Translation by the London Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
STALAG III A
(British Camp)
Visited by Dr. Thudichum on July 25th. 1944
British Camp Leader - W.O.II Walter HENDERSON, No.12597
Strength - 31,163 P.O.W.
British - 1,352 of which 1003 in camp, 49 in the infirmary and 19 in hospitals.
Protected Personnel - 5 British medical personnel.
Number of working parties - 9 British.
During May and June, about 1300 prisoners of war, all Irish, arrived from various POW camps in Germany. Of these, 250 N.C.O. came from Stalag 383. The other Irish, came from Stalag 344, IVF and VII A.
The prisoners do not know the reason for this transfer. The German authorities have, on several occasions, tried to make the N.C.O. work without success.
Situation and accommodation - The British camp is enclosed in Stalag III A at the extreme West; it is divided into two different camps, one for N.C.O. and one for privates, quite separated from each other. The authorities prevent any communication between the two camps on the grounds that the N.C.O. who are not working may have a bad influence on the men.
The N.C.O. section is on one side of the main camp passage. The 254 occupants are lodged in a large stone hut which included four very large rooms; the prisoners have a room for washing with stone washbasins and a sufficient number of taps.
The prisoners have now two-tiered beds; there remains sufficient space to walk about and for some tables and chairs. Each man has two blankets; the mattresses are stuffed with wood shavings.
Air and light during the day are not sufficient as the windows are only on one side and only the men whose beds are near the windows have enough light and the electric light has to be kept on all day.
700 privates are lodged in four very old wooden huts, in very bad condition. The roofs are bad and the planks are gradually becoming loose, rain comes through in several places and the plaster is crumbling everywhere.
The wooden beds are very damaged and bug-ridden; they are in three tiers and occupy two-thirds of the two large rooms in each hut. The mattresses are stuffed with wood shavings; each man has two blankets; there are several tables and benches.
Although the huts in both camps are spacious, they are too crowded, especially as the men cannot practise any sports and are obliged to stay indoors all day. Further, they have a great many belongings but no shelves, no cupboards and very few books causing much untidiness.
The huts are certainly not large enough; the men would like to have rooms for quiet work and study.
Food - The rations are normal and controlled by the camp leaders. Food for British P.O.W. is prepared by cooks of other nationalities.
Prisoners complain that they have no facility for preparing food from collective consignments or personal parcels; it is a fact that they have no stove for this purpose and no fuel would be allowed. However, the German authorities state that this is not the case; they say that there would be sufficient stoves and fuel if prisoners would not persist in heating up or cooking food all day long, thus exhausting all provisions of fuel. To this effect they had broken up camp furnishings (beds, tables etc.) to obtain fuel. The Delegate was able to see that there were places for cooking but which included no cooking utensils, apart from a few small makeshift stoves made by the prisoners themselves from tin cans sent in standard parcels; wood is obtained in various ways.
Clothing - All prisoners arriving from various other organised camps are usually well clothing although the majority only possess one uniform. The camp has no stock of clothing but various articles of clothing have been announced from Geneva.
Hygiene - Each man can take a showerbath once a week.
Water in washbasins is drinkable and abundant.
The latrines are in one group and are clean; the prisoners make no complaints regarding them.
There is a great deal of vermin and a general disinfection is to take place next week.
The prisoners complain that they have no place to wash their clothes and request wire for drying their washing. During the final interview, the camp authorities informed the Delegate that this request could not be granted, the Irish prisoners having refused to send their clothes to the camp laundry. Further, no wire can be given; there was a quantity of wire before the prisoners arrived but they used it all for odd jobs and no more remains.
Medical attention - (a) Infirmary - There is one infirmary of 80 beds for N.C.O. and privates; it is composed of one large room with beds in three tiers. All patients and the medical personnel are lodged therein with no separation. There is a small stove for heating water and preparing certain meals for the patients. A sufficient quantity of fuel is allowed.
The infirmary is directed by a non commission officer medical student (3rd. year) and 16 medical personnel, 7 of which have been recognised by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. A German "Unterarzt" visits the infirmary twice a week. It would be advisable to send a British doctor to this infirmary which of course only takes slight case - all prisoners suffering from grave illnesses or chronic disease are sent to the camp hospital.
The infirmary is very badly equipped (no urinals, no slop pails etc.); medical supplies are rations. Diet meals are prepared by prisoners of other nationalities in the general camp kitchens.
Nine prisoners now in the infirmary were passed for repatriation by the Mixed Medical Commission while they were still in their previous camp.
(b) Camp hospital - Medical attention is given by doctors of various nationalities in this hospital. This group includes specialists for all branches so that all affections can be treated in the hospital.
The portion of the hospital reserved for prisoners included 6 huts containing each 90 beds. For the last few months the beds have been supplied with sheets which are changed at frequent intervals. The beds are mostly wooden and some, which are used for the more serious cases are proper hospital beds.
American and British airmen shot down in the neighbourhood arrived fairly often in the hospital; they arrive by lorry or by ambulance and receive first attention in the hospital; when they are able to be moved they are transferred to an airman camp. For the last fortnight, such airmen have apparently been sent direct to an airman hospital.
One large hut contains all medical equipment (operating room, treatment ward, bandaging ward, laboratory, wards of physiotherapy, radiology, etc.) This hospital is extremely well equipped in every way and the various apparatus of recent models is working most satisfactorily. Medical equipment for all treatments is adequate and doctors declare that they are given every facility in their ward, except as regards medicine and bandaging material which are greatly rationed. Their principal needs are -
Alcohol
Morphine
Calcium
Vitamins
The stock of anti-diphtheric serum is nearly exhausted.
There has been no epidemic in the camp; three months ago one case of exanthematic typhus occurred for a prisoner of another nationality, not vaccinated.
Lately the situation as regards food is not good in the hospital. It is not easy to cook diet meals and personal parcels no longer arrive. For this reason, the doctors appeal t the International Committee of the Red Cross for a special parcel issue.
[Note that this paragraph contains sections which are almost if not completely unreadable] During his visit to the hospital, the Delegate met three [probably "British officers", as confirmed in 31st July 1944 report] sent by mistake to Stalag III A, after having [unreadable ? ?]ry to June 1944 in Spittal Hospital. These three [officers?] were taken prisoner in November 1943 on the Island of Leros [since?] the beginning of their detention in Germany, they have [filled in?] no capture cards and have no POW numbers.
Lieutenant Henry L. PRITCHETT, American, is in the hospital since October 30th. 1943, when he was admitted for treatment. He now acts as Camp Leader and interpreter for British and American prisoners in the hospital. He asks to be sent to an American officers' camp as for the last fortnight no wounded airmen have arrived at the hospital; further he has received no pay.
In camp or in hospital, there are 11 British prisoners (including one lieutenant) who passed before the Mixed Medical Commission in other camps and are now awaiting their repatriation. The Delegate brought these men to the notice of the German authorities in order that they may be proposed as candidates for the next exchange of Anglo-American and German prisoners. The men are as follows -
Patrick Robert Hardy BUCKLAND, Lieutenant.
Edward LUFF, No.5009 (nephritis)
George ALLEN, No.16680 (ventricular ulcer)
George COWAN, No.1380 (duodenal ulcer)
Robert CHESNAY, No.3210 (pericarditis)
Samuel TOTTEN, No.8381 (senility)
David MADDEN, No.221444 (thyrotoxicosis)
David KEANE, No.13056 (psychastenia)
Patrick RAMSEY, No.19876 (old wound at basis of left thumb)
Charles SHIELDS, No.23229 (loss of thumb and forefinger left hand)
William MARTIN, No.15451 (lungs)
Dental attention - Two dentists, assisted by three dental mechanics of other nationalities, attend to this section. The dental surgery, with all necessary equipment, is in the camp hospital. All prisoners receive proper care and about fifteen sets of false teeth are turned out every week without there being any lack of supplies.
Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - For the last fortnight, Captain HURST, C.E. Chaplain, has been able to hold services in the church at the neighbouring camp on Sundays at 5.30 p.m. Communion is held on Sunday morning in one of the rooms of the British camp. The chaplain has only about 300 members of his creed; a Roman Catholic priest is required for the other prisoners.
Once a week the Irish have the disposal of the theatre in the neighbouring camp but not N.C.O. Rehearsals are particularly difficult, no room being available.
The prisoners have very few musical instruments; some are on the way, however, sent by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The lack of a room for rehearsals is regrettable; on the day of the Delegate's visit, the N.C.O. orchestra was practising near the latrines.
The camp area includes a medium sized sports ground where prisoners can play hockey and basket-ball.
The N.C.O. have only sufficient space to play volley-ball and deck-tennis.
Work - Nine British working parties have already been formed and prisoners are employed in agricultural work; no complaints were made. The Camp Leader would like to be in touch with the camp leader of each working party, preferably by visiting them personally. The majority of the men still in camp will probably be soon sent on working parties. The Camp authorities cannot understand how men like the Irish N.C.O. can spend their time in captivity doing nothing they practise very little sport and play a great deal of bridge and poker.
Pay - This question is quite in order.
Discipline - This has been more strict for the last fortnight.
Five men have been under detention (Sicherheitschaft) for over a month; they may only go out for one hour each day; they may read and write but for the last week they have not been allowed to receive Red Cross parcels according to the new ruling by the General in command of the Wehrkreis.
Collective consignments - Consignments arrive regularly from Geneva; up to date the Camp Leader has been able to issue one parcel per man per week. He also supplies British and American patients in the hospital.
There is now a three weeks' reserve in camp and a monthly reserve in working parties. There is sufficient storing place in the camp for a two months' reserve. The parcel store room is only part of a room used for prisoners of other nationalities in the neighbourhood. The Camp Leader has therefore no key but he makes no complaint under this heading as he can exercise proper control. He keeps a certain number of parcels in his office which can be distributed without his having to apply to one of his colleagues.
The new General in command of the Wehrkreis has issued a ruling which has been in force for the last fortnight; the order concerns the collective consignments from the Red Cross and greatly restricts the liberty formerly allowed to Camp Leaders for their distribution. It applies to all prisoners, it is the object of the Camps Leaders' principal complaint and may be summed up as follows:-
1. Suppression of Red Cross consignments for all "Sonderkompagnie", disciplinary camps and men under arrest.
2. The issue of Red Cross consignments will be left to the judgment of detachment commanders who will state whether such or such working party should, or should not, receive these consignments.
No complaint has yet been lodged by prisoners affected by the ruling; the issue from collective consignments had just been made when the order was received.
The Camp Leaders have made a strong protest by letters to the Camp authorities. No reply has yet been received. During the final interview, the Delegate pointed out the importance of this new decision for which a special note will be sent to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht. The Commandant's representative quite understood the Delegate's point of view and the complaint from the Camp Leaders but he had to comply with the order he had received from higher authority.
Mail - Censorship takes place in Berlin. Prisoners of other nationalities receive and re-address mail for Irish POW. At the Delegate's request, three Irish POW will help with this work in future.
A special store room in the neighbourhood contains personal parcels whose addresses cannot be trace. Prisoners of other nationalities and German personnel are employed to trace the new addresses of the owners. After a lapse of six month, when the owners cannot be found, the parcels are distributed for the benefit of all the prisoners in the camp, at the rate of 50 per week. The store room holds a very large number of British parcels; this number is increasing and the Camp Leader would like to have two or three of his men assisting in the work.
Interview with the Camp Leader (without witnesses) - The interview covered the various points mentioned in this respect and was followed by a final interview with the German authorities when the Delegate raised the following points -
1. Request for a British Doctor - Reply - This request will be immediately transmitted.
2. Request for a Catholic priest - Reply - Has already been made.
3. The N.C.O. would like to have a room for use as a theatre and a larger sports ground - Reply - The Irish N.C.O. will shortly be leaving the camp.
4. Transfer of the American Lieutenant PRITCHETT to an officers camp - Reply - Request will be transmitted.
5. Transfer of three British officers to an officers' camp - Reply - Request has been granted.
6. The 7 Irish medical personnel recognised by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht do not enjoy their rightful privileges (double mail, outings and special room) - Reply - The medical personnel will shortly be lodged elsewhere and will be allowed outings and double mail.
7. The American officer brought to the Delegate's notice the case of an airman, officer in the American Air Force, Roger B. PETERSON, 2nd.Lt. No. 0-707106, who arrived at the camp hospital on June 21st. 1944. He was immediately operated on by the Senior French Medical Officer and died from his wounds on June 23rd. At this time, Lt. PRITCHETT made the following requests regarding the airman's funeral:-
1. For the airman to be buried in his American uniform.
2. For a guard of honour composed of a few British from the Camp (there being no other Americans in the Camp).
3. For the service to be held by a French priest who spoke English.
4. Authority to be present at the ceremony with British officers from the hospital.
The Camp authorities gave the following replies -
1. Granted.
2. Refused - prisoners of other nationalities are not allowed to be present.
3. Refused - on the grounds that the American officer was a Protestant and the priest Catholic.
4. Refused - on the grounds that Lt. Pritchett and the British officers were patients in the hospital.
Lieutenant PRITCHETT has ceased receiving treatment for some months, he remained at the hospital to act as representative and interpreter for the British and American POW. On the other hand, he has on several occasions been on foot from the hospital to the Kommandantur, i.e. 2 kilometers there and back, whereas the cemetery is only 200 metres away from the hospital. At the Kommandantur a N.C.O. declared to Lieutenant PRITCHETT that the deceased American airman had no right to a military funeral as he was considered a terrorist. The American airman was buried in the camp cemetery on June 26th. at 5 a.m. without military or religious honours, in the sole presence of four prisoners of war of other nationalities who acted as bearers.
Conclusion - The accommodation in this camp is decidedly insufficient. There is a lack of space everywhere and the POW, especially the N.C.O. have no place to read or to study in peace. The ground allotted to the N.C.O. for sport is insufficient. The infirmary is rudimentary and the medical personnel have to occupy the same room as the patients. No individual cooking can be done with the material furnished by the German authorities. The British complain of the new ruling concerning the distribution of Red Cross parcels. It is to be hoped that the N.C.O. will shortly be transferred to a camp for POW of their rank; the men will be sent to working parties the soonest possible as announced by the German authorities to the Delegate.
COPY OF TELEGRAM
0103/5700.(P.W.2.)
31st August, 1944.
From: International Red Cross Committee, Geneva.
To: Delegate, London.
Sent: 22.8.44.
Received: 24.8.44.
ELT INTERCROSS LONDON
142
Stalag III A visited 25th July Camp Leader Walter Henderson 12597 Strength 1352 Irish of whom 1003 at Camp 49 at Infirmary 19 in lazarets. Nine agricultural detachments formed 254 non-working N.C.O's from Stalag 383 in a camp which is completely separate Stone building with wash-places two-tier bunks tables chairs palliasse and two blankets per man Ventilation lighting inadequate. Camp for soldiers coming from Stalag 344, IV F and VII A in four large huts old ones roofs defective shabby three-tier bunks tables benches Palliasses and two blankets per man. Vermin but disinfection soon to be carried out. No room for study courses. Restricted space for spots. Rations regulation three meals per day Old potatoes in bad condition but some fresh vegetables Preparation of contents food parcels difficult. Clothing in good condition but no reserve stocks. Plentiful drinking water Weekly showerbaths Latrines clean Infirmary 80 three-tier bunks (in which orderlies also sleep) under direction of N.C.O. medical student with assistance 16 orderlies Appointment doctor desirable. Serious illnesses treated in lazaret. Excellent equipment. Operations laboratory physiotherapy radiology complete equipment and all facilities but drugs rations. Dental service satisfactory. One American Air Force Lieutenant looks after 11 British unfit housed in lazaret Delegate proposed early exchange. Anglican church services celebrated but Catholic desired. Discipline strict new orders to be followed distribution Red Cross parcels suppressed in disciplinary and detention detachments - Heads of Detachments will decide whether or not distribution shall be made according to amount of work done. Delegates intervening. Regular parcels deliveries. Stocks in hand for 3 weeks.
Stalag XX A visited 27th July Same Camp Leader Head Doctor Captain Fulton Strength 5711 prisoners of whom 4727 are British, 688 at Camp - 78 Australians 68 New Zealanders 10 Canadians 28 Indians 7 South Africans 2 Egyptians 9 Palestinians 3 Syrians 1 Greek 19 Cypriots 1 Turk 4 U.S.A. Five British Doctors 78 medical orderlies 197 Labour Detachments No important changes.
Fort XIV Lagerlazarett Doctors Alfred Darlow 82410 Jefferies Allen 1638 Camp Leader Sergeant Graham Reid 16318 General State of health good 103 British patients of whom 17 came from prison. Chaplains can visit detachments. Mail subject to delays. Discipline tightened up. Work arduous long hours (ten to twelve).
Stalag XX B 25th July Same Camp Leader Doctor Major George Duffus 1118 Strength 25957 prisoners of whom 9229 British 5 Australians 1 New Zealander 7 Canadians 1 South African (native) 15 Irish 6 British Doctors out of 16 in all two British dentists out of 7 in all. Two chaplains 108 medical orderlies No major changes. Work arduous long hours Several Labour Detachments visited conditions satisfactory. Discipline tightened up.
Lagerlazarett XX B - Marienburg visited 25th July Head doctor Captain Anthy Crook 3678 Doctor Captain Joseph Kee 805 British out of 289 (+) Accommodation in new hut improved New modern kitchen installation soon. Rations regulations. Diets possible. Each patient gets some things issued ("effcts" - probably means pyjamas) Doctors receive overalls Sheets changed once a month Sanitary installations satisfactory but vermin present despite disinfection. Doctors have freedom to treat patients as they think fit. Minor surgery and general medicine practised. Certain cases of infectious diseases. No epidemics General health in Stalag considered satisfactory all prisoners radioscopically examined. Tuberculers treated in Elsterhorst Sanatorium Certain drugs in scanty supply. Dental service normal. No difficulty in getting patients examined for "unfitness". Last convoy of British left on 9th April. Stock of 8900 British parcels 7000 'supply food' and 75 medical units. Correspondence slow. Discipline tightened up.
(+) Note Sic referred back for explanation which will follow when received.
Stalag 357 visited 26th July Camp Leaders Frederic Turner 11915 James Deans 271 Head doctor Evan Macmillan 827 Strength 6 Americans 6338 British of whom 77 at Infirmary 10 at Lazaret - divided as follows: 3149 Army men 6 Marines 3189 Air Force 5 doctors 32 medical orderlies 3 chaplains. Camp in existence for 4 months 50 huts house non-working N.C.O's coming from various camps and R.A.F. N.C.O's transferred last week from Stalag Luft 6. Camp divided into upper and lower camp Very large camps on sandy plateau. Modern central kitchen. Rations can be checked. Clothing satisfactory. Several requests noted. Canteen supplies beer Sanitary installations rudimentary but will be completed. Health service well organised. Infirmary houses slight cases 49 being medical and 31 surgical ones Some drugs and dressings rare. Laboratory well installed. Sports practised on enormous ground Usual leisure occupations. Parcels reserve to cover 2 weeks. Steps taken to get stocks from Stalag Luft 6 sent on. Correspondence normal but delays three months to and from England 4 - 8 months even for mail of airmen coming Stalag Luft Delays from Canada or from 8 to 9 months Australia 6 to 10 months. Discipline strict but no incorrectly applied.
Stalag VI G visited 30 July Camp Leaders American Josef Scholand 11013 British Leslie Barker 11027 Strength 7 Americans 7 British out of 18856 prisoners. Quarters food clothing hygiene satisfactory.
Lazarett M/Stammlager VI J visited 27th July 4 British 2 Americans out of 1177 patients. Good installations. Stone buildings 1200 beds most of them being wood Serious cases on iron bedsteads Medical equipment satisfactory. Complaints concerning food. 100 airmen passing annually through surgical section arrive denuded of everything Head Doctor asks for clothing. Stocks of parcels American 200 British 130 one Parcel issued weekly. Sanitary installations correct. Medical treatment satisfactory. Airmen under treatment use large quantity bandages and drugs. Would like reading matter and letter-paper.
INTERCROIXROUGE B 9643
