CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH

U.S.A.

No. 349

STALAG IV C WISTRITZ.

        No change in the general outlook of the camp. On the day of the visit 19 British prisoners of war of whom 6 are assistants to the man of confidence were at the base-camp itself.

        In the whole area of this Stalag are now:

                total number of British prisoners of war of whom 2831 have come from Italian captivity during the past five months.

        Reference note British Legation, Berne, dated December 4th, 1943. with regard to work-detachments Schwaz II, delegate regrets to report that this work-detachment still exists. In this camp, two prisoners have been shot and killed whilst attempting to escape since last visit. It stands to reason that the loss of these two lives is a consequence of the abominable conditions in this camp. Delegate again requested Stalag-Commandant, this time in the strongest terms, to undertake immediate measures towards a satisfactory solution and referring again to the bad impression the Kommandofuhrer made upon him. Commandant disagreed, he thinks no member of the German Army makes a bad impression. He declared himself equally displeased with conditions at Schwaz, however, he blamed the British prisoners whom he called notorious trouble-makers and against whom he is prepared to inflict disciplinary punishment. Delegate asked to dissolve this camp at an early date and to divert the prisoners to various good established work-camps. Commandant agreed and promised to do so within a month's time - Delegate will not fail to look into this matter again on his forthcoming visit in February 1944.

        Furthermore, the following points were discussed:

                1. The presence of a Cypriot interpreter at the Revier Willsdorf - Commandant promised to look into this matter.

                2. Assumption of duty of both a Church of England and a Roman Catholic padre in the Stalag area - Commandant promised to make application to the Wehrkreis-Kommando IV.

                3. Through the intermediary of the Protecting Power about 80 non recognized Non-Commissioned officers have received their identifications during the past months. In spite of the fact that they are now in possession of these papers, their status as non-commissioned officers has not been restored - Commandant promised to deal with this complaint.

(Sgd.) RUD. E. DENZLER.

Appendix to report Stalag IV C.

List of deaths occurred since last visit on Oct. 9th, 1943.

CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH/CYPRIOTS

No. 350.

Work Camps depending on Stalag IV.C.

Arb. Kdo. Dörfel n/Reichenberg.

Date of visit: January 12th, 1944.

British District M.o.C.: Cpl. Y.N. Hadjiyiannis (94157)

British M.o.C.: Cpl. O.P. Christodoulides (94160)

I.  Since last visit in July 1943, these men have been moved to the house next door which is also an old factory building, but proves more satisfactory. Two large sleeping rooms, a sick-room and an office for the men of confidence.

II. 65 Cypriots and one Australian medical orderly.

III. The rooms are furnished with single iron bedsteads, ample sitting accommodations and tables, good stoves and electric light.

IV. Satisfactory. Hot bath once weekly available to everybody.

V. In order.

VI. One of the men does the cooking. Here, too, the cut of the potato ration is much felt. Red Cross parcel issue in order.

VII. Three times weekly sick parade with a German military doctor. There is a medical orderly in camp. Medical supply from the British Red Cross is stated to be scarce. Dental treatment in town. General state of health satisfactory.

VIII. The men are short of trousers and boots. Applications to Stalag have been made.

IX. A prisoner is doing the laundry for the whole camp. Soap issue in order.

X. Correct. The men work for the Stadtverwaltung.

XI. The camp has an issue from Stalag about every three months.

XII. There are some prayer-books in camp.

XIII. A football-ground is just outside the camp. Walks for the medical orderly were arranged by the delegate.

XIV. Cinema performances about once a month together with British prisoners of war of other camps in the area.

XV. Mail is reported to be slow.

XVI. No complaints.

XVII. Good camp.

Arb. Kdo. Christofsgrund

BRITISH

Date of visit: January 12th, 1944.

British M.o.C.: Cpl. B.A. Bardsley (95351)

I. No change since last visit.

II. 31 British prisoners of war.

III. No change.

IV. Satisfactory

V. In order.

VI. Satisfactory. The man of confidence does the cooking.

VII. Sick parade three times a week with a German military doctor at Reichenberg. The men go there by train. Medical supply and dental treatment in order. General state of health is very good.

VIII. The men are short of trousers and battle-dresses. Boots are also much needed. Stalag is informed.

IX. Done by the firm.

X. Correct. The men work for the Reichsbahn, laying sleepers and similar odd jobs.

XI. There is an issue from Stalag.

XII. One of the men prays with the comrades, prayer books are in camp.

XIII. In order.

XIV. In order.

XV. Cinema performances occasionally at Reichenberg.

XVI. No complaints.

XVII. Good camp.

Arbeitskommando Georgenthal

BRITISH

Date of visit: January 13th, 1944.

British M.o.C.: Rifleman W. Beauchamp (96011).

        26 British prisoners of war working in a furniture factory. The man of confidence reports very good general conditions at this camp, good understanding with the firm and the Military authorities. The delegate was pleased to arrange for Sunday walks for the men and straightened out some minor questions. The men are in very good health and spirits.

Arbeitskommando Ruppersdorf

BRITISH

Date of visit: January 13th, 1944.

British M.o.C.: Cpl. W.J. Allan (96265)

        There are 11 British prisoners of war who are engaged in quarry. The man of confidence met the delegate at the Guards-Company office at Reichenberg and discussed with him several questions. The only complaint was that the men had to work sometimes on Sunday and that these hours were not always refunded in course of the following week. This point was straightened out in presence of the military authorities and the Guards-Company Commander promised to stop these irregularities. Besides that the man of confidence reports good general conditions at his camp, very few cases of sickness and fine spirit amongst his comrades.

Rudolph E. Denzler sgd.

0103/3967.(P.W.2.)

4th March, 1944.

Foreign Office Ref: K.W.2/4. 25th Feb. 1944.

(EN CLAIR)

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

Mr. Norton

No. 784

22nd February, 1944.

D. 9.30 p.m. 22nd February, 1944.

R. 3.25 p.m. 23rd February, 1944.

        Your telegram No.4295.

        In report on work detachment Schwaz II visited 10th January it is stated two prisoners have been killed whilst attempting to escape since last visit. Swiss representative considers this consequence of abominable conditions in this camp and again requested Stalag Commandant in the strongest terms to undertake immediate measures and referred again to bad impression given by Kommandofuehrer. Commandant disagreed and blamed British prisoners whom he called notorious trouble makers and against whom he is prepared to inflict disciplinary punishment. Swiss representative requested dissolution of this camp at early date. Commanant promised to do so within month's time and matter will be checked on next visit in February.

        Following deaths occurred since last visit to Stalag IV C: CY/4347 Ali Vehbi Hasan P.O.W. No. 94799 9th October appendicitis. PO/X/100212 Marine George Howard P.O.W. No. 95452 shot 11th October while escaping (your telegram No. 4660) 3653650 Private Thomas Culshaw P.O.W. No. 1844 shot 11th October while escaping (your telegram No. 4612) CY/15548 Corporal Costas Garivaldinos P.O.W. No. 94221 10th November Peritonitis 319540 J. Commins P.O.W. No. 25221 died 25th November following accident in coalmine. 14700224 Leonard Rutter P.O.W. No. 223236 7th December after short illness CY/15605 Toumazov N. Sotiris P.O.W. No. 94254 killed 2nd November by comrade (my telegram No. 773) 2065105 T Gunner Denis Reviers P.O.W. No. 251902 20th December cause of death unstated 6285671 Lance Corporal Frank Revell P.O.W. No. 839 shot 1st January while escaping (your telegram No. 444) 4386543 Lance Corporal Percival Turner P.O.W. No. 474 shot 1st January while escaping (your telegram No. 416).