TRANSLATION BY THE LONDON DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEE

(Germany)

RESERVELAZARETT 101

(Stalag III B)

Visited by Dr. Schirmer and M. Paul Wyss on the 13th February 1944

Patients  312 of whom 4 are Americans and 4 are British.

Site and Accommodation

        This lazaret - once a Lunatic Asylum - comprises several large buildings, only two of which are used for prisoners.

        These buildings, which are of modern construction and made of brick, form a huge open square in the centre of which a beautiful garden has been made

        The entire absence of strands of barbed wire gives one the impression rather of being in a Convalescent Home than a Prison Camp.

        Thanks to the extensive amount of buildings allotted to prisoners, one has been able to be reserved for use as a surgical section and the other as a medical section.

        The patients occupy the ground floor and the two first floors above this.

        They have the use of spacious wards which are well ventilated and which contain from 10 to 20 beds each. In the winter the convalescents have the use of one large room in each building, in which to spend their leisure hours. They are also able to take walks in the central park.

        The iron beds are progressively replaced by wooden ones, although there are sufficient iron bedsteads for those prisoners who are seriously ill.

        Each patient has two blankets, which are amply sufficient, as the wards are well heated. Besides this each patient has sheets and a pillow, all very clean. They are changed once every three weeks and even more often when this is necessary.

Food

        Prisoner cooks are responsible for the cooking under the direction of a German cook, who is of the opinion from the rations are the regulations one and are adequate, as well as prepared to suit the taste of the prisoners.

        When ordered, diets are supplied without any restrictions being placed upon their preparation. The light diet consists of: Barley broth, mashed potatoes, jam and curd cheese.

        The fortifying diet makes it possible for patients to have all the extra nourishment prescribed for them; all prisoners, without distinction of nationality, benefit from these diets, when they are prescribed for them.

Canteen

        The Stalag (IIIB) stocks the canteen, but this has still an exceptionally good reserve of supplies. The canteen is run by a prisoner, the profits are put to the credit of the general purchasing Committee of Stalag III B, who is responsible for the general expenses of the lazaret, (for papers, various additional comforts etc..).

Clothing

        The clothing store is at the present moment much less well-stocked than it was about a year ago; and for this reason exchange of garments can only be sparingly effected.

        As soon as patients arrive at the lazaret their clothing and underclothing are taken away from them and disinfected.

        They have the use, while they are undergoing treatment, of a pair of striped pyjamas, one shirt, a towel and sometimes a pair of slippers.

        A tailor, who is attached to the lazaret, repairs the clothes of new arrivals, when this is necessary.

Hygiene

        Each patient, on arrival, as well as having his clothes disinfected - as mentioned under heading "Clothing" - is given a shower bath.

        As there are no vermin, the rooms have not had to be disinfected.

        The room in which the showerbaths is installed, is spacious, there is sufficient hot water, the patients can take frequent showerbaths.

Medical Attention

        This is run on the principle of a prisoner doctor directing the medical work, under the supervision of the head German doctor, who has complete confidence in him. The relations between these two officers are perfect.

        The prisoner surgeon has performed 150 operations since the 31st of July 1943.

        There are enough surgical instruments; operations are performed in the operating theatre of the German lazaret.

        The surgeon is assisted by a doctor who is a specialist. Urgent operations can be done any day.

        A great many of the cases are anaesthetised by means of "Evipan", of which adequate reserves are held. Patients recover satisfactorily after operations. On the day of the delegates visit there were:

                138 patients who are surgical cases and

                145     "       who were medical cases.

        In the medical section there are enough drugs bi-carbonate is, however, lacking, as it is impossible to procure it. The quantity of vegetable carbon ("charbon vegetal") is, however, adequate.

        Tubercular patients are treated with: pneumothorax, calcium, vitamins & extra food.

        The ward, however, in which these patients are housed, is cold; this is caused by a defect in the central hot-air heating system, which cannot be rectified.

        All patients who have been cured in the lazaret are furnished, on departure, with a "Patient's Case History" which they take with them to the Stalag where they remain for approximately a further two months, resting.

        All patients who have suffered from pneumonia stay at the lazaret for three months, to convalesce.

        Those who have suffered from mild heart trouble also remain at the lazaret for one to three weeks.

        The laboratory of the lazaret is responsible for blood tests and sediment tests. T.B. tests are done elsewhere. When the results of these tests are positive they are communicated by telephone.

        The radiographic apparatus is in good condition. It can be used for all purposes save in connection with the stomach; in these cases the patients have to go to a neighbouring place where there is a long delay (about two months) before they can gain admission for treatment.

        Dental radiographs can, on the contrary, be done at the lazaret.

Dental attention

        The dental installations are primitive, only extractions and a few stoppings can be performed.

        The strength of the lazaret includes three dental mechanics, who are involuntarily [?] lack of equipment and the materials with which to manufacture artificial dentures.

Burials

        Prisoners who have died are accorded military honours. The cemetery is very well kept.

Leisure and Intellectual and Religious Needs

        A chaplain who is attached to the lazaret celebrates Mass every day. He fulfils his pastoral functions without restrictions being imposed upon him.

        A good orchestra has been formed; it comprises 16 musicians. On the day of the visit (which was a Sunday), the orchestra went to the town to give a concert.

        A small theatrical company has been formed, but its activities are rather limited on account of the small number of medical orderlies who are present in the lazaret. There is no sporting activity.

Correspondence

        The number of cards, letters and reply-forms is the regulation one.

Collective parcels

        Collective parcels come from Stalag III B at very regular intervals. They are sent out every two months. The distribution at the lazaret is made every 15 days by the Camp Leaders, who have absolute control over the Stores.

Discipline

        There is nothing special to report in regard to this. The Camp Leaders are happy in the knowledge that the discipline is excellent and that the German doctors and guard troops are kindly and well-disposed to the prisoners.

Anti-air-raid shelters

        There are two kinds of shelters; a cellar with reinforcements, and zig-zag trenches about 2.40 metres deep. Alerts are infrequent and no bombing has taken place.

Interview with the Camp Leaders (without witnesses)

        This interview touched on all the points mentioned previously in this report; it would be desirable to expedite correspondence, but, in this respect, it is impossible to improve matters, as the censorship is at present done in a large centre in the district.

Conclusion

        This lazaret seems to be quite good; the atmosphere is good and the medical staff and the patients are both satisfied with the relation which exists between them and the German authorities. The delegates gained an excellent impression from their visit.