Translation from French

(Camp Report K/P.E.B./J.R.L./G.D.)

Germany

Stalag IVA

Visited on the 22nd February 1945 by Mr. KLEINER

Camp Leaders

British: No.15734 Sgt. Raymond Smith

American: No.80488 W.F. Schack # [# "appointe" = Appointed.]

Strength = 26,620 prisoners, among whom are

Civilian Internees 3 British, and

                           2 American

Protected Personnel; 24 Doctor

                                  7 Chaplains

Position and Billeting: There have been no important changes since the last visit of inspection. The head camp, which only houses prisoners working for the German Management or in the camp Leaders' office, as well as for prisoners who are passing through, is rather overcrowded.

        The theatre hall has been turned into temporary billets. Nevertheless, theatrical performances can take place just the same. The rats are not quite as numerous as they were the last time.

Food. The delegate visited the kitchen and took midday soup with the prisoners. The preparation of meals is entrusted to the prisoners, and the rations are in accordance with German prescription, but the Delegate was able to verify that the food issued by the German authorities nowadays is no longer enough to prevent the prisoners from weakening rapidly. At Stalag VIA, as at the detachment Lichtenstein, the Delegate was able to gather a very clear idea of the condition that young American soldiers, strong and in good health fall into after 5 weeks of German food, when they do not receive their food parcels from the Red Cross. At the Stalag, on the very day of the visit, 60 American s were being deloused and bathed themselves. The Delegate was then able to see how thin these men had become; they had reached a stage when they looked like skeletons. We deplore many deaths among the Americans from pneumonia, which the Doctors attribute solely to insufficient nourishment which causes general organic debility. In one detachment of about 900 men, 400 prisoners report sick every day. The men can hardly walk the long distance of 6 kilometres between the detachment and the Stalag. The German Authorities have claim that these prisoners arrived at the Stalag when they were already in a very weak condition, but this condition is greatly aggravated by the food they [get?]. This example shows the dangerous condition which the prisoners will be in here at the end of the war, unless everything is done to provide food supplied by means of collective Red Cross parcels. Enclosed herewith, please find a chart of the German rations from 10th to the 25th February 1945. Officially, the prisoners have the right to check the German deliveries, which is not always done, however.

Clothing  The needs of the prisoners of different nationalities have already been mentioned in the previous report. Hereunder are the figures which the camp leaders gave the Delegate.

        The British request 3000 coats, 3000 complete uniforms, 1500 prs. shoes (sizes 5 and 6); and 1000 prs. of shoes (sizes 7, 8 and 9) Do not send an larger sizes. The British camp leader has already asked for 320 blankets which have not yet arrived. The prisoners have only one German blanket which is of poor quality.

        The position of the Americans is very bad. All the Americans have suffered a great deal. They all need uniforms and shoes. These prisoners look as though they are dressed in rags, in their battledress and old uniforms. On the other hand they declare that prisoners of other nationalities receive uniforms that come from American sources while they receive nothing. We shall refer again under the heading "Collective parcels" to the recriminations on the part of the Americans and the British. On the Delegates intervention the Commandant immediately sent a telegram direct to the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva. The previous telegrams were sent first in writing to the German Red Cross at Ettal, and they were only sent (by wire) from there. The Americans urgently need, before anything else, shirts and underwear as they have no other change of underwear beyond what they stand up in.

Collective parcels. The Delegate again emphasises the fact that the British and the Americans are exasperated because no parcels reach them although wagons for prisoners of other nationalities arrive at the camp. The camp Leaders have already addressed themselves to the American and British Red Cross and have protested. The Delegate can easily understand why illhumour is on the increase at the camp, when American parcels arrive for other prisoners whilst Americans themselves have none. They are not positively suffering from hunger; they are also in such a weakened condition that they cannot throw off any illness and cannot either finish their work thoroughly or undertake short marches. (Please refer to what has been said further on about the Litchtenstein detachment which the Delegate visited with the American camp Leader).

        Thus, after the last visit, the position of the British and Americans has totally changed on account of the arrival of 2,200 Americans in small groups. These Americans have benefited by the British reserves, to the extent of ½ packet per man every week until six weeks ago, but since then, all the stocks have been exhausted. Cigarettes have been lacking for 2 months. It is understandable that these prisoners are embittered when they see American and English cigarettes distributed amongst other prisoners.

        On this account, the British are about 10500 parcels in arrears, not counting the usual monthly distribution of 8,500 parcels. They therefore claim a despatch of 19,000 parcels.

        About six weeks ago, the British provided the Americans according to the British schedule, with a half-packet pr. week. Nevertheless certain Americans, after being some months in captivity in the camp, have not yet received any parcel from Geneva, a special and supplementary issue of 396 Christmas parcels has been forwarded to them.

        The Americans claim the allocations due to them in arrears, that is to say 15,000 parcels, plus a monthly allocation of 10,000 parcels which makes a total of 25,000 parcels.

        The Delegate thinks, however, that these should not be sent in one consignment to Stalag IVA, as provision should be made for evacuating the camp to the West of Elbe, as soon as the Russians advance again. As it is to be feared that some of these parcels might get lost, 20,000 parcels should however be sent immediately for a force of 5900 British and American men.

Lichtenstein Detachment

        Herewith a special report on this detachment which the Delegate was able to visit. There are about 800 Americans and 200 British here all old prisoners.

Positioning and quarters  They consist of 6 living huts and one infirmary situated in a forest. One of the rooms holds about 220 Americans in 3 tier bunks of the usual type. One of the huts has no beds as yet and the prisoners have to sleep on the floor. There is no coal, and the prisoners have not the right to bring in sufficient quantities of wood from the adjoining forests to warm themselves. The "Camp Officer" declares that this camp is still in course of construction.

Hygiene: One water main, in course of construction, should be finished by the end of this week, or the beginning of next week. The latrines are defective and inadequate.

Food  This is very bad and insufficient. The men are very weak and fall ill. All the Americans who only a few months ago were young men full of vigour, have now become wrecks.

Collective parcels  None of these has been received for the past six weeks.

Clothing  Neglected and defective. No means of washing or changing linen.

Medical Services  The infirmary, with 24 beds, is to be enlarged to hold 38 beds. There are some medical stores. There are at present 3 serious cases of pneumonia in the infirmary; one of them is in an acute stage. They are being treated with sulphamide. The following men have died.

                KIRBY, James D. Pte. P/W No.319760, Army Serial No.34917065, Next-of-Kin Father: Kirby, William, Route 3, Roanoke, Alabama. Died of pneumonia, 16th February 1945.

                YOUNG, Peter D. Pte P/W No.319971, A.S.No. 36985702. Next-of-Kin. Mother Mrs. McBain. Route 2, Michigan. Died of pneumonia, 17th February 1945.

                DE WALD, Alven P/W No.318960 A.S.No. 39207513. Next-of-Kin Father: DR WALD, Arthur, Route 2, Box No.820, Auburn, Washington. Died of pneumonia and cardiac debility on the 19th Feb. 1945.

        According to the doctors in attendance, other deaths are expected from cases arising out of severe chills developing into pneumonia as, in view of the enfeebled condition of the organism, the prisoners have little resistance left.

        There are, in addition in the infirmary many cases of diarrhoea and debility. On the day of our visit, 200 shirts were issued on the doctor's demand, but they had not reached the detachment.

        It is absolutely necessary to attach an American and a British doctor to this detachment. The two Polish doctors do not enjoy the confidence of either the Americans or the British.

Recreation and intellectual and spiritual needs  Nothing has been organised in this respect.

Work  According to an order from the American camp authorities, the hours of work per day have been reduced to 5, in view of the feeble condition of the prisoners. The prisoners think these measures have been taken simply because raw materials are in short supply on the labour sites.

Discipline: The prisoners are said to have been ill treated by the Guards with blows and kicks. The prisoner who was prostrated on arriving at Stalag IVA and is now being treated at the district infirmary for pneumonia, was beaten with a stick gathered on the way. The Camp Officer has promised to hold a full enquiry into the matter.

        On the day of our visit, some guards had taken some biscuits away from a prisoner. As no clear explanation has been forthcoming an enquiry is to be held.

Conclusion: This detachment is bad from every point of view. The American camp leader has also sent a report to the Delegate on the detachment at Groditz. There again an American died of Pneumonia some time ago. The doctor at the factory is said to have done nothing whatever to save him.

        The billets are said to be bad. As an Lichtenstein, a number of the prisoners are said to have to sleep on the ground and only to have one blanket. The Americans have no greatcoats either at Lichtenstein or at Gröditz. Enquiries are being made.

        One may assert from this report that the conditions under which some of the Americans in the precincts of this Stalag are living are extremely bad - indeed, disturbing. What is most striking, is the number of deaths to occur from pneumonia.

Pay  Nothing to note.

Correspondence. The mail which ought to have left the camp, has been provisionally detained at the Stalag, as the post offices can no longer guarantee re-transmission since the bombing of Dresden.

Recreation and Intellectual and Spiritual needs. All is organised at the Camp. However, the state of mind of the prisoners at the present time does not prompt them to seek much recreation one way or another.

Interview with the Camp Leaders. All questions were freely discussed in detail. The delegate was able to give the camp leaders some information.

        The delegate was able to verify that, in the event of an alert (as happened during his visit) they place a machine gun in position on the turret and in a small Garden near the post office in the camp itself. Orders are given to fire on the bombers which come in low, in this way endangering the whole camp.

        On behalf of all nationalities the Polish camp leader requests that sugar should always be issued apart and the same should be done with the potatoes, which the prisoners would prepare with food from the parcels, instead of using them in the preparation of the communal meals.

        The British camp leader requests Geneva not to trouble any longer about sending a lathe for watchmending. On the other hand, he asks for forms to establish an inventory of stocks and orders.

        The British camp leader says he is doing all he can to send a detailed inventory of stocks regularly. He has had duplicate lists made for the detachment, but on account of difficulties in re-transmitting by post, he is not always in a position to send these reports to Geneva as he would like to do.

        The American camp leader and his staff have only been living at the Stalag since 7th February 1945. They previously lived at Detachment No. 1311.

        A great source of worry is the problem of an eventual evacuation of the camp. The prisoners would like above all to know what their new destination will be and to be assured that they will in every case be protected by the "Wehrmacht".

        On the other hand the prisoners would like to be certain that the Wehrmacht who accompany them will not engage any enemy troops they may encounter, so that the question of the security of prisoners in retreat need not arise.

        They also wish that all the detachment and prisoners should be removed from towns which might still be subjected to air raids. Although the number of prisoner victims of the Dresden raid is not yet known, it would appear to be very high.

Medical Services. Having had to make this tour alone, in view of the circumstances, the Delegate was, for lack of time, unable to inspect the small infirmary. He confined himself to a brief interview with the British Medical Officer.

Request. About 50 Medical Parcels so as to be able to distribute them to each detachment and a few to the Wolfnitz infirmary at Dresden.

Final interview with the German Authorities. The Camp Commandant gave the following replies to questions which the Delegate had asked him to define.

        1. Suspension of Mail. This situation is only temporary, since Dresden and other towns have been bombed.

        2. Quartering of prisoners evacuated from the Wehrkreis VIII. They do not come under the Stalag authority. Their "Makeshift" quarters will be changed or improved.

        3. Anti-Aircraft measures. These will be taken at Hentsch and at Provianthofstrasse, as the prisoners ask. At Prossen, they will be improved according to German plans.

        4. Machine guns in camp, for active anti-aircraft defence. The weapons come into action only when bombers attack at low level. The question of transferring these guns to positions outside the camp will be considered.

        5. Waltersdorfmühle Detachment. It will be disbanded.

        6. Sugar and potatoes issued separately. At present sugar is issued sometimes in the tea, sometimes separately. This is not possible as regards potatoes, as the soup would no longer be substantial.

        7. Telegrams will again be permitted in urgent cases.

        8. Question of Evacuation. The Commandant will comply with orders which will be given him then. He will communicate the new destination to the prisoners as soon as he has permission. The German Authorities cannot provide the prisoners with means of transport. However, they will be authorised to obtain vehicles and to organise a system of relays. All serious cases will be sent to civil or military hospitals and abandoned to the enemy.

        9. Lichtenstein Detachment. What have been, and what will be, the measures taken by the Kommandantur to ameliorate the conditions in this detachment? Reply. The water main will be ready as soon as possible. It would have been ready long since, if the Americans did not work so slowly and if Dresden had not been bombed. The Authorities will arrange for the bunks which are still required. The camp is in course of construction. The authorities will try and supply more potatoes through the intermediary of the factory and to serve hot soup also at midday. (Up to now, only the evening meal has been served hot). They will also try to arrange for the principal meal to be served at midday.

        10. Gröditz Detachment. Enquiries are being made.

Conclusion. It looks as if the Commandant was prejudiced against the Americans and the British whose position is very bad. The prisoners of other nationalities are still living under bearable conditions.

MENU OF P. O. W. Camp

for the period from 19th February to 25th February, 1945.

* The dictionary gives "Friebank" meat as "from the shambles"

Notes: In the event of supply difficulties the above foodstuffs may either be replaced by others or struck off the menu.

Date: 11th February, 1945.

I/C Kitchen Management

(sd)

Major in Pay Corps.

[Note: The following table is printed on the reverse of the above table and each gap between the foods represents the above days of the week, from Monday to Sunday.]

* K.E.M. = possibly War Ersatz Coffee ("KRIEGS ERSATZ MOKKA")

Camp M.O.                    Approved

(sd)                                 (sd) Colonel and Commandant.

Major

CONFIDENTIAL

Date of visit: February 12th, 1945.

No. 700.

RESERVELAZARETT RODEWISCH

German Chefarzt: Stabsarzt Dr. Carriere

St[?]vertr. Chefarzt: Oberstabsarzt Dr. Wallrapp

Abetilungsarzt: Stabsarzt Dr. Grzeschinchna

        This is a lazaret of the German Wehrmacht which is determined for neurologic and psychiatric cases. The Protecting Power has been advised by the German High Command that British and American prisoners of war are sent to this lazaret, above all severe cases and cases needing a special investigation and medical observation. On the day of the visit there was only one British POW in this lazaret. The delegate of the Protecting Power has been this patient and has been informed that he is suffering from war-neurosis (facial tic on the right side, stuttering and other psychogen functional troubles). He will soon be sent back to the lazaret Schmorkau. His name: ANSON, G.E. POW No. 802.

        The delegate has been told by the German doctors that until now there have been only a few British or American prisoners of war in this lazaret.

        Medical treatment and interior arrangement are corresponding to the usual German hospital for neurologic and psychiatric cases. There are no complaints about the treatment and about the outfit of this lazaret.

sgd. Dr. Meier, Attache

W.O.Ref. 0103/5710 (P.W.2.)

F.O.Ref. K.W.2/4.

No. 1539

        His Majesty's Minister at Berne presents his compliments to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and has the honour to transmit to him the under-mentioned documents.

        British Legation,

        Berne.

        10th April, 1945.

From: Federal Political Department.

Subject: Report on religious activities at Stalag IV.A.

6.4.45.

The Chief Man of Confidence

For Padre R.R. Davey.

Stalag IV. A. Hohnstein

SWISS LEGATION, ACTING AS PROTECTING POWER,

SCHLOSS, BANTIKOW,

NEUSTADT/DOSSE(2).

        Gentlemen,

        I am sending this short report of the religious activities in this stalag, as you requested in your last visit.

        Since March 1944 I have been working as padre in this stalag, which is known as a "working stalag". In consequence of this the men are to be found in small detachments scattered all over this area. At present with round about 6,000 men there are about 80 camps in this district.

        VISITS.  During the year I have visited 180 Camps and am now well through my third round of the complete stalag. In these visits I have conducted some 160 services. Being a Y.M.C.A. secretary I have tried to make these such as can be acceptable to all denominations with of course the exception of some members of the Catholic Church. I was able to spend the night in the kommando and so able to help the men with any personal matters.

        HOSPITAL VISITS  Included in my work since June has been the visitation of two of the stalag hospitals; these are at Schmorkau and Konigswartha and usually there are about 100-250 patients in residence. Also there are a number of infirmary (Kranken Revier) which I have been allowed to visit from time to time.

        FUNERALS  Unfortunately I have had to officiate at ten funerals.

        RELIGIOUS LITERATURE.  We have been most fortunate in receiving a constant supply of literature of all sorts from the W.A. Y.M.C.A. and the Chaplains Department in Geneva and now practically all of the men have access to some such literature.

        GENERAL POINTS:

                1. Naturally on account of the travelling difficulties and the large number of camps to be visited, my visits are few and far between. However I am very gratified to report that a considerable number of the parties have organised their own religious activities.

                2. There is a continual demand for the services of a Roman Catholic priest.

                3. From what has been reported above it is very evident that the work of one padre in this large area is utterly inadequate.

        I will be most grateful if you will be good enough to pass on this report to the proper authorities in England.

        I am, Yours most sincerely,

        (Sgd). R.R. Davey.

        Padre and Y.M.C.A. Secretary.

        STALAG IV A VISITED 22ND FEBRUARY SEE REPORT 25TH OCTOBER SAME BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE STOP SCHACK W 80488 AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE FRYLINK HENRICUS SGT 107450 HOLLAND REPRESENTATIVE OUT OF 26620 PRISONERS 3685 BRITISH OF WHICH 11 OFFICERS 67 NCO 50 IN CAMP 3 CIVILIANS STOP 65 CANADIANS 30 AUSTRALIANS 57 NEWZEALANDERS 354 SOUTH AFRICANS 7 INDIANS 2207 AMERICANS OF WHICH 8 OFFICERS 7 NCO 4 IN CAMP 2 CIVILIANS STOP STRENGTH HEAVIER THEATRE TEMPORARILY TRANSFORMED FOR HOUSING WITHOUT INTERRUPTING SHOWS STOP RATS LESS NUMEROUS FOOD INSUFFICIENT DELEGATE NOTICED GREAT LOSS WEIGHT SEVERAL DEATHS AMONG AMERICANS FROM PNEUMONIA WHICH DOCTORS ATTRIBUTE TO UNDER NOURISHMENT AND FEEBLENESS STOP FOR INSTANCE DETACHMENT OF 900 MEN CONTAINS 400 SICK STOP BRITISH REQUEST 3000 OVERCOATS 3000 UNIFORMS 1500 PAIRS BOOTS NO 5 AND 6 STOP 1000 PAIRS NO 7 8 AND 9 STOP 3200 BLANKETS ALREADY REQUESTED NOT ARRIVED STOP AT PRESENT TIME ONE BAD QUALITY BLANKET PER MAN STOP STATE AMERICAN CLOTHING DEPLORABLE SITUATION CRITICAL STOP DUTCH ALSO STOP CONSIGNMENT 20000 FOOD PARCELS ABSOLUTELY URGENT NO RECENT CONSIGNMENT RECEIVED SITUATION CRITICAL PRISONERS VERY FEEBLE SPECIALLY AMERICANS INCAPABLE OF SUPPORTING EVENTUAL EVACUATION STOP BRITISH STILL HAVE RESERVES FOR ONE DISTRIBUTION REQUEST 19000 PARCELS STOP FOR AMERICANS 25000 PARCELS NECESSARY STOP

        DETACHMENT LICHTENSTEIN VISITED 800 AMERICANS 200 BRITISH IN 6 HUTS AS INFIRMARY BEING SET UP HYGIENE FOOD INSUFFICIENT AMERICANS ALL YOUNG HUNGRY NO PARCELS SINCE 6 WEEKS CLOTHING DEPLORABLE 3 DEATHS RECENTLY PNEUMONIA STILL OTHER VERY SERIOUS CASES BRITISH OR AMERICAN DOCTOR NECESSARY NO CHAPLAIN 5 HOURS WORK PER DAY TIRING FOR PRISONERS ALL FEEBLE STOP BAD TREATMENT STOP COMMANDANT OPENING ENQUIRY STOP BAD DETACHMENT STOP

        DETACHMENT GROEDITZ ONCE RECENT AMERICAN DEATH FROM PNEUMONIA THROUGH LACK OF TREATMENT GENERAL CONDITIONS BAD DELEGATE OBTAINS PROMISE IMPROVEMENTS FULLSTOP

        [Beginning of text missing due to torn page] REPRESENTATIVE STOP BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE PREEBLE PETER CPL 252864 AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE SANDLIN WILLIAM SGT OUT OF 45992 PRISONERS 4833 BRITISH INCLUDING 151 NCO 3 DOCTORS 2 CHAPLAINS 38 IN CAMP STOP 35 CANADIANS INCLUDING 5 NCO 23 AUSTRALIANS 35 NEW ZEALANDERS INCLUDING 3 NCO 248 SOUTH AFRICANS INCLUDING 8 NCO 7 IRISH 2373 AMERICANS INCLUDING 3 OFFICERS 105 NCO 7 IN CAMP STOP 410 DUTCH INCLUDING [?] NCO 4 IN CAMP STOP NO CHANGES HEATING SATISFACTORY DURING WINTER RATIONS DIMINISHED EVERYWHERE STOP DISTRIBUTION PARCELS STILL NORMAL RECENTLY FOR DETACHMENTS ALSO BUT RESERVES NOW EXHAUSTED SEVERAL WAGGONS CONSIGNED TO OTHER CAMPS EVACUATED ARRIVED HERE BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBLE STORING DISTRIBUTION COMMENCED WHICH DELEGATE ORDERS TO SUSPEND UNTIL FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS IN RELATION TO EVACUATIONS STOP FOUR WAGGONS ARRIVED FOR AMERICANS SEVERAL THEFTS LOCALLY NECESSARY PROVIDE FOOD FOR COMPANIES EVACUATED PRISONERS BUT TRANSPORT FACILITIES FEW STOP CLOTHING BAD FOR ALL SPECIALLY AMERICANS STOP INFIRMARY TOO SMALL COMMANDANT PROMISES OPEN ANOTHER NEIGHBOURING ESTABLISHMENT STOP CONTACT BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES AND DETACHMENTS DIFFICULT SEVERAL PARTICULAR COMPLAINTS SPECIALLY IN AMERICAN DETACHMENTS DELEGATE OBTAINS EXPLANATION FROM COMMANDANT AND OPENING OF ENQUIRY FULLSTOP

        RESERVELAZARETT BILIN VISITED 24TH FEBRUARY SEE REPORT 27TH OCTOBER SAME REPRESENTATIVE 26 BRITISH 1 CANADIAN 2 AUSTRALIANS 3 SOUTH AFRICANS 5 AMERICANS 14 DUTCH OUT OF SOME HUNDREDS PRISONERS NOT YET OVERCROWDED BUT RATIONS DIMINISHED SUPPLEMENTED BY RED CROSS PARCELS UP To THE PRESENT HALF PARCEL PER WEEK STOP DOCTOR OBTAINS SUPPLEMENT FOR SOME SICK STOP DIETS POSSIBLE STOP BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE REQUESTS CONSIGNMENT 30 UNIFORMS AND UNDERWEAR TO FORM STOCKS FOR PRISONERS EVACUATED FROM WEHRKREIS VIII WHO ARRIVE DESTITUTE STOP PARCEL RESERVE NEARLY EXHAUSTED STOP 45 PARCELS ANNOUNCED FOR DUTCH STOP DOCTORS STILL HAVE SUFFICIENT DRUGS BUT NECESSARY DOUBLE CONSIGNMENTS CAMPHOR GLUCOSE SOLUTION AMPULLAS CALCIUM SANDOZ TRANSPULMIN SULPHAMIDE FOR INJECTIONS AND TABLETS CARDIACA DIGALINE ROCHE CORAMIN CIPA CHLOREETHYL [End]