Stalag IVA

Stalag Commandant

Assistant

Arbeitseinsatz

Stalag Physician

Accompanying Officer from

the German High Command

British Chief Man of Confidence

British Chaplain

British Medical Officers

Stalag Complement

: Oberst Kratz

: Oberstlt. Menzel

: Hptm. Kurz

: Oberstabsarzt Dr. Kühn

: Major Bösenberg

: Sgt. R. Smith (15734)

: Mr. R.R. Davey,

British Y.M.C.A. Secretary.

: Capt. W.D. Lusk NZMC at

infirmary Wölfnitz-Dresden

: Capt. H.W. Sykes RAMC at

Work-detachment Grube Erika.

: British : 3879 men

American : 53 men

The Delegate has visited the above mentioned detachments and conferred with the respective British Man of Confidence and Capt. H.W. Wykes, R.A.M.C. who is stationed at Grube Erika.

These camps have been described in previous reports, there is nothing to add. Lohsa has remained to be the best of all and the South Africans there feel well at home. Not only do they have exceptional good quarters but also an excellent cook of their own.

Disinfection of barracks at Grube Erika was carried out in February last. Since then the barracks became badly bug-ridden again. An immediate further disinfection is now promised.

With the exception of the detachment at Lohsa, where prisoners work in the construction of a new road under more or less satisfactory working conditions, all these detachments are engaged in surface coal mining. The British prisoners, working hard, complete a daily task based on a 10 1/2 hours working time, in seven to nine hours actual work. A twenty-four consecutive hours rest is granted only every third week. There is a tendency, following the events of July 20, 1944, for a further increase of the working hours. Delegate warned mining engineers to do so, calling the present state already intolerable.

Capt. H.W. Wykes R.A.M.C. acts as British Medical Officer in this district. He is stationed at Grube Erika where there is a 20-bedded primitive equipped infirmary. Under his care are also the French and Russian prisoners of war engaged for the Grube Erika. He comes under the district control of a Gefreiter (non medical personnel) who has the power to question his diagnosis and judgement as to whether a man is fit or unfit for work. Upon the Delegate's representations, the Oberstabsarzt promised to visit the district in the very near future to settle this unpleasant situation. Capt. Wykes is now permitted to visit the various British detachments regularly.

The effects of long working hours over the past three or four years are becoming evident among British Prisoners of War in this area. In many cases a low grade fever persisting for several days with listlessness, lack of appetite and headache is seen. Boils are very prevalent. During the recent hot weather many men suffered from head exhaustion. Gastric complaints, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting are common. It must be born in mind that the men of this area were in A.1. category when they were captured. The average weight of the men is good, thanks to the Red Cross supplies they receive.

I. The prisoners of this camp are accommodated in a single storey building with three rooms, two of them used as dormitories and one for recreation. Meals are served in the factory.

III. The two cubicles are of different size. The larger one holds 20 men and is furnished with double-tier beds and a table. In the smaller one there is room for six men, no table. The recreation room is fairly small and is equipped with only one table. Stove for cooking Red Cross supplies is placed in the washhouse adjoining to the barrack.

IV. The bathing and washing facilities are satisfactory. The wash-house is adjoining to the barrack. Cold water is obtainable from two taps, hot water from a boiler.

VII. French Medical Officer is in charge of the sick parade. German Medical Orderly sometimes interferes by sending men whom he finds fit for work to the German Staff Medical Officer who then checks the French Medical Officer's diagnosis.

XIV. Receipt of mail erratic, personal parcels have not been received for a month.

XV. Library in camp. Accordion, Guitar, Banjo and a Loudspeaker was at the men's disposal. For the last two years only three cinema performances have been given.

XVI. The men are employed on light building work for textile factory. Occasionally they are obliged to mix or unload cement. For this work the local Company Commandant has been requested to supply overalls. Usual promises and assurances.

I. The men are billeted in a guest house. They occupy three rooms, one for sleeping and the two others for living.

III. The dormitory is furnished with double-tier beds. In one of the living rooms are lockers for personal belongings and clothing.

IV. In the next few days the construction of a new wash-house will be completed. Up until now there were no proper washing facilities available. Water had to be pumped and carried to the place where it was needed. Showers are obtained weekly in the factory.

VII. A French Medical Officer is in charge of the local revier where the British Prisoners of War can get satisfactory attention. British Man of Confidence stated that the Revier is very unhealthy and that the men complain about fleas and bugs, he also requested that malaria and asthma cases ought to be sent to the British Medical Officer at Königswartha.

IX. Laundry is done weekly in Löbau to the entire satisfaction of the prisoners.

XIII. Every Sunday afternoon the prisoners are allowed to play on a football field.

XVI. General work in a nursery, working hours from 6.30 a.m. until 6.30 p.m. with a 1 1/2 hours break for lunch. Saturday afternoons and Sundays free.

I. Prisoners are accommodated in a wooden barrack with only one room. Cookhouse, parcel store, cloakroom and lavatory are apart.

III. The prisoners are sleeping in double-tier beds, in the same room they have their meals. There is an adequate number of tables and forms. Central heating during winter.

XII. The camp has recently been visited by Padre Davies Y.M.C.A. As a rule a service is held every Sunday by a private soldier of the camp.

XIV. Mail is said to be very erratic. Next of kin parcels have ceased to come in.

XVI. 12 men of this work detachment do brick work, all the others work for the sugar factory.

I. Accommodated in a factory, one sleeping room for 18 men, one dining-room, one kitchen.

III. Nine wooden double-tier beds in bedroom, two large tables and four benches in dining-room. Lockers for each man, furniture satisfactory.

VIII. Each man has two sets of clothing. Boots are required by the prisoners. Each man has one pair of boots, which is inadequate. Repairs are done by putting on wooden soles.

IX. Washing is done by the men themselves. Soap is issued once a month. One bar of soap per man and one small packet of powder.

XI. Canteen very poor, nothing of value or requirements can be bought. Beer is available.

XIII. Volley ball pitch outside in the yard. Recreation yard is approximately forty yards by forty yards in dimension.

XIV. Letter cards 2 and postcards 4 each month. Mail is received weekly. Many men have not received personal parcels since being in Germany, which is over twelve months.

XV. Library in the camp with sufficient reading books. Prisoners attend to a cinema performance once in a quarter. In absence of British films, prisoners prefer German to French films.

XVI. Men are engaged in making cement slabs, work and working hours are satisfactory. Weekends are free.

I. Situated top floor of an old cinema. One eating room, one sleeping room. All the men sleep in one room of approximately 30 yds. by 10 yds.

III. Double-tier beds, three tables and one locker for each man. Interior decorations quite good.

VI. Meals supplied from restaurant, at present good, facilities available for cooking meals from Red Cross parcels.

VII. Medical attention first by German Doctor and if man is ill further treatment at hospital. Medical attention is said to be satisfactory. Good general state of health.

VIII. Each man has two suits, more boots required. Boots are repaired with wooden soles.

XIII. Very limited facilities for sports and physical exercises. After having finished work, prisoners are locked in until the next morning.

XIV. Four cards and two letters are allowed each month to be sent here. With the exception of parcels, incoming mail arrives satisfactorily.

XV. Library books plentiful, musical instruments good. Prisoners have been to the cinema about four times in ten months. The films shown are mostly French and not very popular with the men.

XVI. The detachment is employed mostly in loading and unloading railway waggons, working hours depend on the number of waggons to be served. Usually nine to ten hours a day. Two days a month are allowed free, in most cases arranged for Sunday.

I. One storey building in the factory. One kitchen, one dining hall, one bathroom, one recreation room, one bedroom.

III. Interior of bedroom: double-tier beds, two blankets and one palliasse per man. Dining-room: two large tables and four forms.

VI. The prisoners have their own kitchen with an unlimited supply of coal. Kitchen is well equipped.

VII. Medical treatment is good, anyone reporting sick is taken to the military barracks and is attended to by a German Army Doctor. All men at present at this camp are in a very good state of health, except for one, who suffers from malaria.

VIII. Clothing position is good except for boots, which are repaired by local shoemakers with wooden soles. Several men have only one pair of shoes.

IX. Laundry is sent away every Saturday to a laundry. Soap is issued once a month.

XI. Canteen is poor. Two barrels of beer are weekly delivered by a local brewer.

XIV. Each month four cards and two letters are issued for writing home. The incoming mail is fair except for parcels which in many cases remain undelivered.

XV. All the books in the library have been read and there is no possibility to have them exchanged. One French cinema performance has been attended to. The only musical instruments are three harmonicas and one gramophone with ten records.

XVI. Prisoners are employed on making bricks, they work eight hours per day with Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday free. Employer is reasonable.

I. These prisoners are housed in two storey military buildings with a total of 12 bed-sitting rooms.

III. Double-tier beds, tables and forms in each room, no lockers. Nine rooms have 14 men, two with 24 and one with 33 men.

VI. Food is cooked by five British prisoners. German heavy workers rations have only been issued for last month in spite of having done heavy work for the last six months.

VII. There are cases of malaria relapses in this camp. Anybody who reports sick has to walk five kms to see the German Army Doctor in Zittau. General state of health is satisfactory.

X. Pay at this detachment is RM. 2.50 per day. From this amount RM. 1.30 is deducted for rations, leaving a net pay of RM. 1.20.

XIII. Football can be played for two hours every Sunday on a nearby field. Prisoners would very much appreciate if they could play for another two hours on Saturday afternoons. This has now been arranged.

XIV. With exception of parcel post, incoming mail is satisfactory. Outgoing mail in order.

XV. Library with many books, nice set of musical instruments. Prisoners would very much like some more indoor games. Should an English film have arrived at Stalag, this camp would like to arrange a performance for all the 320 men in this area.

XVI. This work detachment is employed on surface work. Working hours from 6.30 a.m. until 7.00 p.m. with a one hours break for lunch, Saturday afternoons until 1 p.m. and two out of three Sundays from 7.00 a.m. until noon.

In the past the Protecting Power has received many complaints with regard to the unsatisfactory living accommodations. The quarters were overcrowded, dark and damp. After repeated representations the new quarters are now completed and taken over. They are very airy with large windows, nicely whitewashed and well furnished. Modern sanitation and up to date washing facilities. There is a large courtyard which serves as open air recreation space. All round a satisfactory solution.

The working conditions in this detachment are reasonable. Food is good and fresh meat is supplied by the employer, i.e. the Schlackthof. Sports are well organised.

Two barracks, double tier beds, tables and benches. Washing, bathing, cooking and laundry facilities adequate. Medical and dental attendance in order.

Prisoners work for a furniture factory. A labour dispute with regard to the compensation of overtime was amicably settled with the factory manager, Herr Hoentsch, who also agreed to permit the prisoners to play football on his private ground adjacent to the factory.

Prisoners are lodged in one barrack, general accommodation is good, but ventilation is bad because on the one side windows and shutters are permanently locked. This is said to be a security measure. Delegate suggested to secure these windows with wire and thus Kontroll-Offizier promised to send for the necessary material and to have the alteration carried out.

Palliasses are infested with fleas, an early change with fresh straw is promised.

Cooking is done by a prisoner cook. There is no shortage in Red Cross supplies and facilities to cook this food are said to be adequate.

Washing and bathing arrangements are primitive. There are no showers and bathing is done in a wooden tub, hot water is fetched from outside. No complaints with regard to latrines.

Laundry is done by the firm, not very satisfactory and it often returns discoloured. There is no canteen.

Prisoners are chiefly engaged in loading or unloading waggons or any odd jobs. The system is similar to a labour exchange and prisoners suffer under irregular work and working time.

All these complaints were fully discussed with the Kontroll-Offizier who promised an early visit and every possible remedy. The two men with amputated fingers will be transferred to a light worker detachment.

Good accommodation and reasonable working conditions. No complaints nor requests.

These American Prisoners have arrived on September 8th from the Transit-Camp at Mühlberg. They have recently been captured in France.

Prisoners live in a new concrete barrack, well equipped and furnished. The interior of the barrack is whitewashed and airy. Flush-type latrines and modern washing facilities. Prisoners are engaged in the construction of more barracks of the same type which may soon admit more of their comrades. This work has begun on the day of the visit and the Delegate addressed to them a short speech with reference to various important articles of the Geneva Convention.

This detachment made a good start and may become a satisfactory solution. Good impression.

It is understood that mere American Prisoners may soon arrive at Stalag IV A. The British Chief Man of Confidence at Stalag has ordered American Red Cross supplies from Geneva. He has good local experience and may render the American newcomers any possible help. Stalag Commandant agreed to allow him the necessary facilities pending the election of an American Chief Man of Confidence.

Prisoners work as motor mechanics in a garage at Bautzen repairing to a large extend military vehicles. Delegate considers this nature of work as prohibited under article 31 and Stalag Commandant agreed to dissolve this detachment at an early date. In the presence of District Man of Confidence, Sgt. ADAMS, the following British Men of Confidence came to Zschachwitz to attend a conference:

No major complaints. Requests with regard to medical attendance, transport of sicks to infirmary, disinfectants, water drainage, water supply, employment for disabled men for sitting work, working kits, were put before the local Kontroll-Offizier who promised full consideration and actions.

District Man of Confidence, Sgt. Adams, is doing fine work for his fellow prisoners.

At the Stalag-Headquarters the Delegate conferred with the British Chief Man of Confidence, Sgt. R. SMITH, his secretary Spr. G. JAVENDER and British Y.M.C.A secretary, R.R. DAVEY.

Working Conditions at Work Detachment 1261, Omsewitz. This detachment has not been visited on the occasion of this tour. It is reported that the men there are working in the brick kilns under the most dirty and unhealthy conditions, the heat in these kilns is at times unbearable, some men are working continually in the kilns, others are wheeling bricks in or out of them, which means that they are alternately in extreme temperatures. The breathing of the brick-dust may have an adverse effect on their lungs.

Stalag Commandant promised investigation, Swiss Legation Berlin to enquire its results.

INFORMATION: Gunner A. BELLAMY (253629) died 24th August 1944, in Prietal near Dresden, as a result of an aerial bombardment. The deceased was hit in an air raid shelter, death was instantaneous.

There is a good personal contact between Stalag Commandant and his officers on the one side and the British Chief Man of Confidence on the other. The latter is at any time received by Commandant and presents his complaints or requests, stubborn but with great tact.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES: Upon the Delegate's request Commandant agreed to permit forth-with Padre Capt. Frazer at Elsterhorst to visit regularly the detachments in the Hoyerswerda district. Y.M.C.A secretary Mr. R.R. Davey is permitted to visit frequently all the other detachments to minister to his co-religionists. Mr. Davey does not need to return to Stalag-Headquarters every day, he can stay overnight in the various districts.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS: Despite adverse living and labour conditions in some detachments, Stalag IV A compares favourably with other Stalags of the Wehrkreis IV. There was no complaint with regard to physical maltreatments nor records the history of the Stalag a case of wounding or killing of a British prisoners by the Detaining Power's armed forces.

General conditions on the detachments naturally vary a great deal, the average standard may be considered satisfactory.

3. Where men live right on their work with no change of scene, or mental relaxation in passing from quarters to work.

It is not in any case possible to eliminate such causes. Credit may be paid to Stalag Commandant, his officers and GHC Accompany Officer, for substantial supports on any reasonable demand. Unfortunately such supports are almost hopeless where labour conditions or orders from higher quarters are concerned. In many cases do the detachment-leaders, N.C.Os in rank, protect the prisoners from unnecessary exploitation.

The recently introduced harsh GHC security order, to shoot without challenge any prisoner found outside the barrack between curfew and dawn is a further cause of great concern.

It must be borne in mind that at this stage of the war, general conditions all over Germany are adverse, the drive to further the production has reached its top and material to improve the prisoners' accommodation is in many cases almost unobtainable.

This tour was frequently disturbed by aerial bombardments, it was impossible to carry out the programme, considerable time was lost in air-raid shelters.

Many British Men of Confidence asked for the Protecting Power's advice in the event of a "cease fire". In the absence of authoritative instructions the Delegate advised: maintain good discipline, remain calm and correct.

Stalag Commandant agreed to close forthwith work-detachment No. 987 Riesa-Kronprinz, strength 80 British Prisoners of War. Conditions in this detachment were particular unsatisfactory. (See letter British Chief Man of Confidence IV A to Swiss Legation dated July 24, 1944.)

Except the three Americans, all these patients are British subjects, amongst them eight Indians. They will all be presented to the Mixed Medical Commission for repatriation in October, 1944.

There is no change in the general description of this lazaret, (see previous reports). Interior arrangements and clinical outfits are good, all special operations for tuberculosis can be done, such as X-rays, pneumothorax, oleothrorax, phrenicotomy and thoracoplastics. The climatical conditions are said to be favourable.

The lazaret depends on the water supply to nearby coal mine. The supplies have continued to be insufficient. At present the supply is rather better because of:

It is exceedingly regretted that no member of the British Medical Personnel was permitted to accompany the transport. In the event, no Medical Officer nor Medical Orderlies left the lazaret with the 220 repatriable T.B. patients on Sept. 5, 1944. Many of these patients were very ill, 40% requiring pneumothorax refills en route. Without in any way disparaging the German Staff provided to care for them, it is evident that they would have been safer in the hands of British Medical Staff, who knew every individual case. In addition, the German Staff had to overcome lingual difficulties, in particular with the numerous Indian patients present.

No member of the British Medical Personnel was permitted to accompany the repatrices to the Railway Station.

Swiss Legation Berlin to request an explanation from the competent German Authorities.

The first impressions of a visitor to the lazaret Elsterhorst, are the very strong defence measures. Two watch towers, double barbed wire fences, a warning wire and armed patrolling guards.

The new German High Command order, threatening to kill without warning prisoners; in this case the tuberculosis patients and the medical personnel; if found outside between curfew and reveille, is in force. In consideration that the medical personnel is also on duty at night time, and is to move from one barrack to another, a limited safety zone was communicated to the British Man of Confidence on June 18th 1944 in a written order.

In spite of this regulation, a shot was fired into the so-called safety zone at about 22.30 hours on June 19th 1944. The subsequent enquiry revealed only conflicting evidence to the exact position of the person shot at - a French Medical Orderly - who contended that he was well within the safety zone. The then lazaret commandant summed up the evidence by remarking that, if the shot had taken effect, the position of the body would have clearly shown whether or not the French Medical Orderly was within the safety zone.

The British S.M.O. strongly protests against an order which clearly allows sentries, posted outside a double barbed-wire barrier to shoot into the lazaret area. Obviously, even a well directed shot might find a bullet in the sleeping quarters.

There are no incidents in the history of Reserve Lazaret Elsterhorst giving cause to such order.

Taking into consideration that this lazaret accommodates exclusively advanced tuberculosis patients and medical personnel, such harsh orders appear ridiculous on the one hand, on the other it constitutes a depressing effect on the patients detrimental to their cure and an affront to the medical personnel on duty, protected under the Sick and Wounded Convention.

The Oberstabsarzt explained that this lazaret stands "abwehrmässig" i.e. in defence and security matters, under the direct orders of the nearby French Officers' camp.

Capt. Gerald HOLT, AAMC, an ear-, nose- and throat-specialist, was transferred from Elsterhorst to Königswartha the day of the visit.

Since American prisoners are now arriving in the Wehrkreis IV, American patients may soon be admitted.

No change in the exterior or interior arrangements since last visit. The medical and clinical accommodations have remained to be satisfactory. A number of minor requests have been discussed and settled with the Stabsarzt.

1. The GHC shooting order, threatening patients and medical personnel to be shot without challenge if found outside a limited safety zone between curfew and reveille is in force (see detailed report Res.Laz. Elsterhorst, dated sept. 9th, 1944).

2. The British man of confidence, Capt. Annan, put forward a strong complaint concerning the method a search was carried out in the lazaret on June 19th, 1944.

At the point of rifles, this search was carried out partly by civilians who searched and interrogated patients and medical personnel.

(See written complaint by Capt. Annan addressed to Protecting Power, dated June 20th, 1944).

His Majesty's Minister at Berne presents his compliments to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and has the honour to transmit to him the under-mentioned documents.

With reference to note verbale No.X/1325/44 dated 7 Nov 44, the F.I. Div of the Fed Pol. Dept has to honour to forward to H.M's Legation a copy of memo. No. R. 5143T.M. and enclosure dated 31 Dec. 44 by the German Foreign Office which constitutes a reply of the German Authorities to the proceedings undertaken by the Swiss Legation Berlin on the subject of orders given at Res.Laz. Elsterhorst for the maintenance of discipline and allowing the German sentries in certain cases to shoot at prisoners of war without challenging.

The Swiss Legation adds, in sending these documents that they have pressed the German Foreign Office for a further explanation of the delay in forwarding the letter of 7 July att. from a British Doctor in respect of this affair.

On the same occasion the Swiss Legation demanded information about Oflag IVD, mentioned in the present memo. where the practice is discontinued.

The orders laid down in the Local Area Guard Rules (HDv.131) and the local Guard rules are valid for the Guards here and for the behaviour of Guards on Duty.

Concerning use of weapons the following order is valid according to O.K.W. Order Az: 2f 24/12 c Chef Kgf./Allgem(IVa) Nr.3252/42 geh. v.22. Sept. 42:-

1. (a) Enemy Medical Personnel and patients are not allowed outside the Barracks between Curfew (Summery May 1st - September 30th = 2200 hrs; Winter: October 1st - April 30th = 1900 hrs.) and Reveille.

(b) The guard on duty is to be warned when patients are being brought into the Hospital after Curfew. The guard warns the sentries and sends a sentry with a lighted lamp into the Lazarettbereitschaft, who admits the patients in company with the sentry and takes them to the sick wards in company with the sentry. After this the sentry brings the representative of the Lazarettbereitschaft to the Admittance Barrack.

(c) The German Personnel (Lazarettbereitschaft) must warn the Guard by telephone before doing their rounds during the night in the Barracks. The Guards sends in a sentry with a lighted lamp to the Lazarettbereitschaft and warns the sentries. The round in the Barracks may be done only with a sentry and a lighted lamp.

(d) If the enemy Medical Personnel wish to leave a Barrack between Curfew and Reveille for reasons of duty, they must warn the sentries by shouting loudly. The guard then warns the sentries and sends in a sentry with the lighted lamp to the Lazarettbereitschaft, who goes over to the Barrack requiring assistance with the Doctor on Duty.

The Sentry with the lighted lamp has to accompany all movements, and accompany the Lazarettbereitschaft.

2. (a) Between Curfew and reveille any P.O.W. (Medical Personnel and Patient) will be shot at without warning, when is found alone in the hospital grounds.

(b) Any prisoner will be shot at without warning, who crosses the line demarcated by the warning-wire, likewise those fleeing from the No-man's-land.

4. Sentries may enter the Hospital area only after agreement with the Hauptfeldwebel, or, in his absence, with the Lazarettbereitschaft's consent.

Exceptions to this are possible in emergencies. (The sentries) should get in touch immediately with the Lazarettbereitschaft.

5. This order is to be given in writing to the Guard, and the N.C.O. of the guard is to read it out accurately to those going on duty. In the case of a state of emergency, and for those charged with discipline during emergencies the orders on pp.13 and 14 of HDv.3/4 are valid.

1) The addendum to the Orders to the Guard, Res.Laz.(Kgf) Elsterhorst dated 18.6.44. is hereby cancelled. The accompanying Orders for the Guard are valid with immediate effect.

The area hitherto marked out by a red line in the Hospital plan as safe for walking about is now no longer valid.

All P.O.W. Officers (Medical Personnel and Patients) are to be informed through the men of Confidence in the most accurate manner of the new regulations for the guarding of the hospital."

ALL RANKS (MEDICAL STAFF AND PATIENTS) MUST OBEY THE ABOVE, PENDING OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIONS TO THE PROTECTING POWER.

From: Senior British Medical Officer, Res.Laz. (Kgf) Elsterhorst, Uber Stalag IV A.

To: Swiss Embassy, Abteilung Schutzmachtangelegenheiten, Schloss Gerne, Germany.

Subject: New German Regulations for the Guard of this hospital, affecting especially movement by night.

Attached are two appendices A & B, which I commend to your careful consideration before reading further.

Appendix A, dated 17.6.44. (with plan). This order and plan, are, I think, self-explanatory. The order was issued by me as a result of verbal orders from the then Chefarzt (Stabsarzt Dr Frenzel), the so-called safety zone, outlined in red, bring approved by him, and next day, 18.6.44, confirmed in a written order from him.

In spite of this written order from the Germans, and the agreement on the plan, which incidentally was handed to the N.C.O. i/c Guard in my presence at about 1700 hrs on 17.6.44, a shot was fired into the so-called safety zone at about 2230 hrs on 19.6.44. The subsequent enquiry revealed only conflicting evidence as to the exact position of the person shot at - a French medical orderly - who contended that he was well within the so-called safety zone. The then Chefarzt (Stabsarzt, Dr. Frenzel) summed up the evidence by remarking that if the shot had taken effect, the position of the body would have clearly shown whether or not the medical orderly was within the area outlined in red. I make no comment upon the questionably good taste of such an observation, the sense of which I quote rather than the exact words.

Appendix B dated 1.7.44. This special notice contains the full text of an order received on that day from the new Chefarzt (Oberstabsarzt Dr Fritz), together with a relevant paragraph from another order of even date. Considering that the lives of my personnel and patients might depend upon my action in this matter, I ordered all ranks to obey, reserving the right to protest to you, at the same time informing the Chefarzt of my intention.

1) So far as I am aware, no other Res.Lazarett has received similar orders, which it is to be noted, were originally issued by high command in September, 1942.

2) In this Res.Lazarett, so far as I am aware, no incidents that could have given cause for such orders (e.g. escapes) have occurred since it became a hospital almost wholly British. Certainly there have been recent charges amongst the officials connected with this hospital - a new General at the French Oflag 0,5 km away, a new Chefarzt and Feldwebel here, and a new Senior British Medical Officer, but it seems unlikely that these changes can be considered as "incidents giving cause for such orders". It is to be noted that of the people under treatment within this barbed wire, over 80% are British.

3) In your perusal of the orders, you will have noted the extra-ordinarily complicated method of inter-communication the various barracks not being linked by telephone. The practical result of this is that at the very least ten to fifteen minutes, probably precious in an emergency, must elapse before adequate help can be obtained (e.g. after diagnosis, fetching special apparatus from the Treatment Barrack). This hospital is treating actively some 300 T.B. patients, in whom from time to time occur emergencies demanding prompt relief measures. I therefore consider it to be imperative that medical officers and medical orderlies should have unrestricted freedom of movement between Barracks, if necessary within a red line, as previously arranged. Such personnel on duty could easily wear a distinguishing mark such as a white coat or mantle, which as the hospital is illuminated by searchlight, would be easily recognised by guards outside the wire.

4) This hospital enjoys the amenity of water-carriage sanitation, with the exception of Barrack VII and the Arb.Kdo. Barrack, both of which house small working parties of other nationalities, who, by day, use the latrines in the adjacent barracks, distant some 10 metres only. The effect of this order is that the inmates of these Barracks must by night, use a bucket in a corner of their sleeping rooms. In a hospital devoted to the treatment of a special disease, and where flies are said to be a great summer problem this appears to me to be entirely unnecessary and insanitary, when water-closets are, as I have said, only 10 metres away.

5) Finally, I protest strongly against an order which clearly allows sentries, posted outside a double barbed-wire barrier (with single warning wire within) to shoot into a hospital area. Apart from the obvious danger to personnel, it is clear that even a well-directed shot might find a billet in a sleeping and seriously ill patient. I find it very difficult to believe that such possibility could be approved by the German High Command. Since the issue of this order, in my conversation with the Chefarzt, he has repeatedly stated that these precautions are "abwehrmassig". In such case, I should like to know if these orders are local or general, in other words; if these orders be local, is this hospital, where many very sick British patients are under highly specialized treatment, to suffer because of its proximity to an Oflag inhabited by officers of another nation? The feeling of insecurity induced in my patients, the vast majority of whom are suffering from the worst of all possible diseases making POWs eligible for repatriation, is very great indeed, and many have expressed their intention of giving wide publicity to these orders when their repatriation is accomplished. I would remind you that this is the only hospital in Germany giving specialised treatment to British T.B. POWs who are drawn from camps throughout the length and breadth of Germany. Furthermore, as both patients and medical personnel go direct from this hospital to England, they cannot understand that conditions should apparently be so vastly different at Annaburg, the last POW camp for non-T.B. repatriables, and where the official German policy is an endeavour to span the gap between capacity and home conditions.

I am confident that you will give this matter your immediate and urgent attention that you will discuss it with the relevant authorities, and that I shall receive your comments at an early date.

1. Attention of all ranks, including staff and patients, is drawn to the attached plan.

2. After 2200 hrs daily, no movement whatever is permitted outside the red line.

3. After 2200 hrs. daily, the only movement permitted within the red line is that of staff on duty, and this must be kept at an absolute minimum.

4. A recent German order provides for shooting, without challenge, anyone infringing the above.

5. Football and Basketball. In future no player or spectator will retrieve the ball from behind the trip-wire; this will be done by a German guard on duty for the purpose.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs have the honour to transmit to the Swiss Legation the enclosed petition of the British Man of Confidence, Lieut. Col. Bull, in the Reserve Lazarette (prisoners of war) at Elsterhorst, together with two Lazarette orders and a sketch. Reference will also be made to the drawing No.283. The Military High Command make the following remarks:

Events lately in Oflag IV D, as well as the situation generally, necessitated a severer watch on the prisoners of war in the Res. Lazarette at Elsterhorst, as also in Oflag IV D, all the more as a great number of officers of Oflag IV D are treated in the Lazaratte and many officers come daily to the Lazarette as outside patients. Therefore the guard-regulations for the Res.Lazarette at Elsterhorst and those for Oflag IV D and also the regulation about shooting have had to be assimilated; this is all the more necessary as with the continual changing of the guard-personnel only a single and very clear and lucid guard-regulation for Oflag and the Res.Lazarette allows a correct carrying out of the guard service.

The head physician at the Elsterhorst Res.Lazarette has tried first of all to mitigate the guard-regulations in that he allowed also at night a part of the Lazarette ground which was shown on a published sketch to be used. As the complaint shows, this lead to inconsistencies and misunderstandings, which gave occasion for the new regulations of 1st September, 1944.

At the same time an order was given that for communications at night from hut to hut in urgent cases, the nearest sentry should be informed by calling to him, who would send the message through to the guards, whereupon the guard on watch would send another guard into the Lazarette with a lighted lantern. He would accompany the prisoner of war during his movements outside the hut on all the different paths.

As a doctor and several medical orderlies sleep in every hut, immediate help can always be had in urgent cases within the huts themselves. It is only necessary to go round the Lazarette at night:

1. in case of death in order to transport the corpse from the hut to the mortuary,

As has been shown practically, it is quite possible to regulate things in the way laid down as the British Man of Confidence says himself, this only takes 10 to 15 minutes.

In accordance with a general understanding made on the spot with the British Man of Confidence in Res.Lazarette (Prisoners of war) at Elsterhorst, his petition was at first transmitted to the Military district doctor, in order to provide an opportunity to do away with the objections immediately, in accord with one another.

The Military district doctor then at first tested whether the new guard regulations had lead to further dissension. Although this was not the case, Lieut. Col. Bull attached great importance to his petition being sent on to the Protecting Power, because such a guard-regulation is not acceptable for the prisoners of war Lazarette.

The following points are to be mentioned in connection with the petition from the Man of Confidence:

to Point 2: The British Man of Confidence was expressly informed by the head physician that preventative reasons and incidents in Oflag IV D were the cause of the introduction of the new guard-regulations. Official changes had nothing to do with it.

to Point 3: This paragraph gives the impression that for urgent cases medical help must be fetched from another hut. This is not the case. A doctor and medical personnel sleep in every hut, who are at the disposal of every hut immediately. The necessary instruments and medical remedies which are required for first-aid are also at hand in every hut and it is not necessary to have them fetched from another place. That a defined line round a determined enclosure within the Lazarette is not suitable is also seen from the introductory remarks of the petition.

to Point 4: The assertion that in both the small huts of the work detachment which have no water closet a bucket must be brought into the sleeping rooms at night does not correspond with the facts. On the contrary they are provided in the ante-room of the huts outside the living and sleeping rooms with closets which are put up and which are provided with tightly fitting lids and disinfected with chloride of lime.

to Point 5: It is not necessary for the prisoners of war who are quartered in the Lazarette to feel insecure if all prisoners of war obey the order not to leave the huts at night. The Res. Lazarette (prisoners of war) at Elsterhorst is not purely a British Lazarette, French officers are also quartered in Oflag IV D.