STALAG III E.

Date of visit: April 24, 1942.

Camp Commander: Hauptmann Hick.

German Physician: Stabsarzt Hahrm.

British Man of Confidence: Sgt. R.I. Alexander, R.A.F.

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

        No change since the last report of February 10, 1942.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL.

        There were at the time of the visit 186 prisoners in this camp. Besides 5 men were in a nearby lazaret. The prisoners are partly occupied now in planting a vegetable garden, from which they will benefit. They are not paid for this work which is completed voluntarily. Besides the English prisoners there are at present in the camp: 15 Canadians, 5 Australians, 3 Poles, 5 New Zealanders and 3 Americans.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS.

        No change since last report. The points mentioned there as not satisfactory are much less felt by the men at the present time, as they can spend almost all their time in the open air. No improvement can be expected in future here as no more barracks seem to be available.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES.

        No change.

V.) TOILET FACILITIES.

        No change.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING.

        Still satisfactory. On the day of the visit each man received the following rations:

        In the morning coffee.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS.

        No infirmary, only a small inspection room. All the other conditions are the same as mentioned in last report.

        The two British orderlies have been vaccinated against typhus.

        One of the men at the lazaret is suffering from a perforated Ulcus of the stomach. The other cases are only light.

        A dentist is in a nearby village.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        Everybody in this camp is now well equipped and a stock of uniforms is still here.

IX.) LAUNDRY.

        Adequate.

X.) MONEY AND PAY.

        No remarks.

XI.) CANTEEN.

        As in last report.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

        Same remarks as in last report.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE.

        Ample open air space is available.

        An orchestra has been formed, but is short of Jazz Music (Y.M.C.A.)

        One of the prisoners, Sgt. Alderson is in charge of the education in the camp. He repeated again that he needed some text-books for his courses also some books for shorthand. Also stationery, pencils, envelopes, rulers and erasers.

XIV.) MAIL.

        The mail is stated to be very irregular and quite slow in arriving.

        Red Cross parcels have not been distributed for 4 weeks as none have arrived. But private parcels have at last started to come in. Some of them have taken 8 months from England before reaching their destination.

XV.) WELFARE WORK.

        The camp has been visited by the International Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS.

        None.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION.

        The camp has been visited lately by General Graf von der Schulenburg, Chief of the Kriegsgefangenenabteilung of the O.K.W., who, of course, was quite satisfied with the arrangements.

        The British Man of Confidence stated, without being asked for such a statement, that there was a great improvement since the last visit of the representative of the Legation. The prisoners are taken for walks, and as soon as the temperature permits will be allowed to swim in the City's swimming pool. The Church is at their disposal whenever needed.

        In general this is a good camp.

(Signed) Rudolph Iselin

              Dr. H. Wehrle.

(En clair).

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

Mr. Norton.

No.1881.

28th May, 1942.

D. 8.20 p.m. 28th May, 1942.

R. 3.00 p.m. 29th May, 1942.

        Camp report on Stalag III E visited 24th April just received British man of confidence stated spontaneously great improvements since last visit of Swiss Legation representatives. Prisoners taken for walks and permission granted use city swimming pool as soon as temperature permits. Church at their disposal whenever needed. Visitors remark "In general this is good camp". Food and cooking still satisfactory. As regards clothing everybody now well equipped and uniforms in stock. Ample open air space available for recreation. Mail and parcels are irregular. Camp visited by I.R.C.C. and Y.M.C.A. no complaints.

[EN CLAIR]

DEPARTMENTAL NO. 1.

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton

No. 2034

10th June, 1942.

D. 4.46 p.m. 10th June, 1942.

R. 6.10 a.m. 11th June, 1942.

        Swiss Legation Berlin report that British prisoners of war at Stalag III E have been transferred to Kriegsgefangenenlager Ler Luftwaffe No. 3.