CONFIDENTIAL

STALAG III D

Date of visit: May 11th, 1942.

Camp Commander:       Generalmajor Henke.

Abwehr-Offizier:           Rittmeister Heimpel.

Accompanying Officer:  Oberleutnant Dr. Muller.

Chief Man of Confidence: R.S.M. Seward.

        Two changes have occurred in this camp since last visit:

                (1) There is a new Commander, Generalmajor Henke, formerly in charge of Stalag II D. This officer has not yet joined his new post, and was not seen by the delegate.

                (2) Work-camp No.415, Rudow, does not exist any more. It has been replaced by Work-camp No.714, Staaken.

        The actual visit was only a one-day one, principally to inspect this new Work-camp, and at the same time No.404, Dabendorf-Nord, which needs closer attention, perhaps, than the others.

WORK CAMP No.714

British Man of Confidence: S.M. McPhilips.

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        The camp is composed of the usual Army barracks, placed on the three sides of a rectangle. The lodging-quarters are on two sides, a large barrack, opposite the entrance, being used as a recreation-room. In the middle of the rectangle, there is a large lawn, with flower-beds and rose-trees.

        A foot-ball and cricket-field is at the back of the recreation room.

        The barracks are in good condition.

        There are no air-raid shelters, the camp being situated near a small village of no military or industrial importance.

        The work done here is mostly shifting railway-lines, house-building, market-gardening, wood-yard and boot-repairing.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        There were 393 prisoners of war, all British, in this work camp on the day of the visit. All those previously at Rudow are here now.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        24-26 men live in each room, where they have double-tier beds, mostly iron ones, only some of them being made of wood.

        There were no mattresses at the time, as the straw had been taken away shortly before the visit, the camp having been thoroughly deloused when first opened, that is only in April this year.

        Each man had received two blankets.

        There were ovens in each room, but of course they were not used any more. It was said by the prisoners of war that the heating had been satisfactory before. Electric light is everywhere, and the rooms are well aerated.

        A large recreation-room, which also contains a nice stage, is at the disposal of the prisoners of war.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

        These are very satisfactory. Each barrack has a washing-room with plenty of spigots. There are also hot showers available twice a week, and those in the Revier can be used every day.

V.) TOILET FACILITIES

        Porcelain urinals and private lavatories of the flush-type are found in each barrack. The toilet facilities can be considered as very good.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        The kitchen is very clean and contains several modern boilers. There is a German chef, and some of the prisoners of war help him in his work.

        The quantities given out are the same as those in the other camps in Germany, and no complaint was brought forth as regards the quality of the food.

        The men get 250 gr. of bread per day, and 320 on Fridays and Saturdays.

        Now that the heating in the barracks has been stopped, there was only a limited possibility of heating up private food-parcels. It was arranged with the Abwehr-Offizier that an extra oven would be put at the disposal of the prisoners in the kitchen. Orders accordingly were given at once.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        There is a two-room Revier in this Work-camp, and the British Physician is an Indian Officer, Dr. Rana.

        Only single iron beds are to be found in the wards, and there is the usual bedding.

        Most cases actually treated are ulcers, due probably, Dr. Rana says, to lack of vitamins; 1 beriberi and 1 malaria cases were in the lazaret, as well as a jaundice catarrh. As no special diet was available for the latter, it was asked to have him taken to another hospital.

        Dr. Rana said he was satisfied with the conditions in the Revier, and the cooperation of the Chefarzt.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        This has improved very much here, as well as in the whole Stalag. Leather-boots had been given to each prisoner, and no complaint was brought forth on this subject.

IX.) LAUNDRY

        It is done by the men themselves.

X.) MONEY AND PAY

        The prisoners of war are here since April 7th only, so they had not yet received any pay. It was supposed that they would get about the same amounts as when at Rudow, i.e. an average of RM 18.- a month.

XI.) CANTEEN

        There was no canteen, but one was to be started this week. Until now, this work-camp received some small supplies from the Stalag, including 100 cigarettes a month. The prisoners of war could have a bottle of beer on Sundays, one week they had to pay for it, the next one it was a free gift from the Railway Company.

        It must be mentioned here that the canteens in the different work-camps are run by the Germans. The delegate asked for detail regarding the utilisation of the benefits, which should be used, according to Art. 12, 3rd paragraph of the Geneva Convention, for the good of the prisoners. Rittmeister Heimpel could not give any answer on this point, and wished that this question would be brought to the attention of the German High Command. This has been done.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

       A Church of England clergyman, Capt. Hurst, a New-Zealander, stationed at Dabendorf-Nord, goes to the different work-camps, about every 3rd Sunday. It has been arranged with the Abwehr-Offizier that one of the men could take the service on the other Sundays, reading the sermons published by the Y.M.C.A.

        The same system is available for the Roman Catholics.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        As already mentioned, there is a fairly good football and cricket field here. The proper outfits are available, but the Man of Confidence would like to have oil for the cricket-bats.

        A piano is at the disposal of the prisoners. More instruments will be provided by the Camp Authorities, but brass instruments will be asked from the Y.M.C.A.

XIV.) MAIL

        The usual number of out-going letters and cards is allowed here, and there was no complaint regarding mail, apart from the usual ones about the private parcels.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        None up till now. This is a new camp.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        (1) Seven N.C.O's are here and do not wish to work. It was arranged that they would make an application to the Lager Commandant, who will forward it to the Stalag.

        (2) All corporals here are compelled to work, as well as in the other work-camps of Stalag III D. The Abwehr-Offizier says that no distinction has been made, when entering the names of the prisoners of war, between full corporals and lance-corporals. The inspector pointed out that a full corporal is considered, in the British Army, as a Non-Commissioned Officer, and should be treated as such. Rittmeister Heimpel promised to have the lists completed in this way at once, and that those full corporals not wishing to work would be taken away from their present job. This will be checked on the next visit.

        (3) Two sanitators, whose Identity cards had been sent to the German authorities some time ago, had not received them yet. The German High Command will be asked to have these Identity cards delivered at once to those they belong to, and that in the future such transmissions would be done quicker than in the present case.

        (4) The Geneva Convention was not posted here. The accompanying Officer arranged to have one sent at once from the Stalag. One copy, in leaflets, was in the hands of the Man of Confidence.

        (5) Some working-parties were leaving the camp at 5 a.m., and only returning there at 19 p.m. [should probably be 9 p.m.] The inspector asked for more details about this from the Abwehr-Offizier, who said that the German civilians were having the same working-hours. He added that the journeys to and from work were always done by car, all long walks being thus avoided.

        (6) The special Company was before all Dabendorf-Nord, is now here. For disciplinary offences, the men are not put into a cell, but are under arrests in one of the usual sleeping-quarters. They do odd jobs in the camp, and four times a day they do pack-drill for an hour. The packing weighs 25 lbs.

        The inspector complained about this, which is not mentioned in the Geneva Convention. The answer was that it was not considered a punishment, but as a sort of reeduction, and that, although a German Unteroffizier is supervising this drill, the orders are given by a British Non-Commissioner.

        The inspector then mentioned the fact that this was too hard a work for men who do not have a sufficient nourishment and the Abwehr-Offizier said that, when the British Doctor would consider a man unfit to do this kind of drill with the full packing, the latter would be diminished accordingly. He added that the prisoners of war themselves do not think it too hard, and preferred it to being under arrests in the cells. The Chief Man of Confidence gave the inspector the impression that he agreed with this statement, so no further representation will be done on this subject for the time being specially if the packing is reduced.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This work-camps gives a good impression, and the prisoners of war are certainly much better here than in their previous camp.

WORK CAMP NO. 404 Dabendorf-Nord.

British Man of Confidence: C.S.M. Owen.

British Doctor: Capt. Annan, R.A.M.C.

        Effective: 386, all British.

        Only 22 Arabs were still in this camp, the other having been put together with their comrades at Work-camp 322. Some of those prisoners of war, who had been considered as unfit to work until now, had just been recognized as fit by the Chefarzt and sent to the factory to do light work last Saturday. They had been sent back here on the Sunday already, as they were of no use in their work.

        The 35 RAF men had been sent to an air-force camp.

        The 83 non-working Non-Commissioned Officers were still here, and some more had arrived. They will be moved to another camp shortly, as there is no base-camp. The German High Command will be asked where these prisoners of war will be sent. Three of them are from the Navy, and it will be asked for them to be sent to a Naval camp. The principal complaint of the N.C.O's. was that they had been deprived of their leather shoes for the benefit of the workers, at a time when there was a scarcity of boots. Now that there is a better supply, it has been arranged that the Chief Man of Confidence would send out at once the number of pairs required for them.

        400 Medical parcels were received here last week, so that most requirements of Dr. Annan have been met with.

        There is no British dentist here, but Dr. Cooper is in Work-camp 520, and the men from the different Kommandos have regular days to go and see him.

        There are now sufficient British uniforms as well as leather-shoes.

        The Arabs have not yet received their pay-books back. The German High Command will be asked to have them returned at once.

        Parcels had just been received at the Stalag from the Y.M.C.A., but not yet opened. They contain games, which will be sent to this camp, according to wishes expressed during the previous visit. Books have also arrived at the Stalag, to be distributed here.

        The so-called "Punishment Company" does not exist any more. This has been transferred to Work-camp No.714.

        No more civilian Arabs had been allowed to come and visit this camp since last report.

        There were some new complaints in this camp.

                1) Some prisoners of war had been blood-tested, injected three times, then re-blood-tested, supposedly against dysentery, but all this against their will. This measure was supposed to be taken for the men working in the kitchen; but only four do so, and 32 prisoners of war were injected. Particulars will be asked from the German High Command.

                2) Old tins were amassed inside the area of the camp. The inspectors made representations on this fact, and the Camp authorities gave orders to have them removed at once.

                3) The lavatories are again out of order, and only primitive temporary latrines are available. These cannot be considered as satisfactory, but it must be said that better ones are being put in order. These temporary latrines are completely full, and the excrements are in the open air. The inspector made very strong representations on this fact, as it might bring dangerous epidemics in this camp. The German authorities have immediately given orders so that these latrines are emptied at once.

                4) As some of the work to be done is rather hard, the men are entitled to extra food rations. Until now, these have not been given out. The Abwehr-Offizier stated that orders had already been given, and that the prisoners of war would get extra food in the very near future.

                5) Several Kommandos leave at 6:15 a.m. and only return at 6:30 p.m. They have coffee before they start, and the rest of their daily rations only when they come back. The Abwehr-Offizier promised to arrange that they got something during the day, wither that they take cold rations along with them, or that hot food is sent out to them. This must be checked on the next visit.

                6) Some of the workers have complained that a retinue was made on their pay in England. C.S.M. Owen will send a full list of such prisoners of war, and it will be forwarded to the British Government.

        This camp does not give a very good impression, and many improvements could be done.

        Although the other work-camps were not visited this time, nor the Lazarets, the different unsatisfactory points mentioned in the previous report were talked over with the Chief Man of Confidence.

WORK CAMP 322

        No Arab-speaking Mohammedan priest has arrived, but each man has been given a Coran.

WORK CAMP 520

        The 14 Sanitators have not yet been recognised as such. Further inquiries are made on this point.

        Captain Cooper is now working here as a dentist.

        All the men have good boots now.

        No combs nor tooth-brushes have yet arrived.

        Books and games have arrived to the Stalag and will be sent here shortly.

        There is a regular football field outside the camp, which is now used by the prisoners of war.

WORK CAMP 517

        The camp is still rather crowded, but R.S.M. Seward said he could not really complain, as the huts are allright.

        There is no recreation-room, but the German mess-hall is placed at the disposal of the prisoners of war once a week.

        The boots question is satisfactorily settled.

        The Man of Confidence receives every month a list of the clothes sent to each Arbeitskommando. As he is present when the parcels reach the Stalag, he has now a good control over this department.

WORK CAMP 837

        The men have been given good leather boots.

        Arabic bibles and Greek boots have been received here, but no Turkish ones.

RESERVELAZARETT 119

        This lazaret is no more overcrowded, as it was at the time of the last inspection.

        The 17 sanitators have not yet received their certificates.

        Four more sanitators have come for the surgical department.

        Books, games and sports outfits have been received.

RESERVELAZARETT 128

        There are now about 20 British in hospital here. As this was not known before the visit, and last time no British were there, no information could be had. This lazarett will be seen during next visit.

Fred.O.Auckenthaler

(EN CLAIR).

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr.Norton

No.1944

2nd June, 1942.

D. Untimed. 2nd June, 1942.

R. 6.20 a.m. 3rd June, 1942.

        Following is summary of report on work camp attached to Stalag III D visited by representatives of Swiss Legation Berlin on May 11th:

        Work Camp 415 Rudow no longer exists and has been replaced by Work Camp 714 Staaken. New Work Camp contains 393 prisoners all British. 24 to 26 men live in each room and have double tier beds mostly of iron but some of wood. No mattresses at time of visit. Each man received two blankets. Bathing, washing, toilet and cooking facilities very satisfactory, but only limited facilities for heating up private food parcels. There is a two-room revier in charge of Indian officer Dr.Rana. Most cases treated are ulcers due to lack of vitamins. There is one case of beriberi and one of malaria. Clothing improved. No canteen, but one was to be started within a week. Canteens in the different Work Camps of this Stalag are run by Germans and no satisfactory reply could be obtained as to what use was made of the profits.

        All corporals here are compelled to work. German officer in charge promised to rectify this. Two sanitators whose identity cards had been sent to the German authorities some time ago had not yet received them. Swiss are approaching German High Command. Geneva Convention not posted. Some working parties left at 5 a.m. and returned by 7 p.m. German officer stated that German civilians had same working hours.

        For disciplinary offences men are made to do pack drill for an hour four times a day. Inspector complained about this, but was told it was not considered punishment but re-education. Inspector stated that this work was too hard for men who are not receiving sufficient nourishment and German officer replied that when British Doctor considered a man unfit for this pack drill the weight of pack would be reduced. Work Camp gives good impression and prisoners of war certainly better off than in previous camp.

        Work Camp 404 contains 386 men all British. Only 22 are still in this camp the others having joined their comrades at Work Camp 322. 35 R.A.P. men have been sent out to Air Force Camp. 83 non-working non-commissioned officers still in camp and complained they had been deprived of their leather shoes for the benefit of the workers. So called punishment company no longer exists. It has been transferred to Work Camp 714. Prisoners complain they had been submitted to blood tests; injections and fresh blood tests supposedly against dysentery against their will. Lavatories again out of order and primitive temporary latrines only available. Latter were completely full and excrement was left in open air. Inspector made strong representations and German authorities gave orders to have latrines emptied at once. Much of the work is heavy but the men do not yet get extra rations. German officer stated that prisoners would receive extra rations in near future. Several work detachments leave at 6.15 a.m. and return at 6.30 p.m. They receive coffee before they start and the rest of their rations when they return. German officer promised to arrange that they should get something to eat during the day. Camp gives bad impression and is greatly in need of improvement. Other work camps were not visited but certain amount of information is obtained which does not appear to be of great importance.