Stalag IIID

There has been no change in the general set-up of this lazaret since the last report of November 1941 when the camp was visited by representatives of the American Embassy.

There are in the lazaret at the present time 74 British patients and about 500 patients of other nationalities. The hospital makes at the present time the impression of being rather crowded with some beds even in the corridors. But the doctor in charge told us that in a very short time everything would be in order again.

The hospital is in a large school building with rather small rooms. Each has about 20 patients. There are quite a few rooms for isolation. The sanitary personnel and the doctors are in good quarters. The whole building is well heated and the rooms, with big windows, have plenty of air and light.

Bathrooms and showers on each floor. There are special showers for the sanitary personnel, and hot water for showers is available daily.

The kitchen is well equipped, food well prepared and sufficient. It is possible to give certain patients a special diet. This is made easier by the many food parcels the British patients receive.

6 British doctors and 17 sanitary men are taking care of the British patients. The 17 sanitary men are treated as such but no certificates, which have been asked for before, have arrived so far.

The medical equipment is quite satisfactory. On each floor there are special rooms for examination and treatment with all the necessary supplies. The operating theatre can be considered as first class, with good equipment. There is also a special laboratory and a dental station where a French dentist gives all the necessary treatment including protheses.

The British surgeon in charge of the operation room would like to have two more British sanitary men to work with him. This question will be taken up with the German High Command. The drug store is well equipped.

Among the patients are several cases of post diphtheria, polyneuritic, also quite a few cases of tropic ulcers the origin of which seems not to be quite clear. Most of these men were captured in Greece. There are further several cases of grippe and pneumonia but all doing well. Five cases of open tuberculosis and eight suspected cases. One Man has The Meningitis and is not supposed to survive. His name is Oliver MEAHIUS, P.o.W. No.11432, Stalag III D.

In the infection wards are a few diphtheria cases, two cases of malaria as well as bilharzia and kala-azar. One man is being treated for mental depression; he already made some attempt of suicide.

All the patients in the lazaret admitted that the treatment was good and the British doctors also stated that they received all their needed to do their work properly.

All patients have the ordinary hospital dresses. The British doctors would like to get for the sanitary personnel white dresses especially white jackets. If this could be sent to them, it would be greatly appreciated. The uniforms of the working personnel are rather worn.

Each patient receives 10 Pfennig a day as pocket money. The doctors and the sanitary men are paid according to rank.

A clergyman visits the lazaret regularly, coming from one of the work camps dependent from Stalag III D.

There are only about 130 books in the library for the British patients, but the commander of the Stalag promised to send some more; but it would be appreciated if some more English books could be sent to the lazaret. There was also the wish expressed to receive some more draughts and some other games, as playing cards etc. No sporting equipment is on hand and it would be quite useful to have some for the patients when they get out of bed in order to get some exercise. If a football or a medicin ball could be sent, it would be most welcome. Cinema shows have been arranged.

The usual letters are written by everybody. All patients have received news from home. The German doctor in charge said that in general the men received too many and too long letters, not only from their immediate relatives but also from a lot of friends. He stated that in February alone 25,000 letters had arrived in the lazaret while only 4500 left. Food parcels have arrived regularly and each man receives one a week. At the present time there is only one parcel in reserve and it was asked for more parcels to build up a small reserve.

The usual complaint about non-arrival of private parcels has been brought forward.

The British doctor Major Weston stated that as a matter of fact, according to Article 9 of the Prisoner of War Convention of July 1929., it seems to him that it was not correct to keep prisoners of war in a city where air attacks can be expected at any time. His idea came from the last paragraph of this article which states that no prisoner of war may at any time be sent to an area where he would be exposed to the fire of the fighting zone. The representative of the Legation explained to him that this remark was rather far fetched especially as very good air shelters are provided in the lazaret.

The general impression of this lazaret is a very good one. Everybody, patients and doctors, stated that the treatment was correct and they had nothing to complain about.

In this work camp are at the present time 381 British prisoners of war including 3 Australians, 25 Cypriots and 3 men from Gibraltar. There are only very few remarks to be made about this camp.

As a rule there has no change occurred since the last report of November 1941. The kitchen, as before, is quite good in quality but some men complained that they get at present time less food than before. It was explained by the commander of the camp that in summer, when the men were working, they had received the usual "heavy worker supplement". Now, the men are not working on account of the cold and, therefore, only get the usual rations. The rations for four weeks are at the present time:

Bread

meat

fat

cheese

quark

farines

sugar

marmalade

potatoes

9000 grams

1600 "

1050 "

185.7 "

125 "

550 "

700 "

21000 "

The men stated, however, that with their food parcels they were doing quite well.

The camp has a good infirmary which is very well run by Dr. Rana. There are 11 patients of which 5 minor cases, one heart case, one epileptic (this man will be transferred to a hospital), 2 malaria, 1 beri-beri and 1 dry pleurisy.

Dr. Ranan expressed the wish to receive the following two books: 1.) Practice of Medicin, by Price, 2.) Practical Surgery, by Rose and Garles.

One of the bad points in this camp is the clothing question. At the present time each man has a uniform, one great coat, 2 shirts, 2 pants and 2 food cloths. The uniforms are in quite a bad state. Furthermore each man has one pair of leather shoes or clogs and one pair of slippers. Leather shoes, which at the present time can not be had here, would be greatly welcome. The numbers needed are: 7, 8, 9. There are about 200 pairs of shoes in the camp (French type), but they are all too small for the British prisoners.

There was one point brought to the attention of the representatives of the Legation: There had lately been an inspection by the German authorities of the outfit of the men and it had been found out that quite a number of clothing materials were missing. The men, therefore, had been compelled to pay for the missing articles. It seems, however, that later on it was found out that at the time the inspection was made the men thought they would be given new things for missing things and had therefore hidden certain effects. On a second inspection quite a number of the missing things had been found again.

The men would like to receive from home some more socks and handkerchiefs. As to uniforms, the commander of the camp promised to do his best possible to get new uniforms for the camp.

As stated before, the men at present time are not getting any pay because they are not working. This is the reason why the canteen which is satisfactorily equipped is not doing such business.

For recreation there is now a good room available, but at the time of the visit this room was quite cold on account of lack of coal. There used to be concerts given in this room but unfortunately some of the musicians have been transferred to other camps; however, the officer of the camp promised to try to find some new musicians and to get the necessary instruments from the Y.M.C.A.

A wish was also expressed to receive some small plays of theatre; also more books, as there are only about 200 there, especially books for the Cypriots, in Greek, would be very welcome.

A sport ground near the camp for the spring has been promised by the commander. This will be checked when the next visit is made.

The only complaint in this camp was the same as mentioned in the lazaret, i.e. that personal parcels are not arriving.

This work camp is entirely Arab and is meant, in future to keep all Arab prisoners of war of this camp area. New barracks are being built.

At the time of the visit there were 208 prisoners. They are all employed in a factory for electric accumulators. The work is from 8 to 10 hours a day depending on the kind of work. All Sundays are free. The pay is RM 4.20 per week.

The prisoners are lodged partly in wooden barracks, partly on the top floor of a five store brick building inside the factory compound. There are good air raid shelters. The barracks are of standard type with beds for about 14 men in each room. The rooms are heated with good stoves and were at the day of the visit comfortably warm in spite of the cold weather. The light is satisfactory. The beds are of the common double tier wooden bunk type provided with two blankets each. There is a locker for each man,

The rooms in the brick building are smaller with up to 8 men in each. They are very good, with big windows and central heating.

The washing facilities are satisfactory and the prisoners can use the bathing department in the factory once a week. Latrines are of flush type in a special building.

The prisoners are taken care of by the German factory doctor. 5 men who were ill have been brought to the lazaret 119 described in this report.

While working in the factory, the prisoners have been provided with special working dresses. Even in other respects the clothing conditions were satisfactory.

For religion and recreation these prisoners are not too well off as they are all Mahommedans and most of them can not read. A Serbian Mahommedan priest has been sent here, but as he does not speak Arab, he cannot be of much use. A few games and dart boards have been sent here. There are two small rooms used as recreation rooms.

The question of mail is also complicated. For most of the men the letters have to be written and a writer is also employed. Parcels have arrived sufficiently to issue one per week until last week when, as in the whole camp area, the issuance has to be stopped.

There were no complaints in the camp which must be considered as a very good work camp.

To this camp have most of the prisoners from the former work camp Debendorf Sued been transferred. It is now an entirely English camp and the number of prisoners is 500. About 300 men are working on the nearby railway. The working hours are from 7.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the pay is the regular 70 Pf. pay a day.

The camp has been built a few years ago for civilian workers and the buildings are of the usual barrack type. It is situated about 30 Km from a big city in a very sandy district.

In each barrack are 10 rooms with 14 men living in each. The rooms are airy and well heated and not in any way overcrowded. The beds are double tier bunks, each with two blankets. There are no lockers but shelves on the wall. In each room are sufficient numbers of tables and benches.

In one of the barracks is a big wash and shower room in common for the whole camp. It is quite satisfactory. Hot water is provided twice a week. Latrines: Flush type, insufficient number.

The kitchen is in a barrack outside the fences. It is modernly equipped and has good store rooms including electric cool room. The food is prepared by some of the prisoners. It was stated to be good and sufficient. The rations are the same as in the other work camps.

In charge of the infirmary is Captain Neale R.A.M.C. There are also some British sanitators working here. In the camp are, however, 14 British sanitators who have not been recognized by the German authorities. A list with their names will be sent to the Swiss Legation and forwarded to the British authorities.

The infirmary is satisfactory, with good beds. There is a special isolation room. There were in all 12 patients, most of them with minor diseases. One case of possible meningitis had caused one room to be isolated. It had been somewhat difficult to have the patient transferred to a hospital because of the shortage of ambulances. The matter was immediately arranged by the accompanying officer.

The dental question has been arranged so that about 2 - 3 men can be treated each day by the German dentist in the village. There are, however, about 75 men in need of treatment and it would be much appreciated if a British dentist could be stationed here. The question will be discussed with the German High Command.

The clothing conditions here were quite satisfactory except for boots. British uniforms have been issued to most of the men. They were also fairly well supplied with underwear. Boots are, however, also here badly needed.

There is a small canteen with the most necessary articles. Combs and tooth brushes are, however, very scarce and would be much appreciated.

The camp is visited regularly by the priests from other camps. Services are held in a big room in the kitchen barrack.

The men have been able to hire a piano. There are also a few mouth organs but no other instruments. Only about 200 books have arrived and many more are wanted. More indoor games are also wanted. A sport ground will be arranged as soon as the weather allows it. Football and cricket have been received.

The mail arrives alright although there are still two men who have received no mail from home. They are:

As in all work camps under this Stalag, there has been a shortage of parcels lately. Several book parcels have arrived. It was stated that 4 - 6 weeks are needed to have them censored.

The Man of Confidence asked if it was true that special vitamin parcels have been sent to all prisoners captured in Greece or in Crete.

There were no real complaints in this camp which must be considered a very good one.

Man of Confidence: Joseph Seward R.S.M. (at the same time Chief Man of Confidence in the whole Stalag area)

This work camp was last visited by representatives of the Protecting Power in October 1941. There has been no change since the last visit.

In the camp were now 411 British prisoners of war, nearly all English. This means an increase of 135 men since the last visit. At the moment only about 50 men were out working, and that only a few hours each day.

With the present number of men the barracks are rather crowded and a special disadvantage is that there is no recreation room of any kind. There are now 30 men living in each room. The rooms are airy and well heated but there is almost too little space for benches and tables with the present number of men. The beds are of the double tier type with two blankets. The light is sufficient.

The washing and bathing facilities are very good. Hot water for showers is provided each day. There is also a small laundry and drying room where, however, small things only are washed as most of the laundry is sent to a private laundry.

The latrines are a bit primitive but were kept in good order and gave no reasons for complaints.

The food was still stated to be good. As only few of the men are working at the moment, and these only for a few hours, no ration for heavy workers is given. The ration is now the same basic ration as in other camps.

The infirmary is satisfactory and Captain Gorry stated he had received the necessary supplies. There were at the time 14 patients in the infirmary. Seven were more chronic cases who have been transferred here as the lazaret at the moment was rather overcrowded. All the others were minor cases.

As in all the work camps, there was a great need of boots. In other respects the clothes were fairly satisfactory.

For religious services the prisoners are allowed to use the dining room of the German guard. Services are held regularly.

A sport ground has been arranged just outside the camp, but at the moment no outdoor sport could be done. For indoor recreation the camp is rather badly off because of the lack of a recreation room. The accompanying officer agreed that this is a great drawback but could see no way to arrange one at present. The matter will be brought to the attention of the German High Command. A few books, games and musical instruments have been received.

Apart from the fact that many personal parcels have not arrived, the mail comes regularly. There were no complaints.

The question was raised in one of the camps if the Chief Man of Confidence could visit any of the camps whenever he wanted. RSM Seward stated that he could not go to the camps when he wanted to, but the Man of Confidence in each camp could make an appointment with him at the Stalag at any time.

There was also a discussion about the distribution of the British Red Cross clothes. The Chief M.o.C. has no influence on the distribution of the clothes but is informed of what is coming in and is given out. It was arranged that he should be allowed into the store where the clothes are kept to be able to check the stock.

In this camp there are now only 362 British p.o.w. of whom 177 are English, 62 Cypriots and 123 British Arabs. The Arabs will apparently be transferred to work camp 322 as soon as the barracks can be built there. Among the English prisoners are 83 not working NCO's, and 35 RAF personnel. The latter will be transferred to an air force camp in the near future.

The camp has not changed since the last visit there in November 1941, but due to the decrease in the number of prisoners the overcrowding is of course much less. The different nationalities are still living in different barracks which otherwise are exactly alike. All the rooms are furnished with double tier beds but there is no overcrowding. The rooms are well heated but the Arabs had still complaints that it was too cold. Each man has two blankets.

The washing facilities and latrines are as described before quite satisfactory. Warm showers are provided once weekly.

The food was stated to have greatly improved since a new German camp leader had arrived a few weeks before. The regular ration issued to all prisoners of war are now handed over in bulk to the British kitchen personnel who can prepare the food as the prisoners prefer to have it. There were some complaints that each man now receives only 320 gr. bread per day, but this was declared to be due to the fact that the men are not working now during the winter and thus do not receive the additional ration for heavy workers.

There are two British doctors in this camp, Dr. Annan and Dr. Readman, both working in the infirmary. This still makes a good impression and is well equipped.

Dr. Annan stated that there were a few drugs which are hard to get and which he would like to receive, if possible. They are: Cough mixture, Codliver Oil, Tinct.benzeica co B.p., Potass.citric. This will be brought to the attention of the Red Cross.

A dental station has been arranged where a German dentist makes the most necessary work. It would be appreciated if a British dentist could be transferred here and the question will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.

In the infirmary were at the time of the visit only 5 patients, 2 with influenza, one with epilepsy but without fits for a long time, one with malaria and one with that kind of cedema which has been described in previous reports. This cedema which was very common among the prisoners from Greece and Crete and undoubtedly due to deficient nourishment, has almost disappeared now.

Good uniforms have now been handed out to all men working outside the camp. The camp leader stated that he had sufficient number of good trousers for all the prisoners in the camp, but especially the N.C.O's refused to wear them as they are of French origin. There are not sufficient British uniforms for all the prisoners. The boots are as almost everywhere in a rather bad condition. The M.o.C. wanted already now to mention the need of a stock of boots (sizes 7, 8, 9) and greatcoats for the next winter. Rubber boots have now been distributed to all the men who have to work in the sumps.

The barrack chiefs receive a pay of 80 Pf. a day and the members of the camp police RM 5 monthly. All the men working outside the camp receive the regular RM 4.20 weekly. At the moment only a few men were working so the economical situation in the camp was somewhat strained. As usual, the non-working N.C.O's receive no pay whatever.

The Arab prisoners had not yet received their paybooks back. This was said to be due to the control not yet being finished, but they would be handed out in the near future.

The canteen is small but quite good. Each man can buy 50 cigarettes monthly. Lemonades are served but no beer.

A clergyman, Rev. Dunlop, is living in the camp but is travelling around to all the work camps dependent on Stalag III D. He, however, takes care of the religious activity in the work camp itself too. For the Mahommedans among the Arabs there are, however, no services.

The prisoners here have now received a small recreation room where concerts and theatre performances are given. They have a small orchestra of flute, accordion, trombone and guitar but would very much like to receive some mouth organs. Indoor games have arrived, but more chess, draughts, dominoes and especially playing cards would be welcome. These wishes will be brought to the attention of the Y.M.C.A.

There are about 250 books in the camp and some more can be expected from the Stalag; but still more would be appreciated.

All the men here have now received mail from home but the mail arrives rather irregularly. They can all write two letters and 4 cards. The sanitary personnel have the additional letters and cards generally allowed. The Cypriot prisoners have received news from home that no letters have arrived from them to their families. The letters were said to have been forwarded from the Stalag in the same way as all other letters.

The RAF men complained that one of their comrades who had tried to escape but had been recaptured had been sentenced to two weeks in the cell and 28 days in a "punishment company". This question was investigated in the Stalag where it was stated that this special company was not a punishment company but a company where the men were kept for a while to get out of their usual surroundings and where they had to exercise instead of work. This was said to be the same rule as in the German army and was not meant to be an additional punishment. 14 days cell and 28 days "exercise company" was said to be the rule for attempts at escape. The question will be more closely investigated at future visits and no representations will be made at present.

There are altogether 101 British prisoners in their work camp of whom 32 are Arabs and 69 Cypriots.

They are all working in a factory for carburettors. The working time is 8 hours per day and all Sundays are free. The pay is the regular RM 4.20 weekly. There is a good air raid shelter.

The men are lodged in a wooden barrack inside the factory area. The barracks are well heated. They are furnished with double tier bunks, tables and benches. Each man has two blankets.

In the special wash room which is heated are rows of spigots with running cold water. Warm showers are provided in the factory bath each Saturday.

The prisoners are taken care of by the German factory physician. A Cypriot sanitator is working in the camp.

The clothing is fairly satisfactory although boots are badly needed. For the work in the factory special dresses have been issued.

For the Mohammedans among the prisoners there is no religious activity, but the camp is visited by the Protestant and Roman Catholic clergymen.

Ping-pong and a few indoor games have been provided. There are very few among the prisoners who read English, and books in Greek and Turkish would be appreciated. As Cypriots in different camps are asking for Greek books, the matter will in general be brought to the attention of the International Red Cross.

The general impression of all the work camps under this Stalag is very good. The officers seem very anxious to do what can be done for the prisoners, and improvements suggested are always carried out if possible. The Chief Man of Confidence also stated that the cooperation with the German authorities was very good. The spirit among the men is the very best.

This Stalag has under its command 4 larger work camps, 2 work details located in factories and a Reserve Lazaret (No.119) treating patients from the various camps.

Major-Sergeant Seward, the British Man of Confidence for all British prisoners in Stalag III D, accompanied the representatives of the Legation on their visit to the camps. Sergeant-Major Seward makes a very good impression and seems to know everything that is going on in the different camps.

Reservelazarett 128 in which there are only one or two British patients, could not be visited on account of being temporarily closed.