CONFIDENTIAL
No. 105.
STALAG III D
Date of visit: March 16th and 17th, 1943.
Camp commander: Generalmajor Henke
Abwehroffizier: Major Heimpel
Begleitoffizier: Hauptmann Müller
British Man of Confidence: R.S.M. Seward.
As said before Stalag III D consists of the Staff who administers the different work camps of this district.
Work camps.
No.428 Zeensdorf near Königswusterhausen,
No.520 Grossbeeren,
No.517 Genshagen,
No.528 Teltow,
No.837 Deutsche Vergaserwerke.
These are the only work camps for British prisoners of war in this district.
Lately a camp was opened for British prisoners of war whose state of health makes them unable for work while they are too well to stay in hospital. It is a French camp: Falkensee, near Spandau and the British Man of Confidence told the Inspector that actually about 80 British subjects are there. This camp will be visited on our next visit.
Work camp 428 Zeensdorf
British Man of Confidence: Driver M. Molony.
Camp Senior C.Q.M.S. McTagger.
I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The camp lies in a little pinewood and consists of 2 wooden barracks for living quarters, the kitchen barrack with a big refectory, the barrack for washing and showers and a shed for the latrines.
II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL
136 men.
III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
The barracks are not overcrowded and present a nice and tidy inner aspect. The light is just sufficient. Lamps have to be handled very carefully, as there is no exchange for broken ones.
IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES
Some reparations had to be made to the washing installations, so they are not in use just now. However the inspector could state that the work is advanced enough to allow the use of this installation in a few days.
V.) TOILET FACILITIES
The latrines are adequate. But the emptying of the pit presents some difficulty, as the peasants in this country do not seem to use the liquid manure for their fields.
VI.) FOOD AND COOKING
The food is good and well cooked.
The inspector insisted that a ration scale should be hung up in the kitchen.
VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION
Cpt. Dr. I.L. Readman R.A.M.C. gives medical treatment in this camp with the help of 3 sanitators.
The revier is composed of one room with 7 beds for sick men, one consulting room, a room for the sanitators and the doctor's sleeping room.
There was one sick man in the revier.
The men have to go to the Grossbeeren camp for dental treatment. This however does not seem adequate as they have to be away the whole day, consecutively to the bad railway connections.
This question was discussed with the authorities of Stalag III D and it was decided that the dentist from Stalag would come every fortnight for saturday and sunday to the camp 428.
VIII.) CLOTHING
No working garments are given out by the firm for which these British prisoners of war have to work. Some arrangement has to be found, so that every British prisoners of war has two uniforms: one for work and one for parade.
IX.) LAUNDRY
In order: The laundry is sent outside.
X.) MONEY AND PAY
In order.
XI.) CANTEEN
Stalag III D used to have quite a good canteen. However the British Man of Confidence Seward informed the inspector that they had to run out of stock and that it is nearly impossible to find any supply.
XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
The padre who lives in camp 528 Teltow comes over every fortnight.
XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE
There were some difficulties with the football ground where the men used to play. The German authorities promised to look into the matter and to arrange that football could be played regularly.
XIV.) MAIL
There are many complaints about the mail. But actually the Protecting Power was not able to find a satisfactory clue to this question.
XV.) WELFARE WORK
In order.
XVI.) COMPLAINTS
Some minor complaints were brought to the inspector's knowledge which could be dealt with and straightened out immediately with the German authorities.
XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION
This camp can be designed as a good one.
Work camp 520 Grossbeeren
Man of Confidence: Staff.Sgt. Goodwyn
I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Big camp belonging to the Reichsbahn.
II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL
470 men.
III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
No change since the last visit in October 1942.
IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES
Adequate.
V.) TOILET FACILITIES
Adequate.
VI.) FOOD AND COOKING
Food good. Controlled by the British prisoners of war.
VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS
Cpt. Dr. Neale R.A.M.C. is in charge of the medical attention of this camp.
Only a few minor cases were laid up in the revier.
Cpt. Dr. Cooper does the dental treatment for this and the other work camps in Stalag III D.
VIII.) CLOTHING
As in work camp 428.
IX.) LAUNDRY
In order.
X.) MONEY AND PAY
In this camp some men work only 4 hours per day. Accordingly to this, the usual pay of 70 Pfennig per day was reduced to 45 Pfennig.
XI.) CANTEEN
As for work camp 428.
XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
A roman catholic Padre stays in this camp.
XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE
No complaint.
XIV.) MAIL
As above.
XV.) WELFARE WORK
In order.
XVI.) COMPLAINTS
For several month the question of how the barracks would be best ventilated had been discussed, but nothing as far had been obtained. No the German authorities and the Reichsbahn, to whom this camp belongs, have agreed to make an aperture in the doors on both sides of the barracks. This would create a draft in the central corridor of the barrack and the doors of the dormitories would be kept open on to this corridor. This solution, which will be applied immediately seems to be practical. Whether in summer it will be sufficient remains to be proofed.
XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION
This camp is a good one.
Work camp 517 Genshagen.
British Man of Confidence: R.Sgt. M. Seward
Camp Senior: M.Sgt. Raeside.
I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The camp has been overhauled and freshly painted and looks quite well in the spring, surrounded on 3 sides by a pine wood, the fourth being formed by an alley of elm trees.
II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL
304 men.
III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
The lighting in the barracks is rather weak and the men complain that for reading it is not sufficient. The point was brought to the camp commander who promised to give his attention to the matter.
On our last visit we stated the breakdown of the camp central heating system which affected also the bathing facilities. Everything has been put in order before the cold had begun and there was no complaint about the heating.
IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES
In order.
V.) TOILET FACILITIES
The latrines are in order. The only difficulty that arises, is about the emptying of the manure pit. The inspector strongly insisted that for reasons of hygiene this must be very severely controlled.
VI.) FOOD AND COOKING
The inspector had to protest against the irregularity of sugar and cheese issues. The explanation was that sometimes the sugar attributions were contained in the issue of marmalade or of sweetmeats. This is of course no possible to control. For the cheese the camp authorities promised to make an investigation.
VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION
Cpt. Dr. Stevenson Wright is in charge of the medical attention in this camp. Contrary to the other camps in the district the general state of health is less good. 15% to 20% of the men come to sick parade every day.
The cases however are not really serious. Some colds and throat affections, minor working accidents and skin diseases.
Dental treatment is effected in camp 520 Grossbeeren.
VIII.) CLOTHING
The same as in the other camps.
IX.) LAUNDRY
In order.
X.) MONEY AND PAY
In order.
XI.) CANTEEN
Some beer and lemonade can be bought.
XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
Religious services are held every fortnight.
XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE
No complaint.
XIV.) MAIL
Same complaints as in other camps.
XV.) WELFARE WORK
In order.
XVI.) COMPLAINTS
No complaint.
XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION
Camp 517 is a good camp.
Work camp No. 528 Teltow
Man of Confidence: Sgt. Stanway.
I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The camp 528 is built exactly after the same pattern as work camp 520 and belongs to the Reichsbahn.
On the last visit of the Protecting Power on January 29th, 1943 the representatives of the Protecting Power stated that the airraid-shelters consisted only in open trenches. Those trenches are now covered with beams and about 5 feet of earth. The sides of the trenches are formed by planks of 4 inches. Benches run along the sides.
II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL
552 men, 11 in hospital.
III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
No complaint. Some of the barracks had been demolished during an airraid in January 1943. Everything has been rebuilt and specially the lighting is excellent. Ventilation will also be ameliorated.
IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES
Hot showers can be got every day in the barracks.
V.) TOILET FACILITIES
In order. There was a special latrine which is now anymore used as accommodations are installed in each barrack. This special latrine shall be covered and rendered inoffensive according to the camp doctor's advice.
VI.) FOOD AND COOKING
Adequate.
VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS
Major Dr. Palandrei gives medical attention in this camp.
The general state of health is good. 30 to 40 men present themselves to the daily sick parade.
Dr. Palandrie drew the inspector's attention to the heaping up in the camp compound of the empty tins from the Red Cross parcels. The camp authorities praised that these would be taken away and buried outside the camp, as nobody seemed willing to collect them or to cart them away.
Dental treatment is administered at Grossbeeren.
VIII.) CLOTHING
Same remarks as for the previous camps.
IX.) LAUNDRY
In order.
X.) MONEY AND PAY
No complaint.
XI.) CANTEEN
Beer can be bought once a week.
XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
The Hugh Church padre lives in camp 528.
XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE
In this camp the men doing task work are often back from work in the early afternoon. As the daylight lasts longer the wish to be able to go out for a game of rugby or football is naturally strong. This, however, is not always granted as the number of the guardsmen is too low. In the camps compound, however, there is no room for the abovesaid games. In winter the big casino was open for indoor games or boxing. But now, with the fine season there is no great enthusiasm to be confined indoors. The representative of the Protecting Power tried to make the camp authorities understand this situation. But in spite of the willingness of the German officers do their best in this direction he doubts whether there will be a satisfactory solution of the question on account of the insufficiency of the guard.
XIV.) MAIL
As in the other camps.
XV.) WELFARE WORK
In order.
XVI.) COMPLAINTS
There is one cause of complaint: The shooting of one of the English prisoners of war about 3 weeks before the inspector's visit.
The report of this has not yet reached the Protecting Power. But the case will in its time be taken up. Testimonials of British eye-witnesses are already in the hands of the Protecting Power.
XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION
This camp makes a good impression and the material conditions are satisfactory.
Work camp 837
Man of Confidence: Crisostomos Charalamba
I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Some ameliorations were executed in this camp. A gangway of flat stones was laid before the barracks and the yard has been amplified to some extent.
II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL
116 Cypriots. 24 are lodged in a camp near Spandau. From there they reach their working place by a motor lorry.
III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
This camp was overcrowded, but now there are only 20 to 24 men in one room.
IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES
Hot showers can be taken every week in the factory, where the men are engaged in work.
V.) TOILET FACILITIES
No complaint.
VI.) FOOD AND COOKING
In order.
VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS
There is a new Sgt. of the R.A.M.C. in the camp who makes a very good impression.
The general state of health is alright.
Dental treatment is available by a civilian dentist. For plates of dentiers the men are sent to work camp 520 Grossbeeren.
VIII.) CLOTHING
The factory gives working overalls to the men in this camp.
IX.) LAUNDRY
Laundry is done by the men themselves.
X.) MONEY AND PAY
The men earn 50.RM. per month.
XI.) CANTEEN
There is no canteen.
XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
There is no orthodox padre for the cypriots. The inspector asked for a little prayer-room for the 40 Mohammedans in this camp. The German authorities will try to arrange something in that line.
XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE
The sanitary sgt. stated that the men did not get enough exercise. It was arranged that they will from now on go out from 14.00 to 18.00 to some football-field, every sunday afternoon.
XIV.) MAIL
The mail question does not give special cause for complaint as it was the case on our last visit.
XV.) WELFARE WORK
In order.
XVI.) COMPLAINTS
Sometimes the men have to work on sundays and do not get any compensation. This question will be cleared up by the Camp Commander.
XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION
This camp although not quite a good one has been greatly improved
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Some personal complaints in Stalag III D:
1. P.o.w. No. 10762 L.Bdr. P. Dunn: He knows by his wife's letters that 8 cigarette parcels were sent to him. He only got 2. Investigations are ordered.
2. Pr.H.W. Chastney, p.o.w. No. 11169, has not had parcels since one year. Yet every 3 month a parcel is sent to him.
3. Pr. James Kelly, p.o.w. No 12153, has had no mail.
4. L.Cpl. W. Sproston, p.o.w. No 11384, has made a divorce demand in August. Up to now he got no answer. [Handwritten note: "We have no record of the case of Sproston [therefore] made an extract from the report so that we may pursue our usual enquiries & refer the case to the Legal Aid Section. Signed. 25/5/43]
Rudolf Burckhardt.
