CONFIDENTIAL
No. 7.
STALAG IV C
Date of visit: October 24, 1942.
Camp Commander: Oberst Lorenz.
Stellvertreter: Rittmeister Dr. Jaeckel.
Accompanying Officer: Hauptmann Jaeckel (Abwehr).
Man of Confidence: Sergeant Jack S. Parsons.
The conditions in the base camp are the same as described in the previous report.
One patient was in the Revier, Menelaous KIRAKU, p.o.w. No. 94260, who complained to have been beaten when he had asked to go to see a doctor while he was in Kommando Schaufelfabrik, and that he had to wait quite a long time before he was authorised to see one. This is far from being an isolated case in this Stalag. The Lagerarzt, Stabsarzt Dr. Preiss, was approached on this question and he promised that in future the guards will no prevent in any way the prisoners of war to go and see a doctor.
Other points were also taken up with the Lagerarzt:
(1) There is as yet no British doctor in the whole area of this Stalag, although one at least has been required by the inspectors on their previous visits. Dr. Preiss said he would ask to have one doctor in Komotau, where there are several British work camps, as soon as he has accommodation to fix him up. The Lagerarzt further mentioned that he did not consider it necessary to have a British doctor, because he would have not enough work to do, but that if one was to come, he would also have to look after prisoners of war of other nationalities. The inspectors are of the opinion that a British doctor would certainly have a full job, if he could attend all the British prisoners of war in the area of this Stalag. This is not possible for the time being, because although there are very few British in Stalag IV C, they are detached to work camps very distant from one another. The possibility of getting the British work camps closer has been taken up with the camp Commander, who promised to try and find a way to improve this state of affairs. The proposition of the Man of Confidence to have all British prisoners of war sent to another Stalag, because here they are only a very small minority, will not be followed up just now, as on the other hand, the climate in that region is milder, and thus the Cypriots, which form the majority of the British prisoners of war here, will be able to bear the winter better than in other parts of Germany.
(2) The Lagerarzt promised that extra blanket will be given to all the Cypriots.
(3) Dr. Preiss will at once personally inquire into the medical condition in the region of Komotau, where all British prisoners of war complain that they are not looked after properly by the French doctor in charge there and who has too much work to do.
It must be added that the inspectors were far from being satisfied with the actual medical condition in this Stalag, and they hope that after their interview with the camp authorities some improvement will come. They were particularly surprised to hear that no serious effort was made to obtain the necessary drugs and that the Man of Confidence was even prevented from sending a telegram asking for quinine. The Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen of the Wehrkreis was also asked to look into this whole medical problem. To be checked.
Other questions of a general interest have also been taken up with the camp Commander and the Man of Confidence:
1. There was some complaint that a few Cypriots were compulsed to do some forbidden work, or at least what looked like it. The Commander said that he would inquire in this matter, and check all the work done by the British prisoners of war. The inspectors regret not to be able to insist upon seeing the prisoners of war in their work, the provisions of art. 86, par. 2 of the Geneva Convention allowing them only to go to the places where the prisoners of war are interned, which may only mean where they live.
2. The Man of Confidence complained that the British prisoners of war received practically no mail for the last several weeks. Although there was a general restriction ordered for British prisoners of war in Germany, it seems that those in this Stalag did not even receive the small amount they were entitled to. The Kommandant promised to look into this matter.
3. Practically everywhere in this Stalag, there are very poor facilities for recreations. The Kommandant said he would try and find some way to give the prisoners of war the possibility of having the outdoor exercise which they are entitled to by art. 13 par. 4, of the Geneva Convention. To be checked.
4. All the British prisoners of war in this Stalag have only one battle-dress. A further supply should be needed, but it would also be advisable that the Man of Confidence were authorised to have full control on the British stock of clothing.
5. As there are many Orthodox in this Stalag, it would be good to have some one to take regular service. No ordained priests being here, the Man of Confidence said that he knew some prisoners of war who would be qualified for that work. The Kommandant will try and arrange for more or less regular service.
6. The Man of Confidence said that in several Kommandos the prisoners of war were urged to work with the means of arms. The Kommandant answered that the guards were to use their rifle-butts to encourage the prisoners of war to work, and this according to an order from the German High Command.
7. The inspectors having had very serious complaints brought to the attention by the prisoners of war in Arbeitskommando 168 against their Man of Confidence, they asked Sergeant Parsons if that Sergeant Atanasiou should not be changed. Parsons' answer was that it would not alter the conditions very much, as Atanasiou would then probably remain in that work-camp as a "Lagerpolizist" [Pencil note in margin: "Camp policeman"] and in that capacity have even more to say than the Man of Confidence. The inspectors showed their surprise to the Kommandant, saying that they only know and recognise a Man of Confidence who was to be appointed by the prisoners of war themselves. The Kommandant said there was an order of the German High Command saying there should be in all work-camps a "Lageraeltester", who is to be responsible for the camp. This order probably refers to prisoners of war of other nationalities, and the German High Command will be asked to what extent it should be applied to British prisoners of war and in what way it fits with the spirit of the Geneva Convention.
A few individual cases were also then discussed:
(1) Robert William BOOTH, p.o.w. No. 2398, who is mentally not quite normal, was leaving that day for a work-camp. The inspector asked the Lagerarzt to have him put on the list for the next Mixed Medical Commission.
(2) Corporal L.H. SHORTLAND, p.o.w. No. 95459, who had refused to work, considering himself as a full corporal, although the German authorities only recognised him as a lance-corporal, was sent to a French Sonderkommando where he was the only British prisoners of war. The Commander immediately gave orders to have him returned at once.
(3) Pte. Georgiou DEMOSTHENIOS, p.o.w. No. 94849, was told when in Stalag IX B to give up all his valuables. He does not understand English nor of course German. 180 Egyptian pounds were then found on him and have been confiscated. The German High Command will be asked to have this money credited to the account of that prisoner of war.
The Man of Confidence, seeing the difficulties that arise practically when it comes to recognising N.C.Os., suggests that a certificate stating their rank be given to all British soldiers.
The inspectors must say that they were altogether not satisfied with their visit in Stalag IV C. They had to take up again almost all the points already discussed during the previous visit as nothing had been done by the preceding Kommandant. They asked the Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen to change the mentality that exists in this Stalag and it is hoped that with the arrival of the new Kommandant a new era will start for the British prisoners of war.
Kommando 137 - Lagerkeller Komotau.
Visited: October 23, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Sergeant A. Kokindas, p.o.w. No. 94920.
Effective:
95 Cypriots
1 English,
1 Australian Medical Orderly.
The prisoners of war have a large hall at their disposal, where they all sleep, and which is also used as a day-room. As they work in shifts, there are never more than two-thirds of the effective in the camp. The beds are of the double-tier type, and each one has two blankets. Electric lighting. The heating is done by three large iron stoves. The ventilation is good. Sitting accommodations are sufficient. Each man has a box for his personal belongings. On a stage, at the back of the hall, there is a large trough with enough spigots for washing purposes.
In front of the hall there is quite a large court-yard, and in one side of it there is the barrack for the German guard and next to it the small kitchen, well equipped, where the prisoners of war can also warm up their private food.
A hut with 5 W.C. and a urinal is also in the courtyard but next to the hall, and can be used also at night.
The courtyard is at the disposal of the prisoners of war and they can also use it for outdoor games.
The prisoners of war work in an iron-pipe factory. Some of them believe they are working on ammunition, and the Kommandant in inquiring into this matter. The prisoners of war work the same amount of hours as the civilians do, including two Sundays per month. They are paid the same as the civilians for the same kind of work, less their upkeep.
There was no complaint about the food.
They have no possibility of having a hot bath a week in town. There was no copy of the Geneva Convention, and the accompanying officer promised to have one sent.
Some prisoners of war need overalls for their work, and the German High Command will be asked to have the firm give out the working clothes prescribed by art. 12, par. 1 of the Geneva Convention.
The prisoners of war only have one battle-dress and they are very much in need of boots and socks. The Man of Confidence said that the treatment here was now alright, but that when they were in Kommando Rulandhalle, Pte. Sotirios STAVRO, p.o.w. No. 95077, was shot dead by a German N.C.O., who had nothing to do with the prisoners of war, because he had not saluted him, and then not saluted him properly, which started an argument, finally ended by the shot. The German High Command will be asked particulars about that case.
An Australian medical orderly is attached to this camp and he has a sufficient supply of drugs. For medical treatment, the prisoners of war go to a centralised Revier in Komotau twice a week. A French doctor is in charge and has also to look after prisoners of war of other nationalities. The British in this camp, as well as in the four other camps visited that same day, complain that as the French doctor had too much to do, he did not give them all the attention they would like. Another difficulty that arises is that most of the prisoners of war in that region are Cypriots who do not understand any French, when they even do possess some knowledge of English. Another complaint is that in all those Kommandos the guards decide when a prisoner of war should go to the doctor. These points have been taken up, as already mentioned, with the Lagerarzt, who promised to have them altered. A check will have to be done during next visit.
Dental attention is done by a civilian dentist in Komotau, who only does conservative work. Protheses are difficult to obtain and only with permission from Stalag, which is not coming quickly.
Kommando 173 - Steinemuehle, Komotau
Visited October 23, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Gunner Victor Charles Stillwell, p.o.w. No. 95819.
There are 32 British, of which 7 Cypriots, in this work-camp; two of them were that day in the hospital in Komotau.
The prisoners of war are lodged in a factory in a rather deteriorated condition. Apart from the British, there are also French prisoners of war in this work-camp. The British have their own sleeping and day-room, and theoretically also their own W.Cs., but the latter were then out of order and seemed to be so most of the time. The kitchen, the wash-room, and the small court-yard are common to both nationalities.
The dormitory is on the second floor and cannot be heated. The inspectors insisted to have some means of heating this room fixed up, but the accompanying officer did consider it as natural that this room should not be heated, as the day-room had means of heating. The German High Command will therefore be asked to interfere in this matter, so that the provisions of art. 10, par. 2, of the Geneva Convention are followed properly. This room is a bit damp, unfriendly and cold. From it one can enter two W.Cs., one for the French and one, out of order, for the British. The French must therefore go through the British dormitory to go to the toilets at night. This unsatisfactory organisation will also be brought to the attention of the German High Command.
The beds are of the double-tier type and each one is provided with two unsatisfactory blankets.
The day-room is on the first floor. There is enough sitting accommodation. Here, as well as in the dormitory, there is electric light. A small stove is here to warm up the private food from parcels. A larger one is to be fixed in the coming days for heating purposes. This room also gives into a W.C., supposed to be only for the British.
The kitchen and the wash-room are in another building. The cooking is done by 2 French prisoners of war who complain that their task is rendered very difficult because the boiler is in a very bad condition. The British Man of Confidence said that the food was not very good but that the quantity seemed to be alright. The accompanying officer was asked to tell Stalag to interfere with the firm, so that the proper means of cooking be placed at the disposal of the prisoners of war.
The wash-room is satisfactory and has 16 spigots.
The British prisoners of war are busy road-building, unloading waggons etc. for the town Council. They have the same hours as the civilians. Actually, they work from 6:30 to 11:45 a.m., and from 1:20 to 6 p.m. On Saturdays, they are free from noon on, and go to the town baths. Sunday-work is required almost every Sunday morning. Otherwise, the Man of Confidence said that the treatment the prisoners of war get, is good.
There was no copy of the Geneva Convention and one will be sent by Stalag.
All N.C.Os. have been removed one week ago and are probably in Stalag IV B.
Two medical orderlies claim that they are recognised as such:
Pte. John BURK, p.o.w. No. 95499 does only for the last week the work of a medical orderly as well as some cleaning in the camp;
Pte. WINDSER, p.o.w. No. 95497, has to work as an ordinary prisoner of war.
Kommando 72 - Reichsbahnbauhof 1 - Komotau
Visited: October 23, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Sergeant Mehemet Hussain Kavaz, p.o.w. No. 94281.
There are 35 Cypriots in this Kommando as well as one Australian medical orderly. They live in a stone barrack belonging to the Reichsbahn, near a goods station. They have a large sleeping room, furnished with electric light; the beds are of the double-tier type, provided with two blankets, some of them rather thin. The cement floor is not covered. The room is a little damp and cold, and cannot actually be heated, the stove being out of order. The accompanying officer, minimising every protest made by the prisoners of war, the German High Command will be asked to give strict orders to the Stalag so that the work-camps are up to the standard required by the Geneva Convention, specially here, where there are fleas in the beds.
There is also here a large day-room that can be heated by a stove which is also used to warm up the private food. There is enough cooking accommodation, and in this room there is also a part used as a wash-room, which comprises a few basins and a tap with running water.
Two W.Cs. and a urinal are in the court-yard, which is also used for light outdoor exercise.
The prisoners of war work on railway repairs, and get extra ration for heavy workers. They work the same hours as the civilians and have Sunday-work very seldom, and then only a group of 5 to 15 men. The pay is RM 0.70 a day.
The food is alright, says the Man of Confidence, who can control the quantities.
The Man of Confidence says that the guards are alright, but that the civilians sometimes push and strike the prisoners of war. The German High Command will be asked to interfere in this matter.
The prisoners of war are in need of overalls, which should be given by the firm. Also, most of them in this Kommando, as well as in other Kommandos for Cypriots, have no socks whatever. The I.R.C.C. will be informed of this.
There was no copy of the Geneva Convention, and the Man of Confidence complains that he has no control of the British clothing and that his letters do not reach Stalag, or at least are not answered.
Kommando 88 - Reichsbahn Bauhof 2 - Komotau.
Visited: October 23, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Sergeant Mehemet Ahmed, p.o.w. No. 94633.
Here are 82 Cypriots of which three momentarily in Res.Laz. Bilin, and one Australian medical orderly.
They live in large wooden barracks in the immediate vicinity of Kommando Bauhof 1. They have four rooms which are each used by 20 men as sleeping-quarters and day-room. The beds are of the double-tier type and are supplied with two blankets. In each room there is an iron stove where private food can also be cooked. Electric light is everywhere. There are enough tables and benches.
In an adjoining building there are 4 clean WCs. and a wash-room with 22 spigots. Further along there shall be built also a small kitchen and a drying-room for the prisoners' of war clothes.
The prisoners of war work at railway repairs and have the same hours as the civilians, they are free on Saturday afternoons and have no Sunday work. The pay is RM 0.70 a day as a rule, but some men doing heavier work get extra pay.
The Man of Confidence said that the food was alright and that he had no complaints to bring forth concerning the treatment, also by the civilians.
There is no copy of the Geneva Convention.
The Man of Confidence has no control on the clothing and complains that there is not enough of it and specially no socks, nor enough pullovers.
The Corporals here are still not recognised.
The Australian, Corporal Peters, p.o.w. No. 95424, works as assistant sanitator, because he is only recognised as a corporal but not as a medical orderly. He gets RM 0.70 a day, like the other workers.
A Greek Sergeant complained that he and his comrades were not treated fairly by the Man of Confidence, himself a Turk. The inspectors tried to settle this question on the spot, and get the two N.C.Os. work more hand in hand.
Kommando 168 - B-W Reichsbahn Werklager Komotau.
Visited: October 23, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Sergeant Constantine Atanasiou, p.o.w. No. 94168.
Here are 99 Cypriots and one British medical orderly. They live in a wooden barrack, containing four rooms with about 25 beds each. The latter are of the double-tier type and furnished with two blankets. Electric light.
Each room contains a stove which can also be used to warm up private food, and also sufficient tables and seats.
In an adjoining hut there are 5 clean W.Cs. and a large wash-room containing also showers which can be used daily. This wash-room also contains an extra cooking-stove.
In front of the barrack there is a small garden, nicely arranged by the prisoners of war.
The men work on railway repairs and have the same hours as the civilians. They are sometimes asked to do some Sunday-work. The pay is RM 0.70 a day, and there is extra pay for long working-hours. The Man of Confidence stated that the food was very satisfactory and was the same as that the guards received, that the treatment the prisoners of war had was very good by every one and that he was perfectly satisfied with everything except the clothing. Unfortunately, the men themselves came up to the inspector and bitterly complained that their Man of Confidence was ill-treating them, slapping them, trying to get money out of them, and in a general way, not taking their defence. This was taken up with the principal Man of Confidence, Sergeant Parsons, who will look into this matter, and during next visit, this question will be taken up again.
There is a recognised British medical orderly in this camp. The medical question is particularly bad here: the medical orderly has sometimes to buy medicaments at his own expenses; often the prisoners of war get medical attention only after a very long time. It seems that the Man of Confidence is also at the back of this unconceivable state of affair.
Mustafa Achmat, p.o.w. No. 94542, is an epileptic case who has been for quite a long time in Res.Laz. Bilin. For one month he has been almost continually in bed and has daily attacks, one of them at the time the inspectors were in the camp. The Lagerarzt has been informed of this and he gave orders to have this man taken away to a lazaret.
Aristodimos Feochioy, p.o.w. No. 92438, has a right hernia and received from the French doctor only an ill-fitted belt with which he should anyhow do heavy work. This case will be examined by the Lagerarzt.
Agathoglis Hagiamastasy, p.o.w. No. 9520, complains that consecutive to a fracture of ribs he has difficulties in breathing and swallowing. He also will be examined by the Lagerarzt.
Kommando 440 - Schaufelfabrik Neuwistritz.
Visited: October 26, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Corporal Pavlu Panayiotis, p.o.w. No. 94685.
Here are 83 Cypriots, living in an old dirty factory where they also have to work. The living quarters are shocking in every respect, and the men have been living here for 8 months without having ever been seen by whatever Commission that came to this Stalag. This is mostly due to the fact that in the past it was always very difficult to obtain from the camp authorities any information about the whereabouts of the British prisoners of war. It is hoped that with the new Kommandant the inspectors will be permitted to do their work and that they will be helped in it according to art. 86, par. 3, of the Geneva Convention. The rooms are dusty, badly ventilated, dark. Double-tier beds fill up the sleeping-quarters, and each one has two blankets which, for the majority, are bad and deteriorated, so that the prisoners of war claim that they freeze at night. The day-room is at the same time kitchen and wash-room, and also gives a very poor impression. There is no possibility to have a hot bath. Two insufficient latrines are in the court-yard.
The prisoners of war complain that they are badly treated by the German N.C.O. and that two months ago he made an inspection during which he took all chocolate, butter, cigarettes, and so on from the men, and did not return them or only part of it. These facts have been told to the Stalag which is going to make an inquiry. The treatment by the civilians is satisfactory, except for the foreman who treats them very roughly and even wants recognised N.C.Os. to work.
The prisoners of war work in a shovel factory where they are doing rather heavy work, for about 11 hours a day. They have to work twice a month on Sundays. The pay is variable, according to the kind of work each prisoner of war does. The food is bad.
The previous Man of Confidence, Sergeant Loisu Chrisostomos p.o.w. No. 94954, was discharged 10 days ago by the German Authorities, because, he said, he made too many complaints against the treatment his comrades had to undergo in the hands of the guard. The accompanying officer says that Chrisostomos had written to ask to be sent away from this Kommando. The inspectors are of the opinion that the previous Man of Confidence wrote that letter in despair, as all his protests were of no use, and he felt he could not do his work satisfactorily.
The new Man of Confidence makes a good impression, but he was nominated in his position by the German authorities, in disagreement with art. 43, par. 1, of the Geneva Convention. Panayiotis says that himself and all the other prisoners of war in this camp would like to have Sgt. Chrisostomos back to them and the latter would like to also.
This camp should be closed, and the German High Command will be asked to take this measure.
Kommando 202 - Lichtowitz
Visited: October 26, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Sergeant H. Winter, p.o.w. No. 95764.
There are here 36 British prisoners of war, of which two are in a hospital in Aussig. They live in a peasant house, where they have two large rooms on the first floor, one a dormitory containing double-tier beds, with two blankets, each electric light, and a good ventilation. The other room is used as a day-room and has enough sitting-accommodation and a good light. Both rooms are heated with iron stoves where the prisoners of war can also warm their private food. In a corner of the day-room there are wash-basins, but the water must be carried from the court-yard. On the same floor there are two W.Cs. and a urinal.
The prisoners of war work in a stone-quarry from 7 to 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 t o 5:30 p.m. There has never been any Sunday-work till now, but the prisoners of war have been threatened to have to do some, if they did not work better. This is not in accordance with the fact that on last pay-day the prisoners of war have been given a premium for extra good work. Such threats should be avoided in the future. The average pay is RM 0.70 a day.
The food is not satisfactory and the Man of Confidence has no control of the quantities. A menu will be posted from now on.
The treatment now is alright since there are new guards in this Kommando.
The Man of Confidence has been before obliged to work. Now, that he is recognised as a Sergeant, he has to do the camp cleaning. The accompanying officer's attention was drawn to the fact that if a Sergeant is to clean the camp for privates, he loses much of his authority and the discipline of the camp can easily get bad.
The prisoners of war complain that the mail is very irregular, specially as regards parcels, which often come incomplete. Besides that, they have to pay for the transport of all parcels from Aussig to here, which makes about RM 25-30 each time. The German High Command will be asked to see that from now on parcels are brought free of charge to the camp, and that all money paid until now be refunded.
There was no copy of the Geneva Convention, and the Man of Confidence said he had asked through the usual way to have such a copy sent to him, but that his wish was rejected, and that he was to think of his work and nothing else. The inspectors were informed by the accompanying officer that a copy would be sent in the following days.
Other complaints are as follows:
(1) the prisoners of war must work as long as one civilian is with them. This is not in accordance with art. 30 of the Geneva Convention and the German High Command will be asked to inquire into this matter.
(2) Group photographs have been forbidden here by the Kompanie. The accompanying officer said they would be allowed to have photographs taken.
(3) Restrictions are sometimes made on Red Cross parcels, as a sort of punishment This derogation to art. 11, par. 4, of the Geneva Convention will be brought to the attention of the German High Command.
(4) Remarks on the Dieppe affair and the treatment of prisoners of war in Great Britain have been made publicly and notices have been hung up in the camp. Those notices were posted in practically every work-camp visited during the second part of this tour, and the accompanying officer said that the orders did not come from Stalag but from further up.
(5) Red Cross pullovers have been taken in the spring and not yet returned. The accompanying officer said he would mention this to Stalag and have those pullovers returned to their possessors. To be checked.
For medical attention, the prisoners of war go and see a French doctor in Res. Laz. Aussig, when the guard gives his authorisation. Although they had talked of this with the Lagerarzt, the inspectors insisted in every camp on the fact that the prisoners of war should be allowed to go and visit a doctor when they asked for it. There is no medical orderly in this camp.
The prisoners of war go to a civilian dentist in Plaskowitz who charges to repair dentures and does not make new ones.
Kommando 255 - Melderwerke, Niemes.
Visited: October 26, 1942.
Man of Confidence: C.S.M. G.E. Warham, p.o.w. No.95575.
12 British and 49 Cypriots work in a saw- and timber-work. They live on the third floor of a large and clean factory, where they have two good rooms, one used as a dormitory, the other as a day-room. Both rooms are well lighted, properly ventilated, and have central heating. Each room has also an iron stove where private food can also be warmed. In both rooms, which communicate there are washing installations with running water. In the day-room, there is a good closed W.C. and a urinal in the bed-room. The other latrines are in the court-yard. Electric light is everywhere. The beds are of the double-tier type and have two or three blankets. The whole camp makes a very good and clean impression.
They are doing all kinds of work in a chair-factory from 6:45 a.m. till 6 or 7 p.m. They have no Sunday-work. The pay varies from 20 to 100 RM a month. The food is good on the whole and is prepared by the firm. Very good treatment by guards and excellent by civilians.
There was no copy of the Geneva Convention and one will be sent at once.
There is a shortage of boots and the I.R.C.C. will be informed of this.
There is a civilian doctor in the town, where the prisoners of war can go three times a week. The doctor prescribes also glasses which the prisoners of war receive. The pharmacy in the camp is alright, but there is no medical orderly. George CHRISTODUROS, p.o.w. No.95879, has heart troubles since quite a long time and can only do light work; he should be seen by the Mixed Medical Commission.
There is a good civilian dentist in the town, but prostheses work must be done in Stalag.
Kommando R 164 - Dörrfeld bei Reichenberg
Visited: October 27, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Corporal Yiannis N. Hadjiyiannis, p.o.w. No.94157.
Here are 91 Cypriots, of which two are in hospital in Reichenberg. They live in an empty factory. One of the buildings is used by the Cypriots and an adjoining one is a camp for Russian civilians. The court-yard is used as a cemetery for motor-cars.
On each of the first and second floors of the British camp, there is a room for about 40 men. These rooms are used as dormitory and day-rooms. They are large, clear, well-ventilated and sufficiently clean. The Cypriots sleep in camp-beds provided with straw sacks and two blankets. Over the beds is a shelf on which the prisoners of war can put their personal belongings. Electric light. The heating is done by big iron stoves in each room. To each room belongs a large wash-room with running water and a W.C. as well as a urinal, which can also be used at night.
The ground floor has a nasty smell. Here is the kitchen, satisfactory and clean enough and where two Cypriots are in charge. In a passage in front of the kitchen there is a large kettle where the laundry is done by one of the prisoners of war.
Behind the building there is a small court-yard which can be used by the prisoners of war. A big pile of opened tin boxes is amassed in a corner and had not been taken away for 5 months, which means that there are quite a lot of flies and other insects about. The smell in the court-yard is worse still than on the ground-floor of the building, on account of the nearby Russian latrines.
A good drying-room is at the disposal of the prisoners of war.
A copy of the Geneva Convention was posted on the day preceding this visit.
The kind of work is very various: some of the prisoners of war work on tram-lines, some build houses, others unload potatoes. They work in principle for the town, but the latter lends them to the civilians in need of workers. This seems rather unsatisfactory, and the prisoners of war complain that many of them have for the last three weeks been busy unloading potatoes about 15 hours a day and on Sundays too. They also complain that, although they only have one uniform, they have sometimes to work in the mud or even in lavatory holes, without being given special clothing.
The food is prepared by the prisoners of war. The quality they receive is bad and they say they do not get enough of it. A menu will be posted from now on so that the quantities they receive can be controlled.
All prisoners of war receive RM 0.70 a day.
The treatment is very variable by the civilians. They are better treated now by the guards as before, when they were often beaten very badly, specially when they were in a work-camp in Brux. From there, they were sent to a work-camp in Reichenau, from where they have been removed to here because they complained they were doing ammunition. The guards, although they deny it, seem to consider that those Cypriots are here as a punishment. This is the first visit that these men have had since they were taken prisoners, about 18 months ago. When the delegates of the Swiss Legation in Berlin first came to Stalag IV C in January 1942, they asked to go and see the Cypriots in Brux, but were then told that those prisoners of war were just moving and could not be reached that day. On further visits, there was always some excuse to prevent them from visiting some of the work-camps. It is hoped that in the future the inspectors will be better informed of the whereabouts of the prisoners of war.
The Man of Confidence asked for more razor-blades, overcoats, pullovers and gloves. The accompanying officer said those things would be sent that same week from Stalag.
Three times a week, the prisoners of war can go to a parade in town to a German military doctor who is, however, very busy and cannot give full attention to them. In case of emergency, a French doctor is called to the camp. On the first floor of the factory there are two rooms used as a Revier, one with 2 and the other with 6 beds. The rooms are clear and clean. They have running-water and a small electric stove. The pharmacy is not sufficiently provided. There is no medical orderly at the present time, the two Australian ones having asked to go somewhere else.
Savvas TATSALLIDES, p.o.w. No.94158, complains that he suffers still from a M.G. wound in the arm and could only do light work.
Ahmed FEYZI, p.o.w. No.94935, was wounded in the right buttock where there remains probably some particles of bombs. He will be X-rayed.
Aristodimos THEODORIS, p.o.w. No.94547, has had his toes frozen and is still being treated. It happened while he was transported last winter from Brux to another work-camp, in very unsatisfactory conditions.
Nicos DRACOPULLOS, p.o.w. No.945159, complains of heart-trouble and should be seen eventually, by a Mixed Medical Commission. Those four cases were communicated to the accompanying officer for transmission to the Lagerarzt.
The prisoners of war used to go to a civilian dentist in the town, who was very rough and insufficient professionally. Since a few weeks, they are now going to another dentist who is doing much better work. No dentures, however, can be made here.
Kommando 22 - Steinbruch Weiss, Ruppersdorf.
Visited: October 27, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Sergeant D.R. Phillips, p.o.w. No.95822.
This work-camp contains 20 British prisoners of war, of which one is in hospital in Gnaschwitz. They live in a wooden barrack quite close to the stone-quarry where they work. One room is used as a dormitory and day-room. It is rather small, and contains double-tier beds with two thin blankets each. In winter, the prisoners of war must be very cold in this room. It also contains two large tables and sufficient benches. A cooking-stove is also used to warm the room. The meals are prepared by a German woman in a kitchen which is in the same barrack. There is electric light everywhere. The wash-room is very small and only contains a few basins. Adjoining the room there is a sort of locker where the Red Cross parcels are kept. This is very unsatisfactory, as in front of the locker there is at night a bin used as a urinal and that part of the barracks smell nastily. The day-latrines are 20 meters away from the barrack. They are clean but not closed, which means that they are very cold in the winter. There is no drying-room for the clothes.
The straw in the palliasses has not been changed for 14 months. There were many fleas during the summer and the firm did not do anything to prevent this plague. The prisoners of war tried to fight it with their own means and at their own expense, and the inspectors asked the accompanying officer to interfere in this matter so that the firm does something to improve the hygienic condition of this camp and also refund what was paid until now by the prisoners of war.
A copy of the Geneva Convention was posted on the day before this visit.
The prisoners of war work in a stone-quarry from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., with breaks from 9 to 9:30 and from 12 to 12:45. They have no complaint to make about the work. They were sometimes asked to work on Sundays, during the summer. They are paid RM 16:80 a month.
The food is good and the quantities seem alright.
The prisoners of war are well treated in this camp. The greatest trouble is regarding the clothing. They only have one battle-dress, bad boots, not enough great-coats, and when they are wet, they have no clothes to change into and no way to dry them. It seems also that some of the British clothes are, or at least were given until lately to Frenchmen, while the British were given French great-coats.
The inspectors were also surprised to hear that the order concerning the N.C.Os. possibility of stopping work only came in this work-camp the day previous to this visit.
For medical attention, the prisoners of war, when allowed by the guard, go to Ruppersdorf or to the Res.Laz. Reichenberg. There is also a good civilian dentist in Ruppersdorf.
Kommando 27 - Steinbruch Lange, Ruppersdorf
Visited: October 27, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Corporal S. Gibson, p.o.w. No.95342.
20 British prisoners of war, including one Australian, form this work-camp, but two of them are in hospital. They live in an empty factory, some distance away from their work. There are two rooms on the first floor, one with 8 and the other with 14 beds of the double-tier type, each having 4 blankets. In the larger room there are enough tables and benches for about 20 people. Electric light everywhere. In each room there is an iron stove which can also be used to warm private food. The rooms are rather dark and unfriendly. On the ground-floor, there is a W.C., clean, and a large wash-room where there is a possibility to prepare hot water. A cement bath can be used by the prisoners of war. There is also a drying-room for the clothes. And finally they have a yard where they can have some outdoor exercise.
The men work in a stone-quarry not far from that of Kommando 22. Hours of work are from 7:30 to 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m. to noon, and 12:45 to 5 p.m. From 5 till 5:30 p.m., the prisoners of war are supposed to peel potatoes, also for the civilian workers. Sunday-work is only exceptional. But in the winter, the prisoners of war often have to work in factories where they have irregular hours and also work on Sunday morning as a rule. They are paid RM 0.70 a day. As regards food, the quantities are according to scale, but the quality is poor. The guards are very decent with the prisoners of war, but the man Lange, owner of the quarry, did once strike one of the prisoners of war in the face. The accompanying officer will have Stalag inform Lange that this is not allowed.
There is a need for overcoats and boots and although a second set of battle dresses has been sent here, they do not fit the prisoners of war and have to be exchanged.
The Man of Confidence is not recognised in his rank and has to work. He would like to have a certificate showing that he is a full corporal. His army number is Ex.1872, Royal Marines.
The same remarks concerning medical and dental treatment which figure in the end of the report on Kommando 22 are applied to this work-camp.
Kommando 78 - Christiansau
Visited: October 27, 1942.
Man of Confidence: Bombardier Percy John Walsh, p.o.w. No.95521.
The British prisoners of war live on the first floor of a Bauerngasthaus, in a large room with double-tier beds for 24 men. Each man has two or three blankets. Here are also enough tables and benches. Electric light. There is an oven which can be used also for the heating. This room gives directly into a small garden created by the prisoners of war themselves. In this garden there is also a W.C. and a urinal. The washing accommodations are composed of a few basins. The Kommando gives a clean and comfortable enough impression.
A copy of the Geneva Convention is posted since the day before this visit.
The men are working in a stone-quarry or at brick-laying, or doing street or building-work. They have the same hours as civilians. Sunday-work was asked three times during last winter, to shovel snow. When asked about the food, the Man of Confidence only laughed. The treatment is alright on the whole now, but during the last winter some prisoners of war were kicked by civilians and the present control officer is rather nasty with the prisoners of war.
The clothing is better now than previously.
4 Corporals, including the Man of Confidence, have to work. They did not know what was their real position until that day, because it was the first commission they ever saw since they are prisoners of war, i.e. about 18 months ago, and it was only since the previous night that they had ever seen the Geneva Convention. The accompanying officer said he would have their rank controlled and that these prisoners of war would get a chance of leaving work. To be checked.
Medical and dental care are satisfactory and are done by a civilian doctor and a civilian dentist in Friedland. There is no medical orderly here. The pharmacy is rather poor and under the control of a British corporal.
Fred. O. Auckenthaler.
Dr. Andreas Staehelin.
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 11.
RESERVE-LAZARETT BILIN
(Stalag IV B)
Date of visit: October 24, 1942.
German Chief Physician: Stabsarzt Dr. Preiss.
Assistant Physician: Oberarzt Dr. Holzheimer.
Man of Confidence: Private Edmund Dingley.
At the time of the visit there were 21 British patients and the British Man of Confidence at this Reserve Lazarett. There are no British doctors nor orderlies and the patients are treated by three Serbian and 1 French doctors.
The key for the store-room that contains also the British Red Cross parcels is no longer in the hands of the French Man of Confidence, as it was the case at the time of the last visit, and a German N.C.O. is now in charge of the store-room.
The Man of Confidence complained that there was a lack of quinine and restoratives, but the Chief Physician stated that there was sufficient of everything. The question is why it is not given out when needed?
The only serious case was AVERKIOU, 94725 IV B who should be seen by a Mixed Medical Commission. It is supposed that he is suffering from a pancreas disease (tumour).
Two T.B. cases had been sent to Reserve-Lazarett Mühlberg a week before this visit occurred and it was said that all the cases and D.U. patients will be sent to that Reserve-Lazarett where they will be examined by the next Mixed Medical Commission.
The way British are treated here is very variable, according to the ups and downs of war activity.
Fred. O. Auckenthaler.
Dr. Andreas Staehelin.
0103/3967/P.W.2.a. 7.12.42.
Foreign Officer Red: K.W.2/4. 2.12.42.
(EN CLAIR)
DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.
FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE.
Mr. Norton
No.4269
26th November, 1942.
D. Untimed 27th November, 1942.
R. 5.10 a.m. 30th November, 1942.
My telegram No.3846.
Following points mentioned in report on Stalag IV C and dependent work camps visited by representatives of Swiss Legation Berlin 23rd-27th October: majority prisoners Cypriots. Several cases of prisoners having wait long time for authorisation to see doctor. One patient at present in Revier complained he was beaten when he asked to visit doctor. Still no British doctor in this area. Inspectors dissatisfied with medical attention at Stalag and work camps. No serious efforts made obtain necessary drugs. Man of confidence complained prisoners did not receive even small amount mail allowed under prevailing restrictions. Poor facilities for recreation. Man confidence stated in several Kommandos prisoners forced to work harder by guards using rifle butts in accordance with order from German High Command. Corporal L.A. Shortland, prisoner War 95459 (see my despatch 4993) was sent to French Kommando for refusing work where he was only British prisoner. In several work camps no copy Geneva Convention or copies only distributed day previous to Swiss representatives visit.
Kommando 137 prisoners working in iron pipe factory believe they are doing war work. No possibility hot baths. Man of confidence stated Private Setirios Stavro, prisoner of war 95077, while at Kommando Rulandhalle was shot dead by German N.C.O. not connected with prisoners for failing to salute him.
Kommando 173 toilets generally out of order. Kitchen washroom and small court yard also used by French prisoners. Dormitory on second floor unheated. Cooking done by two French prisoners on worn out stove. Food poor.
Kommando 72 sleeping room damp not heated as stove out of order. Prisoners have two blankets some rather thin. Civilians sometimes strike prisoners. Man of confidence complained no control of clothing and his letters did not reach Stalag or not answered.
Kommando 168 men complained ill treatment from man of confidence. Medical orderly must sometimes buy medicines at own expense.
Kommando 440 accommodation in dirty factory where prisoners also work. Living quarters disgraceful and prisoners have been here eight months without visits from Swiss representative or International Red Cross Committee. Swiss representatives state have experienced great difficulty in obtaining from camp authorities information concerning whereabouts British prisoners. Prisoners have each two blankets in bad condition. No possibility hot baths. Insufficient toilets. German N.C.O. confiscated all chocolate, butter, cigarettes, two months ago. Civilian foreman treats prisoners roughly. Previous man of confidence dismissed by German authorities because he made too many complaints against treatment of prisoners by guard. New man of confidence was nominated by Germans. This work camp should be closed.
Kommando 202, mail irregular. Parcels often arrive incomplete. Prisoners must pay cost of transport of parcels from Aussig to camp, 25-30 marks each time. Man of confidence asked copy of Geneva Convention but request rejected. Red Cross pullovers taken in Spring still not returned. Prisoners charged for repairs to dentures and new ones not made.
Kommando 164 bad smell owing to pile empty tins not removed for five months and presence of nearby Russian toilets. Some prisoners have had to work fifteen hours daily including Sundays and although only one uniform they must work in mud or even in sewer pits. Treatment from civilians varied. Civilian dentist rough and unskilful. These prisoners not visited for eighteen months. They were previously in work camp Brux and when Swiss representatives asked in January 1942 for permission to visit they were told prisoners were just being moved. On other occasions excuses made to prevent visit.
Kommando 22 one room for dormitory and day. Prisoners have two thin blankets each. Room warmed by cooking stove. Washroom very small. Red Cross parcels kept near toilet. No drying room for clothes. Paliasse straw not changed for fourteen months. Prisoners obliged to prevent fleas by own means and at own expense. Some British uniforms given to French and some British prisoners given French greatcoats.
Kommando 27, during winter prisoners work in factory irregular hours and Sunday morning. Quality food poor. Quarry owner where prisoners work in summer struck prisoner.
Kommando 78 food poor. Some prisoners kicked by civilians. Present officer in charge unsympathetic.
Swiss representatives dissatisfied with this Stalag as almost all deficiencies noted during previous visit still not remedied. They hope new camp Commander will improve matters.
