CONFIDENTIAL

No.489

BRITISH

STALAG IV A HOHNSTEIN

WORKING DETACHMENT 1170

Date of visit: June 5th, 1944.

Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. E.J. GODDEN

Strength: 93 men

        Satisfactory living accommodations. Prisoners are engaged for an iron ore mine. Reasonable working hours, no work on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. No complaints except the long way going to and returning from work (about 5 km.). The firm has agreed to arrange a motor-transport for the party doing longer working hours.

WORK DETACHMENT BAERENSTEIN 1162

Man of Confidence: Pte. F.C. FOURIE

Strength: 35 men.

        This detachment will soon move to larger and better quarters. The cooking is done by two German women, very satisfactory. Prisoners are engaged in all sorts of surface work.

        No complaints nor requests.

DRESDEN/FREITAL - AREA

Area Man of Confidence: Bdr. Phillias P.F.

Area complement: 520 men.

        A meeting took place at the detachment Schillerschule. Bdr. Phillias and 5 men of confidence were present.

        The detachment Schillerschule, 80 men, is housed in a large gymnasium with adjacent sports ground. A very good solution. The large hall of the gymnasium is partitioned into various rooms including an infirmary under a British Medical Orderly. Inter-detachment sport activities are frequent. Regular concerts are being arranged.

        No complaints, requests with regard to cooking facilities, overalls, swimming in summer time, air-raid precautions, gardening, brooms and brushes, etc. were settled with the local Kontroll-Offizier.

DRESDEN RECHTS

Date of visit: June 6th, 1944.

Area Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. H.J. DEBRUIN

Five work detachments with a complement of 341 men.

        At a meeting in the Sächsische Blechwarenfabrik Radebeul all the five men of confidence were present. No complaints nor requests. This area has been visited by a Protecting Power representative in the beginning of May 1944.

        Following the visit to Dresden, I conferred with the Chief Man of Confidence, Sgt. R. Smith, at Hohnstein. Questions of interest were discussed, general conditions in this Stalag appear satisfactory.

        Thanks to supplies from Geneva, the clothing and shoe position has well improved.

        GENERAL IMPRESSION: Good.

(Signed)

Rudolph E. DENZLER

(EN CLAIR)

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton

No. 3085

4th July, 1944.

D. 7.53 p.m. 4th July, 1944.

R. 11.55 p.m. 4th July, 1944.

        My telegram No. 2731.

        Report on following detachments Stalag IV A visited 5th and 6th June reveals no serious complaints 1170 Nauendorf 93 prisoners iron mine. 1162 Baerenstein 35 prisoners. Dresden/Freital area 520 prisoners. Dresden Rechts 5 detachments 341 prisoners.

0103/5739(P.W.2.) 6.9.1944.

K.W.2/4 (Foreign Officer Reference)

4/9/44.

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

(EN CLAIR)

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.

Mr. Norton,

No.4174

1st September 1944.

D. 8.16 p.m. 1st September 1944

R. 5.10 a.m. 2nd September 1944

        Your telegram No.2317.

        According to communication Commandant Stalag IV A detachment will be dissolved beginning September.