Stalag IVA

Officer accompanying the (G.H.Q.) O.K.W. representative: Hptm. (Captain) SCHAEFER

4000 British belong to this camp, of whom 32 are present, 518 in the infirmaries and 3460 in the different commandos (detachments)

of whom 16 are doctors, 2 chaplains and 108 hospital orderlies. There are 54 British "Commandos" (Working Detachments).

The housing accommodation of the camp has not changed since the last visit, but there were on the day of our visit, 9 prisoners who slept provisionally in the recreation room, as they were on their way to Heilag Annaburg whence they are to be repatriated.

After a tour of inspection of the entire British section with dormitories, infirmaries, dental surgeries, kitchens, wash-houses, latrines and recreation rooms, the representatives of the Protecting Power had an interview with the Camp Leader and Cpl. Peter Phillips, P/W No.253540 "District M.O.C.", Frontal Area: Sgt. J. Gilbert, P/W No.95899, Parcels Dept., Spr. G. Javender, P/W No.1493, Secretary.

1. The Camp Leader requests that he be given once more in writing an exact order relating to the salutes to be given, as there had been arguments with the German non-commissioned officers on the question of salutes due to them first by British non-commissioned officers even of superior rank.

2. The Camp Leader also wishes to have a fixed timetable for hours of work, and for time off as compensation for Sunday work. He complains that the Geneva Convention regulations on this point are not always observed. This matter has been the subject of frequent discussions with the A.A. and the O.K.W.

Questions relating to clothing and the withdrawal of the prisoners' greatcoats during the summer (so that they may be put away in cupboards free from dust and vermin) which, however, prevented the workers who had to travel a long distance in the rain, from reporting for duty, have been discussed on the spot with the Camp authorities, and have for the most part been satisfactorily settled.

The final discussion then took place with Lt.Col. MENZEL, representing the Commandant who was absent with the M.M.C. at Elsterhorst. There were present the "Arbeitseinsatz-Offiziers" (Labour Officer), the "Oberstabsarzt" (Senior M.O.), "Stabszahlmeister" (Paymaster) and the O.K.W. representative, each of whom answered the questions concerning him, and promised to make good certain deficiencies verified in the Commandos, and in respect of which satisfaction was never given to the representatives of the Protecting Power on the spot.

The Commandant explained to them that Commando 855, Schlachthof, Dresden, entirely deficient from every point of view, was on the point of being completely transformed by the municipal authorities of Dresden who had been recalcitrant for some time past, and that he could guarantee that everything would be in order when the Delegates called the next time.

The "Oberstabsarzt" expressed his willingness to intervene immediately in the matter of those infirmaries which have given rise to complaints, and the "Stabszahlmeister" promised to put right certain unjustifiable deductions from salaries.

As regards the news which had caused alarm in certain hospitals and commandos concerning the withdrawal of Red Cross parcels whose stocks would be limited to 4 weeks, it is stated that the Red Cross, having asked the Camp Commandants to store these parcels in a sheltered position away from the bombing a large reserve had been stored for the whole of the Stalag in a safe place, but that the Camp Leader had full access to it under German control as usual. The sheds of Stalag IV A are at present on the point of being repatriated.

The Delegates received a favourable impression of the organization and administration at this camp, and of the fact that it is possible to intervene within reason of behalf of the prisoners whenever the occasion arises.

1. General Description: This Commando is installed on the 3rd storey of a building, a shoe factory, in a very pleasant locality.

2. Capacity and Strength: It comprises 127 British prisoners of war, of whom 5 are Australians, 2 New Zealanders, 12 South Africans, 6 Cypriots, and 2 Moroccans.

3. Interior Arrangements: A large dormitory is sufficient for the 126 men who are there, but the number of prisoners should not be increased. A small private room is occupied by the hospital orderly, and three or four patients could also be accommodated there. A large refectory adjoining the kitchen is quite airy and light.

4. Washing and Baths: The wash-houses are adequate and well-appointed, nevertheless, only one shower bath is available to the prisoners and there is not enough hot water for more than 10 to 15 men in succession. The Commandant's representative has promised to improve this state of affairs, and the employer also agrees.

6. Food and cooking: The Prisoners of War are very satisfied with the food, which is well cooked and sufficient. There are small gas stoves for use in the private kitchen and the number of these is to be increased. Red Cross parcels (in stock) for about 4 weeks. These arrive regularly, as well as cigarettes.

7. Medical Services and Maladies: A British doctor (New Zealander) attends once a week. For urgent cases, a German doctor is in constant attendance, as well as a dentist. The Hospital orderly (as yet unrecognized) Cecil Galloway, P/W No.3923, put in his claim for recognition on 25.4.44. There were no patients in the infirmary, and only two slight cases of indisposition occupying their own beds.

8. Clothing: About 80 men have 2 uniforms. Forty-five of the newly arrived have only the battledress they stand up in, for the most part in bad condition, and 2 have no jackets. All the clothing required has been asked for from Stalag IVA, where the Camp Leader has not yet received the Red Cross consignment, but the German officers have promised to enquire into this matter.

9. Laundry: Laundry work is done away from the premises and is paid for by the factory.

10. Financial matters and Pay: The prisoners receive monthly pay of 30 to 40 Reichsmarks. Since a recent regulation came into force, certain sums have been taken from the prisoners of war and placed to their account, which does not leave them sufficient ready money for their current expenses. This has led to misunderstandings which are not likely to be repeated. An unrecognized Hospital orderly, who does not want recognition, Gutteride, P/W No.31210, works at the factory like the others, and although he receives no allowance as orderly, £2 per month of his money is withheld from him. This case has been discussed with the Commandant of Stalag IV A, who will immediately do what is necessary to put this matter right.

12. Religious observance: Nil. The Prisoners of War have requested that a chaplain should visit them, and this request has been forwarded to the Camp Commandant.

13. Recreation and Sports: They may play football on a sportsground once or twice a week. The prisoners of war may walk in a garden belonging to the factory at certain hours, but as this is not surrounded by barbed wire entanglements, this depends upon the number of guards available. This has been explained to the prisoners of war who wanted more freedom. They go to the Cinema from time to time. They possess a good assortment of games, musical instruments and books.

16. Complaints: There are no complaints to report, but only some requests. Camp Leader Ed Walker, P/W No.6630 would like to go as an orderly or to work in an Oflag, where he might continue his studies as an architect. This request has been forwarded to the O.K.W.

P/W No.6657 Parks of the Merchant Navy who is interned in this camp, would like to be transferred to a Marlag. His request has been passed on to the O.K.W.

The question has again arisen at all the camps, regarding the transmission of parcels addressed to prisoners of war who had been in Italy and have in the meantime been transferred to Germany. Up to the present, not a single prisoner of war at this camp has received any such parcel.

P/W No.31045 Watson requests information regarding the locality of his brother's grave, William Watson, 445776 1st Battalion Tyneside Scottish (Black Watch) killed the 20th May 1940, in the region of Tourcoin in the north of France.

17. General Impressions: This Commando impressed us very favourably, and the prisoners express themselves well satisfied. The employer is understanding, and good to them, and grants them all their requests as a rule. The Camp Leader has his community in hand, and the Kommandofuehrer is reasonable. A very good Commando.

Interview with the "District Man of Confidence", de Bruin, H.J., P/W No.266023, who is at the same time the Camp Leader of Commando 1174.

A question of general interest to all the Commandos under the Dresden-Rechts administration, is that of the sports ground belonging to the shoe factory of Keyl (Commando 1182) and which is not large enough for all the Commandos and civilians who enjoy the use of it. (Commandos 1174, 1182 and 850). The Commando has paid 200 Rmarks for one year for the use of the sports ground before the civilians. All these questions have been discussed with the German officers who have promised to try and obtain certain concessions from the employers.

There are 60 British prisoners here, of whom 1 is a Canadian, 5 South Africans, and 5 New Zealanders.

The Camp Leader says that the quarters, the food, the wash-houses and latrines are adequate, and that he has no complaints to make. The shower baths and the medical services are likewise satisfactory.

The clothing leaves much to be desired. Each man has no more than one uniform, and 40% only have working clothes. The Camp authorities have asked the employers to provide more working clothes (? overalls), and above all, more footwear which soon wears out working in cement. Uniforms have been requested from the Stalag.

The work lasts nine hours a day. Sunday is free. When there is extra work to be done, time off is granted during the week as compensation.

The District M.O.C. ("Man of Confidence") has no complaints to lodge as regards the quartering, food, wash-houses, shower baths, pay, work and medical services.

On the other hand, the latrines are inadequate and outside the dormitory huts which are locked with a key at night. There is no indoor sanitation for use at night, only a very malodorous general urinal. At the Delegates' request, the Commandant will insist upon the employer providing a proper sanitary installation and that the present unsatisfactory state of affairs should be remedied.

There are no serious complaints; the prisoners are quite satisfied, but this Commando must be inspected again at the earliest opportunity.

The Camp Leader expresses himself as satisfied on all points in the questionnaire except in the matter of food, which is insufficient and bad. The bread ration is not in accordance with the prescribed regulations. They have had no potatoes for 3 months and the soup, cooked in a tavern kitchen, had an abominable taste.

The sanitary installations are not in accordance with requirements, and there is a perpetual food odour in the refectory on account of a profusion of refuse which is deposited nearby.

The complaints formulated with regard to this matter by the representatives of the Protecting Power, were immediately acknowledged by the Camp authorities who had never been apprised of this state of affairs by the Camp Leader, and it is to be remedied.

The working day comprises 9½ hours. From time to time, several hours' work have to be done on Sunday, unloading wagons, etc., but this is not compensated for by time off during the week.

The "District M.O.C." reports upon this Commando: 47 British prisoners, all English.

The food, medical services and other points of the questionnaire are satisfactory, with the exception of the following:

The dormitory lacks ventilation; there should be two more windows. Amelioration granted by the Commandant.

The available water near the dormitories is not drinkable, and it is necessary to go some distance (3 minutes) to fetch drinking water. The prisoners request that a tap for drinking water should be installed. This will be installed if the necessary material is available. The clothing is worn out; only one uniform for each man, no working clothes issued by the contractor. Shoes are in a bad condition with the exception of one pair per man provided by the Red Cross. The prisoners refuse to work in "sabots" which remain stuck in the mud. (+ wooden clogs)

Uniforms and shoes have been requested from Stalag IV A, but have not yet been obtained. The accompanying German officers have promised to approach the employer so that the latter may furnish working clothes or overalls, which are very necessary, as it is dirty work.

No complaints with regard to this Commando which seems to be quite satisfactory.

The Camp Leader who talked to the Delegates of the Protecting Power, has given us the following report:

The Commando has been opened for 3 years and was visited 7 months ago. There has been no change in the installations. There are no more than 3 basins that serve as wash-basins for 50 men, which is insufficient. The prisoners of war may nevertheless, have hot shower baths every day.

The Commando staff consists of 1 Hospital orderly and 1 tailor in addition to the Camp Leader.

The food is prepared by a German civilian, and the rations are not in accordance with requirements. The Camp Leader is not in a position to control the distribution. The Red Cross parcels arrive regularly, supplies available for 11 weeks.

Medical services are rendered by the Chefarzt Dr. Haering of the hospital Schmorkau. Health condition good.

The condition of the clothing is satisfactory. There are two uniforms for each man, and 2 pairs of shoes each. Some overalls are provided for the men who work with coal.

At the canteen there is only beer. They have not been visited by a Chaplain (almoner) for 4 months, and they ask to be visited by one regularly.

The postal delivery is thoroughly unsatisfactory as it is everywhere. At this Commando only 2 letters have been received in 6 weeks for 50 men!

Claims: The recreation room is extremely damp and the walls exude water. The (authorities) have promised to repair it.

The men who are ill are sent, at the same time as the Russians and the Poles, to the infirmary at Schwarzkollern, and they complain of the deficient sanitary installations at that infirmary, where the prisoners are unable to cook some of the contents of their parcels. They wish to go to the hospital at Elsterhorst.

Both on the premises and with the Commandant of Stalag IV A, the Delegates of the Protecting Power have obtained satisfaction in the sense that the Oberstabsarzt (Senior M.O.) is going to remedy all the above-mentioned deficiencies immediately. Moreover, it seems that the infirmary is to be transformed and improved. This infirmary will be visited in the course of a tour in the near future.

At the Camp Leader's request, the Delegates obtained a further allowance of soap powder for the use of the prisoners of war who do their own laundry work themselves.

One might almost say that private parcels do not reach the men at all, especially those from South Africa.

The German officers who accompanied the delegates, i.e. Capt. Schaefer of the O.K.W. and Capt. Schaefer of the "Arbeitseinstaz" of Stalag IV A, will do what they can to bring about the amelioration in the conditions which have been asked for.

Camp Leader: Private Petrus Fourie, P/W No.76201. There are 25 British prisoners, of whom 8 are South Africans and 1 Australian.

The Camp Leader rejoined the Delegates of the Protecting Power at Commando 1225, giving them the following information:

The Commando was opened on the 22nd November, 1943. It had not yet been visited.

The billets are satisfactory as well as the toilet rooms, but the men are unable to have hot shower baths and there is no water laid on inside the camp.

The staff consists of a cook and a hospital orderly, in addition to the Camp Leader.

Re clothing, the prisoners each have 2 pairs of trousers, 1 jacket and 2 pairs of shoes.

The prisoners do their own laundry work. They have received hand towels in this Commando.

They have not been visited by a chaplain for 4 months: these prisoners request that a chaplain should visit them regularly.

For recreation they play football and possess a sufficient number of indoor games.

Claims: 1. The prisoners complain that they have to go a distance of 400 metres to fetch drinking water, although there is water on the premises. They were promised a filter four months ago but have not yet obtained it. This question, already known to the camp officer, is going to be settled to the prisoners' satisfaction.

2. They also complain, like a great many others, that they have never received the parcels which were sent to them in Italy. A fresh claim has been presented to the German authorities, on this matter.

3. An inspector-forester took it upon himself to intervene directly with the men, giving them orders, etc. which did not come through the Kommandofuehrer. The protests made by the Delegate of the Protecting Power were immediately acknowledged and forwarded by the camp authorities.

"District M.O.C." Sgt. Ernest Miller, P/W No.12912, was present at the interview. There are 311 British prisoners, of whom 3 are New Zealanders and 12 South Africans.

The Camp Leaders rejoined the Delegates of the Protecting Power at Commando 1225, and reported the following facts:

The camp was visited 3 months ago and there have been no changes as regards the indoor installations. The latrines are not emptied often enough, which is very necessary at the present time.

Cooking is done by German civilians, and the rations are difficult to check as they are issued at different rates in accordance with the work done.

Four or five men work underground, the others work in gangs in ten-hour shifts (approx.).

Medical services are rendered by a British doctor, Capt. Burns, the German civilian doctor, Dr. Graemer, and 2 hospital orderlies. Unfortunately, Dr. Burns does not get on with his German colleague and there is constant friction. He does not seem to be quite the right man for that position and will probably be superseded.

A large recreation hall is open to the Prisoners of War, and they have a good orchestra.

They have sufficient clothing; that is to say, 2 uniforms and 2 pairs of shoes each.

Complaints: Twenty-five men work 12 hours per day for 3 weeks, and 8 hours per day for 3 weeks. The 12-hour day is too long, as they have to walk for one hour to reach the site, and have another hour's walk back, which allows them too few hours of sleep.

It was stated that a train was being run to the mine (Grubenzug) during the past few days, to cut down the journey. All the prisoners are satisfied with this Commando.

This camp was visited in January, 1944, and has since been improved by the enlargement of the principal hut, and by the construction of a supplementary hutment.

There are no hot shower baths yet, the promised boiler not having arrived. But a large tub is available to the prisoners, where they may heat sufficient water to wash themselves with. They have enough fuel.

Medical services are rendered by a German civilian doctor who attends twice a week. They only have one hospital orderly left, unrecognized; orderly Gibson, G.K., P/W No.76499 having been taken from them and sent over to Commando 1226, Geisslitz, where there are only 25 men, but no doctor near by. The dentist may be seen twice a week at Lohsa itself. Twenty prescriptions for dentures have been forwarded by him to the Commandant of Stalag IV A to be carried out, but nothing has been heard about it since. Enquiries have been ordered.

Twelve men have consulted the oculist at the hospital at Elsterhorst; eight have obtained prescriptions for spectacles, but only two of these have been granted them by the Chefarzt (Senior M.O.) They explained to us that, at the present time, prisoners in Germany are not being given glasses for reading (lesebrillen). The Camp Leader was advised by the representatives of the Protecting Power to try and obtain these articles from the Red Cross by sending them the prescriptions.

Among the present men, about 60 suffer from frequent attacks of malaria, and the doctor invariably prescribes quinine for them which the Germans cannot give them. The Camp Leader will likewise try to procure some from the Red Cross.

As regards this matter, the Camp Leader also requests an additional allowance of milk for the patients who perspire from fever. This request will be sympathetically considered by the Stalag Commandant.

The clothing is in order; two pairs of trousers, one jacket, 2 pairs of shoes. Requests have been sent to the Stalag for the missing jackets.

Laundry work is regularly done every month, but three days' pay had been withheld from the patients and immediately after, another three days' pay as maintenance allowance. The O.K.W's orders in regard to this matter had been erroneously interpreted, and orders were immediately given to stop withholding the additional three days' pay, and as a general rule, the first three days' pay as well, when not dealing with men who were malingering or were too lazy to work. Captain Schaefer of Stalag IV A will attend to this.

The hours of work are 12 per day and 1 Sunday off every fortnight. The Delegates of the Protecting Power have protested.

The prisoners would like to see a Church of England chaplain; they have not yet been visited by any such. This request has been forwarded to the camp authorities together with that from other Commandos. They also clamour for a visit from a Y.M.C.A. representative.

The prisoners may play football and baseball when they like, and this summer they will be allowed to bathe in the river.

The postal service is very irregular. Sixteen men have not yet received any news from home ever since they came to this Commando, and letters addressed to their camp in Italy have not yet reached them. The delivery of parcels leaves much to be desired. Nevertheless it may be pointed out as an exceptional circumstance that 14 parcels have arrived recently.

In general this Commando may be described as excellent. The prisoners morale is very good, and they have expressed themselves as very content with the way they are treated.

This Commando has been open for 7 months and has not yet been visited. The Camp Leader rejoined the Delegates of the Protecting Power at Commando 1240 which they were visiting.

It is installed in an inn at about 13 kilometres from Bautzen and consists of a dormitory with two-tier wooden bunks.

Entirely inadequate but they contemplate building a hut as a wash-house, etc. To be inspected during an approaching visit.

Insufficient latrines. This must be remedied at the same time as the wash-houses.

The prisoners now have their own kitchen and can control the rations. They have sufficient Red Cross parcels for 12 weeks.

Medical services are rendered by a French doctor at the infirmary, but the British prisoners are not pleased with him and prefer to be treated by their own Camp Leader who has some idea of Red Cross medical treatment. There is no infirmary at the Commando, but the state of health is excellent.

One uniform and one pair of shoes. The "Chief Man of Confidence" at Stalag IV A has been asked for a (further) uniform.

The prisoners work 10 hours a day in the Neumann nurseries. The have a three-quarters-of-an-hour's walk to and from their work, which brings up their daily timetable, including the midday interval for lunch, to 13 hours of absence from their cantonments. This does not leave them much time to set their affairs in order. The Delegates of the Protecting Power have requested that some means of transport should be placed at the prisoners' disposal. The Camp Commandant and the employers are prepared to consider the question, but in view of the position of the working sites, there is little chance of giving the prisoners any satisfaction on that score.

The same situation has been discussed in connection with Commando 1240 where the prisoners also have a two hours' march on the highway, which wears out their shoes considerably.

They have been visited by two clergymen. Padre Frazer of Elsterhorst and David of the Y.M.C.A., interned at Stalag IV A at Hohnstein. The prisoners would like to be visited more frequently (by chaplain). This request has been forwarded to the O.K.W., together with those from other camps and Commandos.

The camp has books but no indoor games; the Y.M.C.A. is earnestly requested to send some along as soon as possible.

No complaints. The prisoners state they are satisfied with this Commando, in spite of the imperfection of certain installations. They say they are very well treated.

This Commando has been open since January, 1944. It is situated in an inn, some 6 kilometres from Bautzen.

The refectory [Note at the bottom of the page: The writer probably intended to write dormitory] and recreation room are light and airy, the one comprising 14 wooden beds in two rows, and the other provided with a piano and a gramophone.

The only matter to which we take exception concerns the sanitary installations - wash basins and latrines. There is no water laid on in the rooms occupied by the prisoners and they are obliged to fetch water from the fountain. The latrines are also situated out-of-doors (primitive cess-pits) and at night, a trough is placed indoors. There is no possibility of remedying these inconveniences on the spot.

The prisoners can have hot shower baths and swimming baths in the establishment at Bautzen.

The men work in a garage in the town 10¼ hours per day, and get a hot lunch at midday with which they are satisfied.

In the evening they eat their private meal from Red Cross parcels. They have a stock of parcels to last from ten to eleven weeks.

Medical services are rendered tem by the German military doctor of Bautzen, whom they consider satisfactory. They have no hospital orderly in the Commando, but they manage in the matter of temporary treatment with some medical stores which they receive from the Stalag.

All the men are given working overalls and they also possess a sufficient number of shoes, but the smaller sizes are not obtainable at the Stalag. They have also asked for bathing-suits, a request which has been duly forwarded.

The only request they made was for some vehicle to convey the prisoners to their garage in order to save time and shoe leather, as their shoes are always difficult to repair owing to shortage of leather and nails. It will probably be impossible to grant them this request.

This Commando is likewise very good and the prisoners are satisfied with it. The only complaint made is against the fact that the prisoners are obliged to work on army cars from time to time. The Protecting Power will request the O.K.W. to stop this kind of work at once.

On the occasion of our visit, only two men were working at the garage. One of the others was at the German hospital being treated for a malarial "crisis", and the fourth had been sent back to the Stalag following upon an attempted escape.

The prisoners are well lodged and well fed. They do their own cooking and have a small stock of Red Cross parcels.

They are satisfied with their Commando, and do not complain, except about the German doctor who gives them treatment at the hospital. According to information from the German officer who accompanied us, it seems that the doctor is surly and has rather too much work to do at his hospital.

The Stalag officer in charge of the Commandos has promised to enquire into this matter, which does not seem to be very serious, as the men from Commando 756 who are treated by the same doctor, have expressed themselves as quite satisfied.

1. General description: This Commando is situated in a luggage factory and is arranged in 2 dormitories containing 8 and 12 two-tier wooden bunks, respectively, a refectory which is heated, and a kitchen wash-house. It was opened in May, 1943, and had not yet been visited.

3. Indoor arrangements: The dormitories have not been heated this winter, a fact which provoked a vigorous protest on the part of the Delegate of the Protecting Power and they have been promised by the escorting Stalag officer that this inconvenience shall be remedied.

4. Washing and Baths: The installations are unsatisfactory. The dirty water running out of the wash-basins has to be collected in a bucket and emptied outside and there is no water laid on, or any taps, and the water has to be carried up to the second floor. In a wash-house which is to be found in another building, there is a large boiler which has just been repaired and they can heat the water for their baths and laundry work. The water has to be drawn from the stream near the house. All these sanitary installations are unsatisfactory, and the Delegates have obtained (the promise) that running water shall be installed in the wash-house, that there should be a water pipe fitted to the lavatory basins, and that they should complete an installation of indoor shower baths inside the factory which is nearing completion but which at present lacks the spray knobs, which should be delivered as soon as possible.

6. Food and cooking: At midday the men are fed at the factory with food provided by the German kitchen, which they find very satisfying. In the evening they prepare their own meals out of the contents of their parcels. They have enough Red Cross parcels to last them 8 weeks.

7. Medical Services and maladies: The medical services are rendered by a civilian doctor from a neighbourhood a quarter-of-an-hour's walk from the Commando. He is very nice but has not much time to give to each individual patient, being the only doctor in a village of 7,000 inhabitants. There is no hospital orderly on the premises, but there are first-aid medical stores at the camp. Serious cases are evacuated to the hospital at Koenigswartha.

8. Clothing: All the prisoners have two uniforms except those who have recently arrived from Italy, for whom the "Chief Man of Confidence" of the Stalag has been requested to provide the clothing they lack. Each man has 2 pairs of shoes.

9. Laundry: The men do their own washing, and complain of the lack of fuel, already mentioned, for heating and cooking. An additional quantity has been granted.

10. Financial matters and Pay: The prisoners are paid regularly, but they do not get more than 40 pf. per day, being engaged in so-called light work (Leichtarbeiten) which is assessed at that rate. The Delegates of the Protecting Power have insisted that in similar cases where prisoners work for more than 9 hours a day on work which demands care and precision, they should be paid at the rate of 70 pf. The escorting German officers agreed to accept this amelioration. The prisoners work on military equipment but not in connection with armaments.

12. Religious observance: This Commando has been visited by Padre Davis of the Y.M.C.A. and would like to be visited more frequently.

13. Recreation and Sports: There is a small sports ground within the precincts of the camp, which is insufficient, and both the military authorities as well as the employer are trying to make arrangements with the "Ortsgruppenfuhrer" to get permission for the men to play on the village sports ground.

15. Welfare: The prisoners would like to receive more books and indoor games. These have been asked for from the Y.M.C.A.

16. Complaints: (1) In addition to the points already touched upon, the prisoners ask for aprons for their work. These were at once given by their employer.

(2) If the village sports ground cannot be granted to them, the prisoners request that they be allowed to take more walks and to go and bathe. These requests have been sympathetically considered by the German officers, who understand that on Saturday afternoons and Sundays, being holidays, the prisoners wish to take exercise somewhere other than in the small enclosure.

(3) The prisoners would very much like to go to the cinema from time to time, and as soon as the matter was discussed, the order was given to arrange for this to be done; on Sunday morning, for instance, to the cinema at Schmirkeswalde, with some other Commandos.

(4) Complaints in relation to the mail are very general and are mentioned in so many of the reports that it is perhaps useless to persist. All the same, it might be mentioned that the Camp Leader who has been a prisoner for 3 years has only received one private parcel of clothing although he has had a great number of parcels sent to him.

17. General impressions: In spite of the certain deficiencies in this Commando, the prisoners regard this as paradise (!) in comparison with the camps, and with work in the coal mines where the great number of them had previously been working. On the whole a good Commando

Another request which has been made and forwarded, concerns the 2 Cypriots who are isolated at this camp without being able to communicate with the Englishmen as they cannot speak their language nor make themselves understood. The Camp Leader thinks it would be better for these two to be interned with more of their own compatriots.

The Camp Leader attended at an interview with the representatives of the Protecting Power at the preceding Commando and informed them that this Commando was opened in August, 1942, and had never yet been visited.

The prisoners say they are satisfied at that Commando which is described as a Commando for light work (Leichtarbeit) but where there is heavy work to be done as regarding the unloading of sacks of cement, etc. extra rations have been asked for on behalf of these workers. The question will be considered by the Stalag authorities and the employer.

It is pointed out that when new uniforms are issued to the prisoners by the Red Cross, the old ones are withdrawn. Now, these prisoners do not receive working clothes, so they ought to be allowed to retain their old uniform for this purpose.

This Commando, whose Camp Leader interviewed the representatives of the Protecting Power in the previously-mentioned Commando, was opened in October 1943, and had not yet been visited by the Protecting Power.

The prisoners are lodged in buildings which can hold 200 men. No complaints have been made on the subject of their billets or their keep.

They are (medically) treated by a non-recognized hospital orderly, Raimond Perry, P/W No.226011, who wishes to be recognized and has put in his claim.

Claims: Concerning hours of work, the prisoners complain that when they have to work on Sundays, they are not given leave during the week to make up for it: this claim will be considered by the officer in charge of the work (Arbeitseinsatz) and the employer.

They have to work 48 hours a week, and only some of the men receive supplementary rations.

During the night, a guard patrols incessantly inside the building which wakes the prisoners, and they think this is quite unnecessary as there are barbed wire entanglements all round the enclosure.

Arrangements have been made with the officer in charge, to modify these orders, or to give the sentry a pair of rubber-soled boots.

There are 134 British prisoners of whom 114 work on the premises, 10 work with Pelz and Paul and 10 work with C. Otto Augert.

The Camp Leader, who joined the Delegates of the Protecting Power in the previously mentioned Commando, had no complaints to make as regards the billeting, which is sufficient for 150 men, the food, and care of the prisoners.

This Commando was opened on the 28th October, 1943, and had not yet been visited by the Protecting Power.

An ambulance chauffeur acts as the sole hospital orderly. He has no medical knowledge, and a request has been made to the Stalag to exchange him for a properly trained hospital orderly.

The prisoners work in the garden or at the spinning-mill, or at the looms, where the working conditions amid the din of these over-heated workshops are not at all pleasant to those who are unaccustomed to the dust and noise. The prisoners also request that they will be compensated for the Sunday work which is sometimes demanded of them, by getting time off during the week.

They also want to take part in more sports and walks. It has been arranged for a sports ground to be allotted to them, and more outings are to be organized for them.

The infirmary at Loebau is infested with lice and bugs and is not exactly satisfactory, and the Bavarian male nurse there, is one of the most disagreeable of men.

The Oberstabsarzt of Stalag IV A, who was unaware of all these grievances which had never been brought to his notice, (!) has promised to do the necessary to put the matter right.

The Commandos 1, 1007, 1184 and the infirmary at Loebau will be visited in the near future.

Senior British Medical Officer and Man of Confidence: Capt. E. Stevenson-Wright NZMC (23898)

There has been no change in the exterior arrangements of the lazaret since our last visit.

The interior arrangements and medical out-fit is still the same and cannot be considered as sufficient or adequate for a lazaret. This concerns above all the washing, bathing and toilet facilities. The boilers for the existing four baths have not been in working order for the past three months and there is only one hot shower in the delousing plant. This shower has to be used by every man on his arrival and the mental cases are also washed down under it. Considering the fact that at present 311 men (other nationalities included) are in this lazaret and also the fact that about 100 - 140 men are passing through this lazaret every week, it is easy to see that a lot of the patients are only able to get a hot shower every two weeks or less as long as they are in the lazaret. The German Oberstabsarzt told the Delegate of the Protecting Power that a new boiler had been applied for on the 22nd of February 1944, but up to date this boiler has not arrived. With this new boiler the bathing facilities would be satisfactory.

All the British patients will be transferred from the stone building into one big barrack of the wooden type in the near future. This barrack contains four large rooms with 25 beds; the interior arrangements will be quite satisfactory, including washing, bathing and toilet facilities. The British patients will all be assembled in this barrack with the exception of the mental patients who must be kept in a special ward in the above-mentioned stone building.

Capt. Stevenson-Wright is working as a surgeon and röntgenologist, Capt. Fergusson as specialist in psychiatry.

Diseases: 29 surgical cases (operations for hernia, appendicitis, gastrectomy and minor surgery)

24 medical cases (Malaria, heart-diseases, nephritis, ulcers, articular rheumatism etc)

33 mental cases (most of them are Schizophrenias, 1 general paralysis, several depressions, several war-neurosis, 1 Jackson's epilepsia)

The Mixed Medical Commission is expected in the course of the next days. Quite a number of these cases will probably be repatriated. The Delegate of the Protecting Power, who visited each patient, insisted that those mental cases which are accepted by the Mixed Medical Commission should be repatriated as soon as possible. There are no possibilities of special treatment for these mental cases in the lazaret and the psychiatrist must try to get on with sedatives only. It cannot be expected that any special treatment for schizophrenics (shock-therapy) can be provided in this lazaret, and the medical outfit and attention from the personnel will never be sufficient to ensure any such special treatment. Therefore repatriation as soon as possible would be the best for these patients. This matter will be taken up once more with the Commander of the Stalag and the German High Command.

The drug supply is quite adequate except for quinine which is rather scarce at present. An application for more quinine has been made and a supply of the drug is expected from Geneva. The supply of dressings can be considered as sufficient.

A chaplain from Reserve Lazaret Elsterhorst visits this lazaret every fortnight. It was proposed by the British doctors to have a chaplain stationed in this lazaret which would be a great help, especially with regard to occupational therapy for the mental cases.

The doctors asked for 4 more sanitators and an application was made by the German Oberstabsarzt a month ago.

A specialist in röntgenology (French) is expected to arrive within the course of the next few days.

The above-mentioned improvements are urgently necessary. The British doctors are doing their best and the German Oberstabsarzt is really trying to improve things as well and as quickly as possible.

German Doctor and Camp Commander

Senior British Medical Officer

1st Assistant

Officer-Interpreter

: Oberstabsarzt Dr. Zemmin

: Lt.Col. L.Le Souef (AAMC 8345)

: Major J.D. Palandri (AAMC 23899)

: Lt. J.D. McFarlan (1411)

The exterior and interior arrangements of this lazaret have not changed since our last visit.

The normal strength of the lazaret has been limited to 350 patients. At present there are about 370 patients, but quite a number of them will be seen by the Mixed Medical Commission and probably will be repatriated with the next exchange.

A certain number of these patients has been seen by the last Mixed Medical Commission of October 1943 and is just waiting for repatriation. From the medical point of view it must be stated that all the Tuberculosis-patients ought to be considered for repatriation as soon as possible. Unfortunately the Mixed Medical Commission will come to this lazaret only a few days before the exchange of repatriable prisoners of war will take place and therefore quite a number of the repatriable cases will have to wait until the next exchange.

There are still a few civilians or civil marines which have passed the Mixed Medical Commission a long time ago and which are still waiting for their repatriation.

None of the medical staff having been repatriated until now, it seems to be necessary that some of the sanitators ought to be repatriated considering their hard work under rather dangerous circumstances (TB-infection).

During the last months about 11,000 British prisoners of war (District IV) have passed the serial X-Ray-examination (miniature X-Ray pictures) of whom 220 have been sent to the lazaret for an observation period and all the necessary investigations. Finally only 10 to 15 prisoners of war had to be declared as suffering from T.B., and they had to stay at this lazaret for special treatment.

The medical outfit and the medical treatment are excellent at this lazaret. All the special operations for T.B.-cases can be done by the Medical Officers, such as pneumothrorax, oleothorax, phrenicotomy, thoracoplastics.

According to a request by the British Legation at Bern the delegate of the Protecting Power made inquiries about patients who have been declared as D.U. by the Mixed Medical Commission and who have been sent back to their Kommando and have been compelled to continue their work. At present none of these cases could be mentioned by the British doctors. The German Oberstabsarzt assured that according to a recent order of the German High Command these prisoners of war are allowed to stop their work at once. As a rule they first are sent back to a special camp for repatriable cases (Heimkehrlager - Heilag). Before this order has been issued by the German authorities a few men after having been sent back to their Kommando have been compelled to continue their work. But in most of the cases they had to do sitting work, called light work, and most of them have been able to fulfil this task during a long period before they had seen the Mixed Medical Commission. At present the delegate of the Protecting Power has seen no incorrect treatment of these repatriable prisoners of war.

A number of minor questions could be settled on the spot at the conference with Oberstabsarzt Dr. Zemmin.

159 British patients (including 3 Canadians, 1 Australian, a few Cypriots, a few New Zealanders, 2 South Africans),

Most of the British patients are now assembled in house No.10 which is a stone building with a really good medical outfit. Contagious cases are staying in separate rooms in a special barrack. At present, some of the non-contagious patients have occupied one half of another barrack, too, because they are waiting for the Mixed Medical Commission.

Food is reported to be satisfactory since it is cooked by their own British cooks.

A larger stock of Red Cross parcels is needed in case a great number of new patients should suddenly come into this lazaret.

A visit of the representative of the I.R.C.C. and the Y.M.C.A. would be appreciated, as the Y.M.C.A. men have not visited the lazaret for the last 12 months.

The British doctors would like to get a senior regular RAMC non-commissioned officer for the maintaining of discipline and other administrative tasks such as supervision of the British post, the parcels and other supplies. The Oberstabsarzt promised to make an application to the Stalag IV A.

All these civilian internees have been examined by the Mixed Medical Commission and have been declared as fit for repatriation from a half to two years ago. Although these men are suffering from tuberculosis, they have not been exchanged until now.

Report on Stalag IV A visited 5th May containing 4,000 British and Dominion 32 in main camp 518 in Lazarets 3460 in 54 detachments gives favourable impression. Men of confidence complained Convention not always respected regarding working hours and compensation for Sunday work. Commandant stated detachment 855 Schlachthof Dresden inadequate in every respect being completely altered by Municipal authorities will be in order by Swiss representative's next visit.

Following points mentioned report detachments Stalag IV A Visited 2nd May, 1182 Dresden 127 Prisoners shoe factory, insufficient hot water, no religious activities, mail as everywhere irregular. 1174 60 prisoners cement works satisfactory. 1166 47 prisoners brick works toilet facilities inadequate. 850 39 prisoners sheet iron factory food bad inadequate sanitary installations unhygienic some Sunday work without compensation. 196 47 prisoners brick works dormitory ventilation inadequate satisfactory. 540 Heye III 50 prisoners surface work lignite mine rations not according scale uncontrollable by man confidence. Sick sent Schwarzkollern Infirmary where sanitary installations insufficient no facilities cooking parcel food. 1226 25 prisoners forestry no hot showers no visit Chaplain 4 months. 508 Grube Erika 311 prisoners of whom 25 employed 12 hours daily for 3 weeks and 8 hours daily 3 weeks in workshop one hour away from camp. 1225 136 prisoners road work 12 hours daily one Sunday free fortnightly about which Swiss representative protested, no visit from Chaplain mail very irregular. 756 24 prisoners nursery garden, washing facilities toilets insufficient prisoners absent from camp 13 hours daily, no mail for 3 months. 1240 14 prisoners garage working occasionally on army vehicles Swiss will approach GAC. Vogt garage 4 prisoners no complaints. Neukirch 20 prisoners trunk factory sleeping rooms unheated last winter washing installations unsatisfactory prisoners only paid 40 pf. daily. 1 Loebau 19 prisoners cement works no complaints. 1007 Loebau 45 prisoners sugar factory no compensation for Sunday work. 1184 Kia Schau 134 prisoners Spinnint Emill occasional Sunday work uncompensated local infirmary bug infested will be visited next occasion together with detachments 1007 and 1184.