CONFIDENTIAL
STALAG IV B
Date of visit: July 17th, 1942.
Camp Commander: Oberst Semf.
Chief German Physician: Stabsarzt Dr. Rückert
Indian Man of Confidence: Warrant Off. Delipsingh, p.o.w. No.1224.
I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This is a large camp situated right in the country in the centre of Germany and occupied by French and Serbian prisoners.
Except for a few patients in the camp lazaret there are no British prisoners but a party of Indians who are accommodated in rooms of their own in two barracks in the middle of the camp, where they are free to move about.
II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL
At the day of the visit there were in the camp:
6 British prisoners, all in the lazaret,
88 Indian N.C.O.
133 Indian Men.
The Indian prisoners arrived in this camp only a few days before the visit.
III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS
N.C.O. and Men are lodged together in two large rooms, one occupied by the Mohammedans (80) and the other by all the other 141 prisoners.
They sleep in triple tier bunks which have been placed tight together on one side of each room, the rest of the room being furnished with tables and benches.
Large brick stoves ought to provide sufficient heating in winter, if the coal issue is adequate; they will be very convenient for the cooking of private food.
Each prisoner had only one blanket and even often very small ones; the necessity for them to have at least two was pointed out to the camp authorities and the answer was that, as the previous party of Indian p.o.w., which left the camp some time ago, had damaged so many blankets, only one per man could be issued to this party; after a long discussion they agreed to allow the issue of a second blanket per man from the Red Cross stock. Will be checked at next visit.
The rooms are lighted by electricity.
The room with 141 prisoners must be considered as definitely overcrowded and it will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.
IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES
The washrooms are in the middle of each barrack and there is one tap for 12 men, which is considered as sufficient.
The bathing facilities are certainly inadequate and the German High Command will be asked to provide better ones.
V.) TOILET FACILITIES
Are in a special barrack and used as well by French prisoners; they are of the pit type, were found clean and adequate in number.
VI.) FOOD AND COOKING
The food is cooked specially for the Indian prisoners by Indian cooks but in the main kitchen of the camp.
They do not receive special food rations except that the meat is in this camp replaced for the Indians by the same weight of dried fish or by 80 gr. tinned fish for 50 gr. meat.
Red Cross food parcels are issued at the rate of one a week per man and there was on the date of the visit a stock of about 1500 parcels.
It was asked if the content of the standard Indian food parcels could not be somewhat modified; the Indian prisoners seem to want the amount of sugar increased; they want rice or "sugi" (flour) in every parcel and they would like butter beside the "ghee".
They have the possibility in summer to cook their private food in a special stove in the kitchen and in winter it will be possible to cook it on the stoves in the sleeping quarters.
The few British patients receive the same food as the French prisoners and there was no complaint about it; besides they receive normal Red Cross food parcels every week.
VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS
There is no British medical personnel in this camp lazaret where British prisoners are only exceptionally treated.
But the British as well as the Indian prisoners are satisfied with the attention they receive from the German, French and Serbian doctors.
On the day of the visit there were 8 British, one American and 12 Indian patients, both internal and surgical cases.
Internal cases:
6 British, all minor cases, 3 of them with slight paralysis following diphtheria, all doing well.
12 Indian, 4 of them suffering from non-active intestinal tuberculosis; they are proposed for examination by the Mixed Medical Commission for repatriation. 3 others are suffering from open tuberculosis and are isolated in a special barrack, one of them was in a critical condition.
Surgical cases
2 British pilots of the R.A.F. with fractures and injuries received when shot down; they are doing well and recovering.
1 American merchant sailor whose feet were frozen and had to be amputated.
Spectacles are provided free of cost for prisoners who have lost their when captured.
This lazaret makes a good impression and the prisoners seem to be well looked after. However, it is certainly not the right place for tb. patients and the German High Command will be asked to have them transferred to a special lazaret.
VIII.) CLOTHING
The clothing condition is not very bad but quite a number of men are in need of new uniforms.
Underclothing on the other hand is badly needed and, as there is in the camp a stock of about 300 Indian comfort parcels, the Indian Man of Confidence is going to make an issue of them; it was said that none of the Indian p.o.w. in this camp has received comfort parcel since being a prisoner.
The control of the Man of Confidence was not yet organised at the time of the visit but the Camp Authorities stated that all the Red Cross stuff was to be brought in the next days to a separate room and that the Man of Confidence would have the full control of it and a key of the room. Will be checked at the next visit.
The prisoners asked if they could receive from the Red Cross canvas shoes for use in the camp.
IX.) LAUNDRY
Is done by the men and there was no complaint about it.
X.) MONEY AND PAY
The prisoners complained that, since in this camp, they had so far received no pay; they stated that in the previous camps where they were (Frankenburg & Koenigsbruecke) each man received 3 RM every ten days.
The Camp Authorities knew nothing about it and, as the Legation has never heard of men prisoners being paid without doing any work, the German High Command will be asked to explain the matter.
XI.) CANTEEN
There is only one canteen for the whole camp and there is not much stuff for sale for Indians; anyhow they have no money at present to spend. They miss, however, greatly oil for the hair but this wish was already communicated to the representatives of the I.R.C.C.
XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY
Four different faiths are represented among the Indian prisoners in this camp:
Mohammedans 80
Hindoos 42
Sikhs 40
Mahayanas 59
The Mohammedans are all in one room but the prisoners of the three other denominations are lodged together in the other room; as no special prayerrooms are provided the situation in this respect is not east, inasmuch as that room is already overcrowded.
The question of providing special prayerrooms for Indian prisoners was discussed with the camp Authorities but there does not seem to be much hope that it will be satisfactorily settled in the near future. However, the attention of the German High Command will be drawn to the question.,
XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE
There are no Indian books but some English books have been received; however, the majority of the prisoners do not understand or read English.
The Camp Authorities stated that they will soon receive German papers translated into English.
The Man of Confidence asked for chessboards, playing cards as well as for hockey-sticks and balls, as there is a playing ground in the camp.
These wishes will be communicated to the Y.M.C.A.
XIV.) MAIL
From England the mail comes in regularly but there is so far no mail at all from India.
The question of air-mail to and from India was raised again.
XV.) WELFARE WORK
Nothing to be reported.
XVI.) COMPLAINTS
1) The Man of Confidence complained that the N.C.O. were compelled to work with the men for the internal arrangement and maintenance of the camp; a protest was made by the Legation's Representatives to the Camp Authorities but, the matter will be discussed with the German High Command.
2) There are in the camp three Indians of the Merchant Navy from the S.S. "City of Karachi", which was sunk on the 19th of April 1941. They ask to be sent to the Milag Nord and their wish will be communicated to the German High Command; their names are:
P.o.W. No. 7224 - Sadi Mani.
" " 7227 - Arshad Miau
" " 7258 - Sultan Ahmed.
XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION
It is difficult to express an opinion about this camp; one does not understand why that small party of Indians has been brought here; from the material point of view there are many shortcomings which have been mentioned heretofore and in the first days after their arrival these prisoners seem to have been badly treated. The discussion with the camp Authorities was somewhat difficult as none of the German officers present seemed to know anything concerning the Indians; besides, as the Indians had been only a short time in the camp, things were not yet quite settled. Anyhow, this camp ought to be visited soon again.
Gabriel Naville.
Dr. Kurt Schäffeler.
CONFIDENTIAL
STALAG IV B
Date of visit: August 12, 1942.
Camp Commander: Oberst Semf.
Chief German Physician: Stabsarzt Dr. Rückert
Indian Man of Confidence: Warrant Officer Delipsingh, p.o.w. No.1224.
This report has to be considered as a supplement to the report of the visit made July 17th. As the Indian prisoners here had only arrived in this camp a few days before the visit of July 17th it was considered advisable to revisit this camp again.
At the day of the visit there were 20 English and 6 Cypriots in the camp. They had arrived a few days ago from various "Arbeitskommandos" in the neighbourhood and were supposed to be transferred immediately to a British camp. Four of them were ill. One man was suffering since his capture 1 1/2 year ago by sciatica. This man was specially mentioned to the German Stabsarzt in view of sending him to a Hospital where he can get proper treatment.
There were also in camp 392 Indian prisoners (an increase of 171 since July 17th) and ten other British prisoners of war. All ten in the Hospital.
The men are lodged now in 3 barracks. One barrack is reserved for the Mohammedans.
Most men have now 2 blankets, and the German authorities promised to give all men, who so far have only one blanket, an additional one.
It was mentioned in the last report that the room with 141 men was overcrowded. This may be so, but in questioning the inmates of this room they did not seem to mind this much. They explained that it was much warmer when many men were living together.
The 3 rooms are now occupied by 132, 104 and 139 men. They are all of the same size with the same number of beds.
In the camp is one large barrack with showers where warm showers are available whenever wanted. This shower-room was not seen at the last visit. This explains the remarks made in the last report concerning the insufficiency of bathing facilities.
No other remarks about food and cooking since last report.
In the camp Hospital were 22 British and 1 American patients.
All but two have been mentioned in the report of July 17th. In most cases the state of health since the last visit has visibly improved. There is now new case of T.B. The man is doing well and was quite satisfied with the treatment he gets.
There is a well equipped dental station in the Hospital where all prisoners get dental treatment. Three French dentists are working here. Dentures are made here but due to the shortage of certain material prostheses are only accorded to those men who general state of health would suffer on account of lack of teeth.
The clothing question even if not too bad is causing some trouble. However, the Man of Confidence is now able to control all material coming in from the Red Cross. A German N.C.O. is present when distribution is made to the prisoners. The trouble comes in when the German N.C.O. and the British Man of Confidence do not agree if a man needs really something new or not.
The prisoners, who partly come here from camps in Italy, are usually very poorly dressed. The stock of uniforms and underwear, also shoes is exhausted. As 600 more Indian prisoners are expected in a short time, a new stock should before the winter be built up here. This stock should consist of heavy coats, complete uniforms, underwear and shoes.
The Man of Confidence asked for some prayerbooks for Hindus, Sikhs, and Mohammedans, also for some musical instruments such as banjos. These wishes will be brought to the attention of the Y.M.C.A.
All the Indian prisoners in this camp claim never have received any news from home since their capture. A list of all prisoners with addresses of their next of kin will be set up and sent as soon as received to the British authorities.
One Cypriot has not received any news from home. His name is:
Kiriacos Karanants, p.o.w. 94463,
home address:
Vasilige Nicola Moisi
Vasilia,
Kerinia, Cyprus.
The general impression of this camp is not a bad one. Some improvements since the visit of July 17th could already be noted.
Rudolph Iselin.
Dr. K. Schaeffeler.
