Stalag IIIE

This camp which only has been in use for British prisoners of war for about two months, is situated close to a little room about 120 km south of Berlin. It is apparently not yet settled, whether the camp is going to continue to be used in the future for the camp houses belonging to a shooting club have been taken over for other uses. There are 3 brick pavillions used as dormitories, and one long building for kitchen, wash room etc. are quite nicely situated in a small valley and there are big lawns, but no trees or bushes inside the barbed-wire fences. Air-raid shelters have been dug in the ground, but were not yet quite ready. (No particular problem in this area.)

In the camp were at the time of the visit 185 British prisoners of war, all flying sergeants belonging to the R.A.F. Of the prisoners 157 were English, 15 Canadians, 4 Australians, 4 New Zealanders, 2 Americans and 3 Poles. The present number of prisoners must be said to be a maximum, as the camp is full. There were two men in arrest for 5 days, because of attempts to escape. This matter will be more thoroughly discussed under point 16 below. The "arrest cell" is a small room about 3 by 3 meters without any window and with only a small ventilator up at the ceiling. There is no heating or electric light. The room is furnished with two bunks without mattresses or blankets. It was stated that at one time 5 prisoners had been kept in this room. The prisoners had no facilities for washing, but had been only taken out for exercise for a short while each morning and afternoon. The Embassy representative pointed out, that strong representations would be made to the German High Command against this violation of Articles 46 and 56 of the Geneva Convention. (This matter has been brought to the attention of the German High Command.)

The 3 pavillions used as dormitories are all about alike. They are well heated with stoves of Dutch tiles and have sufficient electric light. In addition there is one room close to the kitchen which also is used as a dormitory. From this room the attempt to escape was made and as the wall had been broken through, it was now under repairs and could not be used. It was stated by the acting Commander that as soon as the room was repaired and new barbed wires had been put up outside, it would be put in use again. In the meantime the other dormitories were very crowded. As the beds in the spare room could not be moved the prisoners had to sleep on the floor in the other rooms. It was however stated, by the acting Commander that this has only been the case for a few days and would be settled in a few more days. Otherwise the dormitories are not bad. They are furnished with triple tier wooden bunks, and at the windows are tables and benches. Some of the men had only one blanket, but it was stated, that more were being obtained.

The wash room was formerly some kind of store room. It is a big deep room without windows and gets light only through the broad entrance on one side. There is also electric light, but no heating. The room is provided with two long troughs and 28 faucets with running water. It was stated that a stove has been ordered for this room. At the moment there are no bathing facilities, but the acting Commander promised to try to arrange a shower of some kind. As a whole the washing facilities are not on the level with the standard seen in most other camps and the matter has been brought to the attention of the German High Command.

There are two latrines of the pit type, with rows of seats. They are both rather primitive and there were complaints, that the latrines are not emptied often enough. The latrine buildings are draughty, but it was promised, that they would be tightened and put into better order for the winter. This matter will be looked into at the next visit. In this camp as in many others there were complaints about a shortage of toilet paper. There are no night latrines and it was stated this caused much inconvenience, as the men often have to knock on the door for quite a while before the guard heard them and let them out. (Letter to German High Command).

The kitchen is quite good and modernly equipped. 3 British prisoners are working in the kitchen. There are no complaints. The paymaster stated that he had orders not to hand out any copy of the menu. (This will be brought to the attention of the German High Command) as in all other camps such copies can be obtained. The official food ration was stated to be the usual one, including

400 grams meat

260 " fat

750 " potatoes daily

225 grams sugar

2250 " bread, weekly,

The British Man of Confidence stated that the food usually tasted very good, but that it was sometimes hardly sufficient. They were all most anxiously waiting for food parcels from home. The acting Commander promised that when these parcels started to arrive, arrangements would be made for the men to be able to prepare their own food from them.

Medical attention in this camp hardly gave the impression of being satisfactory. Two of the prisoners are sanitary men and acting as such, and the local German physician visits the camp about 3 times a week. But there is no infirmary or examination room of any kind. In case of severe sickness the patient is transferred to a nearby hospital, but the lighter cases have to stay in the regular barracks among the comrades. At the moment only one man had been sent to the hospital. He had tried to escape, but had given it up because of exhaustion and it had been found out that he suffers from a weak heart. Several of the men were stated to be in need of special diet, because of stomach trouble. The matter was discussed with the German doctor who however stated that only 3 men at the time could be given special diet, because of available rations and if more needed it, they must wait until the first 3 had had their treatment. The Embassy representative pointed out that this was hardly the medical way to look at the matter but the doctor stated that he could do nothing more about it. He promised to discuss the matter about an infirmary with the Commander. (Representations to German High Command). Several of the men asked to be taken to a dentist to have their teeth repaired. It was however stated, that only in case of pain the German authorities could pay for the treatment and as the prisoners receive no pay it could not be arranged for them to go for other reasons. (This matter will also be brought to the attention of the German High Command).

The prisoners have one uniform each. For the winter use one coat has been ordered. Some of the men have no underwear at all and nobody has more than one pair. The reason for having no underwear was given to be that some of them had been captured in Libya where because of the heat, they did not wear any undersuits. The matter was discussed with the acting Commander who stated that he had not heard of this before and would have this matter investigated immediately. At the time of the visit all the prisoners had only one pair of clogs of the slipper type. It was stated that their flying boots and shoes had been taken away after the attempt to escape as a matter of security, and also as some kind of punishment but that they would be returned in a few days. The prisoners also asked for some kind of a cap as they had all arrived in their flying helmet, which had been taken away. The acting Commander promised to take up this matter also. (The unsatisfactory condition of the clothing has also been brought to the attention of the German High Command.)

The men do the laundry themselves. They have received soap and there was no complaint on this matter.

The prisoners in this camp are all non-commissioned officers, receive no money. Some of them have volunteered to go out to work but it was stated that no work has yet been found for them. (Letter to the German High Command).

As they had had foreign currency in their possession at the time of capture, some asked if they could have this money exchanged into camp money. The acting Commander promised to investigate this matter. (The matter has also been brought to the attention of the German High Command.)

As the prisoners have no money the camp authorities had not been able to start a canteen. The prisoners were of course most anxious to be able to get necessary toilet articles etc.

18 Catholics among the prisoners have the opportunity of going to a nearby church under guard now and again. For the others there is as yet no religious activity. (Letter to German High Command.)

Very little has been done for the prisoners recreation. There is quite good space for exercise inside the fences but the prisoners have no outdoor games of any kind except a football which however had been taken away as punishment for the attempt to escape. The Embassy representative pointed out that this is a kind of collective punishment and a violation of article 46 of the Convention and the acting Commander promised to discuss this matter with the Commander. A few games and a few personal books are the only means for indoor occupation. 50 more books were brought from the Embassy at the time of the visit. There are no recreation rooms of any kind. The acting Commander stated that they had asked for one more barrack for this purpose but as it is not yet decided whether the prisoners are to be kept in this camp indefinitely, they had not received any. (The matter will be brought to the attention of the German High Command, and the question of games and books to the attention of the international Y.M.C.A. in Berlin.)

Only 6 of the prisoners have received mail from home, but as they had been in the camp for about 2 months the others were not yet worrying about this. They are all allowed to send 2 letters and 4 postcards monthly. No parcels have arrived yet and the men were naturally most anxious to receive some as soon as possible. As they have no money they have had no cigarettes since capture.

There were serious complaints about the collective punishment because of attempt to escape. 12 of the prisoners had broken through the wall and succeeded in getting out of the camp. The acting Commander stated that the other prisoners had helped their comrades by making music and all kinds of noise in the courtyard, while the 12 were working. All twelve had apparently been captured within a few days and sentenced to 5 days arrest. As the arrest cell (see point two) could not possibly hold more than 5 at the time, some of the others had been held by the police in town while waiting for their real punishment. It was however found out that no one had been confined for more than 10 days together. Because of their help the other prisoners of war had been kept in their dormitories for 10 days and just had been taken out for a few minutes walk twice a day. As mentioned above their football had been taken away. (Representations to German High Command).

There were also complaints about the eating tools. As it was thought forks and knives might be used for attempts to escape, these had been taken away and it was stated that the spoons which were left are very bad. The acting Commander stated that the spoons are of the same kind as those used by the German soldiers, but that he would try to arrange that the knives and forks will be returned. (Letter to German High Command.)

The Man of Confidence asked on behalf of his comrades if they could be taken out for walks under parole. The prisoners felt that as the Catholics among them can go to Church under parole, walks for all should be allowed. The Commander stated he could not allow this.

The impression of this camp is definitely not good. Part of the tension between the German authorities and the prisoners of war is certainly due to the attempt to escape that had occurred a fortnight ago, but the conditions seem to have grown worse due to the collective punishments inflicted on the prisoners. The Embassy representative also got the impression that little is being done in the camp for the benefit of the prisoners. The acting Commander, about 65 years and an old marine officer, made a very nice and sympathetic impression, but did not seem to be in the position of being allowed to put things in order.

It is regrettable that the real Commander was not present at the time of the visit, and that the decision has not yet been made as to whether the camp will continue to be operated. Strong representations are being made to the German High Command covering all unsatisfactory conditions mentioned above. Plans will be made to revisit this camp at an early opportunity.

All matters subject to complaints in this respect have been discussed with the local camp authorities. Defects which the local camp authorities refuse to correct or state they are unable to correct have been taken up with the German High Command in Berlin in a letter dated October 8. 1941.

The American Ambassador presents his compliments to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and has the honor to transcribe below the text of a telegram received from the American Embassy at Berlin, under date of October 7, 1941:

'Stalag IIIE now British camp in which 185 R.A.F. non-commissioned officers have been detained for two months was visited October second. Although camp is well located and buildings appear generally adequate, impressions were on the whole unsatisfactory and representations are being made to German High Command regarding a number of unsatisfactory conditions including poor washing and toilet facilities, inadequate medical attention, clothing, lack of recreation rooms, and the unsatisfactory arrest cell. Embassy plans to revisit this camp at an early opportunity to ensured rectification of conditions. Meanwhile prisoners are anxious for parcel shipments to commence and would also appreciate games and books. Camp contains only non-commissioned officers who are not employed and who therefore have no money to spend. Unless German-British negotiations for payment of Wehrsold to non-commissioned officer captives goes through in the near future, many at this camp will want to receive toilet articles from home. Full report follows by mail. MORRIS'