CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH-AMERICAN

No.357.

STALAG III A - Luckenwalde-Vernehmungsstelle

Commandant of the Vernehmungsstelle: Oberleutnant Audouard.

Complement of the Vernehmungsstelle at the time of visit: 19 British prisoners of war.

        Stalag III A is a very large prisoners of war camp, at present no British or American prisoners are interned there.

        Adjoining to this camp is a so-called Vernehmungsstelle or Interrogation station where British or American Army prisoners of war pass on their way to a normal camp.

        The Delegate was received by the above-mentioned commandant, a Captain who did not disclose his name and a Sonderführer.

        Prisoners are suspected persons, namely: parachutists, persons captured in uniform, single or in small groups in isolated places outside the fighting zones or in civilian clothes particularly in Italy or in the Balkans. The chief object of the interrogation appears to be the identification of the proper military status. For instance, an artillery officer is examined on his knowledge of artillery weapons.

        The Commandant assured the Delegate that so far the prisoners of war status has been recognized and restored, as a result of the interrogation, to every British or American person who passed this station, with no exception.

        Many distinguished British or American officers have passed this station, on their way to an Oflag, amongst them two Brigadiers.

        The procedure, in brief, is as follows:

        On arrival, officers and other ranks prisoners of war are put into separate cells about 15 feet by 8 feet. These cells are clean, whitewashed and have one small, equally whitewashed window, about two feet square and about seven feet from the ground and often only able to be opened about two inches. Central heating. A guard is continuously in attendance in the corridor, supplies the prisoners with water for drinking and washing and takes them to the latrines at any time.

        With the exception of the clothes he is wearing, everything is taken from the prisoner-of-war. Therefore he has no soap, shaving material, tooth brush, etc. and this condition continues until he has finished solitary confinement.

        As issue is made of the following:

                2 blankets

                1 blanket and 1 pillow-cover

                1 hand towel

                1 bowl and 1 mug

                1 knife and 1 spoon

        During the period in the cells no exercise, tobacco, reading or writing facilities are permitted, even whistling is forbidden.

        Whilst in the cells the food consists of:

                7.00 a.m. a mug of Ersatz tea

                midday a bowl of hot soup,

                            about 1 lb. of potatoes,

                            1/5 loaf of bread

                            a spoonful of sugar,

                            a little jam, or margarine or cheese.

                8.00 p.m. a mug of Ersatz tea.

        The Commandant assured the Delegate that these rations are exactly the same as provided for the guards.

        Prisoners of war are kept in this condition of solitary confinement for varying periods of days or weeks, the two longest reported being 23 and 25 days. The Commandant stated that these exceptional cases were particularly "difficult ones". The period is held to be governed by the time necessary for interrogation. The Delegate informed the Commandant that if it extends to a week or more, such conditions appear absolutely insupportable.

        Evidently such treatment tends to create a certain feeling of inferiority; it can be surmised that it is an attempt to lower the mental and physical condition of the prisoners that he can more easily be induced to talk.

        Upon the Delegate's strong representations, authorities drew attention to the circumstances under which these prisoners had been captured and which could not allow them the benefit under the provisions laid down in the Convention, for the period under which their military status is doubted and not recognized and restored. They referred to similar methods of interrogation in Allied quarters, mentioning the so-called Maison Blanche at Algiers and drawing particular attention to the American Prisoner of War Interrogation Teams. They alleged these A.P.W.I.Ts. to operate on such refined methods enabling them to obtain almost any tactical information with regard to the conditions behind the German lines.

        On a previous occasion, the Delegate had an opportunity to meet British Officers who had passed this station and in fairness, he wishes to add, that as far as can be ascertained, no case of physical maltreatment has been reported.

        The Delegate and his attendant, the Swiss Legation's physician Dr. M.S. Meier, entered the cells and had a private talk, without German witness, with everyone of the nineteen British prisoners in solitary confinement. There were three captains, several lieutenants and two Indians. Most of these prisoners wore civilian clothes, worn-out Italian makes. They have arrived at the station on February 5, 1944, that is the third day under solitary confinement. Many of them spent some time already in Italian and German prisoners. They looked weak and destitute.

        With the exception of a Canadian Officer of Yugoslav origin, who was captured in the Balkans, all prisoners came from Italy. Amongst the captains were Hugh Holmes and Gardener, V.C. Notwithstanding their plight, they made an excellent impression; their attitude was soldierlike.

        These officers were captured in an attempt to join their forces in the South of Italy. Captain Hugh Holmes escaped in the North of Italy, his fiancée is a Swiss lady.

        The Commandant assured the Delegate that he will take his impressions as a material point of the interrogation and promised to release from solitary confinement most of the prisoners, if not all, in the afternoon. The Commandant, Oberleutnant Audouard, has been abroad; he appears to be a straightforward officer whose word can be trusted.

        When leaving solitary confinement, the prisoners are accommodated in a nearby barrack, where they receive Red Cross parcels, awaiting transport to a normal camp.

Rudolph E. DENZLER.

(EN CLAIR)

DEPARTMENTAL No. 1

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton

No.836

25th February, 1944.

D. 9.00 p.m. 25th February, 1944

R. 6.15 a.m. 26th February, 1944

        My telegram No.222

        In report on Stalag IIIA Luckenwalde visited 7th February containing nineteen British prisoners Swiss Representative states prisoners are suspected persons and parachutists (those captured in uniform outside fighting zones or in civilian clothes particularly in Italy or Balkans). They are in solitary confinement for periods up to 25 days for interrogation. No tobacco, reading, writing or exercise allowed. Rations appear meagre. No cases physical ill-treatment reported though some prisoners appeared weak and destitute. On leaving confinement they receive Red Cross parcels before transfer to normal camp.

(EN CLAIR)

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton

No. 1322

28th March, 1944.

D. 3.05 p.m. 28th March, 1944.

R. 5.10 p.m. 28th March, 1944.

        Your telegram No. 706.

        Swiss Government inform me camp dissolved 1st March. (Stalag III A).

(EN CLAIR)

DEPARTMENTAL NO. 1

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton

No. 3156

7th July, 1944.

D. 1.48 p.m. 7th July, 1944.

R. 5.25 p.m. 7th July, 1944.

        Communication from Swiss Legation Berlin which has crossed with your telegram 2114 states Luckenwalde reopened contains 112 Irish N.C.O's transferred from Stalag 383 and 344. Man confidence Cpl. J. Aherne prisoner of war 4946. Camp will be visited this month.