Translation by the London Delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross

STALAG IV A

Visited by Dr. Landolt and Dr. Thudichum on October 25th. 1944

British Camp Leader - Sgt. Raymond SMITH. No. 15734

A British doctor has recently arrived at the hospital.

Strength - 25,156 p.o.w. as follows -

                1 British chaplain

        Besides the prisoners mentioned in the above figures, there are also in the camp 11 British and 4 American civilian internees practically treated as prisoners of war.

Situation and Accommodation - The old castle situated on a mountain crag has already been sufficiently described. No important changes have taken place since the last visit of the Delegate of the International Committee of the Red Cross. There is to be reported a plague of rats which eat food in the storerooms and run over the prisoners' beds at night. The Camp Commander promised the Delegate that rat poison should be used.

Clothing - The Delegates were informed by the British Camp Leader that he had ordered direct from Geneva a quantity of boots, sizes 5, 6, 7; he stresses the urgent need for this consignment.

        In view of the anticipated arrival of numerous British p.o.w. from the front, the Camp Leader would like to constitute a stock for 1000 men as follows -

                Gloves

                Soap

                Razors

                Razor blades

                Shaving soap

                Tooth paste

                Tooth brushes

        The Camp Leader further requests an extra supply of soap as in several industrial working parties the prisoners are obliged to do very dirty work.

        The Camp Leader informed the Delegates that uniforms worn by the prisoners on capture are taken away and replaced by uniforms provided by the Red Cross. The prisoners are often then deprived of, for instance, a short or some other piece of clothing and, further, they have no spare uniforms. The Delegate referred the matter to the Camp Commander who stated that uniforms worn by the prisoners on capture are only removed when the latter had received two uniforms from the Red Cross and were in possession of full sets of underclothing. The Commander will look into the matter and see that his orders are carried out.

        The tailor's workshop is near the camp; the men would like to have a tailor in the camp itself and the Camp Commander will see if there is still one available.

Food - The rations issued by the German authorities can be controlled. (See attached list of rations for the camp).

Collective consignments - The "B. de.B." order concerning reserves of collective consignments has been applied in this camp as follows:-

        In the main camp and at the working parties, prisoners receive daily portions of food from collective consignments; the parcels are stored outside the camp; for the working parties, reserves are stored in each locality under the control of the Camp Leaders; the system of two locks has been continued, which allows control by the Camp Leaders.

        See also paragraph headed "Clothing".

        The British Camp Leader drew the Delegates' attention to the fact that delay in transport of parcels from the camp to working parties often extends over 4 to 8 weeks; he suggests that a lorry could be used for this purpose, as practised for the French. The latter have sometimes lent their lorry and the British Camp Leader would also like to oblige the French; he requests oil and anthractite. The lorry he requires would also be useful for the transport of urgent cases; such a lorry would naturally have to be gas driven.

Medical attention - Medical attention is satisfactorily assured. The infirmary contains 30 beds; there are no serious cases, these being sent to Mühlberg or Königswartha, and to Elsterhorst for the British. The authorities at Königswartha Hospital raise some difficulty in admitting patients although the hospital is not overcrowded. The Delegates have sent a note to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht on this subject.

        Medical supplies arrive regularly from Geneva and there is no lack. The doctor requires a supply of exanthematic vaccine.

        The dental service is working well.

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - Religious services are held regularly in the whole of the camp.

        No sport can be practised in the main camp, the castle courtyard not being convenient for this purpose as it is small and not level. To compense, the prisoners are allowed one outing a week under escort.

        Footballs and ping-pong balls are required for the working parties.

        The British would like, above all, to receive footballs, several new working parties having been formed as a result of the increase in the camp strength. The Y.M.C.A. cannot supply a sufficiently large number. For these same reasons, the British also require 3 complete team sets of football dresses. They would also like to receive card games and other such as Mah-Jong, also 16 x 32 m/m films as they have a cinema apparatus which is working well.

Work - During their journey in the camp area, the Delegates were able to speak with the Camp Leaders of two working party sections. The working parties are in good order but complaints are made in some of them regarding the scarcity of food. The prisoners in these detachments are employed in small industrial works. The German Camp Commanders have promised the Delegates that the quantity will be studied and dealt with.

Mail - Prisoners may send the usual number of letters and cards.

Pay - Pay is normal.

Discipline - Discipline in the main camp is very strict.

Interview with Camp Leaders - The Delegates interviewed the Camp Leaders without witnesses. The points discussed have already been mentioned or will appear in the final interview.

Final Interview -

        1. The British Camp Leader pointed out to the Delegates that in Working Parties, No. 1307 and Hoyerswerd Erika-Werke, the key of the collective consignment stores is held by a civilian and the Working Party Representative cannot control the stores. Reply - The question will be examined and dealt with.

        2. There is a lack of store room for collective consignments. Reply - This cannot be the case in the main camp where there are sufficient store rooms. Enquiries will be made as to which detachment is concerned and the matter will be put in order.

        3. On the whole, "Sonderkommando" No.820 is satisfactory except that there is no direct water supply; water has to be brought in barrels by lorries - under present circumstances the supply is not always regular, specially on Sundays. Reply - The question of transferring this detachment elsewhere has already been considered as it is practically impossible to lay down water pipes the camp being placed on a mountain shoulder. The Commander will give this matter his personal attention and in any case supplies by lorries will be assured.

        4. There are 5 prisoners in Working Party No.176 with symptoms of tuberculosis. A fresh case has just been found which would tend to prove that a centre of infection exists in this detachment. A radiological examination was made a few days ago; what was the result? Reply - (from the Stabsarzt) The result of the examination is not yet known, as soon as this is the case the matter will be attended to.

        5. One of the working party camps having been destroyed by bombardment, the occupants have been accommodated in Working Party No.110; the huts are rudimentary and in bad condition. Reply - It is difficult to find other accommodation for these prisoners.

        6. Prisoners under detention in the camp have no regular outings, no supervision being available. Reply - The Commander was not aware of this matter which will naturally be put in order.

Conclusion - The Working Parties visited by the Delegates gave a good impression. The main camp is relatively good, but the discipline ruling therein creates a somewhat strained feeling. The Delegates were favourably impressed by the Camp Commander.

DAILY RATIONS

[Note: The following table is printed on the next page to the above and the spaces between sections presumably relate to the dates above.]

Translation by the London Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross

SCHMORKAU HOSPITAL

Visited by Dr. Thudichum and Dr. Landolt on October 23rd. 1944

British Representative and Senior British Medical Officer - Dr. Capt. Stevenson WRIGHT, No.23898.

Strength - 503 prisoners including -

Situation and accommodation - Schmorkau Hospital is situated a few kilometers to the North of a small town.

        The hospital was set up in the building of an immense old estate and there are also 4 large wooden huts. It is very difficult to describe the exact situation of the different buildings but it will suffice to say that the various sections are well separated, and nationalities. A hut has been reserved for the British. All special and some surgical cases have been housed in the numerous rooms comprised in the stone buildings.

        The hospital has 600 plain iron beds provided with mattresses stuffed with shavings; a certain number of beds provided with real mattresses are reserved for serious cases.

        All the wards are sufficiently large; ventilation and lighting are good. The heating gives no cause for criticism. The whole installation is plain and clean.

        The bedding is changed every fortnight; all patients are given pyjamas.

Hygiene - There is no trace of vermin in the hospital. The fumigating centre is actually being modernised. All patients are disinfected on their arrival.

        The water is sweet and in sufficient quantities; washbasins are in order.

        [Line too faint to be readable]

        Showerbaths may be taken regularly once a week.

        Latrines are clean and in sufficient number.

Food - Cooking for all the prisoners is carried out in a large central kitchen.

        Rations are posted up, are normal and can be controlled; no complaints were registered.

        Two small kitchens are used for preparing food from personal and from Red Cross parcels. One is reserved for British prisoners; enough fuel is supplied. Prisoners beginning to feel the effects resulting from the suppression of personal parcels and the diminution of Red Cross supplies.

Clothing - Reference should be made, regarding this matter, to reports on the camps from whence the patients come.

        All patients receive pyjamas; doctors and some of the medical personnel have overalls.

Canteen - There is no canteen.

Medical attention - The majority of the patients at Schmorkau come from Stalag IV A; among them are men from all the camps in the Wehrkreis as this hospital includes a neuro-psychiatric centre, a dermato-venereal centre and an important operating ward.

        Patients receive attention from fourteen doctors, many of whom are specialists.

        The Medical Section has an average of about a hundred patients, the majority suffering from gastro-intestinal complaints. Special diets include white bread and skimmed milk.

        The Surgical Section is the most important in the hospital. There are about 250 beds. The operating theatre is very rudimentary but has given good results. A very fair number of instruments allows for all operations to be performed, with the exception of osteo-synthesis. It also includes an aseptic operation room and a dressing ward. There is no lack of bandaging material.

        During the month of September, 137 operations were performed.

        A few isolation wards are reserved for infectious cases, which are rare; there have been no epidemics. In the course of the last few months, there have only been a few cases of diphtheria, scarlet fever, dysentery, and two typhus cases during the year.

        Only the medical personnel at the hospital is vaccinated against exanthematic typhus; British medical stores still contain a stock of 300 cc. of vaccine.

        The neuro-psychiatric centre is under the direction of two specialists; from 90 to 100 patients are under treatment. Members of the medical personnel working in this section are changed from time to time, unless they happen to be specialised in this branch.

        There are about fifty beds in the dermato-venereal section; there are a good many fresh cases of gonorrhea and syphilis. This service is directed by a French specialist.

        Cases of oto-rhino-laryngology and those of opthalmology are transferred to Königswartha, while urological cases are sent to a German hospital for advice.

        The hospital radiological section is working well.

        A fairly well equipped laboratory can be used for usual analysis.

        Dental attention is given by a French dental surgeon for all ordinary care; prosthesis can only be effected in the dental workshops in the various camps; sufficient material is supplied for this work by the Detaining Power.

        Medical stores are well supplied; nevertheless, the Delegates were asked for the following preparations -

                Somnifere Roche

                Vitamin C

                Percaine ipobare (nearly all operative surgery is done by rachi-anesthesia)

        There is enough bandaging material and gauze.

        The number of patients is generally about 500; doctors are satisfied with facilities given for treatment in the various sections. Red Cross parcels play an important part in convalescence; there is very slight mortality. Operations are performed normally, without ensuing complications and as the majority are effected under rachi-anesthesia pulmonary troubles are avoided. When patients are cured, they are kept in hospital a certain time before returning to their working parties where for some time they only do light work; doctors consider that their advice on these matters is followed in most cases.

        Unfit for service - Doctors experience no difficulty in registering a man as unfit for service when this is the case, specially prisoners affected with mental diseases.

        A party of British will go before the Mixed Medical Commission at the end of October.

        Deceased - A list of p.o.w. deceased in hospital could not be made out in time to be handed to the Delegates. Funerals are carried out in a correct manner.

        The medical personnel's mail allowance is doubled. British medical personnel and doctors are allowed outings (unescorted) for three hours twice a week, whereas medical personnel and doctors of other nations are free to go out every day from 1 to 5 p.m. if their work is finished.

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - Three Catholic priests are in regular attendance. A British chaplain from Stalag IV A, who takes a special interest in mental cases, has paid one visit to the hospital.

        The library is well stocked. There are enough indoor games. The theatre company shows great activity.

Mail - There was no complaint under this heading.

Discipline - Discipline is correct and not unduly severe.

Work - No questions were raised.

Collective consignments - Schmorkau Hospital depends on Stalag IV A for collective consignments; this proceeding causes a waste of time for transport and delay in delivery, also some confusion at Stalag IV A. It would appear simpler to send consignments direct from Geneva to Schmorkau.

        List of consignments sent to British p.o.w. in the Hospital during the last three months -

        Each man receives half a parcel per week and 25 cigarettes.

Interview with British Representatives (without witnesses) - All points mentioned in the report were discussed and the following request were made for -

        1. A less strict application of the recent ruling which provides for the contents of all tinned food to be emptied into other containers to prevent tins being kept by the prisoners. The lack of containers, the number of flies, etc. cause the ruling to be anti-hygienic, specially for a hospital (danger of epidemics, etc.) Reply - The order came from higher circles; an exception has already been made for milk and honey tins; new containers will be supplied.

        2. The British chaplain at Stalag IV A to spend a fortnight at the hospital, at regular intervals. Reply - The Camp Authorities have no objection to this and the request will be transmitted.

Conclusion - The hospital is good.

Translation by the London Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross,

KONIGSWARTHA HOSPITAL

.Germany.

Visited by Dr. Landolt and Dr. Thudichum on October 23rd, 1944.

Senior British Medical Officer, Camp Representative - Capt. John ANNAM, No.11898.

Strength - 216 prisoners, including

Remark - Further, 181 British are to go before the Medical Commission.

        There are 600 beds in the hospital which receives patients from Stalag IV A, IV B and IV C.

Situation and accommodation - The hospital comprises a group of buildings and about ten huts, situated in wooded country.

        The medical personnel is lodged in the main building, next to the Kommandantur. In another building, which was formerly a blind institution, were groups (somewhat overcrowded) the 181 sick British who were to go before the Mixed Medical Commission a week after the Delegates' visit. One of the huts is used as an isolation ward; on the day of visit it contained one prisoner with diphtheria bacilli, one case of angina and one of mumps. The other huts contained surgical or medical cases, among which several patients suffering from stomach ulcers (one with a bad icterus), pneumonic influenza (which case the Delegates were surprised to see was not in an isolation ward), pulmonary tuberculosis (the only case in the hospital) and patients suffering from slight illnesses.

        The surgical division included one severe fracture of the leg (Kirscher extension), working accidents and patients recovering from operations.

        The operating theatre is in a special hut, summarily equipped (a headlight is used as an operating lamp); the hut includes a dressing room and a laboratory.

        Housing is well arranged and well kept. Iron beds are provided for all serious cases; other patients have wooden beds and straw filled mattresses.

        All the prisoners have sheets and the whole hospital gives a good impression although there is a lack of ventilation in some of the wards.

        There are air raid shelter trenches; a fire pumping station is being set up outside the barbed wire fence and will be included in the camp area when finished and the fence has been set further back.

Food - Rations supplied by the German authorities, and which can be controlled, are prepared in a kitchen by the prisoners themselves; a ration board is posted in the kitchen. Further, the German authorities issue special food for diet meals consisting principally of rye and barley flour but which is not greatly appreciated; however, prisoners make no complaint as they dispose of Red Cross Parcels.

Collective consignments - The collective consignment reserves are stored at Königswartha: the storeroom is fitted with a double lock and prisoners control parcels when these arrive at the station.

        Each prisoner receives a share corresponding to the contents of two monthly parcels.

        Butter, biscuits, chocolate, sugar, jam, coffee, tea and soap are handed over at once. A Food Board, composed of Doctors, decides every day how the other foods shall be used according to the nature of the said foods and the cooking required; food from collective consignments is prepared  in two kitchens (one for the British and the other for prisoners of other nations) and then distributed. Prisoners are satisfied with this system.

Clothing - On arriving at the hospital prisoners give up their clothes with the exception of caps and greatcoats; the parcels of clothing are numbered and put aside until the prisoners are cured. The clothing storeroom (in town) also contains a small stock of Red Cross garments; the door has not yet been fitted with a double lock of which the prisoners should have one key. The Delegates pointed this matter out to the Stabsarzt who promised that the matter should have attention and added that this storeroom had just been set up.

        On entering the hospital, each patient is given pyjamas. The doctors and medical personnel wear overalls.

Hygiene - There is no complaint to be made regarding sanitary installations in any of the huts, except in No.3 where there are not sufficient washbasins.

Medical Attention - Has already been dealt with under the heading "Accommodation".

Surgery - The instruments are defective. Sterilisation by cooking spoils the instruments, some of which are the doctors' personal property. During the Delegates' last visit, the Oberstabsarzt assured them that new instruments were being sent but none have arrived so far.

        The containers for linen to the sterilised are sent out to a neighbouring centre and are sent back a day after. The sterilisation is properly done but the surgeons complain that they are not sure as to what might happen during the transport, from and to the hospital. The Stabarzt assured the Delegates that a sterilizer was on order; he has not mentioned the matter to the prisoners.

        Since the arrival of a British consignment of dressing material there is no longer a lack of bandages.

Medical supplies - Sufficient medical supplies are issued by the German authorities. There is a central depot at Königswartha which supplies all the hospitals and the prisoners are therefore well provided.

        Among the doctors, there is a British oto-rhino-laryngologist.

        The radiological centre functions well.

        The hospital has no dental surgery. The prisoners receive satisfactory dental treatment from a dentist in the neighbourhood.

Unfit for service - When prolonged treatment is necessary, British p.o.w. unfit for Service are evacuated to Stalag IV B or to the Zweilager Heilag IV D. The authorities at Stalag IV B make severe tests before accepting men as unfit for service and frequently oppose decisions taken by doctors at the hospital.

        Doctors are allowed to go out freely, the only restriction being that some members of the A.R.P., to which they belong, and some of the medical personnel must always be present. They therefore go out each day in turn according to the red or blue stamp shown on their passes.

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - Religious services are regularly held in the camp. The library is well stocked. The medical personnel can practise sports.

Mail - There is nothing to report in this connection.

Discipline - Relations between the German Senior Medical Officer and the doctors p.o.w. are good.

Interview with doctors and camp leaders (without witnesses) - All points discussed have already been mentioned in the report.

Conclusion - The hospital is apparently good but in camps in the hospital district, the Delegates have always registered the same complaint concerning the German Hospital Doctor who refuses to take patients announced, or even to admit those who arrive, on the grounds that the hospital is overcrowded. At the time of their visit, the Delegates could see that a number of beds were not occupied, although patients had been refused admission a few days before, for the reason given above.

Translation by the London Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross,

ELSTERHORST HOSPITAL (Wehrkreis IV)

.Germany.

Visited by Dr. Thudichum and Dr. Landolt on October 24th, 1944.

Strength - 235, including -

        38 Medical Personnel 2 doctors 3 British working parties

        11              "               2 Australian doctors

          6              "               1 New Zealand doctor

                                          1 South African doctor

        The Elsterhorst Hospital has become a special hospital for the treatment of tubercular cases; further, the tendency is increasing for it to be reserved for British and American p.o.w. It is a fact that since the last visit of the Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross on April 1944 the strength for prisoners of other nations has decreased.

Accommodation - There have been no changes since the last visit. The Hospital is one of the best equipped in Germany.

Food - Rations are normal and extra food is allowed for tubercular cases, as was practised six months ago. All facilities are given for preparing food from collective consignments.

Clothing - There is nothing particular to report under this heading.

Medical attention - The hospital is well organised and perfectly equipped. All operations necessary for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis may be performed. Amongst the 7 p.o.w. doctors, there are none specialised for tuberculosis but as for the last three years they have been attending to prisoners suffering from this affection they have become specialists by force.

        The doctor who specialises in oto-rhino-laryngology and opthalmology has sufficient equipment for attending to prisoners hospital and those of neighbouring working parties.

        The dental surgery is in the hands of a French dentist and is working well.

Collective consignments - The hospital reserves are sufficiently ample, specially as regards Invalid Comfort Parcels.

        The stock on October 23rd, was as follows -

        Until Colonel Bull states otherwise, there should only be sent to the hospital small quantities of Standard Parcels (100).

Requirements -

          50 razors

        200 tooth brushes

        200 towels

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - The situation is unchanged and remains satisfactory.

Discipline - Good.

Interview with Camp Leaders (without witnesses) - No other points than those mentioned in the report were discussed and no complaints were made.

Conclusion - Elsterhorst Hospital appears to be one of the best in Germany, judging by the lack of complaints by the prisoners.

COPY OF TELEGRAM

From: International Red Cross Committee, Geneva.

To: Delegate, London

Sent. 13.11.1944

Received 16.11.1944.

ELT INTERCROSS LONDON

386

        RESERVELAZARETT STALAG X A VISITED 7 OCTOBER 71 PATIENTS OF WHOM 1 BRITISH 6 AMERICANS AIRMEN LACK CLOTHING GENERAL CONDITIONS AVERAGE FULLSTOP

        OFLAG IV B VISITED 26 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 17 APRIL 5 GENERALS 2 BATMEN DUTCH IN SAME CONDITIONS POSTAL SERVICE INTERRUPTED 32 BRITISH NEW ARRIVALS SUMMER AMONG 180 PRISONERS REPRESENTATIVE HAGERTY WILLIAM SERGEANT 11035 QUARTERS IN BASEMENT FORTRESS INTERIOR COURT SURROUNDED WALLS 10 METERS GOOD GENERAL CONDITIONS PRISONERS PREPARE MEALS RATIONS CONTROLLED FUEL SUFFICIENT SOME LACK CLOTHING LIST SENT GENEVA GOOD HEALTH GOOD DISTRACTIONS RESTRICTED SMALL SPORTS GROUND ODD CAMP JOBS STRICT DISCIPLINE SPECIAL WATCH STOP PRISONERS DEMAND CHAPLAIN STOP MAIL FORWARDED FROM PREVIOUS CAMPS TWO LETTERS 4 CARDS ALLOWED GERMAN AUTHORITIES DELIVER 16 RED CROSS PARCELS 800 CIGARETTES MONTHLY FOR WHICH REPRESENTATIVE SIGNS RECEIPT IN FUTURE REPRESENTATIVE WILL EXERCISE CONTROL GOOD IMPRESSION EXCEPT IGNORING REASONS TRANSFER OF THESE PRISONERS GENERALLY FROM WEHRKREIS IV FULLSTOP

        STALAG IV A VISITED 25 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 16 APRIL SAME REPRESENTATIVES OF 25156 PRISONERS 924 DUTCH OF WHOM 43 NCOS 3340 BRITISH OF WHOM 6 OFFICERS 88 NCO'S 11 IRISH 4 CANADIANS 46 AUSTRALIANS 76 NEWZEALANDERS 341 SOUTH AFRICANS 19 INDIANS 11 BRITISH CIVILIAN INTERNEES SAME GENERAL CONDITIONS CLOTHING NECESSARY STOP MUST BUILD UP RESERVE FOR EXPECTED ARRIVAL PRISONERS CAPTURED WEST FRONT FOOD RATIONS CAN BE CHECKED DUTCH RESERVE HALF PARCELS NOVEMBER DIFFICULTY IN FORWARDING TO DETACHMENTS STOP MEDICAL SERVICE SATISFACTORY USUAL RESTRICTIONS NORMAL WORKING CONDITIONS CORRESPONDENCE SUSPENDED DELEGATES SETTLED VARIOUS QUESTIONS REGARDING DETACHMENTS FULL STOP

        STALAG IV C VISITED 27 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 19 APRIL SAME REPRESENTATIVES EXCEPT BRITISH HINDLE FRED SERGEANT 258307 STRENGTH 1477 DUTCH OF WHOM 2 OFFICERS 34 NCO'S STOP 4314 BRITISH OF WHOM 282 NCO'S STOP 3 IRISH 1 CANADIAN 44 AUSTRALIANS 29 NEWZEALANDERS 710 SOUTH AFRICANS 1 INDIAN 986 CYPRIOTS 5 EGYPTIANS 6 PALESTINIANS 10 MALTESE AMONG 26064 PRISONERS STOP DISTRICT OFTEN BOMBED 50 BRITISH 16 DUTCH KILLED SINCE MAY STOP 15 MAIN HUTS BRITISH DETACHMENT DEMOLISHED THEREFORE OVERCROWDING IN REMAINING QUARTERS NEW BILLETS SOON AVAILABLE STOP FOOD RATIONS CAN BE CHECKED BUT INSUFFICIENT DUTCH CLOTHING BAD NUMEROUS NEEDED STOCKS DESTROYED BY BOMBING STOP BRITISH WELL CLAD STOP GENERAL STATE OF HEALTH GOOD STOP DOCTOR IN EACH LARGE DETACHMENT STOP LEISURE RESTRICTED DUE TO INCREASE WORKING HOURS ONE FREE SUNDAY MONTHLY CINEMA STOPPED STOP BRITISH RECEIVE HALF PARCELS WEEKLY STOP DUTCH RESERVE EXHAUSTED STOP IMPROVED MEASURES FOR AIR RAID PROTECTION STOP MAIL FROM OUTSIDE STOPPED ALLOCATION STILL NORMAL FULLSTOP

        ZWEIGLAGER HEILAG IV D VISITED 21 OCTOBER PREVIOUS INDIAN CAMP PRESENT ASSEMBLY CAMP FOR ANGLOSAXON PRISONERS DUE FOR EXCHANGE REPRESENTATIVE LESOUEF LIEUTENANTCOLONEL STRENGTH 60 BRITISH OF WHOM 3 DOCTORS 4 NCO'S 5 ORDERLIES 13 NCO'S 5 PRIVATE FORM PERMANENT PERSONNEL NO PRISONER IN TRANSIT NUMEROUS IMPROVEMENTS OFFICERS HAVE OWN ROOMS PRIVATES OF PERMANENT PERSONNEL HOUSED IN ROOMS WITH 6 TWO-TIERED BEDS ORDER CLEANLINESS 800 BEDS AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS AND WOUNDED IN BIG ROOMS LARGE STONE BUILDING STOP OVERCROWDING IN AUGUST 1050 PRISONERS STOP SANITARY INSTALLATIONS ADEQUATE LARGE KITCHEN RATIONS CHECKED BRITISH COOKS SMALL KITCHEN FOR DIETS STOP RECENT ORDER CUT DOWN BREAD RATIONS 4 WEEKS FROM 9700 TO 8900 GRAMMES CLOTHING SATISFACTORY STOP TWO BANDAGING WARDS 1 PHYSIOTHERAPY WARD 50 BEDS IN WARD SMALL OPERATING THEATRE INSTRUMENTS AND MEDICINES IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITY STOP 2000 BOOKS THEATRE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SPORTS GROUND WALKS MEDICAL STAFF UNDER ESCORT AND REPATRIATES STOP RESERVE FOOD PARCELS 1653 INSUFFICIENT EXPECTED STRENGTH 1060 PRISONERS FOR 6 WEEKS EXCELLENT IMPRESSION FULLSTOP

        LAZARET STALAG IV C VISITED 27 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 18 APRIL SAME REPRESENTATIVE 190 PRISONERS 12 DUTCH 31 BRITISH 3 AUSTRALIANS 4 SOUTH AFRICANS 8 OTHER BRITISH PRISONERS STOP SLEEPING QUARTERS ADEQUATELY FILLED STOP PYJAMAS BAD STATE SLIPPERS REQUIRED FOOD UNCHANGED RESERVE FOOD PARCELS MODERATELY PROVIDED FOR MORE INVALID PARCELS BUTTER MILK SUGAR DEMANDED STOP ORDINARY DISEASES VARIOUS ACCIDENTS FROM WORK LIST OF NECESSARY MEDICINES SENT GENEVA STOP GOOD GENERAL IMPRESSION FULLSTOP

        RESERVELAZARETT STALAG IV A ELSTERHORST A. Kdo 742 VISITED 24 OCTOBER REPRESENTATIVE BULL WILLIAM LIEUTCOL NZMC 23925 STRENGTH 131 BRITISH OF WHOM 4 OFFICERS 14 NCO'S 8 CANADIANS 9 AUSTRALIANS 9 NEWZEALANDERS 7 SOUTHAFRICANS 13 INDIANS STOP ORDERLIES 38 BRITISH 11 AUSTRALIANS 6 NEWZEALANDERS 1 SOUTHAFRICAN STOP DOCTORS 2 BRITISH 2 AUSTRALIANS 1 NEWZEALANDER 1 SOUTH AFRICAN SEE REPORT 15 APRIL EXCELLENT LAZARET SPECIALISING IN TUBERCULOSIS STOP STILL SUFFICIENT RESERVES STOP OTHER ITEMS UNCHANGED FULLSTOP.

        LAZARET STALAG IV A A.Kdo 744 - KONIGSWARTHA VISITED 23 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 15 APRIL SAME REPRESENTATIVE 216 PRISONERS STOP 11 DUTCH 74 BRITISH 2 CANADIANS 5 AUSTRALIANS 8 NEWZEALANDERS 7 SOUTHAFRICANS AS WELL AS 181 BRITISH AWAITING MEDICAL COMMISSION STOP AIR-RAID SHELTERS FOOD SATISFACTORY UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES NO CHANGE IN OTHER ITEMS FULLSTOP

        RESERVELAZARETT SCHMORKAU VISITED 23 OCTOBER 503 PRISONERS BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT STEVENSON CAPTAIN CHIEF DOCTOR 23898 STOP DUTCH REPRESENTATIVE DREVEL 107539 STRENGTH 21 DUTCH 92 BRITISH 1 CANADIAN 4 AUSTRALIANS 4 NEWZEALANDERS 11 SOUTHAFRICANS 8 INDIANS 1 PALESTINIAN 7 CYPRIOTS STOP 4 WOODEN HUTS OF WHICH 1 RESERVE FOR BRITISH STOP TOTAL 600 METAL BEDS STRAW MATTRESS A FEW PROPER MATTRESSES FOR GRAVE CASES GOOD GENERAL CONDITIONS ARRIVALS ARE DISINFECTED STOP FOOD RATIONS ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS CAN BE CHECKED NO COMPLAINT BRITISH DISPOSE OF SMALL KITCHEN TO PREPARE FOOD SENT FUEL SUFFICIENT STOP PATIENTS RECEIVE PYJAMAS DOCTORS AND ORDERLIES GOWNS STOP LAZARET SPECIALISES PYSCHIATRY DERMATOVENEROLOGY AND SURGERY 137 OPERATIONS IN SEPTEMBER NUMEROUS SPECIALISTS DIETS POSSIBLE VARIOUS RADIOLOGY APPARATUS SUFFICIENT DENTAL SERVICE STOP 3 CATHOLIC PRIESTS PROTESTANT CHAPLAIN DEMANDED STOP LIBRARY GAMES THEATRE STOP IT WOULD BE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS SEND PARCELS DIRECT GENEVA RESERVES PROVIDED STOP GOOD IMPRESSION INFORM DUTCH VANKLEFFENS

        INTERCROIXROUGE E 9989