CONFIDENTIAL

STALAG IV C WITH RESERVE HOSPITAL BILIN

BRITISH
AUSTRALIAN

BELGIAN

September 17, 1941.

Commander: Major Stossier.

Interpreter: Sonderfuehrer Winkler.

        As there are still no British or Belgian prisoners in the base camp, this was not visited this time. It was stated that in the whole area under the STALAG were at the time of the visit 103 English, 9 Australian, 1135 Cypriots and 516 Belgian prisoners of war. The English prisoners are all in work camp Schwatz which was visited once more. All the Cypriots are working in a work camp Bruex and here are also the Australians, including one doctor, Captain Godby A.M.C. p.o.w. No.9539 IV C, working as sanitary personnel. This work camp could unfortunately not be visited this time as its presence was not known to the Embassy and not included in the permission, but it will be seen on the next visit to this STALAG. The Belgian prisoners are mostly employed in agricultural work and most of them are working with the peasants without guard. Only 15 are still in work camp Dux which was visited.

WORK CAMP SCHWATZ

British Man of Confidence: Sergeant Wilby.

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        There has been no change in this camp which has been described in previous reports. The British prisoners are living separated from the 255 French prisoners.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        In the work camp were at the time of the visit 103 English prisoners of war all of them employed in mining work. The majority works 8 to 9 hours a day and has each Sunday free. 20 had however for the last 7 to 8 weeks to work for 12 hours a day and in addition two Sundays monthly. It was stated that this had been necessary as the job where these men had been employed had to be finished at a certain date. The work was now however finished and from the day of the visit on even these workers would only have to work 8 hours a day and have each Sunday free. The Embassy representative pointed out that this had been definitely against the Convention of 1929. The matter will be mentioned to the German High Command, but as it apparently is settled already, no special representation will be made. The "free day question" mentioned in earlier reports is apparently now arranged. The Man of Confidence stated that it still happened that they had to work a few hours on a Sunday if there had been many rainy days in the week on which the work had to be stopped. It happened, however, now very seldom and there were no complaints about the matter.

III.) CAPACITY AND INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        The dormitories have not changed. They made a rather pleasant impression and had very comfortable steel spring beds. On the chilly day of the visit there was a fire in the stove and it was stated that the supply of coal is sufficient to let the prisoners have a fire whenever they want to.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

        The prisoners still used the washing facilities in open air outside the barracks. The German camp leader stated, however, that whenever they find it too cold they will be allowed to use the wash and shower room in common with the whole camp. This arrangement will certainly be satisfactory even if it would be more pleasant for the English prisoners to have their own wash room. Already the shower room is used for bathing and warm water is provided every day.

V.) TOILET FACILITIES

        The latrine of pit type is rather primitive but nevertheless satisfactory. It may be a bit cold in the winter as there are no windows or doors in the building but the prisoners stated that they did not mind and that they were used to this kind of latrines. The matter was, however, pointed out to the Commander who promised to consider it.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        The kitchen is modernly equipped and has adjoining an electrically cooled closet. It was stated by the camp leader that the prisoners receive the food ration for "Heavy workers". The prisoners stated, however, that the food would hardly be sufficient, if it was not for the food parcels from home. The soup served for dinner at the end of the visit was sampled and tasted good.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        The health condition among the British prisoners was stated to be very good. In case of illness they are taken care of by the local German physician and sent to the nearby Reserve Hospital, if hospital treatment is needed.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        The clothing is good except for shoes. It was stated that new shoes have been ordered through the employer. For indoor use each man has one pair of clogs.

IX.) LAUNDRY

        The laundry is sent away and the Man of Confidence expressed his satisfaction with this arrangement.

X.) MONEY AND PAY

        In addition to the usual pay of RM 0.70 per day the prisoners are paid RM 0.33 for ever hour overwork. It was stated the average income is from 27 to 30 RM monthly. The wages are paid out regularly.

XI.) CANTEEN

        In the canteen toilet articles and writing paper are for sale. If anything specially is wanted the prisoners can order this through the camp leader. Each man can buy 150 French cigarettes monthly at a price of 2 RPF each. 3 bottles of beer per man each week, sometimes more, and lemonade are provided.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        The prisoners have a few hymn books which they use now and again, but otherwise no religious activity has been started.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        For sport the space inside the fences is rather small but it was promised by the Commander that as soon as the sport equipment from the International Y.M.C.A. arrives the prisoners will be taken out to a sport ground. A list for different out and indoor games had been given to the representative of the Y.M.C.A. on his visit recently. Books are now sent from STALAG in boxes and are changed when read. Playing-cards and some indoor games have also been provided. The Man of Confidence had ordered an accordion through the camp leader but the Commander had returned the money and promised to pay for one out of the camp funds. (Lagermittel).

XIV.) MAIL

        The mail had arrived a bit irregularly the last weeks. The Commander stated that the delay in the camp is never more than 2 days and that the cause must be somewhere else. A letter from England usually takes 3 weeks and to England apparently 5 to 6 weeks. Prisoners are all allowed to write the usual number of 2 letters and 4 post cards monthly. Parcels have arrived in sufficient number for one each per week for the last 12 weeks. Now there were, however, only seven more on stock and none had arrived at the Stalag either.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        No changes.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        The only complaints were those about the work hours mentioned above.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        In the whole the work camp is now a good one and the Man of Confidence stated that when they received the sport equipment and other things for recreation, already ordered, they would be quite satisfied.

WORK CAMP DUX

        In this work camp are 15 Belgian prisoners of war living together with 23 Frenchmen. They are all working with packing straw for the German army. They work 8 to 9 hours a day and have Sundays free. There were no complaints about the work.

        The living conditions are satisfactory. In the big dormitory where all the prisoners sleep there are no stoves but both the adjoining eating and recreation rooms are well heated and the smoke pipes pass through the dormitory giving a fairly good heat. Some of the prisoners had been here during the last winter and stated that the heating conditions were quite satisfactory. The beds are of the usual wooden type and supplied with 3 blankets. There is electric light. The recreation rooms were rather badly lit but the Commander promised to provide stronger lamps.

        The washing facilities are primitive with a small wash room with one faucet with running cold water. Each man has, however, his own basin. The latrines of pit type were kept clean.

        There were no complaints about the food which was stated to be sufficient and not bad. The food ration seemed to be the typical one for all prisoner of war camps.

        Health condition in the camp was stated to be good.

        The prisoners receive the usual pay of RM 0.70 per day. They can send home up to RM 80 per month.

        No canteen has been arranged in this rather small work camp but it was stated that whenever the prisoners want to buy anything they can order it through the camp leader. Beer is provided and there was a large supply on hand.

        Mass is celebrated every Sunday by a French chaplain.

        There were no complaints about the clothes. Each man has one quite good uniform, 2 pairs of undersuits, one pair of leather shoes and one pair of clogs. The prisoners do the laundry themselves.

        For recreation there are two big rooms with tables and chairs in sufficient number. Book boxes are sent from STALAG and changed now and again. Games have also been sent. There are 4 accordions in the camp. For sport the prisoners are taken under guard to a sport ground in the neighborhood. A foot ball has been provided.

        The mail arrives allright. The prisoners are allowed the usual number of 2 letters and 2 post cards monthly. Parcels (150 kgm) have arrived once from the Belgian Red Cross and also a few private ones from home but these were not thought to be sufficient.

        There were no special complaints, and the prisoners seemed to be satisfactorily kept in this camp.

RESERVE HOSPITAL BILIN

        The Hospital has not changed much since the last visit there in June this year. Some new barracks, however, are being built and these are certainly badly needed as the hospital at the moment was very crowded. The German Chief Doctor, Oberarzt Preiss, agreed that the hospital was much too crowded, but stated that he had good hopes that the new barracks will be ready very soon and that he will then be able to clear the most crowded rooms and use them as recreation rooms.

        In the hospital were at the time of the visit only 5 British patients of whom 4 from work camp Schwatz and one Australian from work camp Bruex. One patient with rheumatism had been in the hospital for nearly three months. He was now much better and on his own request he was going to be sent back to the camp. 2 patients with stomach trouble had been here for 9 days. X-ray had shown no ulcers and they were now treated with diet and felt already much better. The fourth Englishman had an impetigo and was doing allright. The Australian patient was under treatment for gallblader infection and gave no special reason for concern. All the patients had comfortable hospital beds and clean bed linen and seemed to receive proper treatment. Sanitary conditions are satisfactory.

        There were complaints about the parcels and the man who had been there for nearly 3 months stated that he had only received a few parcels during this time. The commander promised to give order that parcels should be sent regularly to the British patients in the Hospital. There were also too few English books and it was arranged that about 20 English books should be placed in the Hospital library for the present and future British patients. Some new games will also be sent here.

        The patients receive daily RM 0.40 from the camp funds. They can buy necessary toilet articles and a few other things in the hospital. Smoking is not allowed.

        Mail arrives regularly. The British patients are now allowed to write 2 letters and 4 postcards monthly and there were no more complaints about the mail.

        Apart from its overcrowding the hospital makes a very good impression. The beautiful situation and the nice little garden helps to take away the feeling of a prisoner of war camp. The Chief Doctor, who in peace time is the local physician, is a man about 50 years of age and gives the impression of being competent. His friendly way to the prisoners was specially noted. Besides the Chief Doctor one more German Doctor and some French Doctors take care of the patients. The sanitary personnel is also mostly French. The medical equipment in the hospital is good and includes a first class X-ray set.

        All matters subject to complaint in this report have been discussed with the local camp authorities. Defects which the local camp authorities refuse to correct or state they are unable to correct have been taken up with the German High Command in a letter dated September 25, 1941.

Dr. Folke Malmquist.