Stalag IIIA

Translation by the London Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

This large camp seems to have become the assembly and transit camp for prisoners evacuated from the central region of the Eastern Front. Prisoners of all nations have lately arrived there from the Wehrkreis XXI, III and VIII.

The evacuations of the various groups of prisoners were affected under most laborious circumstances and without being properly organised beforehand as requested by some camp leaders when it was known they were to take place. Some prisoners were only advised six hours before their departure.

All transfers took place during a period of very cold weather; all prisoners esteem that without Red Cross food supplies they would not have been able to hold out. A large part of the journey was done on foot; the men slept at night in school houses, in private dwellings or in the open; their only food was bread, they only once had some hot soup and water was difficult to obtain when they halted. They generally marched from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and had not been able to take with them any of their reserve parcels which were stored too far from their camps. The most fortunate amongst them were those who had been able to keep part of their food from the last distribution in camp.

On the day of the visit, Delegates noted a general strength of 38,413 prisoners, of which 24,136 belonged to the normal camp strength before the arrival of the evacuees.

In any case, strengths constantly vary for prisoners of all nations; the Delegates will do their best to keep in touch with all changes as they occur to render all relief activity as efficacious as possible.

The present report only deals with the most urgent questions and will give a general view of the prisoners' immediate needs.

No changed have occurred in the camp itself since the last visit; part of the camp, however, has been reserved for 4,600 new arrivals sheltering in tents. The camp huts are more crowded as prisoners have had to make room for a good number of new arrivals.

Barbed wire separations have been put up to separate newly arrived prisoners of various nations. The camp is divided by a large central alley, half being used for the former camp occupants and the other has become an Oflag followed by a field of tents.

The authorities at Stalag III A, the Commandant and the Abwehroffizier especially, are using all their limited means to improve conditions for the prisoners in the camp. In view of frequent arrivals and the large numbers which are still expected to arrive it will be impossible for them to make any improvement in the food rations particularly. (Among others, prisoners are expected from Stalag III B, VIII C. etc.)

It is indispensable that all prisoners should be issued with food supplies without delay if they are to be transferred a second time; they must be fit to support forced marching and sleeping in the open.

It has been proved that camps have sufficient reserves stored in the vicinity; 55,000 parcels were left behind in one of the evacuated camps and 11,600 in another. What is required is the means of transporting these stores. If the Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross had lorries it would have been possible to recuperate at least part of the abandoned stores and supplies via Lübeck could be sent more rapidly. One of the Delegates who was just leaving for Lübeck was requested to have 80,000 parcels sent immediately to Stalag III A - this number corresponds to two parcels per man for a strength of 40,000 prisoners of all nations.

The conditions existing in this transit camp will be those of all other similar camps which the Delegates will visit immediately they are advised of their formation (laborious journeys, hunger, thirst, cold, abandoned stores and insufficient food).

The rations given on the attached list for the week of February 4th/10th. are the same for prisoners of all nations in the camp.

The Camp Leader made no special remarks except as regards the food question which is now the most important at Stalag III A and in fact, in all other camps in Germany.

The British are divided into three Centres, the greatest number in the Main Camp, 300 and 180 in two other neighbouring secondary camps. The Delegates wished to settle the question of sending supplies to the last two camps - it would be difficult to send parcels direct as there would not be a full truck load which might cause losses in transit. It was decided that the whole of the parcels should be sent to the Main Camp, from which the two secondary camps would be supplied with the help of a French lorry.

The British doctor, Patrick HEADON, Capt. R.A.M.C. is assisted by 12 members of the British medical personnel.

There are 60 sick in the camp (mostly chronic affections, bronchitis, gastric complaints, loss of weight through under-nourishment). Forty more serious cases are in the hospital.

In the camp, about 120 men remain with their fit comrades although in bad health; they are not ill enough to be sent to the infirmary. The number of men afflicted with chronic complaints and arriving from labour detachments is constantly increasing; they also remain in the camp. On the whole, however, the general state of the British prisoners' health is not bad; no epidemic has occurred.

The parcel issues are completely disorganised. The Camp Leader's reserves were used to help British and American new arrivals and his stores have been reduced to -

Therefore, the British require food parcels which should be sent immediately, and a minimum quantity of 160 Medical Units, i.e.

135 N.C.O " " " (evacuated from half the East Compound and the Main Camp, Bellaria, at Stalag Luft III)

1600 N.C.O. of the R.A.F. transferred from Stalag Luft VII and who arrived at the station, not far from the Main Camp on the day of the Delegates' visit.

The evacuation plan for Stalag Luft II [Note: this should presumably be III] provided that British airmen should be sent off as follows - 1,400 to Stalag III A and 2,000 to a camp in the Wehrkreis X, not far from Marlag-Milag-Nord. Four hundred and eighty sick remained at Stalag Luft III.

Prisoners left Stalag Luft III on January 28th, 1945 at 6 a.m. They marched until February 4th., with their packs on their backs during very cold weather. During the whole of the journey, they received 2 bread rations, 1 margarine and 1 soup ration. They slept where they could. They were very badly clothed and spent the last night only in a train which was, however, so badly crowded apparently that they would have preferred finishing the journey on foot. It is to be regretted that this transfer was not properly organised. Some time ago prisoners requested the authorities to prepare for this event but no account was taken of their remarks on the subject. They journey was therefore effected under the worst possible conditions but fortunately without any loss of life on the way. All arrived at Stalag III A quite exhausted, to find no comfort or even washing facilities. Their rooms give the impression of being overcrowded; the men sleep in three tiered bunks in the two largest hut rooms (160 in a room, namely about 320 per hut). They each have two blankets and straw. The bunks are placed very near to each other on one side of the room, the other side is filled with tables and stools.

The Camp Leader declared that the men were only able to survive the journey with the help of the Red Cross parcels they were able to carry; without these the journey would have been disastrous. In view of the absence of reserve stores at Stalag III A, he considers that if the prisoners should have to undertaken a similar journey, a great number would not be able to proceed, taking into consideration the large proportion of men still suffering from the effects of the last journey, sick, or in any case in a very weak state of health.

The Camp Leader does not condemn the evacuation in itself but regrets the total lack of all preparation for the journey. He begged the Delegates to take necessary steps for obtaining transport facilities, especially for the sick, for any eventual further evacuation.

He also raised the point of British prisoners acting as cooks having to serve officers of other nations. The Camp Commandant will try to settle the question - it appears that the officers in question are only six in number.

The British Camp Leader would like to have all relief stores sent to British and Americans at Stalag III A addressed to him, further that he should be entrusted with the distribution of these stores to prisoners of both nations; this would enable him to keep a careful check and prevent any black market. This question was discussed at length with the Camp Commandant and the authorities. The Delegates stressed their opinion, that it was normal for a Camp Leader (who is an officer) to at least control arrivals of food stores in the camp. They pointed out that experiments of this nature had proved practical in most camps, especially in Stalag Luft III, where Captain Willett personally checked all distributions. Lastly, since such a large contribution of food and clothing is made from outside sources, it appears quite natural that Camp Leaders should have the free disposal of such supplies. The Delegates believe the Commandant understood their point of view and will certainly again revert to the question when next visiting Stalag III A.

The British Camp Leader brought to the Delegates' attention the case of the Canadian airman officer, J.P. BRAGG, who was sent to Graudenz Prison and enquired what had happened to him. The Delegates will refer the question to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht.

The American Camp Leader made no special remarks except to notify that all reserves - food, medical supplies, tobacco, clothing or underclothing - are quite exhausted.

These officers arrived at Stalag III A after having covered 90 kilometres [A note referring to this at the bottom of this page reads: "(Translator's note - should probably read 190 kilometres)] on foot in six days; part of the journey was done by train. The whole journey was effected under the worst conditions; more than a thousand of their comrades are still on the road.

(b) About 300 airmen officers from Stalag Luft III have been evacuated to camps in the Wehrkreis XIII and VII.

These N.C.O. were only able to take with them from Stalag III B what remained from the last parcel distribution. They had to leave behind their reserve of 11,600 parcels stored outside the camp; through lack of time and transport facilities the parcels could not be sent on to Stalag III B before the evacuation. The prisoners had to travel on foot, nearly all day and all night for a week, receiving practically nothing from their escort except bread. They slept two nights in schoolhouses and only one night in good quarters. Since their arrival at Stalag III A, they have received no parcels and no clothing as all reserves are exhausted. They are at present living in tents (400 men in each tent) and sleeping on damp straw. Fortunately the weather is not so cold lately (2 degrees below zero) but a prolonged stay under these conditions would certainly lead to serious consequences.

The Camp Leader mentioned the case of an American shot by a sentry during the journey; the man was tired and had stopped a moment to shift his pack. The sentry shouted to him and, as the man did not hurry enough, shot him through the head. The deceased's name was Sgt. Karl B. JOHNSON, A.S.N. No.6930568, POW No.20282 (III B).

These Americans are also in a very difficult situation; they must be sent food supplies - otherwise, if they have to start on a second journey it would be terrible; without reserves and without increased German rations they could not go very far.

The Commandant is trying to procure wood shavings to replace the straw but is encountering unsuperable difficulties. Prisoners are due to leave the camp very shortly for another camp 18 km. to the West.

The British Camp Leader was able to supply a few relief parcels to the Americans who have just arrived but his reserves are now nearly finished. He esteems it would be wise, to prevent all attempts to create a black market, that parcels addressed to British or Americans should be sent to him.

DAY

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

DAY

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Meat

20 gms

20 "

30 "

Jam

75 gms

100 "

Fat

10 gms

10 "

8 "

Tea

2 gms

2 "

Cabbage

600 gms

600 "

Sugar

25 gms

25 "

Bread

300 gms

300 "

325 "

300 "

375 "

Sausage

50 gms

Potatoes

500 gms

500 "

750 "

Peas

150 gms

Margarine

40 gms

40 "

Salt

20 gms

20 "

Oatmeal

75 gms

Dry

vegetables

30 gms

30 "

STALAG III A Visit 8 February now Dulag for Prisoners coming from Wehrkreis XII/III/VIII British representative Henderson W. Strawbridge W. Strength out of 38413 prisoners 4666 British of which 1231 Officers, 135 NCO R.A.F. evacuated Stalag Luft III 1600 NCO RAF from Stalag Luft VII Representatives Willetts Captain RAF. 1196 Norwegians from Oflag XXI C Representative General Ruge. Plan evacuation Stalag Luft III British transferred to Stalag III A and Wehrkreis X 480 Sick left Stalag Luft III. All evacuations effected under painful conditions without preparation, long marches nearly all reserves abandoned. Conditions Stalag III A unchanged for old prisoners now overcrowded numerous tents erected several new barbed wire separations between various categories prisoners British Doctor Patrick Captain 12 orderlies 60 sick British in the Camp 40 graver cases hospital numerous chronic cases from detachments No epidemic. Distribution parcels disorganised remain 22 standard 856 invalid 80 tobacco rations fresh consignments food clothing urgent Delegates in contact with authorities re organisation distributions and obtain assurance check by representatives of 80,000 parcels ordered Lubeck. Numerous prisoners still to come several important groups will be transferred elsewhere. Rations week 4 to 10 February Grams 150 meat 68 fats 1800 Cabbage 2200 Bread 3750 Potatoes 160 Margarine 75 Oatmeal 175 Jam 12 Tea 175 Sugar 50 Sausage 140 Salt 60 Dry Vegetables. Please inform Norwegians Government concerned.

STALAG XII D Visit 10 February out of 21559 Prisoners, 455 Indians of which 59 in camp 48 in hospitals 4 orderlies. 39 Dutch inform Van Klaffens. 11 Indian Detachments. Camp Recently evacuated in new region conditions accommodation hygiene insufficient very primitive rationing difficult on account state transports food clothing stocks abandoned in old camp Delegates did not meet Indian representative absent on day of visit obtained promise improvement or closing down of infirmary totally inadequate.

According to cabled correction just received, the first two lines of the above cable should read as follows:

"STALAG III A VISIT 8 FEBRUARY NOW DULAG FOR PRISONERS COMING FROM WEHRKREIS XXI/III/VIII BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE HENDERSON W".

RESERVELAZARETT NURNBERGLANGWASSER VISITED JANUARY 25TH SEE REPORT SEPTEMBER 23RD 1944 SAME REPRESENTATIVE SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER DEARLOVE ARTHUR R1152 STRENGTH 1817 PRISONERS OF WHICH 15 SICK 3 BRITISH ORDERLIES OF WHICH 2 CANADIANS 4 SOUTH AFRICANS QUARTERS STILL GOOD PRINCIPAL HUT RESERVED SERIOUS CASES AND SURGICAL WELL HEATED SUFFICIENT BLANKETS OTHER HUTS LESS HEATED ROOM FOR BOMBARDMENT VICTIMS TOO SMALL TOO LARGE NUMBER UNFIT MAJORITY TUBERCULOSIS CASES ENCUMBER STOP REPATRIATION DESIRABLE FOOD SATISFACTORY DIETS MORE DIFFICULT THROUGH LACK TRANSPORT FACILITIES DESTROYED BY BOMBARDMENTS CLOTHING LACKING FOR ANGLO AMERICANS RESERVES EXHAUSTED RESERVE RELIEF PARCELS UNTIL END FIRST WEEK FEBRUARY INVALID PARCELS REQUESTED BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE HAS SUPPLIED A DETACHMENT NEIGHBOURHOOD OF 50 MEN WITH RED CROSS PARCELS EXCELLENT ATTENTION 70 IMPORTANT OPERATIONS MONTHLY NUMEROUS SMALL SURGICAL INTERVENTIONS SPECIALISTS EYES NASAL OBTAINED SATISFACTORY RESULTS TREATMENT SERIOUS CASES NO INFECTIOUS ILLNESS EXCEPT TUBERCULOSIS STOP HEALING OF WOUNDS DELAYED THROUGH LACK OF SUPPLEMENTARY VITAMINISED FOOD STOP DOCTORS REQUIRE URINOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS DRESSING MATERIAL GYPSUM CALCIUM GLUCOSE SULPHAMIDE IODINE ARSENICAL AND CAMPHDRATED PREPARATIONS QUININE VITAMINS ROCHE PREPARATIONS STOP ANGLO AMERICANS 20 MEDICAL CASES 69 SURGICAL CASES INCLUDING 25 FRACTURES 2 TUBERCULOSIS RECENTLY ARRIVED FRONT 2 DEATHS SINCE SEPTEMBER 2 AGED ORDERLIES WILL SHORTLY BE REPATRIATED DENTAL SECTION NORMAL BUT LACKS RUBBER STOP TWO CHAPLAINS GOOD LIBRARY THEATRE CONCERTS FILMS STOP LAST MAIL ENGLAND DATED 1 TO 8 DECEMBER FULLSTOP

RESERVELAZARETT EDELSBACH VISITED FEBRUARY 8TH SEE REPORT SEPTEMBER 26TH REPRESENTATIVE BALLANTYNE D CAPT NEW ZEALAND MEDICAL CORPS 23918 OUT OF 283 SICK 28 BRITISH MAJORITY ARRIVED DIRECT FROM FRONT 4 ORDERLIES 1 AUXILIARY BRITISH RATIONS DECREASING RESERVE PARCELS EXHAUSTED DIETS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR TUBERCULOSIS AND GRAVE CASES PYJAMAS VERY WORN DRESSING MATERIAL PLASTER BANDAGES IODINE ANTIDIPHTHERICS SERUM STOP NUMEROUS PATIENTS SUFFERING ALIMENTARY CANAL AND WOUNDED MEN FROM DETACHMENTS STALAG XIII C GOOD DENTAL ATTENTION FULLSTOP

DULA LUFT 194 FORMERLY AT FRANCFORT VISITED JANUARY 20TH SENIOR OFFICER STARK CHARLES NR I SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER BARLING ANTHONY CPT 40 CATHOLIC CHAPLAIN MOGOWAN 46 STRENGTH 46 BRITISH OF WHICH 6 OFFICERS 29 NCO 4 OFFICERS 12 NCO GAULLIST OFFICERS HUT CONTAINS SPRING MATTRESSED BEDS OTHER HUTS WOODEN BEDS THREE TIERS WATER SUPPLIED LATRINES IN EACH HUT DORMITORIES SUFFICIENTLY HEATED SHELTER TRENCHES ADJACENT COVERED 80 CENTIMETERS CONCRETE USED ONLY DURING DAY PRISONERS REMAIN IN HUTS AT NIGHT WITHOUT FEAR STOP EXCELLENT HYGIENE NO VERMIN WEEKLY HOT SHOWERS STOP 44 PRISONERS PERMANENT STAFF 2000 IN TRANSIT MONTHLY OFFICIAL RATIONS CONTROLLED QUANTITY QUALITY SATISFACTORY SUPPLEMENTS FROM PARCELS UTILISED IN COMMUNAL KITCHEN UNDER FRENCH COOK DINING HALL HOLDS 370 MEN THEREFORE MEALS IN TWO SERVICES CLOTHING GOOD RESERVE GREATCOATS EXHAUSTED STILL 71 TUNICS FRESH ORDER SENT GENEVA REGULAR DISTRIBUTION PARCELS EVEN TO NEIGHBOURING CAMPS AND HOSPITAL LACKING STORES GERMAN AUTHORITIES FACILITATE TRANSPORT STOP PARCELS STOREROOM AT THE VORLAGER UNDER PRISONERS CONTROL NO DIFFICULTIES 4000 STANDARD 600 INVALID STOP 17 PRISONERS INFIRMARY INCLUDING 3 AMYGDALITIS 6 WOUNDED OTHER SLIGHT CASES 1 UNFIT FOR SERVICE STOP DOCTOR BEGINNING TO LACK BANDAGING MATERIAL MEDICAMENTS SPECIALLY REQUIRES SULFGUANIDINE STOP DENTIST GRIFFIN CAPT REQUIRES LATHE STOP STATE OF HEALTH SATISFACTORY ONE DEATH SINCE OCTOBER 44 LIBRARY 500 BOOKS SUFFICIENT SPORTS EQUIPMENT ORCHESTRA MAIL SATISFACTORY FOR PRISONERS PERMANENTLY IN CAMP DISCIPLINE CORRECT HUTS REMAIN OPEN AT NIGHT NO COMPLAINTS EXCELLENT IMPRESSION FULLSTOP

STALAG XII A VISITED FEBRUARY 11TH SEE REPORT NOVEMBER 24TH SAME INDIAN REPRESENTATIVE STOP BURCH JOHN 87336 ANGLOAMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE STRENGTH 35591 PRISONERS OF WHICH 71 BRITISH 231 INDIANS OF WHICH 20 UNFIT FOR SERVICE CAMP SOMEWHAT DAMAGED BY BOMBARDMENT DECEMBER 23RD HUTS OVERCROWDED HEATING INSUFFICIENT HOLES IN ROOFS LET RAIN THROUGH REPAIRS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AT PRESENT INFIRMARY SHOWERBATHS DELOUSING STATION THEATRE DESTROYED OFFICIALLY CONTROLLED RATIONS CONSTITUTE STRICT MINIMUM TINNED MEAT REPLACING MARGARINE RED CROSS FOOD SENT TO COMMUNAL KITCHEN CLOTHING DIFFICULT LACK TOILET PAPER STOP REGULAR PROTESTANT AND CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS SERVICES EXCELLENT AMERICAN ORCHESTRA MAIL MORE REGULAR DISCIPLINE LESS SEVERE FOOD CONSIGNMENT REQUESTED AMERICANS LENT 1000 BRITISH PARCELS TO INDIANS WHO MISS INDIAN PARCELS OF WHICH THREE WAGONS ANNOUNCED NOT YET ARRIVED STOP 48 SERIOUS SURGICAL CASES TAKEN AWAY BY HOSPITAL TRAIN SINCE LAST VISIT STILL ABOUT ONE HUNDRED IN IMPROVISED INFIRMARY PLUS 700 SICK STOP PRISONERS ARRIVE FROM FRONT IN PITIABLE CONDITION SEVERAL DEATHS THROUGH LACK OF MEDICAMENTS AND ADEQUATE TREATMENT LOCAL HOSPITAL ALSO BOMBARDED NEW HOSPITAL OPENED IN NEIGHBOURHOOD SENIOR GERMAN MEDICAL OFFICER HAS OBTAINED ANTIDIPTHERIC SERUM POSSIBLE DELOUSING ANTICIPATED URGENT REQUEST FOR DIPTHERIC TOXIN ANTITYPHUS VACCINE SULPHANADINE INTRAVENOUS AND TRANSFUSION EQUIPMENT DRESSING MATERIAL PLASTER BANDAGES FULLSTOP

STALAG XIII C VISITED FEBRUARY 10TH SEE REPORT SEPTEMBER 26TH SAME BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE TOTAL STRENGTH 18596 OF WHICH 95 BRITISH 719 AUSTRALIANS 59 INDIANS SOME CANADIANS NEW ZEALANDERS SOUTH AFRICANS STOP IN CAMP 103 ANGLO-SAXONS CONDITIONS RELATIVELY SATISFACTORY EXCEPT HEATING AND BAD HOUSING NEW AMERICAN ARRIVALS DECEMBER 26TH RATIONS RECENTLY DIMINISHED WEEK 5 TO 11 FEBRUARY GRAMS 225 MEAT 199 MARGARINE 190 BARLEY 125 CHEESE 3150 POTATOES 135 VEGETABLES 160 SUGAR 26 TEA COFFEE 160 JAM 1940 BREAD 44 RYE FLOUR NO REGULAR FOOD CONSIGNMENTS RESERVES EXHAUSTED ONE WAGON ARRIVED FROM LUBECK FEBRUARY 4TH FOR BRITISH NAMELY 2000 CANADIAN PARCELS 18000 CIGARETTES STOREROOMS 3 KM FROM CAMP STOP GOOD INFIRMARY NO SERIOUS CASES BRITISH AND AMERICAN DOCTORS STOP RELIGIOUS SERVICES MAIL ALMOST STOPPED CONDITIONS IN WORKING PARTIES SATISFACTORY FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION.

STALAG IIIA VISITED FEBRUARY 7TH OUT OF 12673 PRISONERS 30 BRITISH IN TRANSIT EVACUATED FROM A WORKING PARTY OF STALAG VIII B FEBRUARY 3RD ARRIVED EXHAUSTED BY JOURNEY ON FOOT UNDER VERY BAD CONDITIONS NUMEROUS DAMAGED OR FROZEN FEET SCARCITY DRESSING MATERIAL RATIONS INSUFFICIENT FULLSTOP