Stalag IVA

Strength 102 British (of whom 3 are Sergeants and 6 are Corporals - all English) out of about 270.

No change has been effected. Delegates state that the cantonment for British personnel is in all respects satisfactory. The British Camp Leader agrees that the Labour Detachment at Brigitta is one of the best in the whole district. The wood-shavings with which the palliasses are filled can be changed without difficulty whenever this is necessary; No vermin is reported in the British quarters.

German women, helped by three Britishers, prepare the meals. The food has not altered during the past 6 months, but the potatoes used are of better quality as they now come from new crops. Dishes are well prepared; the quantity is not always sufficient. The morning meal is coffee and a slice of bread; at midday "Eintopfgericht" consists of one dish only which is hot; in the evening there is a snack consisting of slices of bread and margarine with meat or fish paste and jam. The prisoners very much appreciate their personal parcels and those coming from the Red Cross; with the help of these they can improve the meals issued to them. In spite of the heavy work which they do as miner, the prisoners appear in general, to be in a good state of health. The Camp Leaders are in charge of the viands at the kitchen and keep account of the quantities distributed to prisoners.

The British are very well clothed; each of them has two uniforms (battle-dress). They have two complete sets of underwear each, one pair of slippers, and, to save their boots, most of them wear sabots. The Camp Leader requests that we should get into touch with the Red Cross despatching authorities in order to ensure that in the next consignment of goods boots, sizes 8, 9, and 10 are included. This British Camp Leader has complete control over clothing sent by the British Red Cross. For several months, now, he has had a lock-up store at his disposal. This store, which is very well arranged in various compartments, contains a reserve stock of battle-dresses, new slippers, soles and heels of leather for shoe repairs, new cloaks, and an assortment of underclothing, as well as a reserve stock of Red Cross parcels sufficient for three weeks. A daily record is kept of each article issued. We saw several new pairs of boxing-gloves, as well as some foot-balls and various games which have recently arrived. The Camp Leader of this Labour Detachment receives all parcels from the Camp Leader of Stalag IV A.

All the prisoners have their underclothing washed at the factory; they are quite satisfied. Nevertheless the chemicals used in the washing very quickly wear out the linen. The British have all that they require for the winter.

The Camp has no canteen, but prisoners can procure some things at the canteen attached to the mine. The Camp Leader acting as agent for them, prisoners can buy certain toilet requisites and - sometimes - paper in the town.

The factory has a "de-lousing" establishment; the British have no vermin. After their work the prisoners can have a hot shower-bath at the mine itself. The British have shower-baths in their cantonment; these douches, which are well installed are supplied with hot water at all hours of the day and night, as there is no lack of coal.

As there is no Infirmary, sick and slightly wounded patients remain in the cantonment. A member of the British medical corps gives First-Aid treatment to all prisoners. For this purpose there is a little First Aid Post supplied by the factory and a dispensary supplied by the Red Cross. The civilian doctor attached to the factory, nevertheless visits regularly twice a week. But this doctor has not much time to devote to the prisoners. Serious cases, prisoners who are the victims of accidents, etc., are taken without delay to the German hospital which is nearest, at Elsterhorst. In fact the Lazaret now contains 4 British (the subjects of accidents sustained at work). The general state of health is excellent.

A German civilian dentist gives dental attention; but on account of lack of the materials necessary for treatments, only three patients a week can attend for consultations. At the time of the last visit of the delegates of the International Red Cross Committee two prisoners, all of whose teeth had been extracted, were under treatment; in fact they now have complete sets of artificial teeth.

The British have all they need. Recently they have been able to obtain a piano and they have a complete jazz set. They have also formed a small and extremely active theatrical group.

Divine Service is celebrated for the British by an Anglican clergyman who visits the camp, coming every third week from a neighbouring lazaret.

The prisoners, divided into three groups, work an average of 8 hours a day, as well as every second Sunday at the mine, in the workshops or at various tasks. Generally speaking, the work is heavy, which is why they all receive the food rations assigned to prisoners doing heavy work ("Schwerarbeiter"). The German overseers are very just in their treatment of the workers. There have been no complaints.

The Commandant is invested with comprehensive powers, which he exercises with great justice in each and every case.

The British write two letters and four cards per month; but latterly they have not been able to write more than one letter and one card. Replies from England take about 4 to 6 weeks. British personal parcels arrive regularly. There are no complaints in regard to correspondence.

Each week, the British receive their Red Cross parcels, as well as 50 cigarettes distributed by the Camp Leader. Each prisoner is grateful for all the parcels which he receives.

The British would like:- modern jazz music scores, short humorous theatrical sketches for performance, ping-pong balls, "kit-bags" for 110 men, various cooking utensils for their own individual cookery, as they cannot procure these locally, new blankets, as theirs, being worn, no longer keep them as warm as they used to do.

The Labour Detachment "Grube Brigitta" may certainly be regarded as a good Detachment.

Strength 210 (English, Australians, New Zealanders - of whom 9 are non-commissioned officers) out of 829 prisoners.

Since the last visit of the delegates nothing has altered and the prisoners are even more constricted as to space then before. In a little while, however, new huts will be built for the cantonment, as well as two extra ones, one of which will serve as a dining-room and the other as a room for theatrical performances, concerts, recreations, lectures, etc. The prisoners will be very glad when they are able to take possession of these new buildings, particularly in view of the advent of winter. The huts are made up of several rooms each containing from 8 to 30 two-tier bunks. The palliasses are stuffed with wood shavings which can be renewed at will. Each prisoner has two or three blankets. The ventilation of the huts is good; each room is electrically lighted and there are no restrictions as to the hours at which lights may be used.

German women prepare the meals. Rations are diminishing. The prisoners, therefore, much appreciate the Red Cross parcels the contents of which enable them to improve their ordinary diet. Often, the mid-day meal consists merely of a very thin broth, not nourishing enough for men doing labourer's work. There is a scarcity of fat. The Camp Leader does not have control over the rations which are issued for the prisoners. All the prisoners in this Detachment are regarded as engaged in heavy labour ("Schwerarbeiter"), and are issued with 350 grs. of bread in all per day. During the day they receive five slices of bread spread with margarine, paste or syrup. They have coffee in the morning as a regular thing and at will during the time they are working in the mine. The mid-day meal consists of one sole dish largely composed of cabbage and potatoes. In the evening they have tea, slices of bread spread with white cheese ("Quark") or a very small slice of "war" sausage. Prisoners can cook their own food and have access to sufficient coal to enable them to do this.

The British have all they need; they possess two uniforms each (battle-dress) one for working in and a reserve one for Sundays and some articles kept in reserve in a closed store which is under the sole control of the Camp Leader. They speak of their gratitude to the Red Cross.

The factory sees to the washing of the prisoners' linen; prisoners are issued with one cake of soap per month and a shaving stick per each four monthly period.

There is no canteen in the Camp. Nevertheless from time to time prisoners can buy certain essentials at the canteen attached to the mine at reasonable prices.

A "de-lousing" station, very well-equipped has just been completed and put at the disposal of the prisoners. It is a separate building, close to the Camp. Disinfection is effected by a hot-air process - the temperature being maintained at 120 degrees; the operations takes 2 hours to complete. Each prisoner can take a douche each day when he comes away from work, sometimes this is in the yard at the pithead and sometimes at the Camp. A new shower-bath equipment has just been installed. The lavatories are well installed, there are sufficient of them. The latrines are kept clean by chlorinization.

Two members of the medical corps (of whom one is British) work at the Infirmary. This, which is well-equipped, comprises 20 beds, divided among four rooms. The beds are, actually, two-tier bunks. The civilian doctor who attends at the mine visits the Camp twice weekly. It would be desirable nevertheless to have a prisoner doctor specially attached to this important Detachment, more particularly as the German doctor is a trifle severe with patients. The Commandant of the Camp has promised us that he will shortly appoint a prisoner doctor to attend the prisoners. At present there are 6 resident patients, of whom four are British, (slight accidents which have occurred during working hours, influenza, angina and sprains). Those patients who are seriously ill are sent to Schwarzkolm or to the lazaret at Elsterhorst. There are sufficient drugs and dressings.

Prisoners can play all sorts of games on a ground near to the Camp (football, volley-ball etc.) The library is fairly well stocked. Each week, prisoners go to the nearest town where they have free seats for the Cinema. Each month an English chaplain comes from Konigswartha in order to celebrate Divine Service.

British prisoners have, really, only the right to write one letter and one card per month and to receive the same number.

British prisoners receive regularly each week their Red Cross parcels and 50 cigarettes. Uniforms, underclothing, and slippers sent from Geneva come quite satisfactorily to this Detachment. Everything in this respect has been normal for the past 9 months. The Camp Leader controls and distributes the parcels: and for this purpose he has a store-place to which he possesses the key.

The prisoners work in the coal-pits, in the workshops and as general labourers. They are divided into three groups working in the following shifts; 6.0 to 2.30, 2.30 to 10 or 10 to 6 (an average of 8 hrs. daily) They have every second Sunday free. In the coal-pits especially, the miner's mates have very heavy work to do.

Generally speaking this Detachment is satisfactory; the prisoners are well-clad and have good food, thanks to the parcels sent them by the Red Cross.

Little change was noticeable since the last time this Detachment was visited. The morale of the prisoners is good. All the same, the state of the prisoners' uniforms and the conditions of work leave much to be desired; it would be desirable to send some clothing to this Detachment before winter comes.

Seven huts, 3 small and 4 large are still in process of being built, and should be ready in about two months. The prisoner doctors and the German head doctor state that it is essential to increase the size of the sanatorium for tubercular patients in view of the fact that many patients of all nationalities sent to Königswartha cannot be taken there for lack of space. In the future some hundred tubercular prisoners will be able to be admitted to the new buildings. At present two large stone houses containing 3, 4, and even up to 20 beds are also used as accommodation for patients, moreover there is a stone building containing two large dormitories of 50 beds each and a small hut containing various rooms capable of taking 8 to 10 beds each. In this lazaret cases of dormant tuberculosis are, of course, separated from those which are active and the two classes of patients take their meals separately. The delegates are glad to be able to state that the living conditions of prisoners are much improved principally in regard to the matter of their living accommodation. The German head doctor has taken advantage of the space put at his disposal, to accommodate the prisoners suitably. Patients sleep in beds; each has two sheets, two woolen blankets (three in winter) and a palliasse stuffed with wood shavings. From time to time the contents are renewed; no patient has to sleep on a palliasse which has already been used by someone else. Those patients who are in a less severe condition of health, that is to say those who suffer from tuberculous pleurisy (dormant pleurisy) have two-tier bunks. The whole place is adequately lighted; even during last winter the patients did not suffer from the cold. The linen throughout the hospital is regularly changed and in case it is urgently necessary to have an extra change of linen, this is made without question. As far as possible the patients are group according to their various nationalities, and are cared for by their respective doctor and medical orderly staff.

Each patient receives, on his arrival, an outfit including a waistcoat, a pair of trousers, a nightshirt, socks and slippers. This outfit is very fitting; it is washed from time to time. The members of the medical corps, as well as the doctors would be glad to receive working overalls, as they have none.

Food is prepared by German women in a well-equipped kitchen. The raw materials are of good quality, but the quantity is insufficient. The German head doctor endeavours to have as much food as possible distributed. Patients have three meals a day, comprising milk, eggs, semolina, oat-flakes, white bread, butter jam, fish and meat.

The collective parcels constitute an indispensable addition to the prisoners' rations; many prisoners have gained from two to three kilograms in several months. The prisoners have access to a kitchen for their own cooking of extra dishes; there is sufficient fuel issued for this. All prisoners are very grateful for the collective food parcels. The British receive more food stuffs than the other prisoners. The delegates have achieved permission for any British prisoner who arrives at the lazaret in a particularly bad state to receive one extra parcel, this to be allowed only in very exceptional cases. Ordinarily, the British doctor is the only person competent to allot an extra parcel to a prisoner. The British Camp Leader will send to Geneva a list of the names of tubercular patients for whom an extra ration is necessary.

There is practically nothing to be bought at the canteen. The doctors and the members of the medical corps do their shopping in Konigswartha, when they are out on parole. During the 1st month many fresh vegetables have been given out to the patients.

The lazaret has a disinfecting chamber and enough showerbaths. The patients take a hot showerbath every 8 or 15 days according to their state of health; the members of the medical corps can take as many as they wish. In the huts as well as in the stone-built houses, the latrines, of which there are an adequate number, are hygienically irreproachable. Although, during the hot weather the water supply is inadequate and sometimes fails altogether, so that there is none in the upper storey of the stone buildings, and this has naturally, very disagreeable consequences. On the whole the lavatories are quite satisfactory; washbasins are available for those patients who are in bed, the members of the medical corps brings these to the patients' beds. Each patient has a bed table on which there is a spittoon, which is emptied twice a day and disinfected with formalin.

On arrival each patient is treated in the following way. After having had a showerbath and having been cleaned up generally and issued with an invalid outfit, he goes on to the consulting room, which is very well equipped, to be examined by the official doctor. He is then weighed and measured, a sediment test is taken, and finally a radioscopic examination is made and a radiograph made. The condition of the organs is also carefully examined and noted with precision on a chart. When there is expectoration, this is examined analysed in a well equipped laboratory or sent to a Health Institute in a neighbouring town. The patient then goes to his place in a sanatorium. Patients can be radioscoped at will; radiographs are taken at least once a fortnight, and in some cases more frequently. This depends upon the doctor in charge. If collapsotherapy is judged to be necessary a French specialist takes charge of this. Pneumothorax and oleothorax are practised in the lazaret. Moreover, the lazaret possesses a very good apparatus for the cutting of "brides" (cutting adhesions, pleural) and the doctors say that the results achieved by these operations to date have been very good. The British head-doctor states that soon thoracoplasty, of which the British in particular stand in need, will be undertaken. The necessary materials are available, and the British doctor has the necessary professional personnel. As a further addition to the food supply injections of calcium, of calcium-glyconicum, of glucose and of arxenic are given. Harmorrhages, (hemoptyses) are treated by hemostyle and coagylen, and to ease the coughing large doses of morphine are administered. Generally speaking, in the case of all patients, the coughing is eased by strong or weaker doses of dicodid.

Among the British there are about 120 cases of active tuberculosis, more than 60 cases of dormant tuberculosis and 9 of osseous tuberculosis (spinal column), (bones elongated or ribs). Tuberculosis of the bones is treated in plaster, and the British doctors would be glad to receive some plaster of Paris bandages for these cases from Geneva.

During six months just elapsed 15 British have died, of whom 11 were English, 2 were Hindus and 2 were Australians.

Prisoners of all nationalities have enough books and games. The members of the medical corps of all nationalities have formed a little theatrical company and an orchestra which give performances from time to time. Prisoners are able to take walks in the park. The Common-Rooms are reserved for use in bad weather. The British doctors and the members of the British medical corps are allowed to go out accompanied by a member of the German medical corps. The doctors are satisfied with this amount of liberty. The British have a chaplain among their numbers; he is able also to visit the neighbouring Detachments (Grube Brigitta, Erika and Elsterhorst Lazarett); Religious services are regularly held.

The British doctors write 6 letters and 8 cards a month; officer patients 3 letters and 4 cards, private soldier patients 2 letters and 4 cards: members of the medical personnel twice this number. Private parcels

come in punctually and well there are no complaints in regard to these. A reply to a letter to England takes, usually 6 to 8 weeks, to Australia 6 to 8 months.

The Red Cross parcels arrive regularly. They are checked by the Camp Leader on arrival and taken to a large store-room where one can store more than 2500 parcels. Up to the present each British man has received one package a week. The Camp Leader states that he would be very glad to receive more Canadian parcels, as these contain foodstuffs which are more rich in proteins. Also the question of sending more parcels must be gone into, such as little cases of meat, of milk, and of cheese and butter are needed for the patients in this lazaret. This applies exclusively here to British tubercular patients who are in urgent need of foodstuffs which are rich in proteins and vitamins. Prisoners of other nationalities do not remain long in this lazaret; they are repatriated as unfit for service; whereas the British patients have to stay here for an indefinite period, food certainly plays a very important part in treatments, particularly in that of tubercular patients. Among the British there are 14 Hindus who would be very glad to have a reserve supply of special parcels in hand (S).

The co-operation with the Medical head doctor is excellent. He does all he can for the welfare of the prisoners, in so far that is, as the means at his disposal allow. Up to the present a specialist has made 40 sections of "brides" (pleural adhesions). This doctor, who is a prisoner states that the results have been very successful.

This is very good according to all accounts, and the German doctor is satisfied with all the prisoners.

The doctors are very pleased to see the increase in size of the lazaret during the past months; they will now be able to receive and care for a greater number of their wounded comrades, who would otherwise have to be sent to other lazarets which are not particularly designed for the reception of tubercular patients. The British doctors are very grateful to the German doctor of the lazaret and are also very pleased with the construction which is in progress and which will soon be completed.

A case of instruments for the performance of oto-rhino-laryngology (reflector and cotton-pincers).

The Reservelazarett Konigswartha can be considered as excellent; the patients are treated [Note: the following word is probably "correctly", but the remainder of the line is unreadable]

According to the doctors, the food has been slightly improved since the delegates' last visit. The prisoners get the regulation amount of food but for dietaries prescribed for patients suffering from stomach and kidney troubles the quantity would be insufficient and the prisoners would very much like to be in a position to augment their rations from personal parcels.

The outfit of patients consists of pyjamas, which are in good condition. The sheets, which are changed every week or fortnight are very clean. The Doctors and the members of the medical personnel would be very grateful to receive some overalls.

The Lazaret possesses a "de-lousing" apparatus. There are enough showerbaths. It is most unsuitable that the patients, on arrival at the Lazaret should put on their pyjamas before having showerbaths, and particularly so in wintertime, as the danger of exanthematic typhus will then increase considerably. The proceedings for reception of prisoners is as follows:- As a "security" measure, the patients who come into the lazaret are searched in a hut which is outside the Camp. Their belongings are retained here. Then the prisoners go on to the lazaret in their uniforms where their clothes are removed: these are then in their turn, examined for "security" purposes and then, without being washed, the prisoners redress themselves in pyjamas; it is only after this that they go to the showerbaths. If, by chance, the new arrivals have lice or other parasites on their bodies, they naturally thus introduce them into the dormitory where they sleep. The latrines and the washplaces are suitable from a hygienic point of view.

The surgical section comprises about 60 patients, (hernias, appendicitis, accidents sustained at work, fractured bones); the section which treats internal complaints comprises about 90 patients. The remainder consists of prisoners suffer from skin diseases, ear, nose and throat diseases, and infectious maladies (diphtheria). The doctors state that the drugs at their disposal suffice for the treatment of the patients. They can also do quite serious operations.

Eight Hindus who are unfit for service have been in the lazaret for several months, and the British doctors are expecting a visit from the Mixed Medical Commission during the coming weeks.

Prisoners of all nationalities write the regulation number of messages, and are served out with "labels". They are satisfied with the mail and the way in which personal parcels arrive.

The British receive their packages every week and the Camp Leader is in charge of a large storehouse where he keeps in hand a reserve store sufficient for 6 weeks.

The Elsterhorst Lazaret which has been visited many times by the delegates has always been considered to be a good one; but in regard to matters of discipline it has now utterly changed. It has now become a penal hospital. The new Major-doctor who comes from Oflag IVC introduced the new régime 4 weeks ago. For instance, patients now have a roll-call twice a day in the wards; they are not allowed to have in any room a reserve store of food-stuffs sufficient for more than 24 hours; many of the patients find this very disagreeable, as it necessitates their going to a special hut to fetch their provisions. IF they leave any of their supplies on their bed-tables, these are confiscated. The "security" measures employed in connection with patients arriving at the lazaret are very severe, and altogether contrary to the demands of hygiene (they dress themselves in their pyjamas before they have washed themselves and may thus very well introduce vermin into the lazaret). Such measures do not take into account the state of their health, but they correspond more nearly, to the treatment accorded to patients in good health in the Stalags. It is very regrettable that this lazaret, which until now has been considered excellent, should now have this bad reputation. From the medical standpoint the treatment remains the same, and the doctors are free to treat prisoners who are ill as seems good to them. It would appear that the Major-doctor places discipline before the welfare of the patients.

The Elsterhorst Lazaret is a good one; patients are treated in accordance with all the canons of medical knowledge; patients who are unfit for service are regularly repatriated, but the discipline has become much more strict, so that the patients get the impression that the lazaret is now a penal one. It goes without saying that the interest of the doctors in their work is diminishing, a state of things which cannot but effect disadvantageously the recovery of the patients.

It is to be hoped that the medical control of the Camp will change hands. The Reservelazarett Elsterhorst will then regain its good reputation.

This lazaret was opened on 1st of September 1942; it has more or less recently been installed in a convalescent home. It is situated in a woody district and gets plenty of sunshine. It consists of a long, large building, two-storeyed and possessing a large sports ground and terraces for open air cures.

The lazaret contains 120 beds of which 77 are in fact occupied. A large dormitory containing 30 two-tier bunks is set aside for less serious cases. On the first storey there are 11 wards, containing 4 beds in each, which are very well equipped, having large windows and a stove. Patients are grouped according to their complaints. The cantonment can, thus, be considered as very satisfactory.

Each patient, on arrival, receives a pair of pyjamas, a towel, a shirt and a pair of pants. The soldier members of the medical corps and the doctors wear overalls which are changed once a week. The bedclothes are changed once in 8 or 15 days. (More frequently in certain cases).

The food is well prepared by prisoner cooks who work under the supervision of a German. The kitchen, which is very modern, has a large stove in it on which the supplies which come in the personal parcels can be prepared. The kitchen is furnished with a service hatch which gives on to the dining room. This latter can easily accommodate 140 men. In bad weather accommodation is available in the Common Room; the room used for theatrical performances concerts and games.

On the 28th of September the prisoners had for dinner a single play of soup made of potatoes, carrots cabbage and turnips. The following rations are being given out:-

In the evening

In the morning

fat

potatoes

carrots & turnips

margarine

cheese

tea

sugar

tea

marmalade

10 gr.

1000 "

300 "

20 "

62.5 gr.

1 "

16 "

16 gr.

1 "

75 "

Those patients who have delicate stomachs have a special diet: the one of the 28th September 1942 consisted of eggs spinach, and mashed potatoes for the midday meal. The rations are as follows:-

Each patient receives 285 grs. of white bread per day (2000 grs. per week). From time to time in addition there is rice, semolina and slops, (liquid foods).

The lazaret has a "de-lousing" apparatus (vapour). On arrival each patient is "de-loused" and has a showerbath. The equipment for showerbaths is adequate; in addition there are three baths. The lavatories are modern and sufficient in number. The 6 latrines are impeccable from a hygienic point of view.

The treatment chambers are well equipped and provided with everything necessary. They are furnished with an X-ray apparatus, diathermic facilities, infra-red, and ultra-violet apparatus etc.; all of which comes from a German lazaret. The operating theatre in which small operations are done, complies with all the requirements of hygiene. It has sufficient instruments and dressings.

There are, in this lazaret a variable number of less serious cases. Most of them suffer from digestive trouble sometimes there are cases of accidents at work and there are also some sufferers from skin diseases. Serious cases are sent to Elsterhorst, and the tuberculars to Hohenstein Ernstaal or Konigswartha. To date, no cases of contagious diseases have been reported and the isolation ward is empty. In fact, none of the patients is unfit for Service.

Prisoner patients are able to well cared for in this lazaret because there are no shortages of supplies. There have been no death. The relationship between the German and French doctors is excellent.

Because this is a recently established lazaret it has not a large library; there is neither backgammon nor cards for playing with. The Camp Leader has forwarded a request on this subject to Stalag IV A. An orchestra is being formed; there is a radio in the dining room. When the weather is fine the patients who are not in a serious state of ill health stroll in the courtyard or take a nap in chaises-longues. Or they can play football.

Mass will be celebrated for the first time next Sunday. The priest comes from Stalag and according to the German doctor who is attached to the lazaret, a service will now be held in the lazaret once a fortnight.

The members of the medical corps do not have heavy work to do, and are in close and friendly touch with their German opposite numbers. It is on the recommendation of the prisoner doctor that patients who are unfit for service are declared eligible for repatriation; this fact has never given rise to any difficulties.

A prisoner dentist works also in the lazaret where he has a well-equipped surgery. He makes 20 places of artificial dentistry a week, and also attends the prisoners are the neighbouring Detachments.

Patients may write the regulation number of letters and they receive the usual number of "labela". The mail is well organised.

The British receive their Red Cross parcels each week and are very grateful for these.

According to all reports the discipline is good and the German doctor is well satisfied with the patients.

He stated that this lazaret is very well equipped, and that when the organisation is in full running order it should be a model affair.

The German head-doctor has, with the means at his disposal, made a very good lazaret out of this convalescent home and has, moreover achieved this in a very short space of time. Some of the small rooms have not yet any stoves in them, but these will be installed in the course of the next fortnight as the necessary material is already to hand.

This post serves as a station for the railway which goes to Stalag IV A. The Postuberwachungstelle, which is situated near the station is linked up to this by a metalled track. All collective parcels coming from Geneva as well as personal parcels are sent here for checking and then re-despatched. The office and the living accommodation connected therewith are in a large building alongside of which one small side faces the metalled way; it is here that the trucks are unloaded and re-loaded. When packages arrive they are unloaded and piled up alongside the buildings, each package then receives a number (this is the postal number appropriate to the Labour Detachment for which it is destined). The packages, arranged according to number, are then put in sacks and sent out to the different Labour Detachments. Damaged packages are re-packed: an inventory is kept in which appear the date of arrival, the state of the package when received, and its contents. Most of the packages arrive in good condition; but there are numerous references to parcels being damaged in course of conveyance to distant Labour Detachments and complaints as to things being missing from them (more especially tobacco and chocolate). Personal parcels arriving by train usually wait for three days before being sent on further.

The prisoners have an office in which exact statistics are kept. We saw, with pleasure, that they could, for instance, give us exact particulars as to collective parcels. We had a long interview with the British Camp Leader, Adams, who told us that everything is very well organised. Adams knows the precise number of British prisoners of war interned in the whole of the Stalag, in the Labour Detachments and in the lazarets, with the result that distribution is made easy. To give an example: collective parcels sent by the Red Cross from Britain arrive at this station. They are not unpacked, but re-despatched as soon as they have been checked. Adams told us, and we were able to observe this for ourselves, that a certain reserve is kept in hand in case there is a temporary stoppage in the despatch of parcels from Geneva. The forwarding on of Red Cross parcels is done in the following way:- a consignment passes from one official office to another to each of which the Camp Leaders having been previously advised, come to find the parcels intended for their comrades. Adams registers the receipts. The same proceeding applies to uniforms, shoes, underclothing etc. In a special store Adams always holds a small reserve; collective parcels which are of particular importance are dealt with in the same way as food parcels. The Camp Leader has good control over all these affairs. As the delegates were able to observe Adams has known how to gain the respect and liking of the Germans.

Stalag IV A has, up to the present time, received only a very few uniforms, by the good offices of the International Red Cross Committee, and the Camp Leader would be very glad to receive a larger consignment.

If Adams, the British Camp Leader could make an order for clothing, underclothing shoes etc., this consignment could come apart from the other as the things are sorted out and distributed equitably and always arrive at their proper destinations.

Besides this office there is a tailors' shop and also a shoe repairers where the prisoners do the work for the whole Stalag. They are well dressed and fed. The hygienic arrangements are good, although there are not really enough washplaces. It seems that the number of these is to be increased.

The work of administering parcels takes a great deal of time, while at the same time, about half those who take part in this have also to do agricultural work. Nevertheless the Camp Leaders of the British are quite independent. Adams, is also allowed to visit the different Labour Detachments and to keep himself informed of the condition of the clothing and underclothing of his comrades.

This Labour Detachment may be considered satisfactory and the distribution of collective parcels arriving at Stalag from Geneva is well organised.