Stalag IVC

Stalag Commandant

Assistant Commandant

Staff Physician

Accompanying Officer OKW

British Chief Man of Confidence

Man of Confidence for Cypriots

: Oberst Lorenz

: Major Jaeckel

: Stabsarzt Dr. Stelzig

: Hauptmann Schade

: Conductor R.A. Hilton RAOC (95543)

: Sgt. J. Hadjonnen RASC (94286)

Complement: 5426 British prisoners of war of whom 3817 come from former Italian captivity or are of recent capture. Including 3 Americans. All these prisoners are detailed on various work-detachments.

I. Five barracks, 4 cubicles to each barrack 32 x 30 feet square, about 36 men to each cubicle. Very limited space within the fence, Camp is still unfinished, some roofs leaking.

II. This camp was opened for British prisoners on November 2nd, 1943. 661 British prisoners from the camp's strength, most of former Italian captivity, some from Sicily or Southern Italy.

III. 18 double-tier beds in each cubicle, insufficient light. One cubicle is used as recreation-room.

VIII. No supplies from Detaining power. Clothing position is, as everywhere, very serious. Only a few prisoners have two sets of clothing.

X. Prisoners work for several firms, some pay less than 70 Rpfg. a day. If a man falls sick, Mlk. 1.20 is deducted for the three first days.

XIII. Very little time for recreations. No space in camp for football, a football ground may be hired for RM. 500.-.

XV. There is a small library in camp, cinema performances for a limited number of prisoners occasionally.

Approximately 230 men are working in a coal mine, 24 consecutive hours rest only every fortnight. 9 hours actual work per day. Some other firms allow a free Sunday and 2 firms, in addition to a free Sunday, also a free Saturday afternoon.

Capt. W. Milburn, RAMC, 228342, is in charge of the revier. 30 single beds are arranged as follows: one isolation room with 3 beds, the remainder are contained in one large room.

The beds are provided with bedding which is changed regularly. The rooms are warm and have plenty of air. There is a medical inspection room attached, there is a separate room for seeing the sick, apart from dressings.

There are 2 sick-parades per day with a special dressing parade. Prisoners can also be seen as emergencies at all time day or night, there is also an orderly on permanent duty.

The sick men rate has varied. In November it was about 120 out of 500 men. December saw a drop to 80 and this has gone down to 55 for the past two months.

(1) Malaria which was contracted in the Mediterranean. Due to lack of drugs, quinine and atebrin, many men are getting attacks every three to four weeks;

(3) Rheumatic complaints. Since the nearest place of work is about a mile away, some even 2 miles, the difficulty in walking to and from work is making things worse.

The local supply of drugs is insufficient; only a certain amount of aspirin, sodium salic. etc. is available. Badly needed are iron tonics for post malaria and atebrin and quinine for malarias in the acute stage.

Lack of medical instruments; the ward is supplied with nothing more but a thermometer. This is a calamity.

At the time of capture, Capt. W. Milburn was in possession of a full set of medical instruments, 12 pieces in a black leather case. In October 1943, when at Stalag IV B Muehlberg, in transit, this set was confiscated by the Stalag authorities and no receipt was given. Swiss Legation Berlin has to investigate.

There appears to be bad co-operation with the German Stabsarzt, who in many cases has sent patients back to work who in the opinion of the British Medical Officer were not fit for any kind of work. These patients had not been carefully examined by the Stabsarzt but only looked at from a distance. The idea being that these men were passed fit for the army and therefore fit for work.

Dental cases are seen twice a week, both fillings and extractions are done. Laboratory examinations are done in the nearby town of Brux.

The camp is situated near the coal mines of Columbus-Schacht, almost in a desert, no vegetation within or near the camp.

III. The barracks are long and consist of one room with fan-lights in the roof but no proper windows in the side walls. There are four steel coal heaters per barrack. Double-tier beds or long troughs on one side of the rooms.

V. The latrines are very primitive, a concrete floor over a brick sump with simple holes in the floor, no seats.

VII. Capt. Neale is in charge of a small Revier, that is an infirmary of three rooms and a medical inspection room, the main sicknesses under treatment are:

Malaria has been a grave problem because until today no atebrin, plasmoquin or quinine has been supplied. The conditions of work and climate are just those which precipitate malaria relapses. Some patients had five relapses within three months. Up to the present there are about 40 cases but from time to time a new one turns up. In the last week the Authorities have agreed to withdraw the malaria cases from the underground mine labour.

Medical supplies are very poor, only a few most essential medical instruments and tablets are at hand. Sick parades are conducted with a R.A.M.C. corporal and a German Sanitator.

VIII. The clothing position is desperate, majority of the prisoners are dressed like tatters. The men had only the battle dress in which they were captured when they arrived in the camp, this outfit is now almost ruined. No clothing has been supplied by the Detaining Power and only the miners receive some protective clothing or working kits. Boots are also in very bad shape.

As the prisoners have only one outfit, they have no time to wash and dry it. Consequently the clothing is sweaty, dirty and filthy.

IX. Laundry is done by the prisoners themselves, a new washhouse will soon be in working order. However, as the men have only one set of outfit, there is not enough spare time to wash and dry clothing or underwear.

X. Money and pay is incorrect. In accordance with the new Leistungs-System, many prisoners only earn six Marks per month, that is considerably less than 70 Pfennig a day. A pay slip was shown to the Delegate, who failed to understand it. Not even the local Kontroll-Offizier was able to explain the modus operendi. Apparently deductions were made for income tax and other purposes. Swiss Legation Berlin is to investigate this matter.

XV. There is a small library in progress; beginning this week there will be regular cinematographic performances. A recreation hall has been promised.

About 550 men do underground coal mining, their actual working hours are 8 per day, but they are almost 12 hours off for work including the time going to and returning from work. When the shift changes, civilian miners are taken first to the surface and prisoners have to wait. Miners only get a free Sunday every fortnight.

I. 15 blocks, including 3 magazines, 4 huts for staff, 3 rooms for the canteen; some barracks are in bad condition.

II. Complement: 1530 British prisoners of war, about 75 per cent from former Italian captivity; 400 men have recently arrived from Lamsdorf, Stalag VIII B.

This camp was formerly inhabited by French prisoners, it has been opened for British on October 20th, 1943.

III. Double-tier beds, tables and benches. The capacity of each room is 22 men. There is a large concert-hall; the three canteen rooms are used as recreation rooms.

IV. Bathing and washing facilities are inadequate; due to shortage of water only a very limited number of prisoners may take a hot shower in any one evening.

The water is not drinkable, it must be boiled, consequently drinking water is scarce.

VII. A Revier is provided with 30 beds; Capt. Murray is in charge. The percentage of the daily sick varies between 6 to 10 per cent. The daily sick parade is held at 0500 hrs. as the men start going off to work at 0600 hrs. Only one Medical Officer is obviously not sufficient for anything but the most casual examination of the early morning sick. Every evening at 1800 hrs. a dressing parade is held, where minor injuries, boils etc. are attended to. This parade usually lasts 2 to 3 hours.

influenza, boils and carbuncles, sprains, septic fingers and toes, rheumatic complaints, a large number of cases of Seno-synovitis usually of the wrist also frequently of the achilles. This incapacitates the sick from work as the distance to the work and back is about 10 kilometers and no vehicle accommodation is provided. Accidents at work are also frequent.

Medical supplies are inadequate, the lack of atebrin and quinine is particularly felt with regard to the treatment of malaria relapses.

A German Sanitator is also in the Revier as a "control". This position is for the British Medical Officer almost unbearable. In many cases this Sanitator insists that certain prisoners are fit for work whilst the British Medical Officer has examined the cases and found them unfit. The daily arguing and bickering between the two is very unpleasant for the British officer.

Specialists are available for Ear, Throat, Eyes, Teeth and Nose. There have been several instances where prisoners have been sent to visit specialists who have recommended certain prescriptions which must have the signature of the Stabsarzt before the drugs can be obtained. Evidently the Stabsarzt has scored these prescriptions and refused the supply of the necessary drugs. While this situation is regrettable it is equally serious.

The air in this locality is very bad. Capt. Murray has acted as Medical Officer to 1200 French prisoners who have been in this area for the past two years. He found an appallingly high percentage of illness due to chest complaints, in the main chronic bronchitis. This position may eventually but arrived at here unless steps are taken to remove men from the area as soon as the onset is diagnoses. Such men should be moved to an area where the air is freer from dust, dirt and gas. To enable this procedure to be adopted, sanction will obviously be required from higher quarters. Swiss Legation Berlin will have to undertake the necessary steps.

VIII. The condition of the clothing and the state of boots is serious. A large percentage of the men are dressed like tramps. The situation has become easier since a consignment has arrived from Geneva but is still far from being satisfactory. Boots are repaired with wooden strips which last only for a few days. Chief Man of Confidence has sent another S.O.S. to Geneva.

IX. Laundry is done by the men themselves in the spare time which hardly exists because there is no time to wash and dry the laundry between working hours.

X. Pay is incorrect, some men claim since October/November 1943. Many prisoners receive less than 70 Pfennig a day, deductions are made but not explained. Swiss Legation will have to investigate.

XII. A lay preacher is conducting a divine service; no facilities for Roman Catholics.

XIV. Letters from the United Kingdom take approximately 2 months; men from Italy have had no parcels since arrival here. Outward mail suffers under occasional shortage of letter cards.

XV. There is a fair library in camp, musical instruments have also arrived. Three cinema performances have been provided since October.

The prisoners in this work-detachment are engaged in the construction of a huge gasometer and in the building of a new gas production plant.

The Delegate paid a short visit to the Reserve Lazaret at Bilin. The situation and interior arrangements of this lazaret have been described in previous reports.

A conference with the British Senior Medical Officer, Lt.Col. W.H. Bull, N.Z.M.C. took place. The following points were discussed:-

1. Dental treatment: The necessity for providing more facilities for dental treatment in this Stalag, on the grounds that there are now approximately four thousand more British prisoners to attend, is imperative. In some work-detachments dental treatment is impossible for prisoners until a large abscess has appeared. In other words, men are being discouraged from having the ordinary repairs carried out. The Stabsarzt having been informed of this situation considers the present state adequate.

2. Overcrowding: of lazaret and reviers since the number of prisoners has considerably increased. In particular Italian military internees occupy a large percentage of the beds.

3. Medicaments: especially atebrin and quinine are almost unobtainable. Now that there are in this Stalag so many prisoners from the Mediterranean campaigns, the number of malaria relapses has considerably increased. Senior British Medical Officer also drew attention to the Stabsarzt's repeated refusal of drugs prescribed for prisoners by local specialists.

4. Repatriation of Medical Personnel: Swiss Legation has to inform Lt.Col. W.H. Bull of any agreements referring repatriations.

The final conference with the Stalag authorities had been previously arranged for February 26th, 1400, in Wistritz. Delegate was received by the Assistant to the Commandant, Major Jaeckel, Commandant and Stabsarzt being absent.

Delegate gave an account on his observations and complaints. Major Jaeckel informed the Delegate that the British prisoners have now been withdrawn from the notorious work-detachment SCHWAZ II. This achievement is the result of repeated strong representations and requests.

The undersigned Delegate considers conditions met with at the work-detachments TSCHAUSCH III, COLUMBUS-SCHACHT 51 and 27 b OBERLEUTENSDORF, if carried on for some time to come, a threat to the mental and physical health of many of the prisoners concerned.

Following points mentioned in report on certain detachments STALAG IV C Wistritz visited 24th to 26th February whole area containing 5,426 prisoners of whom 3,817 from former Italian camps or recently captured: Tschausch near Brux 661 prisoners majority from Italian camps or captured Sicily and southern Italy, lighting insufficient, clothing here as everywhere very bad. Some prisoners receive less than 70 R.pfg. daily deduction R.M. 1.20 for first three days when ill, no canteen, little time for recreation, no space in camp for football though ground may be hired for R.M. 500. 230 men working coal mine nine hours daily, 24 hours consecutive rest once fortnightly. November 6th rate 120 out of 500 now 55. Main illnesses malaria, boils, rheumatic complaints. Here and elsewhere iron tonics, atebrin and quinine urgently needed. (International Red Cross Committee informed.) Complete lack of medical instruments though at time of capture set confiscated from British M.O. Captain Milburn and no receipt given, Swiss Legation will investigate. German doctor sends men to work after superficial examination when considered unfit by British M.O.

Columbus 51 near Komotau 1,036 prisoners including 365 South Africans, no proper windows in barracks, latrines very primitive. Large number of acute respiratory infections, boils, malaria relapses, authorities have agreed to withdraw prisoners suffering from malaria from underground mining, medical supplies very poor, clothing position desperate majority of prisoners in rags have only one outfit and no time to wash it. Under new incomprehensible payment system many prisoners earn only 6 marks monthly, Swiss Legation will investigate. No religious activities, no time for recreation. 550 men working underground eight hours daily but 12 hours away from camp, one free Sunday fortnightly though surface workers get 24 consecutive hours weekly.

27 B Oberleutensdorf 1,530 prisoners 75% from Italian camps 400 recently arrived from Lamsdorf. Bathing, washing facilities inadequate, undrinkable water must be boiled and scarce. Sick rate 6 to 10% daily sick parade held 5 a.m. before one medical officer, chief complaints influenza, boils, sprains, rheumatism, senosynovitis. Distance to and from work 10 kilometers, no transport. Work accidents frequent. Medical supplies inadequate German sanitator insists prisoners work when found unfit by British M.O. German doctor ignores prescriptions obtained by prisoners from ear, nose and throat specialists, oculists, dentists. Air in this locality very bad. Captain Murray M.O. to 1,200 French prisoners for past two years found appallingly high percentage of illnesses due to chest complaints chiefly chronic bronchitis similar experience may be repeated. Clothing bad, no outdoor sports. Letters from United Kingdom take two months, men from Italy received no parcels since arrival, for occasional shortage outgoing letter-cards.

Reservelazaret Bilin (my despatch 8928) Colonel Bull stated in some detachments dental treatment impossible for prisoners until large abscesses appeared though German doctor considers present conditions adequate, Lazarets and Reviers overcrowded. Medical supplies especially atebrin and quinine practically unobtainable.

Swiss representative considers conditions at above-mentioned detachments if allowed to continue constitute threat to mental and physical health of many prisoners.

Your telegram 1436 (of 4th April: conditions at certain detachments Stalag IV C).

Request strongest representations be made regarding universal lack of medical supplies especially for prisoners of war suffering from malaria. No dental treatment Reserve Lazaret Bilin until large abscesses develop. Conditions at Tschausch and work camp 27 B Oberleutendorf particularly scandalous. Prisoners passed unfit by British doctor forced work and total disregard prescriptions of medical specialists.

Excessive work hours, totally inadequate pay rates Tschausch and Camp No. 51, no 24 hours rest weekly at above three camps. Serious clothing conditions at No. 51 and undrinkable water at No. 27 B.

While I am sure that the Swiss are doing utmost to have these disgraceful conditions remedied I wish them to know that whatever steps they may take will have our fullest support and approval.

We thank you for your letter of the 5th inst. referenced 2263/34/23.(b) in which you draw our attention to the report of the visit of the Representative of the Protecting Power to the above-named camp, in which it is stated that the clothing position is very bad and that boots are also in very bad condition.

We wish to inform you that the clothing position in Stalag IV/C is now as follows:

During the first quarter of this year, the following articles were despatched to the camp:

battle dress trousers

boots

rope soled shoes

1500

2840 pairs

480 "

The following articles have left Switzerland for the camp since the 15th of March:

Battle dress trousers

" " blouses

gloves

socks

shirts

vests

500

150

1000 pairs

3900 "

970

2000

The following goods are on order for despatch and will leave our warehouse very shortly:

Battle dress trousers

boots

1000

600 pairs

When this latter consignment has gone forward we shall h[?] out-standing demands for the following articles:

Overcoats

gloves

shirts

drawers

vests

pullovers

caps

400

2000 pairs

2000

4000

2000

2500

We trust that the above clearly explains the position in the camp in respect of clothing.

The competent department will communicate with you separately in respect of medical supplies.