Stalag IVC

Translation by the London Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross

4103

710

986

189

Americans
British

Irish

Canadian

Australians

Newzealanders

South Africans

Indian

Cypriots

Egyptians

Scotch

Palestinians

Maltese

Welsh

In camp

N.C.O.

282

Privates

3825

710

986

189

The Delegates had the opportunity of visiting among others the Dux 1 detachment (25 Cypriots). They also had the opportunity of interviewing, without witnesses, several camp leaders in the district and working camps among which those of Dux III (30 Cypriot p.o.w.)

The majority of p.o.w. in Stalag IV C are grouped in an industrial region. It was only from May this year that allied attacks by air started in this region; since May 12th. 1944, one part of the region has suffered six bombardments, the first was a surprise and killed [40?] British among others. Protective measures proved more efficacious for the following attacks; details will be found under the heading "air raid shelters".

Accommodation - Accommodation in the camp has not changed and is still only fair. The building is a factory and could not be altered. Where large industrial working parties had been set up (in which are employed several thousand of prisoners of all nationalities) 15 huts have been completely destroyed with their contents, numerous others had been badly damaged. The huts cannot be rebuilt, consequently prisoners have been crowded into those still standing. All possible space has been utilised and dining halls, theatre halls etc. have been turned into dormitories; prisoners are therefore overcrowded which fact the German authorities readily admit and have assured the Delegate that the situation is only temporary as new accommodation will shortly be available.

Food - Rations are issued according to ruling and can be controlled everywhere. Potatoes appear daily on the menu and, as elsewhere, this basic nourishment is not sufficient.

At Working Party No.459, the weekly working hours have been raised from 50 to 72, with a slight increase of certain rations, in inferior quantities to those issued to foreign civilian workmen in the same factory engaged on similar work. The authorities have promised that the increased rations should be adjusted.

Clothing - The British are properly clad. They require small sized boots (4, 5, 6 and 7) for which an order was sent to Geneva at the end of September. They further request boot mending material, above all leather of which there is a complete lack and which the Detaining Power does not supply.

In many works the prisoners do not receive working overalls although their occupation is very dirty in some cases (lignite mines etc.)

Hygiene - Generally speaking, there are no complaints under this heading; from two camps only British p.o.w. complain of bad conditions on account of exaggerated overcrowding in huts still standing after various bombardments. There is a great deal of vermin, specially fleas which is a rare occurrence among British prisoners. The Delegates were promised that fumigation should be effected.

Medical attention - Medical attention is well organised for the whole of the camp and the Camp Leaders are satisfied. The Delegates were not able to see the camp doctor who had left for Königswartha Hospital accompanying a number of men unfit for service who were to go before the Mixed Medical Commission. The general state of health is satisfactory and there have been no epidemics. The more important Working Parties each have their doctor.

The camp infirmary only contains about thirty beds; twelve slight cases were in the infirmary on the day of the Delegates' visit.

The "Dulag" section of the camp, which includes a special ward for infectious cases, is used for prisoners in transit, among others those graded unfit for service and proceeding to Stalag IV B.

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - Religious services are well organised everywhere and in the main camp.

Since the working week has been changed from 60 to 72 hours, prisoners' recreation has forcibly decreased. Theatre companies and dance bands have no more time to rehearse. Three Sundays out of four are working days so that sport also is in great decline. The only remaining recreation was the cinema and this was greatly patronised by the whole of the camp, totally about 20,000 entries a month. Cinema shows were given once or twice a month in civilian picture halls showing French or German films.

A short time ago, new orders were given forbidding p.o.w. to enter civilian cinemas; the prisoners are thus deprived of their only remaining recreation which they much appreciated. The officer attached to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht will make an effort to try and have the new orders modified. For the whole camp there are three Pathè-Baby projectors, gifts of the Y.M.C.A., which are continually in use at agricultural or isolated working parties.

The camp has a well stocked library, a few Greek books would be appreciated by the Cypriot p.o.w.

Work - As already stated, in all the industrial centres the weekly working hours have been raised from 60 to 72 h., further, the prisoners work on three Sundays, the fourth is a holiday.

The Camp Commander's representative showed the Delegates the latest working regulations which have been sent to all centres; these regulations provide for 24 hours off every 21 days, not counting time not worked on account of sickness, etc.

At Working Party No.161, which includes 75 Cypriots, prisoners rise at 3.45 a.m. and take a train at 5.30 a.m. to the works where they start at 6 to 6.15 a.m. At 7 p.m. they take the train back to the camp; unfortunately the train is often one or two hours late and the men do not have enough rest. It has been promised a complaint will be lodged with the Arbeitseinsatz in order to have this practice stopped.

Following a literal interpretation of Article No.31 of the Geneva Convention, the British have asked the Delegates whether men at a certain Working Party could be forced in future (as they still are elsewhere) to recharge artificial fog for making apparatus after alerts or air raids. When artificial fog is used, a large industrial area is hidden, thus rendering the task of Anglo-American airmen much harder, the direct participation of p.o.w. in war operations is thus incurred. The Detaining Power maintains that this measure is purely passive and is simply a means of protecting for the industries, workmen and prisoners of war. This matter will be referred to the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht by the officer in charge. In any case, it would be quite easy for this work to replace British prisoners by other workmen.

Pay - As prisoners may no longer retain more than 50 RM in their possession, the remainder of their monthly salaries is placed to their personal accounts PK.2. A compensation scheme has been set up by which the families of British p.o.w. may benefit by their salaries.

Since "Lagergeld" has been suppressed and prisoners are paid in civilian coinage, they have noticed a large depreciation in value, to their disadvantage.

The British would like to be informed if sums placed to their accounts in Great Britain are still based on the rate of 15 RM to the pound sterling, as when lagergeld was in circulation.

Discipline - Discipline is not very strict. There are many attempts at escape of which many are caused by the desire to change to another detachment. Prisoners recaptured are no longer sentenced as formerly to three weeks' detention; they are detained for a week at most and then sent back to work.

Prisoners found guilty of intimacy with German married women whose husbands are mobilised are sentenced by the German military courts to detention in civilian prisons. The Camp Leaders lose all trace of men transferred to civilian prisons, who can no longer be issued rations from Red Cross supplies.

Collective consignments - All reserve stores have been placed outside the camps but official instructions to reduce stores to eight days' rations (by consuming the surplus) have not yet been carried out.

Following an order given by the Commander of the "Wehrkreis" section, the system of two keys and two locks for Red Cross stores has been abolished and replaced by a system of receipts for all st[ocks?] inward or outward, thus allowing the camp leaders to have an effective control of Red Cross stores; they are allowed access to the storerooms.

Distribution of stores is very difficult at the present time as the French Red Cross lorry has been waiting for three weeks to be fitted with a gas motor. The German authorities assured the Delegates that the lorry would again be in service within a fortnight.

When going to work, prisoners must not carry more than 10 cigarettes with them but, in case of eventual bombardments, they always take a few provisions. Following complaints by the prisoners orders have been given that objects confiscated, food and cigarettes from Red Cross stores, should only be given to other prisoners, for instance in the hospitals.

Air Raid Shelters - As a general rule these are satisfactory. Since the air raids in May, prisoners are allowed to take refuge in the mines which have proved excellent shelters. The alert is sounded about 40 minutes before the allied bombers appear, so that the medical personnel have time to carry sick prisoners to shelter. The death of 2 other prisoners during the second bombardment is to be regretted but no other casualties have occurred since.

The majority of air raid shelters consist of zig-zag trenches nearly all covered. The civilian population of the region has no better protection than the prisoners. In specially exposed districts orders have been given for all trenches to be covered.

All prisoners, in spite of present events and lack of replies continue to write regularly to their next-of-kin as before; the usual number of letters and cards is allowed.

Conclusion - On the whole, this camp is working well. The Delegates were pleased to see that all measures had been taken for the prisoners' security in the whole of the industrial zone the most exposed to bombardment.

Translation by the London Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Lt. Col. BULL, former Senior British Medical Officer, has been transferred to Elsterhorst Hospital.

The hospital is situated half way up a hill overlooking the valley. It is composed of a main building (marked with four large red crosses to show airmen that it is a hospital) and two roomy huts; at the time of the Delegates' visit the latter were being fumigated although very little vermin had been found.

The wards in the main building are large, light, clean and well lighted. The hospital is completely full but cannot be deemed overcrowded although some beds, occupied by slight cases, are two-tiered and some war wooden beds, iron beds being reserved for serious cases. Patients are grouped according to the nature of their complaints and not by nationalities.

Clothing - As a general rule, bed linen and pyjamas are supplied by the pyjamas are sometimes in very bad condition. Slippers for the whole of the strength are required.

Collective consignments - On principle, it would be desirable that collective consignments for all nationalities in the hospital should be sent direct from Geneva, as is already the case for British patients. The medium British strength in the hospital is 40 sick and 8 medical personnel.

The British request that more Invalid parcels should be sent; the quantity allowed is not sufficient. The same applies for other nationalities. It must be once more be emphasised how important these consignments are for preparing diet meals, particularly for patients suffering from tuberculosis, nephritis, stomach ulcers and anemia.

Further, the doctors and British representative request that butter, milk and sugar should be sent.

Medical attention - The most common ailments under treatment are anemia (caused by the work in mines and quarries) and intestinal ulcers. At the time of the visit there were only a few cases of closed tuberculosis in the hospital. The large proportion of surgical cases is due to working accidents (the majority of the working parties are employed on heavy industrial work).

The hospital has sufficient instruments but bandaging material is lacking; he also requires twelve pairs of rubber gloves (size 7½).

A list of medical supplies required has been sent to Geneva; it included tincture of iodine solution as the lack of alcohol prevents preparation from pills.

A Beck apparatus for transfusions is requested also, eventually, 10 litres of preserved blood.

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - Religious services are held in the hospital by a chaplain. At the present time, the medical personnel cannot practise any sport, the sportsground being required for other uses but, according to the Stabsarzt, they will be able to use the ground after the winter.

The Cypriots request Greek books, the doctors require medical works and the British patients would also like to have books.

Discipline - The relations existing between the Chief Medical Officer of the hospital and the doctors leave nothing to be desired.

Interview with Doctors and British representative - The interview took place without witnesses; the questions discussed are mentioned in the report.

Final interview - The British would like to have one of their own doctors. Reply - Constant changes in the medical staff prevent the hospital organisation from running smoothly and it would seem that further changes are not desirable.

RESERVELAZARETT STALAG X A VISITED 7 OCTOBER 71 PATIENTS OF WHOM 1 BRITISH 6 AMERICANS AIRMEN LACK CLOTHING GENERAL CONDITIONS AVERAGE FULL STOP

OFLAG IV B VISITED 26 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 17 APRIL 5 GENERALS 2 BATMEN DUTCH IN SAME CONDITIONS POSTAL SERVICE INTERRUPTED 32 BRITISH NEW ARRIVALS SUMMER AMONG 180 PRISONERS REPRESENTATIVE HAGERTY WILLIAM SERGEANT 11035 QUARTERS IN BASEMENT FORTRESS INTERIOR COURT SURROUNDED WALLS 10 METERS GOOD GENERAL CONDITIONS PRISONERS PREPARE MEALS RATIONS CONTROLLED FUEL SUFFICIENT SOME LACK CLOTHING LIST SENT GENEVA HEALTH GOOD DISTRACTIONS RESTRICTED SMALL SPORTS GROUND ODD CAMP JOBS STRICT DISCIPLINE SPECIAL WATCH STOP PRISONERS DEMAND CHAPLAIN STOP MAIL FORWARDED FROM PREVIOUS CAMPS TWO LETTERS 4 CARDS ALLOWED GERMAN AUTHORITIES DELIVER 16 RED CROSS PARCELS 800 CIGARETTES MONTHLY FOR WHICH REPRESENTATIVE SIGNS RECEIPT IN FUTURE REPRESENTATIVE WILL EXERCISE CONTROL GOOD IMPRESSION EXCEPT IGNORING REASONS TRANSFER OF THESE PRISONERS GENERALLY FROM CAMPS WEHRKREIS IV FULLSTOP

STALAG IV C VISITED 27 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 19 APRIL SAME REPRESENTATIVES EXCEPT BRITISH HINDLE FRED SERGEANT 258307 STRENGTH 1477 DUTCH OF WHOM 2 OFFICERS 34 NCO'S STOP 4314 BRITISH OF WHOM 282 NCO'S STOP 3 IRISH 1 CANADIAN 44 AUSTRALIANS 29 NEWZEALANDERS 710 SOUTH AFRICANS 1 INDIAN 986 CYPRIOTS 5 EGYPTIANS 6 PALESTINIANS 10 MALTESE AMONG 26064 PRISONERS STOP DISTRICT OFTEN BOMBED 50 BRITISH 16 DUTCH KILLED SINCE MAY STOP 15 MAIN HUTS BRITISH DETACHMENT DEMOLISHED THEREFORE OVERCROWDING IN REMAINING QUARTERS NEW BILLETS SOON AVAILABLE STOP FOOD RATIONS CAN BE CHECKED BUT INSUFFICIENT DUTCH CLOTHING BAD NUMEROUS NEEDED STOCKS DESTROYED BY BOMBING STOP BRITISH WELL CLAD STOP GENERAL STATE OF HEALTH GOOD STOP DOCTOR IN EACH LARGE DETACHMENT STOP LEISURE RESTRICTED DUE TO INCREASE WORKING HOURS ONE FREE SUNDAY MONTHLY CINEMA STOPPED STOP BRITISH RECEIVE HALF PARCELS WEEKLY STOP DUTCH RESERVE EXHAUSTED STOP IMPROVED MEASURES FOR AIR RAID PROTECTION STOP MAIL FROM OUTSIDE STOPPED ALLOCATION STILL NORMAL FULLSTOP

ZWEIGLAGER HEILAG IV D VISITED 21 OCTOBER PREVIOUS INDIAN CAMP PRESENT ASSEMBLY CAMP FOR ANGLOSAXON PRISONERS DUE FOR EXCHANGE REPRESENTATIVE LESOUEF LIEUTENANTCOLONEL STRENGTH 60 BRITISH OF WHOM 3 DOCTORS 4 NCO'S 5 ORDERLIES 13 NCO'S 5 PRIVATE FORM PERMANENT PERSONNEL NO PRISONER IN TRANSIT NUMEROUS IMPROVEMENTS OFFICERS HAVE OWN ROOMS PRIVATES OF PERMANENT PERSONNEL HOUSED IN ROOMS WITH 6 TWO-TIERED BEDS ORDER CLEANLINESS 800 BEDS AVAILABLE FOR PATIENTS AND WOUNDED IN BIG ROOMS LARGE STONE BUILDING STOP OVERCROWDING IN AUGUST 1050 PRISONERS STOP SANITARY INSTALLATIONS ADEQUATE LARGE KITCHEN RATIONS CHECKED BRITISH COOKS SMALL KITCHEN FOR DIETS STOP RECENT ORDER CUT DOWN BREAD RATIONS 4 WEEKS FROM 9700 TO 8900 GRAMMES CLOTHING SATISFACTORY STOP TWO BANDAGING WARDS 1 PHYSIOTHERAPY WARD 50 BEDS IN WARD SMALL OPERATING THEATRE INSTRUMENTS AND MEDICINES IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITY STOP 2000 BOOKS THEATRE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS SPORTS GROUND WALKS MEDICAL STAFF UNDER ESCORT AND REPATRIATES STOP RESERVE FOOD PARCELS 1653 INSUFFICIENT EXPECTED STRENGTH 1060 PRISONERS FOR 6 WEEKS EXCELLENT IMPRESSION FULLSTOP

LAZARET STALAG IV C VISITED 27 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 18 APRIL SAME REPRESENTATIVE 190 PRISONERS 12 DUTCH 31 BRITISH 3 AUSTRALIANS 4 SOUTH AFRICANS 8 OTHER BRITISH PRISONERS STOP SLEEPING QUARTERS ADEQUATELY FILLED STOP PYJAMAS BAD STATE SLIPPERS REQUIRED FOOD UNCHANGED RESERVE FOOD PARCELS MODERATELY PROVIDED FOR MORE INVALID PARCELS BUTTER MILK SUGAR DEMANDED STOP ORDINARY DISEASES VARIOUS ACCIDENTS FROM WORK LIST OF NECESSARY MEDICINES SENT GENEVA STOP GOOD GENERAL IMPRESSION FULLSTOP

RESERVELAZARETT STALAG IV A ELSTERHORST A. Kdo 742 VISITED 24 OCTOBER REPRESENTATIVE BULL WILLIAM LIEUTCOL NZMC 23925 STRENGTH 131 BRITISH OF WHOM 4 OFFICERS 14 NCO'S 8 CANADIANS 9 AUSTRALIANS 9 NEWZEALANDERS 7 SOUTHAFRICANS 13 INDIANS STOP ORDERLIES 38 BRITISH 11 AUSTRALIANS 6 NEWZEALANDERS 1 SOUTHAFRICAN STOP DOCTORS 2 BRITISH 2 AUSTRALIANS 1 NEWZEALANDER 1 SOUTH AFRICAN SEE REPORT 15 APRIL EXCELLENT LAZARET SPECIALISING IN TUBERCULOSIS STOP STILL SUFFICIENT RESERVES STOP OTHER ITEMS UNCHANGED FULLSTOP.

LAZARET STALAG IV A A.Kdo 744 - KONIGSWARTHA VISITED 23 OCTOBER SEE REPORT 15 APRIL SAME REPRESENTATIVE 216 PRISONERS STOP 11 DUTCH 74 BRITISH 2 CANADIANS 5 AUSTRALIANS 8 NEWZEALANDERS 7 SOUTHAFRICANS AS WELL AS 181 BRITISH AWAITING MEDICAL COMMISSION STOP AIR-RAID SHELTERS FOOD SATISFACTORY UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES NO CHANGE IN OTHER ITEMS FULLSTOP

RESERVELAZARETT SCHMORKAU VISITED 23 OCTOBER 503 PRISONERS BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE WRIGHT STEVENSON CAPTAIN CHIEF DOCTOR 23898 STOP DUTCH REPRESENTATIVE DREVEL 107539 STRENGTH 21 DUTCH 92 BRITISH 1 CANADIAN 4 AUSTRALIANS 4 NEWZEALANDERS 11 SOUTHAFRICANS 8 INDIANS 1 PALESTINIAN 7 CYPRIOTS STOP 4 WOODEN HUTS OF WHICH 1 RESERVE FOR BRITISH STOP TOTAL 600 METAL BEDS STRAW MATTRESS A FEW PROPER MATTRESSES FOR GRAVE CASES GOOD GENERAL CONDITIONS ARRIVALS ARE DISINFECTED STOP FOOD RATIONS ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS CAN BE CHECKED NO COMPLAINT BRITISH DISPOSE OF SMALL KITCHEN TO PREPARE FOOD SENT FUEL SUFFICIENT STOP PATIENTS RECEIVE PYJAMAS DOCTORS AND ORDERLIES GOWNS STOP LAZARET SPECIALISES PYSCHIATRY DERMATOVENEROLOGY AND SURGERY 137 OPERATIONS IN SEPTEMBER NUMEROUS SPECIALISTS DIETS POSSIBLE VARIOUS RADIOLOGY APPARATUS SUFFICIENT DENTAL SERVICE STOP 3 CATHOLIC PRIESTS PROTESTANT CHAPLAIN DEMANDED STOP LIBRARY GAMES THEATRE STOP IT WOULD BE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS SEND PARCELS DIRECT GENEVA RESERVES PROVIDED STOP GOOD IMPRESSION INFORM DUTCH VANKLEFFENS