CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH

No. 487

STALAG IV C WISTRITZ

Date of visit: June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 1944.

Strength: 5,950 British Prisoners of War, detailed to 44 work detachments.

BRUX-AREA

Date of visit: June 1st, 1944.

Lager 22 a "Sudetenländische Treibstoff-Werke" n/Brux

Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. F. Hindle

Camp Leader: Sgt. Mills

Medical Officer: Capt. A.F. Murray R.A.M.C.

Strength: 2030 men.

        This camp is a vast improvement to the previous camp i.e. 27b Oberleutensdorf, described in my report No.375, page 5. As a result of our representations these prisoners have been shifted to this place, which is situated in a distance of about three kilometers from Oberleutensdorf.

        The prisoners are housed in huts of varying strengths from 16 to 22 men per hut. There is electric light in each hut and plenty of water, both hot and cold, conveniently near. The latrines are sufficient.

        The cooking is done in their own cooking-house, where they can cook the food to their own liking. A British sergeant and a civilian cook are in charge of the kitchen. There is also a canteen and a theatre.

        Prisoners are allowed regular visits to the local cinema and to a sports field.

        The hours of work are excessive, the men leaving camp in the morning between 5 and 5.30 a.m. and not returning until between 6.30 and 7 p.m.. In addition, the men have to work at least two Sundays per month and in some cases more. Since the air-raid of Friday the 12th May, two Sundays have been worked which has meant that one of the parties has worked five Sundays in succession.

        There is a Revier of 54 beds with a sufficient supply of blankets and sheets, which can be changed on order.

        Since my last report there has been an improvement in the supply of medicaments from the Detaining Power.

        Information:

        On May 12th, 1944, an Allied Air-Force attacked the Sudetenländische Treibstoff-Werke. The British prisoners of Lager 22 a are engaged in surface and constructional work in the vicinity of the factory. As a result of the attack 36 of them were killed. I consider Lager 22 a and Columbusschacht, which is situated nearby, to be exposed to fire of the fighting zone consonant to Artikel 9, last phrase of the International Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Geneva, July 27th, 1929.

        Swiss Legation Berlin to request the withdrawal of the British prisoners of war from this danger-area.

        The list of the 36 British prisoners killed in connect with the above mentioned aerial bombardment is attach to this report.

WORK DETACHMENT COLUMBUSSCHACHT 51 n/BRUX

British Man of Confidence: Cpl. G.W. BRUNTON, U.D.F.

   "      Camp Leader: Sgt. S. MARX, U.D.F.

British Medical Officer: Capt. M. MAYRHOFER, A.A.M.C.

Strength: 1120 men.

        This camp has been described in my report No. 375. Prisoners have well settled down since and the camp has subsequently improved. A new and well equipped infirmary has been constructed. Adequate supplies of clothing and shoes have arrived from Geneva.

        Camp Leader Sgt. S. Marx, U.D.F. (Johannesburg) is the big boss of this camp. He speaks fluently German, clever and good humoured, he gets what he wants from the Commandant, Management of the Columbusmine and the Township Authorities. He arranged more favourable working-conditions, achieved many internal improvements, sports, recreational facilities and entertainments. I can not appreciate Sgt. Marx' splendid work too highly.

28 B OBERLEUTENSDORF

British Man of Confidence: Cpl. D.G. HARNDEN

British Medical Officer: Capt. H.P. MICHELLIDES (Cypriot)

        The man of confidence attended the conference at Columbusschacht. According to his reports this camp is badly overcrowded. Insufficient space for outdoor recreation. 26 men to one room, windows facing the road must be kept closed in order to prevent intercourse with civilians.

        The men are forced to dig their air-raid shelters in the sparetime. Kontroll-Offizier explained that this is also required from German workers.

        The infirmary is too small, it can only take 8 patients. There is no special room for the Cypriot Doctor.

SCHOENLINDE-AREA

Date of visit: June 2nd, 1944.

WORK DETACHMENT HAIDA

British Man of Confidence: Cpl. Jos. ROY

Strength: 24 men.

        The detachment is housed in an old restaurant with a large and airy sleeping- and recreation-room. Good ventilation.

        Cooking is done by a prisoner cook in a well equipped kitchen. Good washing and bathing facilities.

        Prisoners do light work in a nearby lazaret, reasonable working hours.

        No complaints, very satisfactory.

WORK DETACHMENT HOPPENBLUETE, WARNSDORF

British Man of Confidence: Cpl. John BOWEN

Strength: 42 men.

        Good accommodation and good sports facilities. Prisoners work for a textile factory and take their meals in the work's canteen. Very good food and reasonable working hours.

        Cpl. Lowen stated: we have a good chance.

WORK DETACHMENT FALKENHAIN-SCHOENLINDE

British Man of Confidence: Sgt. F. NOLTING

Strength: 51 men.

        These prisoners work for a contractor laying out a pipe-line. They move their barrack every two months. The barrack is said to be satisfactory, containing bedrooms, one dining-room and one recreation-room. Washing facilities are primitive. No complaints nor requests.

WORK DETACHMENTS DAMPFZIEGELEI WARNSDORF

Cypriot Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. Andreas SAVVA

Strength: 45 Cypriot prisoners of war.

        Prisoners are housed in the factory building. Quarters appeared dirty and disorderly. I have strongly requested Commandant to withdraw this detachment in view of the unsatisfactory accommodation and unhealthy work. Commandant promised to do so in the near future.

        None of the prisoners spoke English, conversations was poorly conducted in German.

TETSCHEN-AREA

Area Man of Confidence: Sgt. Frank BATTLE

        There are 323 British and Cypriot prisoners in this area detailed into 6 detachments which have been described in previous reports.

        Sgt. Battle reported satisfactory conditions, questions of the day were discussed.

RESERVE LAZARET BILIN

        To my regret Lt. Col W.H.B. Bull NZMC left his position as S.M.O. of this lazaret to assume duties at the Reserve Lazaret Elsterhorst the day before I arrived. It is hoped that another British Medical Officer of senior rank may soon be appointed in his succession. Lt.Col. Bull did fine work at Bilin.

        On May 3rd, 1944, a conference took place with Stalag Commandant Oberst Lorenz and his Staff Officers at Wistritz. This time the general tune was very friendly; the medical attendance has substantially improved; since last visit there is a more liberal issue of medicaments, physically weak prisoners were shifted from heavy work to light work; working conditions have here and there considerably relaxed.

        Thanks to supplies from Geneva the clothing and shoe position is now satisfactory.

        Commandant agreed to withdraw the Cypriot prisoners from the Dampfziegelei Warnsdorf.

        Commandant informed me that two British Chaplains, a Protestant and a Roman Catholic, are shortly due to arrive. These two chaplains will be permitted to visit the work detachments to minister to their co-religionists. Late, but not too late.

        The better conditions now prevailing in this Stalag are due to the very efficient and tactful manner in which the Chief Man of Confidence, Conductor R.A. Hilton RAOC, is handling his affairs.

(signed) Rudolph E. DENZLER

STALAG IV C

The above mentioned British prisoners of war were killed or reported missing after the aerial bombardment at Brux Hydrierwerk, on 12th May 1944.

0103/5746/P.W.2. 13.7.1944.

F.O. Red. K.W. 2/4 8.8.1944.

(EN CLAIR)

DEPARTMENTAL NO. 1

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton.

No.3121

5th July, 1944.

D. 11.30 a.m. 6th July, 1944.

R. 4.05 p.m. 6th July, 1944.

        My despatch No. 2339.

        Report on certain of 44 detachments Stalag IV C visited 1st to 3rd June containing 5,950 British states Brux area Lager 22.A 2,030 prisoners. Vast improvement on 27.B Oberleutensdorf from which prisoners transferred following Swiss representations working hours excessive (your telegram No. 2002). Men leave camp to (sic? at) 5.30 a.m., return 6.30 to 7 p.m. work at least two Sundays monthly, in some cases more. Since air raid 12th May, one party has worked five successive Sundays. Prisoners engaged in surface and constructional work vicinity Sudentenlaendische Treibstoff - Werke. Swiss representative considers positions this detachment and nearby Columbusschacht contrary Article 9 Convention. Swiss Legation will request withdrawal prisoners. Columbusschacht contains 1,120 prisoners, substantial improvement. Man of confidence 28.B Oberleutensdorf stated camp badly overcrowded, insufficient space outdoor recreation, 26 men to one room, windows facing road closed prevent intercourse with civilians. Men must dig air raid shelters in spare time. German officer stated German workers also do. Infirmary too small.

        Schoenlinde area detachment Haida, 24 prisoners working Lazaret, no complaints. Hopfenbluete Warnsdorf 52 prisoners textile factory satisfactory. Falkenhain 51 men pipe-line, washing facilities primitive, no complaints. Dampfziegelei Warnsdorf 45 Cypriots steam tielworks, quarters dirty, disorderly, Commandant agreed withdraw prisoners.

        Tetschen area 323 British and Cypriots 6 detachments, satisfactory.

        Reslaz Bilin. Lt. Col. Bull transferred El Sterhors conditions improved, Commandant stated two British Chaplains Protestant and R.C. to arrive shortly will be permitted visit detachments (your telegram No. 1486).