CONFIDENTIAL

STALAG IV C

Date of visit: July 3, 1942.

Commander: Oberstleutnant Stossier.

Man of Confidence: Sgt. Jack S. Parsons, No. 94280

        In the Stalag there are now a certain number of British prisoners of war, i.e. the Man of Confidence, four other N.C.O's (2 British, 2 Cypriots) one Private working in the civil office and 46 Cypriots working as tailors and shoemakers.

        The quarters of these prisoners of war have been found in good order and can be considered as satisfactory. The tailors' and shoemakers' shops have also been visited and good work is done there in keeping in good condition the clothing and shoes of the prisoners of war.

        It is a great improvement now to have a Man of Confidence in this Stalag, who can concentrate in his hands the different matters concerning the prisoners of war. Parsons was allowed to accompany the inspectors to some of the 46 commandos depending from this Stalag and which were visited this time. A longer visit is planned for the next trip, including work camps in regions rather distant from the base camp.

        The Man of Confidence stated that things were going better lately and that he had been authorised to publish a camp-paper of which the first issue will come out in August and will be sent to the different work camps, thus permitting the Man of Confidence to keep closer contact with the British prisoners of war. The total amount of the latter is about 1800, of which about 1200 are Cypriots.

        The inspectors noticed that in this Stalag as well as in the work camps visited, there was no copy of the Geneva Convention posted where the prisoners of war could read it. The Kommandant promised to distribute at once those which are already in his possession, and the inspectors also asked the "Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen" of the Wehrkreis IV to see that these Conventions are posted at once.

        In the Revier in the base camp were 3 Cypriots suffering from: Contusion of the thumb, general emaciation and loss of weight, rheumatism. None of these patients had to stay in bed. A French doctor takes care of them.

        It must be mentioned that there is no British doctor nor British medical orderly in the whole area depending from Stalag IV C. The "Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen" said he would ask to have some British medical personnel from the German High Command as well as British Chaplains.

Kommando 241 - Nemetschken

Date of visit: July 3, 1942.

Man of Confidence: Conductor A.R. Hilton, No.95543.

        68 British prisoners of war are doing road work. They work 10 hours a day, same as the civilians do, and they are free from Saturday at noon until Monday morning. Their average pay is RM 0.94 a day.

        The quarters are composed of two rooms, a large one and a smaller one, furnished with triple-tier iron beds. The prisoners of war are locked in at night, but there is no barbed wire around the camp.

        The prisoners of war have hot water available every day. Lavatories are in a hut and can be considered as satisfactory. The kitchen is also in a special hut and there the washing and laundry take place too. The food is prepared by German women and was stated to be very good.

        A football ground is available regularly and boxing is also practised. There are also plenty of indoor games.

        The clothing and the shoes are in very good order, but some more boots will be needed as well as British caps.

        The health conditions are good. Three of the prisoners of war were in the Reserve Lazarett Bilin. Two prisoners of war carry out the work of Medical orderlies, although they have not been trained to it. They work after their daily job, but are sometimes given a day off. A German civilian doctor is visiting the camp regularly to the complete satisfaction of the prisoners of war. The Man of Confidence receives a sufficient number of medical parcels. There were no complaints, only a request to have some hymn and prayer books. The Y.M.C.A. will be notified of this wish.

Arrest Station Brüx

July 3rd 1942

        A man from camp Schwatz was under arrest in Brüx. It was Medical orderly E RAG (No.10643). The cells were found to be absolutely not in accordance with the provisions of article 56  of the Geneva Convention, in so far as there was no light, not sufficient aeration, and the prisoner was not taken out for regular outings. Moreover, Rag was on bread and water diet.

        "The Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen" of Wehrkreis IV seemed very surprised to hear of this and gave orders immediately so as to have either the cells altered or the prisoners who are to be put in arrest sent somewhere else.

Kommando Schwatz

Date of visit: July 3, 1942.

        This Kommando was already seen on previous occasions. 119 British prisoners of war are doing mine work and they seldom work on Sundays, on which occasions they are paid extra. It must be mentioned here that the question of Sunday work has again been taken up with the German High Command.

        The average pay is 70 Pfg. a day.

        There were no complaints about the food, which is prepared by 4 German women.

        But the washing and laundry facilities are still rather insufficient. The German High Command will be asked to have the promised barracks for showers put up at once.

        The health condition is good. There is no sanitator, but three men are in charge of the medical work which they accomplish after their daily work. As for Work Camp Nemetschken, the question of Medical orderlies will probably be settled after the interview mentioned before with the "Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen."

        The uniforms are in good order, each man having one or two full sets. Every man has two pairs of shoes.

        There is no religious activity in this work camp.

        There is no sport ground at the disposal of the prisoners of war. The German High Command will be asked to look into this matter, so that the dispositions of Art. 13, Par. 4 are applicable to these prisoners of war.

        The parcels are coming regularly now.

        All the N.C.O.'s have been removed from this camp.

        One complaint which was brought to the attention of the inspectors was that on account of men having escaped from this work-camp, the other prisoners have been locked in for 2 weeks. This should be considered as a collective punishment and this point was taken up with the "Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen" who said that he was opposed to such things and would give orders accordingly.

Kommando 346-A Aussig-Schreckenstein (Seifenfabrik Schichtwerke)

Date of visit: July 3, 1942.

Man of Confidence: Sgt. Diogenes Loizides - No.94161.

        There are 74 British prisoners of war in this work camp, of which 71 are Cypriots. The Kommando exists since February 1942. The prisoners of war work 8 to 10 hours a day, the same as the civilians do, and they get two Sundays off a month. The Man of Confidence stated that 8 men complain that they were working on shrapnels. The accompanying German officer said this was not possible, but, as this visit took place in the evening, when the work was over, the inspectors could not see by themselves what kind of work was done by the men. The German High Command will be asked to look into this matter.

        The pay is regularly given out and amounts to 30 to 100 RM a month, according to the kind of work the prisoner carries out.

        The food is done by the firm. The soup was said to be sometimes very thin and the potatoes occasionally bad, but the Man of Confidence stated that he could not really complain about it. The prisoners of war can use an electric stove to heat the private food.

        The mail is given out once a week. A few days before this visit, some private parcels had been received from Cyprus.

        The health is good. There is no British medical orderly, and none seems to be necessary as first aid is done by the firm's nurses. Physicians and dentists and even specialists are available.

        There is no religious service here, most men being Orthodox.

        The prisoners of war are allowed to play football on Sunday, they also have a few musical instruments.

        The clothing was not very good and Parsons will send out what is necessary.

        The laundry is done by the firm, free of charge.

        The only complaint was that a Corporal was to work. Inquiries are made to know if he is recognised in his rank, otherwise particulars will be given out so as to have him recognised as such.

        As regards the installation, this must be considered as a model camp, especially the bathing which is really perfect. The prisoners of war are well treated and they show a very good discipline.

Kommando Krochwitz

Date of visit: July 4, 1942.

Man of Confidence: Sgt. F. Battle (No.96018).

        139 British prisoners of war, of whom 27 Cypriots, repair waggons. They work 70 hours a week and there is some night work. Every other Sunday is free. The average pay is RM 42 to 45 a month.

        The men live in one large room, furnished with triple-tier wooden bunks. It is rather stuffy at night, on account of so many men sleeping in one room, although the ventilation is satisfactory.

        There is a good modern wash-room which was being repaired. Good latrines of the flush type.

        There is a dining-room containing also a piano, and a garden.

        The prisoners of war receive two meals at the works where they are occupied and they have the possibility of warming up their private food in a small kitchen in the camp. The clothing was not very good, each man having only one battle-dress.

        The health is generally good. A not recognised medical orderly, Corporal Bernard Meakin, was working as an ordinary prisoner of war. The accompanying officer said he would be treated as a medical orderly from now on. To be checked.

        There is no Revier in the camp. First aid is provided by the firm. The sick men go to a daily parade to a French doctor in a nearby P.o.W. lazarett. In emergency cases, a German civilian doctor is available. On the day of the visit, 17 men were sick, mostly with colds. No severe cases. Three men were in a lazarett for prisoners of war, one with an athletes food, one meningitis, one pneumonia.

        A sports-field is put at the disposal of the prisoners of war. They have no indoor games and the Stalag will furnish them. They would also like to have a ping-pong table.

        The prisoners of war also wish to have some sermons and hymn-books. Those will be asked from the Y.M.C.A.

        There is no canteen. The men can buy some beer from time to time.

        20 Corporals are still working here. Their case will be seen again by the German Authorities.

        The Man of Confidence also asked that the Cypriots should be separated from the other prisoners of war. It seems difficult to propose this move, unless the British Government requires it.

Work Camp No. 83 - Tetschen Laubenmühle

Date of visit: July 4, 1942.

Man of Confidence: Sgt. Aikiff Arif - No.95075.

        40 Cypriots are lodged in very nice quarters in a "Gasthaus" at a certain distance from a small town. The dormitory is clean and airy, and is furnished with triple-tier wooden bunks. Two men share a locker for their private belongings. There is also a common-room, furnished with tables and benches.

        The washing can be considered as very satisfactory. It is composed of 10 porcelain-basins with running water, and 1 shower bath. Hot water is always available.

        Two water-closets of the flush type are at the disposal of the prisoners of war.

        There is a small kitchen, but clean and quite satisfactory for its purpose.

        The prisoners of war are taken to their distant working place by bus or train.

        There were no complaints, and the Man of Confidence said he was very much satisfied.

Work Camp No. 8 Tetschen-Reichsbahn.

Date of visit: July 4, 1942.

Man of Confidence: S.M. Ian Rannie Harper, P.o.W. 96180.

        The effective of this camp is of 89 men, i.e. 55 British, 28 Cypriots and 6 men from Gibraltar. Three prisoners of war were in a hospital for prisoners of war, where they are treated by a French doctor.

        This is a new camp, open only since 6 days. The barracks are quite new and this camp can be considered as very satisfactory. The men work at engine-cleaning, plumbing, carpentering, unloading coal waggons, etc. They did not know how many hours they would have to work a week, and if there will be any Sunday-work, but it seems that this will be the case.

        A football-field will be put at the disposal of the prisoners of war. They had no games nor books yet, but the Stalag will send some at once.

        Concerning food, the Man of Confidence said they were doing very well, the cooking being done by their own cooks.

        As this is a new camp, there are of course some things which were not yet completed, but the inspectors had the impression that it was going to be a very good camp.

Fred O. Auckenthaler.

Dr. Hans Wehrle.