TRANSLATION
GERMANY
PRISONERS OF WAR LAZARET ELSTERHORST
Visited March 30th, 1942.
British Camp Leader: Kandhir Singh Seagat, Captain, Medical Corps, No.1115.
Medical Personnel: 7 French
2 British
3 Poles
Medical Orderlies: 23 French
15 Poles
SITUATION
For conditions of housing and sanitation, see previous Report.
QUARTERS
A new wooden hutment has been constructed for the Russians and now shelters 73 patients of this nationality. This building is separated from the other hutments and has been surrounded by a simple barbed wire fence.
The volunteer French Doctor, who has now been two months in this Lazaret, gives the following information on this hospital:
MEDICAL ATTENTION
The housing of patients of all nationalities, as well as the facilities for the treatment of various maladies, is excellent and the Lazaret lacks neither medical supplies nor dressings. This prisoner also states that the food issued is of good quality, but it is not sufficient in quantity to build up the strength of those who have been seriously ill. On the other hand, all the parcels containing food sent by next-of-kin, as well as the collective consignments from the Stalag, reach the prisoners regularly. This Doctor has not found a single case of avitaminosis so far, but he has noted a certain amount of deficiency of calcium in the bones, especially when treating fractures. The knitting together of the bone is very slow, and in addition the radiographs of bones are much more blurred. This surgeon can undertake all operations and has an adequate supply of surgical instruments.
FOOD
With the exception of two medical officers who came voluntarily from France and who eat in the same room as the German Doctors whose meals they share, the other Doctors and members of the medical personnel draw the same rations as the patients. One Doctor (a volunteer) asked us whether it would not be possible to give a supplementary food ration to the medical personnel of all nationalities. We transmitted this request to the German Authorities, who promised us they would grant it, and in future the medical personnel will receive a supplement.
CEMETERY
The French Camp Leader again begged us, in the name of his comrades, to thank to Commandant of the Oflag for the beautiful cemetery which he has arranged for the prisoners. We visited it ourselves and we saw how the prisoners of war are buried. A grave is dug for each deceased prisoner and is furnished with a wooden cross on which is inscribed his name, surname, rank and unit. All the recent graves were covered with wreaths, and the others all had flowers. In the middle of the cemetery there is a large granite block to serve as a monument.
RECREATION AND PAY
The numerous books received by the prisoners enable them to occupy their leisure. The postal service functions regularly, and the men draw the regulation pay. We received no complaints on this subject.
COLLECTIVE CONSIGNMENTS
The British state that the British Red Cross parcels do not arrive regularly and they are very anxious to receive these parcels, especially for the ten Indian prisoners of war amongst them. The Doctors are without uniforms, and it is desirable that they should be supplied with two complete outfits through Geneva. One of these Doctors has no hat at all and the other only has part of a battledress.
The British have received no cigarettes since Christmas. Six medical parcels have been distributed to them during the last three months, and they would be very grateful if they could have some more.
These men expressed a desire that some British medical orderlies should be attached to this Lazaret because there are still 30 to 40 British patients there. The Camp Commandant, to whom we submitted this request, will take the necessary steps to satisfy the prisoners on this point. The British Doctors state the collaboration with their prisoner colleagues, as well as with the German Doctors, is characterised by a very friendly spirit.
DISCIPLINE
The German Doctor at the Lazaret told us that the discipline of the prisoners was remarkable, which we were able to see for ourselves as the morale of the doctors, medical personnel and patients of all nationalities is excellent. In addition, the orderliness of the cantonments leaves nothing to be desired and we saw no signs whatever of dirt or disorder in any room.
The clothing conditions, medical attention, and the sanitary arrangements are good. The various hutments housing the medical personnel are excellent and the Lazaret can be described as a model hospital.
CONCLUSION
The Lazaret at Elsterhorst can be described as a model hospital. The Delegates talked freely with the Camp Leaders and without the presence of witnesses.
(Signed) DR. SCHIRMER
DR. MASSET
TRANSLATION
GERMANY
LAZARET AT KONIGSWARTHA
Visited March 30th, 1942.
Postal address: Reserve-Lazarett fur Kriegsgefangenen Konigswartha
Camp Leader: Alan I. KING, Medical Captain No.22716, Australian.
Number of Patients: 428 of whom 163 are British, 4 being officers.
Medical Personnel:
French: 4 Doctors and 48 Medical Orderlies.
British: 5 Doctors and 18 Medical Orderlies.
Serbian: 12 Medical Orderlies.
SITUATION
The Lazaret is still in the same building (See previous Report).
QUARTERS
(See previous Report). A new and very well constructed hutment has been erected. In view of the shortage of space, it has unfortunately been found necessary to put double-tiered wooden bunks in it, which is obviously not a good thing for tubercular cases. The wards in the brick buildings are equally overcrowded, as was pointed out in the previous Report.
The heating was good throughout the winter. The patients all have three blankets and their sheets are changed regularly.
The quarters of the Doctors and medical personnel are perfectly satisfactory.
FOOD
Meals are prepared by German women and the Camp Leader has no authority to check the rations in the kitchen. There are, however, no complaints on the subject of food and the rations are always according to the regulations.
The majority of the patients, Doctors and medical personnel receive 321 grammes of bread daily, 41 grammes of fat and margarine, and 450 grammes of meat per week.
In addition certain patients receive 125 grammes of flaked oats and some milk. The meat supplements have been stopped, but there are still facilities for obtaining an egg every 4 or 5 days for patients who have especially lost weight.
CLOTHING
The patients receive pyjamas and a shirt on entering the Lazaret, as well as pants and a towel. They generally arrive in uniforms which are in very bad condition, particularly as regards their trousers and shoes. The clothing of the medical orderlies is in better condition.
The British request that they may be sent 200 battledresses as quickly as possible, and also 200 pairs of shoes, 150 greatcoats, 150 shirts and 150 forage caps. It is very difficult to procure any materials for repairs to clothing and shoes. Laundry is done by civilians.
CANTEEN
There is no Canteen at the Lazaret. The Camp Leader has authority to go and buy toilet articles and stationery in the town. It is impossible to purchase toothpaste there and soap is also often lacking.
HYGIENE
The Lazaret has a delousing apparatus which is used whenever it is necessary. No vermin has been reported. The shower installation is good and the patients, as well as members of the medical personnel, have a weekly shower. In addition there are 5 baths at the disposal of the prisoners.
The washrooms are sufficiently numerous and the patients who are confined to their beds have enough basins.
MEDICAL ATTENTION
The 335 patients in the Lazaret are tubercular cases from the different Labour Detachments and the other Lazarets in the Wehrkreis. We would state here that, on the whole, the many tubercular cases are recognised too late as being such.
Thee are 130 cases of closed tuberculosis and 160 of open pulmonary tuberculosis. The other patients are cases of tuberculosis of the ganglions and tuberculosis of the bones. There are 2 cases of Pott's disease (Caries of the spinal vertebrae, usually of tuberculosis origin. N.M.)
The doctors practice collapsotherapy, "sections de brides", intra-venous injections of calcium, ultra-violet rays, etc. Treatments are also provided for the cases of tuberculosis of the ganglions - radiotherapy, "sels d'or", and finally cure by rest and a supplemented diet.
The Lazaret has an X-Ray apparatus, an apparatus for pneumo-thorax and an apparatus for draining cavities. There is also an apparatus for "sectionner les brides" and for ultra-violet ray treatment.
The central dispensary of the Wehrkreis is in this Lazaret and is, on the whole, adequately provided with medical supplies. Lately there has been a shortage of "transpulmine". The Laboratory of the Lazaret is well-equipped and working analyses can be made there.
All those special treatments are given by British and French medical officers who are specialists, and with whom the chief medical officer is very satisfied.
INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL NEEDS
Mass is celebrated every Sunday by a French chaplain.
The Library comprises 300 volumes in French and some English books.
The French and British prisoners have formed a Dramatic Troupe, but no orchestra has been formed because there are not enough instruments (flute, clarinet, saxophone, etc.)
There are enough packs of cards.
The German Authorities show a cinema film once a week in the Recreation Room.
DISCIPLINE
The Chief Medical Officer considers that the British have not got a sufficiently military attitude. The prisoners have no complaints to make.
WORK
The Doctors and the members of the medical personnel have a great deal of work, but they have their holidays and their regulation walks.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
The Doctors and the members of the medical personnel draw their pay regularly and can send money home. The members of the medical personnel all draw one Mark per day. The patients receive 25 pf. per day.
CORRESPONDENCE
The British have the regulation correspondence.
PARCELS
The British and French have no cause to complain. The British Camp Leader, however, requests that special parcels should be sent of foodstuffs for 6 Mohammedan and 14 Hindu prisoners. We would add that there are also no religious vestments and no prayer-books.
CONVERSATION WITH THE CAMP LEADERS
The Delegates were able to talk quite freely with the Camp Leaders without the presence of witnesses. They told us that they were satisfied with the general conditions in the Lazaret. The Chief Medical Officer shows much kindliness to the patients and the Doctors maintain very cordial relations with him. They demand very emphatically that the question of men incapable of further service and passed for repatriation should be regulated as quickly as possible.
CONCLUSION
This Lazaret is good throughout. The patients receive satisfactory treatment. The only defect of any importance is the overcrowding of the wards.
(Signed) DR. MASSET
DR. SCHIRMER
TRANSLATION
GERMANY
LABOUR DETACHMENT "GRUBE ERIKA"
STALAG IV A
Visited March 31st, 1942.
Postal Address: Grube Erika
British Camp Leader: Sergeant E. MILLER, 12912.
Strength: 611 Prisoners of whom 241 are British. Amongst them are Australians, New Zealanders and English, 80 being non-commissioned officers.
SITUATION
This Camp is composed of hutments situated some few hundred metres from the big Erika Coal Mine.
QUARTERS
The prisoners are housed in three wooden hutments and four brick buildings. Each of these houses about 120 men. The rooms are small and generally contain 8 to 30 beds in three tiers. The palliasses are stuffed with wood shavings which are very rarely renewed. They were last renewed a year ago.
The heating is excellent and the rooms are lit by electricity in a satisfactory manner. The ventilation is bad during the night because the doors and windows are hermetically sealed.
Each prisoner has received two blankets supplied by the management of the Mine.
FOOD
German women prepare the meals and the Camp Leaders are not allowed to go into the kitchens. They state that the rations have diminished very considerably lately, but they are unable to prove it because they are not informed of the regulation amounts. The officer responsible promised us to put this right.
The prisoners have facilities for cooking the provisions which they receive in the Red Cross parcels on the stoves in their rooms.
CLOTHING
The British all have a working outfit (battledress) and we received no complaints on the subject of their clothing. They do however insist most strongly that they should not continue to be sent shoes the sizes of which are too small for them.
Washing is done by a civil laundry and their underlinen is damaged by the soap substitutes which are used there.
The cobbler's shop in the Camp is short of leather and it is very difficult to exchange clothing at the "Bez irkstolle"
CANTEEN
For a Labour Detachment this is relatively well stocked. The prisoners can buy toilet articles, saccharine, chewing tobacco, and (from time to time) beer and lemonade. The prices are posted up. The prisoners would also like to be able to buy the following articles at the canteen: shoe polish, boot brushes, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
HYGIENE
The disinfection of clothing and blankets is done at Oflag IV D. No vermin is reported at present. The installation of showers is very modern and serves also the civilian workmen and for the Russian prisoners, who number 200. The men who work in charge of the coal wagons have a bath every day. The others have the right to a hot shower every week.
The latrines comprise a trench and wooden seats and are very well kept. Each hutment has a washroom with 7 taps.
INFIRMARY
There is no medical orderly in the Camp, which has no Infirmary. A "Revier" of some twenty beds is in the process of being organised. At present the civil doctor from the Mine pays a visit to the Detachment twice a week. There is an Infirmary about 3 kilometres from the Camp. The Camp dispensary has nothing but a few bandages and some antiseptics.
DISCIPLINE
This is satisfactory and no serious complaints were raised on either side.
INTELLECTUAL AND RELIGIOUS NEEDS
There is neither priest nor chaplain amongst the prisoners. The Labour Detachment Grube Ostfeld sent a chaplain at Christmas and at Easter. The prisoners are forbidden to enter a Church.
Stalag IV A and Oflag IV D send books regularly to the prisoners, who also attend a cinema film once a week. A Dramatic School and an Orchestra give performances from time to time in the Recreation Room. They have enough packs of cards.
A Sports Ground and various gymnastic apparata are shortly to be put at the disposal of these prisoners.
PAY
The men draw 70 pf. a day and are paid for overtime and can send money home to their families.
WORK
The working hours vary. Some prisoners lay railway lines and others clear the corridors of the Mine or else are occupied in the workshops.
Some of them work from 6 a.m. until 2.30 p.m. (after April 1st till 3.30 p.m.) and others in shifts from midnight to 6 a.m., from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. They have one Sunday free in three. The pay for the working hours on Sunday is increased by 30 per cent on what a German workman would draw.
CORRESPONDENCE
The British are authorised to write two letters and four cards. Their N.C.Os. have the right to three letters and 5 cards.
The collective consignments arrive regularly. The Camp Leaders have complete control over these consignments and effect their distribution. Every man receives three labels every month for his personal parcels.
CONCLUSION
The Delegates were also to talk freely and without witnesses with the Camp Leaders. This Labour Detachment is good but the question of uniforms and working clothes still leaves much to be desired.
In future the checking of the food rations will be done by the Camp Leader.
(Signed) DR. A. MASSET
DR. SCHIRMER
TRANSLATION
GERMANY
LABOUR DETACHMENT "GRUBE BRIGITTA"
Attached to Stalag IV A
Visited March 31st, 1942.
Postal Address: Grube Brigitta, Stalag IV A.
British Camp Leader: Sgt.-Major John FITZ-PATRICK, No.95471.
Total Strength: 181 prisoners of war, of whom 125 are British, 8 being non-commissioned officers.
SITUATION
See previous Report.
QUARTERS
No changes have been made since the last visit of the Delegates. The dormitories are very large, well lit, well ventilated and above all well heated. The beds are in three tiers and the straw has been changed fairly recently. Every prisoner has 2 blankets provided by the Mining Company. In the middle of the dormitory there are tables and benches and there is place for everybody.
FOOD
The cooking is done by German women. The Camp Leader has no knowledge of the regulation rations. He has, however, ascertained that the daily bread ration should be 500 grammes. Considering that they did not seem to be receiving that quantity, he tested some rations and observed that they did not weigh more than 250 to 500 grammes. The Officer-in-Charge, to whom we reported this matter, replied that an enquiry was actually in process on this subject. From now on, the Camp Leaders will be able to check all that passes through the kitchen whenever they wish, and the menus and quantities will be posted up.
CLOTHING
The British are fairly well supplied with garments, but they are still short of 45 greatcoats and of boots. 25 prisoners have none at all and only have wooden clogs. We took the necessary steps with the Stalag to ensure that they should receive the things of which they are in need.
Laundry is done with great difficulty because of the lack of hot water.
CANTEEN
There is no Canteen but the Camp Leader has facilities for purchasing in the town toilet articles and stationery. The prisoners get no beer.
HYGIENE
There is a Disinfection Room at the mine. There is also an excellent shower bath installation there. The prisoners get a hot shower once a week, and those working in specially disagreeable conditions have to have a shower every day.
The latrines, which number about 10, have no water flushing. They are, however, perfectly adequate. The toilet rooms for the British are well equipped.
INFIRMARY
There is no Infirmary. A soldier, a number of the British medical personnel, is able to give First Aid. In the case of slight wounds the prisoners have antiseptics and materials for dressings in the little Dispensary and also at the mine.
The prisoners who feel ill have facilities for consulting the civil doctor at the mine. Those who have reported sick are sent to the Lazaret at Schmorkau.
Dental treatment is given by a civil doctor-dentist, and the expenses are paid by the German Authorities. The prisoners have to pay half the cost of dentures if such have to be provided.
INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL NEEDS
The Detachment has neither chaplain nor priest, so that it is a long time since the prisoners have been able to attend any religious Service.
Library: The British have 100 books which have been sent by the Stalag.
Games: Packs of cards and card games are very rare.
Theatre: The prisoners have been taken to a theatrical entertainment at Losa, about 15 miles away.
Orchestra: They are now forming one, but it is very difficult indeed to get musical instruments.
DISCIPLINE
Nothing to report.
WORK
On the whole the work is very heavy and moreover it is disagreeable. One party of prisoners have to work with their feet in the water and only very few of them have been issued with rubber boots. They work 8 hours a day and have three Sundays free out of four.
PAY
This is 70 pf. per day. They are paid overtime, except the 8 hours which they do on Sunday which are not considered to be overtime.
CORRESPONDENCE
The prisoners write the regulation number of letters and postcards. They draw three labels per month. Collective consignments are placed under the control of the Camp Leader. Individual parcels arrive very irregularly.
CONVERSATION WITH THE CAMP LEADER
The Delegates were able to speak with the Camp Leaders without any witnesses.
The Camp Leaders have no control over the food rations and the prisoners do not receive that to which they have the right. There is no Canteen and the prisoners are very anxious to get beer as they do in Stalag IV A.
This Detachment does not appear to be very satisfactory. It is much to be regretted that the Detachment Authorities as well as the Authorities at the Mine have taken no notice of the remarks made by the Delegates at the time of their previous visit.
(Signed) DR. MASSET.
DR. SCHIRMER.
