisoners are allowed to write the regular number of 2 letters and four post cards per month.

        There were no special complaints. The camp is a good one, and the prisoners here are treated in exactly the same way as prisoners in other camps.

Work Camp E. 3 - Blechhammer.

Commander Leader: Rittmeister Prinz Hohenlohe

Man of Confidence: Sgt. Major William Haberfield, P.o.W. 11012.

        In this big work camp there are 749 British prisoners of war, most of them employed in construction work. The Man of Confidence stated that most of the men are professional workers and that, although the work is partly rather hard, all the men can stand it well. There is no dangerous work. Most of the men work 10 hours a day. For some time and due to an order from the Wehrkreiskommando, they have now only one day off in three weeks. This matter was discussed with the Commander in Wehrkreis VIII, who stated that this order was due to a general rule that the prisoners of war have to do the same work as the German civilian workers. This break of Art. 30 of the Convention has already been taken up in general with the German High Command but, new representations will be made. The men receive the regular pay of 70 pfg. a day.

        The camp consists of wooden barracks each of them containing 5 rooms for 20 men. There is no overcrowding. The men had started a competition for the nicest room in the camp, and some of them had really been made very cosy and nice. All the rooms are well heated and there is still a supply of wood to enable the men to prepare their own food. There is electric light. A complaint was made that many of the blankets had not been washed for a very long time and were now very dirty. Order was immediately given that all blankets should be washed on terms.

        For washing and bathing there are special barracks with central heating. Hot water is provided every day. Latrines are of flush type and satisfactory.

        The kitchen is well equipped and run by the prisoners. All men working receive the additional ration for heavy workers. There were no real complaints about the food.

        A whole barrack has been turned into an infirmary and dental station. The British doctor in charge is Cpt. John Borrie, New Zealand Medical Corps. The doctor stated the general health conditions in the camp to be good but there is still a very great number of furunculosis, and skin rashes of different kinds. The doctor considered this due to a food not adequate in quality and after treatment with cod liver oil he has seen some improvement. He would very much like to receive a good text-book for skin diseases. In most respects the supplies provided by the German authorities were sufficient but the doctor asked if the following articles could be sent to him preferably under his own name:

                Gowns, ephedrine, benedicts reagent for testing urine sugar, cocain drope (eves) fluoroshine, gentian violet, anatomicer.

        There are now two dentists in the camp, the senior being Capt. Warren, P.o.W. 25903. The dental station is small but fairly well equipped. To be able to carry out their work in a satisfactory way the doctors, however, need the following articles, which are very hard to procure in Germany at present:

                Complete sets of false teeth for about 100 men and in addition odd front teeth. 4-5 Pound boxes of red dental rubber. Plaster of Paris (100 weight).

        The camp has been fairly well supplied with clothes from the Stalag and most of the men are now quite well dressed.

        The men have to do their laundry themselves.

        The canteen is not too badly supplied. There were a few toilet articles mending material, pencils and some tobacco. No beer was served at present, but the Commander was trying to procure some.

        There is a Roman Catholic priest, Padre Charbonneau, a French Canadian missionary from an adjacent working battalion. He reads the Mass regularly. The Church of England Service is read by the doctor and one of the sanitators reads service for other denominations. It was asked to have a Church of England clergyman transferred to this camp and the Legation will suggest to the German High Command to have one of the clergymen of Oflag IX A/H transferred here.

        There is a good recreation room with a well equipped stage where theatre performances are given regularly. There are not less than 4 orchestras, a military band of 21 members, a dance band of 12 members, a swing band of 5 members and a Hill Billy band of 12 members. Concerts are given regularly several time a week. The camp is very short of books and this will be brought to the attention of the YMCA. There is a good sport ground and some sport equipment has been received including 11 pairs of football boots. To be able to set up two complete teams, the camp will, however, very much appreciate if 11 more pairs could be sent as well as some new footballs. It was also asked for a table tennis set.

        There were no complaints about the mail which arrived fairly regularly. A great number of private parcels have arrived lately.

        There are no real complaints except about the Sunday work, and the Man of Confidence as well as the medical officers stated that the camp was a very good one.

Work Camp E 51 - Klausberg.

Man of Confidence: C.S.M. George Wilkins, P.o.W. 15875.

        The 451 British prisoners of war in this camp are all employed as miners. They work in three shifts: (1) 5:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.; (2) 1.15 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.; and (3) 9.15 p.m. to 7.30 a.m.

        The men have to leave the camp at least half an hour before the work starts. They have no time off while in the pit. The actual working time during a shift is 8 hours and 3/4. It was stated that to get a Sunday off, some of the men frequently have to work two shifts on Saturday. The working conditions in this and other mines were discussed at length with the Commander of Wehrkreis VIII who stated that the new order given out that a man should have at least one day off in three weeks, was specially paying attention to the conditions in the mines, where the work otherwise is going on continually. If it really had happened that a man had to do two shifts in one day to be allowed one day off, this was a false interpretation of the orders given, and the Commander promised to look into this matter.

        The serious break of regulation of Art. 30 of the Convention will once more be taken up with the German High Command. Many of the prisoners are not miners and not used to that sort of work. Now, after two years in the mines, they would appreciate a change. This question will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.

        The men are quartered in barracks of standard type with 18 to 20 men in each room. There is no overcrowding. The rooms are well heated and, even during the summer, there is a supply of coal. There is electric light. Each man has two blankets and most of them have an extra private one. Several of the blankets were of very bad quality but it was stated that no others could be provided.

        All the men working in the mines have good showers and wash rooms at their working places, and for the camp staff there is a well equipped bath room in the camp. Hot water can be had at any time. The latrines are satisfactory.

        The food was said to be allright although the standard ration for the camp staff, which does not receive any additional food, was said to be hardly sufficient to work on. The men in charge of the kitchen have full control over the rations given out. It was asked if lungs etc., are reckoned as meat to the full amount this question will be investigated. The camp has never been without Red Cross food but lately there have only been bulk issues. The men would very much prefer to receive again the individual food parcels.

        The Medical Officer in the camp is Capt. Ronald Stewart NZMC. There is a well organised infirmary with four beds and a well equipped examination room. At the time of the visit, there were only two patients, both of them with minor diseases. The doctor stated the health conditions in the camp to be good.

        The clothes were said to be still rather bad. A list of articles needed had been sent to Stalag, but nothing has arrived so far. There was some trouble through the fact that the men had thrown away their worn out socks and the paymaster refused to give out new ones without the old ones being handed in first. The Camp Leader promised to arrange this matter in some way.

        The prisoners have only one Red Cross towel each, which is certainly not sufficient considering the dirty sort of work they are doing. The accompanying officer stated that they ought to have one towel from the factory in spite of having received the Red Cross one, and promised to try to settle this matter. The question will in general be taken up with the German High Command.

        The laundry is sent for washing to the nearby town for which the prisoners pay a small sum.

        There was a complaint that the prisoners never exactly know how much pay they are entitled to receive, as no details are given on the pay envelopes about eventual deductions, but only a total sum. After a discussion with the Camp Commander it was settled that in future all details will be given on the pay envelope, so, that each prisoners will be able to control exactly if and why deductions are made from his salary.

        The canteen was rather badly stocked and it was said to be very hard to gather the supplies. It was asked for saccharine, tooth-paste and boot-polish.

        There is no regular religious activity but a clergyman will be sent from Stalag now and then. The camp would much appreciate to have a priest transferred here and this will be suggested to the German High Command.

        There is a good recreation room with a stage and two orchestras. Table-tennis and other games have been provided; a boxing ring and a sport ground have been arranged. There is quite a good library.

        The mail is coming in fairly regularly and recently many private parcels have arrived.

        Except for the above-mentioned, there are no serious complaints and the conditions in this camp can be described as fair. The camp authorities seem to do their best and the co-operation between them and the Man of Confidence is good.

Work Camp E 27 - Hindenburg Ost.

Man of Confidence: Sgt. M. Alfred Ledley, P.o.W. 14722.

        There are 572 British prisoners of war in this camp all employed in a mine. Many of them are not used to this kind of work. They work in two shifts, the one shift being away from the camp from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the second shift from 2 p.m. till 12 Midnight. Each shift has about an hour rest for food. The men have in average worked one Sunday per month. There were no real complaints about the working conditions and it was stated that the connections with the civilian workers are good. No one is paid less than 70 pfg. a day.

        The prisoners are lodged in old and new barracks of standard type with 20 men in each room. There is no overcrowding and the accommodation is on the whole satisfactory.

        The washing and bathing facilities are good, with hot showers available any time. The latrines are satisfactory.

        The food was said to be not bad and the Man of Confidence is able to control the rations given out. The men working in the open air receive heavy workers' ration, but the men working in the pit receive the additional ration for heaviest workers. The food is prepared by a German woman with the help of two prisoners. It was said to be well prepared.

        In the camp is a British doctor, Capt. Robert Robertson, and 9 sanitators. A very good new hospital was just being installed and, when ready, will make the medical working conditions most satisfactory. The doctor stated the health conditions in the camp to be quite good. Lately there have, however, been quite a few cases of bad throat. In the doctor's opinion, there were some prisoners in the camp, who are not fit for work in the mine. The matter was discussed with the accompanying officer, who stated that all the men had been examined by a doctor before having been sent to this camp, but promised to have a German doctor sent from Stalag once more to examine all men put before him by the British doctor as not fit for their present work. The medical equipment was said to be satisfactory but the doctor asked to have an Ethylchlorite sent.

        The camp was said to be well off for uniforms and underwear, but in great need of boots. Boots had, however, already been ordered from the Stalag.

        The men have to do their laundry themselves. The issue of soap had not been quite regular lately, but it was promised that this matter would be corrected in the future.

        The canteen is quite well provided. Complaints were made that two high prices were charged. The man of Confidence was recommended to have a list of the prices made for the next visit when the matter will be checked.

        There is no regular religious service in the camp. A British clergyman had come here once from Stalag. It has been asked from the German High Command to have a clergyman transferred here, if possible. Most of the men in the camp belong to the Church of England but, there are about 100 Roman Catholics.

        There is a big room with a stage for theatre and a good band. The library contains about 600 books, which the Man of Confidence is trying to change regularly at the Stalag. A good supply of games has also been provided. For sport a boxing ring and small courts for volley ball etc., have been arranged but, there is no real sport ground for football, although a good equipment has been sent. This question will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.

        There were no complaints about the mail, which was said to arrive fairly regularly. Red Cross parcels have arrived in sufficient number to allow an issue of at least half a parcel per man weekly. At present there was only one more issue in hand.

        There was one man under arrest. Although the cell was said to be used only to keep a man for a few hours until he could be taken away, it could in no way be said to be in accordance with the Geneva Convention, and a protest was made to the accompanying officer. He immediately agreed and gave an order that this cell should not be used any more. The matter will be checked on the next visit.

        As in many other camps, there are several N.C.Os. who do not want to work any more but, who are not allowed to go to the Stalag under the pretext that they have once volunteered for work. This general question has been taken up with the German High Command.

        This camp is not a bad one but, being a mining camp, there are several questions and troubles, which ought to be investigated and a new visit will be planned.

Work Camp E 366 - Neudorf-Malsbruecke

Man of Confidence: SM Isac Emudziak, P.o.W. 6521.

        The 44 men in this camp are all Palestine citizens. They are employed in road building and usually work 10 hours a day. Several of the men are, however, on piece-work, so that they sometimes only work for about 8 hours. They are all free on Saturday afternoon and Sundays. The pay is the regular one, 70 pfg. a day.

        The accommodations are good without overcrowding. The rooms are furnished with single beds and lockers.

        There is no running water in the washrooms and no showers, but a sufficient number of basins and a big kettle for boiling water. The latrines are satisfactory.

        The food is the standard one and was said to be well prepared. There is a special dining and recreation room.

        A medical orderly is working in the camp and has received sufficient supplies for his work. A British doctor comes now and again from a bigger work camp in the neighbourhood.

        The prisoners were well provided with clothes.

        A sport ground has been arranged and sport equipment has arrived from the YMCA. There are also a few books and games and a ping-pong.

        There has been no mail from Palestine for a very long time. The prisoners are allowed to write regularly. The Man of Confidence wanted to have a note sent to his father, Mr. I. Zmudziak, 78 Bezalal Street, Tel Aviv, Palestine, telling that his two brothers I. Zmudziak, P.o.W. 6521 and M. Zmudziak, P.o.W. 6522, were prisoners of war, while the third brother, Z. Zmudziak, had escaped in Greece.

        Red Cross parcels had not arrived for about 6 weeks except for a bulk issue about a month ago. The camp is quite good and there were no real complaints.

Work Camp E 22 - Gleiwitz

Man of Confidence: CSM Thomas Hooks, P.o.W. 10535.

        There are 320 British prisoners of war, all employed in a mine. The majority is used to this kind of work. The work goes on in 3 shifts with the different shifts being away from the camp from 6 a.m. to 3.15 p.m.; 3 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.; 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. They have lately been free on Sundays and had only worked one Sunday in this year. They receive a pay of RM 20.- monthly regularly. There were complaints that, when a man had to be off some work, because of an accident in the mine, he received no pay. This matter will be taken up with the German High Command.

        The men are all lodged in old, rather dirty brick barracks with big rooms with 40 to 60 men in each room. There are double tier beds and a sufficient number of tables and benches and very good arrangements for the prisoners to prepare their private food. The barracks are, however, very dark and dirty and were said even to be infected with fleas. A new barrack camp is already in order and could be taken over by the prisoners who, however, because of the good cooking facilities, prefer to stay in the old quarters. This question was discussed with the Man of Confidence, who stated that even, if he would like to go over in a new camp, the majority of the men did not agree with him so that he could do nothing.

        The washing facilities in the barracks are very primitive with only one spigot in each room. As all the men take a hot bath before leaving the mine after work, this arrangement was, however, said to be sufficient. The latrines are satisfactory.

        The kitchen is situated outside the camp and the food is prepared by a German cook with the help of some British prisoners. The food was said to be allright but a ration scale was asked for. The accompanying officer promised to ask the chief Man of Confidence at the Stalag to send one. So far the prisoners in this camp have received 1 Red Cross parcel per week per man but at the time of the visit there was only one more issue in stock.

        There are 3 British sanitators working in the camp and a small infirmary with 2 beds has been arranged. The medical supplies were said to be satisfactory except for plaster, which is hard to provide at present. When needed, a German doctor comes out to the camp.

        The clothing conditions are not too bad; for men doing specially dirty work, overalls and boots have been provided but, most of the prisoners still have only one uniform. Steps have, however, been taken in this Wehrkreis to provide all men with dirty work, with an extra working outfit. The men do their own laundry.

        There is no real canteen but 2 prisoners are allowed to go out to town and shop for their comrades.

        There is no priest, but the service is read regularly by one of the prisoners. Steps have already been taken to have the camp visited now and again by a priest from the Stalag.

        A big sleeping room is used as recreation room. There is a good band and two pianos. Books have been sent from the Stalag and also a few games. It was asked for some monopoly games. Sufficient sport equipment has arrived and the men are regularly taken out to play football.

        Mail was said to arrive very well. A letter from England usually takes only 3 to 4 weeks. Mail from New Zealand has also arrived well lately and so have private parcels. The men were, however, short of cigarettes.

        There were no special complaints except the few mentioned above. The camp is not a bad one except for the accommodation which is certainly not as good as in most other camps. As the men prefer to stay in their old barracks, no representation will, however, be made. A new visit to the camp will be planned later on.

Work Camp E 90 - Erlenbusch

Man of Confidence: Sgt. William Howe, P.o.W. 13211.

        In the camp are 48 British prisoners of war, all employed in forest work. They work for 10 hours a day and are free on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. They receive 70 pfg. a day.

        The prisoners are lodged in a farmhouse where they are all sleeping in one big room. There is no overcrowding. So far there have been no recreation rooms but the men were just working to arrange two small rooms one of which will be used as ping-pong room and the other as reading room.

        As washing room an old kitchen with a boiler has been installed. Basins have been provided and a tub has been promised. The latrines are rather primitive but sufficient.

        The food is prepared by a German woman with the help of a British cook. It was said to be quite satisfactory.

        There is a not-recognised sanitator in the camp who, however, is working in the forest as well. It was discussed with the accompanying officer to have a recognised sanitator sent here and the officer promised to take the question up with the Commander at the Stalag. The medical equipment was satisfactory for a small camp like this.

        The clothing conditions were not very good, and especially boots are badly needed. A list had, however, already been sent to the Man of Confidence at Stalag and new supplies were expected any day.

        The laundry is washed in town and the prisoners pay a small sum for it.

        The Man of Confidence reads the service every week.

        Games and sport equipment have arrived from the YMCA, but, during the summer it has not been possible to have a sport ground, all fields being used for culture. It autumn and spring the prisoners have, however, been allowed to play football. The mail is in general coming in satisfactorily and even private parcels have arrived in greater number lately. However, many are still missing.

        There were no real complaints this time. It was stated that very great improvements have been done since the camp was last visited by representatives of the International Red Cross.

Work Camp E 46 - Mechtal.

Man of Confidence: SM J.J. Curry, P.o.W. 14373.

        There were at the time of the visit 125 British prisoners in the camp but 30 more were expected. All the men are employed as miners and working in three shifts as follows: 5 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.; 1 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.; and 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.

        Until lately there had been no Sunday work but for the last weeks prisoners have been compelled to work even on Sundays and told that they were only entitled to one Sunday free out of three. This question of Sunday work will once more be taken up generally with the German Foreign Office.

        The prisoners are lodged in a three storys' high brick building with small rooms of about 5 by 5 by 3 meters; 8 to 11 men are lodged in each of them and at present there is enough space. With 30 more men arriving the rooms will, however, be filled to capacity but without overcrowding. The rooms are light and airy with large windows; there is electric light.

        The washrooms are rather small but may be considered as sufficient as all the men have hot showers at the mine every day after work. The latrines are satisfactory.

        There were no complaints about the food. The rations are the standard ones for heavy and heaviest workers.

        There is a British doctor, Capt. Louis Longmore, N.Z.M.C. There is a good examination room and a sick ward with 6 beds. On the day of the visit there were only 4 patients, all with minor diseases. The doctor stated he has much trouble with a lot of boil cases, which he considers due to the lack of fresh vegetables and fruit of any kind. The medical supplies were sufficient but, as a precaution, the doctor wanted to have a small supply of diphtheri and scarlatina antiserum as well as T.A.B. sent out, if possible.

        The prisoners in this camp were fairly well dressed but boots and battle dresses were needed. The accompanying officer promised to bring this to the attention of the Man of Confidence at the Stalag.

        There is no religious activity in the camp.

        With the present number of prisoners it had been possible to have a recreation room, but when thirty more men have arrived, this room will also have to be used as sleeping quarter. There is no sport ground either. This lack of recreation space will be brought to the attention of the German High Command. Books, games, and some sport equipment have been sent from the Stalag.

        Mail is in general coming fairly well. A bulk issue of Red Cross food arrived a few weeks ago. Capt. Longmore has received no mail from his fiancee for quite a long time and was anxious to have this notified to her. Her name and address are:

                Miss Nancy Kerr,

                41 Steynor Ave.

                Westmount Montreal, Canada.

        Although the camp as such is not a bad one, the cooperation between the German guards and the prisoners did not seem to work well at all. The prisoners stated they had also all kinds of troubles with the mine's managers and had to fight for every small improvement they asked for. They complained that pigs were kept close to the small courtyard, which is the only one at their disposal, which causes a very bad smell. It was immediately arranged by the accompanying officer that the pig should be removed.

        Further, the German Camp Leader, an "Oberfeldwebel", had ordered one of the prisoners, who had been sent here to do different kinds of work in and outside the camp, to clean his boots, mend his stockings, etc. The prisoners were, of course, most earnestly resenting this. One man, who had made an attempt to escape had been put under arrest and been beaten by the same camp leader. Neither had he been treated according to the Convention while kept under arrest.

        In many other respects the Camp Leader was said to start frictions between the German guards and the prisoners. This was thoroughly discussed with the accompanying officer, who at a visit to the Battalion Commander the following day, arranged to have the German camp leader removed from the camp. It is hoped that this change will improve the conditions in this work camp, but a new visit will be planned as soon as possible.

Reserve Lazaret Hindenburg

German Chief Physician: Dr. Olbrich.

        This lazaret, which is independent from Stalag VIII B, is really a Reserve lazaret for German wounded but has put 15 beds at the disposal of prisoners of war from work camps in the neighbourhood, who cannot easily be transported a long way.

        At present there were only 13 patients, mostly surgical cases, light appendicitis, fractures and other acute cases. The hospital seems to be very well organised, especially for surgical cases. The prisoners are well accommodated, all together in one room. They receive in other respects exactly the same treatment as the German patients and also the same food. They were all most satisfied with the treatment here.

        Mail and parcels are sent to the patients from their different working parties, and books and games have been provided by Stalag.

        In all respects this hospital makes a good impression, and the British patients seem to be taken good care of.

Gabriel Naville.

Dr. Folke Malmquist.