CONFIDENTIAL

No. 2

STALAG III B

Date of visit: 15th-16th October 1942.

Camp Commander: Generalmajor Henke; on leave. In his place Oberstleutnant Kleffel.

Abwehroffizier: Rittmeister Heimpel.

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

        There is no base camp but seven work camps and two Reservelazaretts depending from Stalag III D.

        Work Camp 729 mentioned in former reports does not exist any more.

        R.S.M. Seward is still in charge of all the commandos dependant from Stalag III D. He seems to work to the satisfaction both of the Ps.o.W. and of the German authorities.

        Inspectors visited No. 404 Dabendorf Nord, No. 520 Grossbeeren West, No. 517 Genshagen, No. 526 Teltow, No. 837, Reservelazarett 119 and Reservelazarett 128.

Work Camp Dabendorf Nord 404

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        This camp belonging to the Reichsbahn is fairly spacious. It is composed of 5 barracks in semi circle fanlike. The men eat in their rooms which are well lighted and aired. Heating possibilities are adequate. Some space has already been arranged for flower and vegetable gardening, and more is gained. The men who are selected for minor labours, work in these gardens; while the others are occupied in railway-building.

II). CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        Camp 404 holds actually 230 men, 17 are in Reserve-Lazarett.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        The barracks of the average pattern are in good condition, the only complaint being that shutters and doors are closed in the night. This, of course, does not permit an adequate ventilation. The Accompanying Officer explained that the German authorities are actually examining the means of effective ventilation, which shall be adopted in all prisoner camps. The inspector asked whether it was not possible to let one door open for ventilation and likewise for security as the prisoners drew his attention to the fact that in case of fire no escape would be possible. The Accompany Officer answered that every barrack was connected with the guard-room by an emergency bell and that fire extinctors were placed in all of them. In no case it was possible to leave the doors unlocked.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

        There is a special barrack containing the washing installations and shower-rooms in perfect working order. The men are allowed one hot bath every week.

V.) TOILET FACILITIES

        Adequate.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        In this camp food is alright and the possibilities for private cooking are adequate.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        The infirmary consists of 3 rooms, one for examination and two sick wards. The medical staff is composed of Capt. Annan and 16 sanitators. 9 of them are still waiting for their cards of identity. On the day of the visit there were 9 patients in the Revier; 3 were minor medical cases such as malaria and gastritis. The other 6 were suffering from septic wounds, boils and burns.

        Drugs, medical parcels and invalid comfort parcels are supplied by R.S.M. Seward from Stalag III D.

        Dental treatment. There are actually no facilities for dental treatment at this camp. Cpt. Cooper, the only dentist in Stalag III D is carrying out dental treatment in the different workcamps by turns. There is a complete dental station at his disposal enabling him to give all necessary conservative treatment. Technical work is done by an accompanying dental mechanic, so that even dentures can be made as false teeth are supplied by the Germans.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        As apart from their battle dresses the men have no clothes and as the Reichsbahn does not provide working outfits, the question of clothing is not satisfactory. The inspectors insisted that at least a second pair of trousers should be given to the working soldiers. Finally the accompanying officer promised to keep in the different camps a stock of twenty pairs of trousers as a change for those, drying after washing days. This solution will be adopted for the other camps likewise and is judged adequate by the British Man of Confidence. To be checked on our next visit to this camp.

IX.) LAUNDRY

        The men do their own washing on saturdays, sundays and mondays. They are satisfied with this arrangement.

X.) MONEY AND PAY

        In order.

XI.) CANTEEN

        All work camps depending from Stalag III D do get quite a remarkable supply of articles for their canteen, compared with the canteens in most other camps. This is due partly to the pain the German N.C.O. in charge takes to purchase all he can get, partly probably to the nearness of the capital.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        There is service every Sunday.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        Adequate.

XIV.) MAIL

        There is a general complaint that the outgoing mail does not reach the homes of the Prisoners of war as regularly as the letters sent from there to the camp. The German authorities to whom this point was brought declared, that the mail was sent out regularly and that if there was any delay it must occur on the way to England.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        The camp is in touch with the Y.M.C.A. and the Red Cross parcels come in regularly.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        In this camp there are some sanitators not yet in possession of their identity cards. They have to do light work in the camp. A fact of which they complained; but the inspector could not interfere as long as their situation is not clear.

        It was suggested that every work camp should design an assistant to the Man of Confidence who should in some way help or control the Man of Confidence, R.S.M. Seward, specially when distributing the Red Cross parcels. This is practically not possible. When the wagon containing these parcels arrives, the Man of Confidence Seward is sent for, goes to the station, opens for wagon, the contents of which he controls and then proceeds to the distribution for the different camps. The supernumerary parcels are being stocked in a special ware-house. The assistant would have to travel under guard from the different camps to the station of unloading, and no great help would come from their presence. The only advantage might be the fact that by his control the methods of distribution adopted by R.S.M. Seward could be made known to the prisoners of war and thus his authority increased.

        The accompanying officer seeing this point promised that the assistant Men of Confidence would be given the opportunity to be present in turns at the reception and distribution of the Red Cross parcels.

        There was another complaint that the lists placed in the private parcels and monitoring their contents were frequently confiscated. The inspector was informed that very often these parcels contained no lists whatever.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        Work camp 404 makes a very good impression.

Work Camp 520 - Grossbeeren West

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        This camp is likewise property of the Reichsbahn and let to the Military Authorities. The barracks are of a more modern type than in camp 404 and therefore the prisoners of war have no complaint about their lodgings.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        476 men, 4 in hospital.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

V.) TOILET FACILITIES AND

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        Adequate.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        British doctor Cpt. Neale and 18 sanitators working in the infirmary, which consists of 2 sickwards and one room for examination and treatment. On the day of the visit 4 patients with minor diseases were in the Revier. One isolated, as he is suffering from chickenpocks. General state of health was said to be very good. Dental treatment in this camp as explained for camp 404.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        The same arrangements as in camp 404 will be made. As yet no working outfits could be obtained from the Reichsbahn.

IX.) LAUNDRY

        The men send their laundry to a private enterprise. This solution is said to be adequate.

X.) MONEY AND PAY and

XI.) CANTEEN

        In order.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        There is a service every Sunday morning for the men belonging to the Church of England. On Sunday afternoon Mass is said by a French Roman Catholic priest.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        The men played football four times a week. Matches are arranged between the different camps.

XIV.) MAIL

        As in camp 404.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        In order.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        There is a complaint that men sentenced to disciplinary punishment i.e. to be sent to work camp 714 Staaken, which they call "Straflager", have to wait sometimes several days or weeks before they are transferred to that camp. The Accompanying Officer explained that the camp was a military one of reeducation and was sometimes full. So the men had to wait for their turn. The inspector made agree the German officer that military law postulate an immediate execution of disciplinary sentences. The latter promised to study the question and to do his best to find a satisfactory solution.

        Another complaint was that men sentenced to go to camp 714 are not always told their offence. The German officer promised that this matter should be put straight and that sentences would be read in English at parade from now on.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        Same as camp 404.

Work Camp 526 - Teltow.

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        This camp was used before as railway work camp, is of modern pattern and let to the military authorities by the Reichsbahn. It is situated near a village and has been occupied by Serbian prisoners of war. It contains big vegetable gardens.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        70 men.

        No remarks on the other points.

        The British prisoners of war were transferred to this camp a fortnight before the visit of the inspectors took place.

Work Camp 517 - Genshagen

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        This camp was built in 1936 and accordingly the lodgings need repair very badly. The Military Authorities intend to transfer the whole camp to Teltow No. 426. But up to now the Reichsbahn has taken no decision. If the prisoners of war should be moved it would evidently mean a great improvement.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        296 men, 4 in hospital.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        As mentioned above, this camp is badly in need of repair. The material for repair is available but the carpenter is used for odd jobs by the camp authorities and of no efficiency for the camp. The representatives of the Protecting Power signaled this to the Accompanying Officer who promised to have the point put straight.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

        In this camp there is no hot water available actually as the boilers have been damaged by bad handling. New pieces have been required and should be obtained soon.

V.) TOILET FACILITIES

        The toilets are very bad as no pump is used to empty the suds, but buckets. The representatives insisted that this must be corrected. The Accompanying Officer agreed to this. It will be checked at the next visit.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        Adequate. The prisoners can cook their private food in the men's quarters.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION

        The British physician, Cpt. Stevenson Wright, N.Z. and A.M.C. 3 sanitators. On the day of the visit there were 4 patients in the sick-wards suffering all from minor diseases and working accidents. There was no case of infectious or contagious disease.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        Same remark as in the other camps.

IX.) LAUNDRY

X.) MONEY AND PAY AND

XI.) CANTEEN

        Adequate.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        Service every Sunday.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        The men play cricket and football. This camp's team is champion of the Inter-Camp Football Competition.

XIV.) MAIL

        Same remark as for the other camps.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        Adequate.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        In camp 517 there are still some N.C.Os. The Man of Confidence R.S.M. Seward has put them to light work in camp. This is against the Geneva Convention and they should not be forced to do it. Seward's opinion is that work would prevent them from demorilisation. Inspector explained that he had no right to make N.C.Os. work but might try to obtain their agreement to make themselves useful.

        The Man of Confidence asked that a good interpreter should be sent to work camp 517, as he foresaw that misinterpretation of orders might lead to trouble. The German Officer promised to send one.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This camp, even if not materially a good one, gives an excellent impression by the high moral of its inhabitants.

Work Camp 837

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        This camp described in our report of July 2nd 1942 has undergone some changes as the Arabs who stayed here were sent to another camp in a more adequate climate. There are only 10 of them left here. Another camp is being built in the neighbourhood to which the remaining prisoners of war: Cypriots and Arabs will be moved. It will be more spacious and the German Authorities hope that it shall be ready at the end of this month.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        208 Cypriots, 10 Arabs, 6 in hospital, 6 in camp No.714 - Steaken, 1 in prison.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT

        The barracks are not bad but look gloomy and overcrowded. The men have only two blankets and as the windows have to be kept open at night due to overcrowding, the men suffer from cold. The representatives drew the attention of the German authorities on this fact, with the effect that they promised to see whether they could not give a third blanket to these men.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

        Hot showers can be had at any time in the factories where they work.

V.) TOILET FACILITIES

        Adequate.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        The food is brought in from a cooking enterprise and is said to be good. Private cooking can be done on gas stoves in the Luftschutzraum of the factory.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        One English sanitator is working in this camp. There is no special infirmary with sick-wards but a room for examination and treatment. On the day of visit 20 men were not at work staying in their quarters for minor diseases: sore throat, working accidents, mostly burns. A German military doctor can be seen on Tuesdays and Fridays.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        The men ask for 100 uniforms. Socks and pullovers should be sent. Soles for repair of shoes are needed. They likewise need undercloths for 220 men very badly.

IX.) LAUNDRY

        The men do their laundry themselves, and dry it in their barracks. This does not seem adequate, the latter being already filled to the limit by beds, tables and benches. The representatives suggested that the laundry should be given outside as done in other camps.

X.) MONEY AND PAY

        In order.

XI.) CANTEEN

        There is no canteen in this camp.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        As these men are either Greek Catholics or Mohametans no religious services can be held.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        The men ask for some footballs and indoor games. Playing cards are requested but the camp authorities disagreed as the Cypriots are being born gamblers and are said to be liable to abuse and get into riots when playing.

XIV.) MAIL

        No complaint.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        In order.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        The men asked to be sent to a more adequate climate, during the winter months. They complained about the treatment inflicted by the younger foreman in the factory. The German Accompanying Officer promised that instructions would be given regarding this point. Inspector obtained that R.S.M. Seward was sent to camp 837 on the same day to settle all questions regarding the clothing, canteen etc.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        Could be better but cannot be called bad.

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        The work camps of Stalag III D make a good average impression, except as mentioned above the two camps 517 and 337 but, as these will probably be left by the prisoners of war for better ones in the near future, no special intervention was made by the inspector.

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RESERVE LAZARETT 119

Date of visit: October 16th, 1942

German chief physician: Oberstabsarzt Dr. Sewald

British senior physician: Major Fosbrooke

British Man of Confidence: S.M. King.

        The British physicians mentioned in the last report are still working at this hospital:

                Major Fosbrooke, Capt. Balentine, Capt. Witcher.

        Major Palandri has been sent to Work Camp 714 and is replaced here by Capt. Barker.

        21 sanitators are working in this lazarett and on the day of the visit there were 33 patients lying in the wards of 4 clinical stations.

        Internal department: 7 were suffering from heats, jaundice, postdiphtheric paralysis.

        Infectious department: 9 patients with gastritis, diarrheas, flues. There is only one case of open tuberculosis, who lies in a special ward for tubercular cases. He is completely satisfied with the treatment he gets and even stated that he never would have expected to be so well looked after as actually is done. He is doing quite well, but will be transferred in the near future to the special tubercular lazarett at Koenigswartha.

        Surgical department: 13 patients operated and treated for varicosis, hernias, appendicitis.

        Skin department: 5 patients, mostly chronic eczemas.

        Dental treatment: Is given by a French dentist who has all the necessary instruments and material at his disposal to perform effective work.

        Food is prepared in a decent way. Additional rations and special diets can be supplied sufficiently.

RESERVE LAZARETT 128

Date of visit: October 16th, 1942.

German chief physician: Oberstabsarzt Dr. Frost.

British Man of Confidence: Corp. Bond.

        The number of British patients treated in this lazarett has decreased considerably since our last visit. At present there are only 7 British prisoners of war lying in one ward of the formerly described hospital. 2 British sanitators are caring for them. Medical personnel consists of French and Russian physicians. Lieut. Colonel Bull who was the only British physician at this place has been sent to an Oflag because not enough work had been left to do for him.

        The patients are suffering mostly from duodenal ulcers, jaundice, pleurisy. However there are 2 men with mental disturbances who are periodically examined by an English speaking German specialist.

        Patients here seem to be treated very carefully. Since our last visit in July there had been no case of dysenteria, typhus or typhoid fever.

Rudolph Burckhardt.

Dr. Schaeffeler.