CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH/AMERICAN

No.734.

Date of visit: 8th - 10th March, 1945.

STALAG IV D TORGAU

Commandant: Oberst Richter

Deputy: Oberstlt. von Otto

Arbeitseinsatz: Hptm. Heinrich

Accompanying Officer of the German High Command: Major Romer

British Chief Man of Confidence: RSM C.A. Parslow, POW No. 223820

American Man of Confidence: 1st Sgt. D.J. van Dussen, POW No. 84111.

Roll of Officers on Strength of Stalag

        Reference is made to the previous report No. 642

        Since our last visit, approximately 600 new American prisoners of war have been brought to this Stalag, so that they now have their own Man of Confidence. On the day of the visit the Stalag complement showed the following figures:

                (a) In the base camp at Torgau there were 21 British and 2 American prisoners of war forming the staff of the Stalag. The Men of Confidence stated that conditions for the staff are satisfactory.

                        Air raid Precautions: In case of an alarm, the prisoners of war comprising the staff go to the cellar of the stone building in which they are accommodated. The main camp is situated about 300 yards west of Torgau railway-station.

                        Parcels: There is not one parcel in stock.

                (b) On Working Detachments: British

                These prisoners of war consist of the following:

                        American

                        Americans in Hospital

Chaplain: The promise given on the occasion of the last visit of the Delegate of the Protecting Power has been kept and Padre Jenkins is now allowed to visit the working detachments in the neighbourhood of Annaburg, providing that they are close enough to the main camp to permit him returning on the same day.

Capt. Singh's request for a transfer to another area has been granted and he is now attached to the Bitterfeld area.

The following points came up for discussion with the German Camp Commandant and his staff upon completion of the tour of inspection.

        1. American Working Party No. Rei 119 in Halle

                About half of this working party (approximately 40 men) suspect that they are engaged on war-work, since they are working on large motors and what is thought to be parts of tanks and submarines. The Stalag Commandant promised to investigate this matter and, if it proves to be the case, to withdraw the POWs from this work.

        2. Working Detachment L 101 and L 102 in Bockwitz

                These prisoners are still employed in a garage and from time to time are required to repair German army cars. At the discussion with the German Stalag authorities, the Delegate once more insisted on the withdrawal of these POWs from this kind of work. As no satisfactory answer could be obtained, the case will be taken up with the German High Command.

        3. Working Detachment B 12 Zscharnowitz

                Some cases of ill-treatment by a German guard were reported from this detachment. The Delegate requested the removal of this man, a request that was granted by the Stalag Commandant.

        4. Ration Scale

                Owing to the continual cutting down of the food rations, the Men of Confidence at all working detachments are not aware of the quantities that the POWs are entitled to. A promise was given that official ration scales will be made known to the Chief Man of Confidence, as well as to all the Men of Confidence at the working detachments.

        5. Some minor points were also brought up for discussion and settled on the spot.

The following working detachments were visited on the occasion of this inspection tour.

Working Detachment No. Sch 186, Uebigau VII

AMERICAN

Date of visit: March 8th, 1945.

Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. L.C. Schmitt, P.O.W. No. 81420

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        The camp lies on the main road between Falkenberg and Uebigau and consists of a wooden barrack in the woods. There are some anti-aircraft guns in the neighbourhood but since the last visit, the air-raid trenches have been finished and are now adequate.

        There is no change in the general outlay of the camp.

II. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        106 American prisoners of war, all employed on some kind of construction work (building, etc.). 90 men do piece work and finish their share in 5 to 6 hours. The rest work regularly 9 hours daily. There is no Sunday work for any of them.

III. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        Stoves have been finished and now work satisfactorily. The prisoners are fortunate enough to be allowed to keep 3 blankets. Fuel: 1 ton of coal monthly is issued for heating and cooking purposes and this is regarded as sufficient.

IV. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES

        In order. Weekly hot showers.

V. TOILET FACILITIES

        The new latrines, promised on the occasion of the last visit, are still under construction. According to the German officer this is due to transport difficulties. In the meantime, the old latrines have been repaired and are adequate. They are emptied regularly and cause no further complaints.

VI. FOOD AND COOKING

        German food is cooked by two prisoners in the barrack kitchen. The rations are according to scale. There are no stocks of Red Cross parcels but a room for such supplies is provided outside the camp and one of the two keys is in the possession of the Man of Confidence.

VII. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        Capt. J.W. McNamara, AAMC, POW No. 39581, accommodated in the nearby Working Detachment Uebigau VI, reported  the following:

        "I was transferred two weeks ago from Heilag Annaburg to this detachment. I hold sick parade every night in both camps. Serious cases are transferred to Liebenwerda. All the medicaments we have were brought from Annaburg, they are sufficient for the moment. The general state of health is good in both camps".

        Dental treatment by a civilian dentist at Falkenberg is said to be very good.

        There is one recognised sanitator in this camp.

VIII. CLOTHING

        A first supply of 151 pr. socks

                                   46 woollen shawls

                                   42 pr. pants

                                   35 shirts

                                   51 caps

                                   30 ps. shoes

                                   73 pieces of underwear

        arrived a few days ago from the Red Cross. A second similar consignment has arrived at the station and can be collected.

IX. LAUNDRY

        Prisoners do their own laundry.

X. MONEY AND PAY

        Correct. The prisoners earn about RM 35 a month.

XI. CANTEEN

        There is no canteen, but some goods such as tooth-brushes, tooth-paste, razors and razor-blades can be obtained from the Stalag.

XII. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

        None.

XIII. RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        A sportsfield is now at the disposal of the POWs on Sundays. Footballs, boxing-gloves, books and games arrived last week. Entertainment and recreation facilities are therefore quite good.

XIV. MAIL

        Mail is satisfactory. It takes about 6-8 weeks from America to Germany.

XV. WELFARE WORK

        Nothing to report.

XVI. COMPLAINTS

        Some minor complaints were settled on the spot.

XVII. GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This camp now makes a more favourable impression than at the time of the last visit, and may now be considered as good.

Working Detachment No. L 9, Elsterwerda

BRITISH

Date of visit: March 8th, 1945.

Man of Confidence: Pte. A.H. Yerbury, POW No. 249170

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        The camp adjoins the station of Elsterwerda-Biela. No military targets near the camp. There are good air-raid shelters underneath the factory.

II. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        49 British prisoners of war are employed by the MENZEL cement factory eight hours a day. As a rule there is no Sunday work.

III. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        The camp consists of a large sleeping room with single beds and two good stoves. A smaller room is furnished as a dining room. Each man has at least two blankets. Fuel: The POW receive a fair supply of briquetts and as much brown coal as they want. Lighting is satisfactory.

IV. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES

        Good. Hot showers are installed in the camp.

V. TOILET FACILITIES

        Good.

VI. FOOD AND COOKING

        A German woman cooks the German food with the help of one of the prisoners. A second stove in the kitchen is reserved for the cooking of the Red Cross food.

        Red Cross parcels are stored in a separate room with two locks. On two occasions the window was broken and cigarettes and chocolate stolen. This window has now been bricked up.

VII. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        Sick parade is held twice weekly by a German military doctor. Serious cases are sent to the revier at Liebenwerda. The confirmation certificate for the medical orderly has now arrived at the camp although forwarded by the Protecting Power some time ago.

        Dental treatment is available at Liebenwerda or Elsterwerda. On the day of the visit, 4 men were in the camp with stomach troubles or fever and 1 patient with heart trouble was in the revier at Liebenwerda.

VIII. CLOTHING

        The majority of the men have one good outfit and some kind of working clothes.

IX. LAUNDRY

        Some of the prisoners send their laundry out while the others do it themselves.

X. MONEY AND PAY

        Correct.

XI. CANTEEN

        There is no canteen.

XII. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        None.

XIII. RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        In order.

XIV. MAIL

        Mail from England and South Africa is stated to be slow and rare.

XV. WELFARE WORK

        Nothing to report.

XVI. COMPLAINTS

        4 men work with red ocre which is very unhealthy and causes boils. The factory has been asked to provide rubber gloves for these men. This was promised.

XVII. GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This can be considered as a good camp.

Working Detachment No. L 71, Bockwitz

AMERICAN

Date of visit: March 8th, 1945.

Man of Confidence: Pte. H. Lowenberg POW No. 312772

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        The camp is situated one mile east of the village and consists of a barrack in a large compound. No military targets. Good slit trenches were dug by the prisoners themselves.

II. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        69 American prisoners of war. They are employed on piece work in a coal factory and work between 8-10 hours a day. As a rule there is no Sunday work.

III. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        The 3 sleeping rooms are furnished with large double-tier beds, and some tables and chairs. The men have only one blanket each but receive as much coal as they want. Lighting is good.

IV. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES

        Good. Running hot and cold water as well as hot showers.

V. TOILET FACILITIES

        Good.

VI. FOOD AND COOKING

        There is a central cook-house for both Russian and American prisoners of war outside the camp. The Man of Confidence will be allowed to go into the kitchen in future and control the food rations.

        A lock-up store-room for Red Cross parcels is provided in the guard barrack. Unfortunately there is no stock of parcels at the moment.

VII. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        Sick parade is held daily by a Russian doctor and once a week by a German military doctor. Serious cases are sent to Liebenwerda.

        There is no medical orderly and no supply of drugs in the camp.

VIII. CLOTHING

        Two consignments of Red Cross packages arrived in the last two weeks, namely 44 coats, 55 pairs of shoes, 47 pairs of pants, 11 blouses and a good supply of underwear.

IX. LAUNDRY

        Done by the prisoners themselves.

X. MONEY AND PAY

        Correct.

XI. CANTEEN

        Some canteen goods are sent from the Stalag.

XII. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        None.

XIII. RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        As a recently opened camp, there is great demand for books and games.

XIV. MAIL

        Nothing to report.

XV. WELFARE WORK

        Nothing to report.

XVI. COMPLAINTS

        Some minor complaints were settled on the spot.

XVII. GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This camp is adequate and it must be remembered that it has only very recently been opened.

Working Detachment No. 603, Laussig

BRITISH

Date of visit: March 8th, 1945.

Man of Confidence: Cpl. E.G. Banfield, POW No. 225083

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        The camp lies one mile north of Laussig in the yard of a cement factory. Good A.R.P. trenches have been built by the prisoners themselves although there are no military targets near the camp.

II. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        92 British prisoners of war working in the cement factory 10 hours a day. There is no Sunday work.

III. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        There is one large room with triple-tier beds and each man has 2 blankets. Lighting is good. The stoves are rather small for so large a room and the fuel ration is insufficient, 2 boxes of wood and one of coal. It has, however, been arranged that the men can gather more wood on their way back from work.

IV. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES

        Good.

V. TOILET FACULTIES

        Good.

VI. FOOD AND COOKING

        The German food is well cooked by a German woman in the central cook-house. The rations are controlled and are according to scale.

        Red Cross parcels can be stored in a safe room outside the camp, but there is no stock at all at the moment.

VII. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        Sick P.O.W. may go daily to a military doctor at Dueben and there is one recognised medical orderly with a first-aid outfit in the camp.

        Dental treatment is available twice weekly from a civilian dentist in Dueben.

VIII. CLOTHING

        The clothing position is satisfactory, the prisoners having two outfits each and an adequate supply of underwear.

IX. LAUNDRY

        Laundry is done by the prisoners themselves.

X. MONEY AND PAY

        Correct.

XI. CANTEEN

        [Line barely visible but seems to say "No canteen"]

XII. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        None.

XIII. RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        These facilities can be considered as good.

XIV. MAIL

        At present mail is very slow and seldom.

XV. WELFARE WORK

        Nothing to report.

XVI. COMPLAINTS

        The Men of Confidence state that some of the men are working on big beton rings destined as protection for machine gun stands on trucks. The German officer in charge of the camp agreed that this kind of work must be classed as war work and promised to see that the men are employed on other work.

        No other complaints were brought to the knowledge of the Delegate of the Protecting Power.

XVII. GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This is a good camp.

Working Detachment No. Be 7, DUBEN

BRITISH

Date of visit: March 9th, 1945.

Man of Confidence: Cpl. G. Landbriandis, POW No. 10503.

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        No change since the last visit on November 13th, 1944. There are no military targets in the district of Duben and adequate air-raid shelters have been built in the cellars.

II. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        The strength of the camp was given as follows:

                English     36

                Cypriots   52

                Other Brit.  2

                Total         90

        The majority of the men work in the machine factory. The rest are employed on odd jobs, such as by the butcher, or helping in the hospital. They work 10 hours a day and have every Sunday off.

III. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        No change. Fuel: the fuel ration is 50 kg. of coal daily.

IV. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES

        The promised hot showers are now available in the factory.

V. TOILET FACILITIES

        The latrines have been repaired and improved, and they are now adequate.

VI. FOOD AND COOKING

        The German food is cooked by a woman in a kitchen outside the camp. Some irregularities were reported to the German authorities by the Man of Confidence, and it was decided to change cooks.

        Red Cross parcels are kept in a safe room outside the camp.

VII. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        Men who report sick may visit a Russian doctor at Duben on three fixed days each week. Serious cases are sent to Bitterfeld. A recognised English sanitator with a small medical supply is in charge of those POWs who are having 2-3 days rest and remain at the camp.

VIII. CLOTHING

        Clothing is reported to be adequate.

IX. LAUNDRY

        The pump has been repaired since the last visit and now works satisfactorily. The prisoners do their laundry themselves.

X. MONEY AND PAY                          )

XI. CANTEEN                                       ) No change.

XII. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY                 )

XIII. RECREATION AND EXERCISE  )

XIV. MAIL

        Mail is scarce from both England and Cyprus.

XV. WELFARE WORK

        Nothing to report.

XVI. COMPLAINTS

        Old complaints: 1) It was not possible to install running water in the camp but prisoners can fetch water from just outside.

        2) As was promised on the occasion of the last visit, Cypriots were employed inside the factory during the winter.

        No new complaints were brought to the knowledge of the Delegate.

XVII. GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This camp has improved considerably since the previous visit and can now be considered as adequate.

Working Detachment No. D 602, KLITSCHMAR

BRITISH

Date of visit: March 9th, 1945.

Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. E. Reid, P.O.W. No. 226843

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        This camp is situated 200 yards west of the station of Klitschmar and is accommodated in a stone building, a former factory. There are no military targets in the neighbourhood but excellent air-raid shelters are available in the large compound.

II. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        271 British prisoners of war all employed on clearing and repairing the rails for the Reichsbahn. They work 9 hours daily and have no Sunday work.

III. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        The prisoners are accommodated in two large sleeping rooms. Each man has 3 blankets. Lighting and heating facilities are fairly good.

IV. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES

        Some of the men have daily hot showers and everyone has at least one shower a week.

V. TOILET FACILITIES

        Adequate/

VI. FOOD AND COOKING

        The food is cooked in a central cook-house, where 6 British POWs are employed and able to control the rations. One of the weekly menus of this camp reads as follows:

Speisezettel fur die Zeit vom 4.3. bis 10.3.45.

                Anderungen jederzeit vorbehalten.

                Lager Klitschmar D 602 8.3.45

        There is a good store-room for Red Cross parcels.

VII. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        Sick parade is held by Capt. GRUSIN, RAMC, who lives at Halle and who visits this detachment thrice a week. Two recognised sanitators deal efficiently with light cases and have a supply of medicaments. Serious cases are transferred to the revier at Delitsch.

        Dental treatment by a French dentist at Delitsch is said to be good. Seven or eight prisoners can go there each week for treatment.

VIII. CLOTHING

        The men have one outfit each and some underwear.

IX. LAUNDRY

        In order.

X. MONEY AND PAY

        Correct.

XI. CANTEEN

        A small supply from the Stalag arrives each month.

XII. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        This camp has never been visited by a chaplain. Short services are held each Sunday by a lay preacher.

XIII. RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        Good facilities. In summer the prisoners go swimming.

XIV. MAIL

        As everywhere, mail is not only slow but also scarce.

XV. WELFARE WORK

        Nothing to report.

XVI. COMPLAINTS

        Insufficient tables and sitting accommodation. Only 100 men can take their meals at the tables, the rest have to sit on their beds. The factory will be asked to supply sufficient chairs and tables.

XVII. GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This is a good camp.

INTERVIEWS

Working Detachment No. L. 12, Stadwerke 1

Man of Confidence: Bdr. L.G. Palmer, POW No. 247022

(Interview at Elsterwerda on March 8th, 1945)

Strength of Camp: 10 men.

Nature of work: 6 men work in saw-mills 10 hours daily, other 4 for the Borough Council, 9 hours. No regular Sunday work.

Air-raid precautions: Slit trenches.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: In order. No orderly in camp.

Parcels: No stocks.

Fuel: Not sufficient at present.

Complaints: The Man of Confidence had no control over the scale of German food rations but such a scale has been promised him immediately.

Working Detachment No. L. 111, Oberlaussiger Kies & Sandwork

Man of Confidence: Pte. J.C. Mitchell, POW No. 274646.

(Interview at Elsterwerda)

Strength of Camp: 17 men.

Nature of work: Loading sand. Sunday work sometimes required but POWs often work only four days a week. Usually 8 hours a day.

Air-raid precautions: Good shelters, no military Target.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: There is a sick bay in Elsterwerda and POWs are treated by a German doctor. There is some difficulty in seeing a dentist about repairs to plates.

Parcels: No stocks.

Fuel: The issue of 2 bricketts a day per man is insufficient and the Delegate arranged that wood-collecting parties will be organised.

Complaints: Ration scales will be provided as soon as possible. No further complaints.

Working Detachment No. Fa Rob. Kruger HOHENLEIPISCH L 109.

Man of Confidence: Cpl. R.C. Lloyd, POW No. 250619.

(Interview at Elsterwerda)

Strength of Camp: 11 men.

Nature of work: In a flower pot factory, nine hours daily. No Sunday work except when a railway wagon is to be unloaded.

Air-raid precautions: Good air-raid shelters.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: German civilian doctor at "Muna" Hohenleipisch, also a Krankenrevier at Liebenwerda for serious cases. Satisfactory.

Parcels: None.

Fuel: Good, unlimited supplies.

Complaints: The Man of Confidence complained of the lack of salt for cooking purposes, an ingredient which cannot be obtained in the village. He also stated that only fresh meat is procurable and that too much bone was supplied. This will be investigated by the German authorities.

Working Detachment No. L. 121, Plessa Braunkohlenwerke.

Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. Thomas Hill, POW No. T/150130.

Strength of Camp: 30 men, no medical orderly.

Nature of work: Repairing railway lines and loading Wagons. Usual working hours, 9 hours daily with every third Sunday free. Three men work 12 hours a day, one week on day shift and one week at night.

Air-raid precautions: Satisfactory.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: Treatment is available from an English doctor. Good.

Parcels: Stocks exhausted.

Fuel: Satisfactory.

Complaints: 1) The Man of Confidence stated that 5 men were not allowed into the cellar by alarm. The Delegate was able to arrange for these men to seek shelter too.

        2) No ration scale. This too is now in order and a scale will be posted up.

        3) No soap powder issued last month. Now in order; soap will be delivered.

Working Detachment No. L. 113, Eisenwerke Hohenzollern Elsterwerda.

Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. J.H. Bragg, POW No. 259067.

(Interview at Elsterwerda)

Strength of Camp: 13 men. No medical orderly.

Nature of work: Small iron foundry, making of moulds, loading and unloading of Wagons. Working hours: between 7-9 1/2 hours daily, no Sunday work.

Air-raid precautions: No shelters at the barracks. (See complaints).

Medical attention & Dental treatment: There is an English doctor and a German dentist available. In order.

Parcels: No stocks.

Fuel: In order.

Complaints: 1) Overalls for very dirty work are needed.

        2) The British POWs were not allowed into the air-raid shelters at the factory. Orders have now been given, however, that they are to go to good shelters nearby.

Working Detachment No. L. 123, Richard Schober, Elsterwerda

Man of Confidence: Pte. R.B. Kitching, POW No. 225036.

(Interview at Elsterwerda)

Strength of Camp: 6 men, no orderly.

Nature of work: In a garage for 11 1/2 hours daily. No Sunday work.

Air-raid precautions: None.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: German dentist, English doctor. In order.

Parcels: Exhausted.

Fuel: Satisfactory.

Complaints: Ration scale: none till now, but will be given. Air-raid shelters: None until now but the POWs will be allowed to construct some. Some minor complaints were also discussed and settled on the spot.

Working Detachment No. Heinrich L 116, Elsterwerda

Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. W.T. Smith, POW No. 250117.

(Interview at Elsterwerda)

Strength of Camp: 19 men. No orderly.

Nature of work: Factory work. Machine construction (14 men) and auto repairs (5 men), 12 hours daily. No Sunday work.

Air-raid precautions: None. No military targets.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: Men falling sick usually attended by a German civilian doctor as transport to Liebenwerda is difficult. The same with dental treatment. In order.

Parcels: No stock.

Fuel: 1 brickett a day per man. Insufficient.

Complaints: Complaints about the ventilation were raised and promises for improvements obtained. As the fuel issue is insufficient, wood-cutting parties will be arranged.

Working Detachment No. L 39, Muckenberg, Firma Thron

Man of Confidence: Pte. D.J. Murting, POW No. 224607.

(Interview at Bockwitz)

Strength of Camp: 10 men.

Nature of work: Loading and unloading of wagons, 48 hours a week, no Sunday work.

Air-raid precautions: Shelters available in the camp.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: POWs who report sick can visit a German, French or British doctor. Dental treatment also in order.

Parcels: No stock. Last issue was made 6 weeks ago.

Fuel: Sufficient coal is issued.

Complaints: The POWs asked for extra soap rations. These will be given if possible. It was also stated that not enough food is issued. This will be investigated.

Working Detachment No. L.34, Kleinleipisch.

Man of Confidence: L/Cpl. G.H. Curtis, POW No. 92255.

(Interview at Bockwitz)

Strength of Camp: 43. No medical orderly.

Nature of work: Maintenance of railway in surface coal mine. Hours of work: 10 hours a day. No Sunday work.

Air-raid precautions: Covered trench; in order.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: Transport to hospital from camp difficult. No dental treatment.

Parcels: No issue for about 6 weeks.

Fuel: In order.

Complaints: Complaints were raised about the food. This matter will be investigated by the District Officer. Transport of sick to the hospital has also been settled, and other complaints could be settled on the spot.

Working Detachment No. L.25, Lauchhammer.

Man of Confidence: Signalman E. Jevons, POW No. 228179.

(Interview at Bockwitz)

Strength of Camp: 379 British POWs. This camp is situated 50 yards east of a foundry where ammunition is made and this is a military target. 400 yards north is a factory where guns are being finished.

Nature of work: In a foundry and an iron and steel-works. Building and subsidiary trades. Hours of work: 12. On Sundays about 50 men are engaged on work in the camp and a few in the factory. All work on Sunday is usually finished by 11.30 a.m.

Air-raid precautions: POWs working in the factory have an air-raid shelter there, the others return to camp where there are shelters adequate against shrapnel.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: A British and a German sanitator hold sick parade daily. Serious cases are sent to the local dentist. Satisfactory.

Parcels: Exhausted. No issue for about 6 weeks.

Fuel: Ample.

Complaints: The food is reported to be insufficient for men working 12 hours daily.

        The men also suspect that they are required to work on what could be classed as war work. The firm states that no POW is employed on direct war work but the men are not so sure. They do not see the finished objects nor the plans, so that it would be difficult to prove.

        When discussing this matter with the Germans, the Delegate was assured that the POWs are not employed on any work directly connected with the German war industry.

Working Detachment No. L. 101, Bockwitz.

Man of Confidence: Pte. L. Homewood, POW No. 224886.

(Interview at Bockwitz on 8.3.45.)

Strength of Camp: 16 men.

Nature of work: Repairing automobiles. Sundays are free.

Air-raid precautions: In order.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: Satisfactory.

Parcels: None.

Fuel: Satisfactory.

Complaints: 1) The Man of Confidence stated that POWs do not receive enough soap. Extra soap rations will be given to those men doing very dirty work if possible.

        2) Working clothes were also asked for. These will be provided by the Germans.

        3) Working conditions: The men complained because they are required to repair Wehrmacht cars. Regarding this question, please see the complaint brought up for discussion at the final meeting with the German authorities.

Working Detachment No. L. 126, Bockwitz.

Man of Confidence: Pte. P.G. van Blerk, POW No. 225032.

(Interview at Bockwitz on 8.3.45).

Strength of Camp: 16 men.

Nature of work: Repairing military vehicles.

Air-raid precautions: Shelters in order.

Medical attention & Dental treatment: Satisfactory.

Parcels: None in stock.

Fuel: Satisfactory.

Complaints: Complaints were raised about the nature of the work required. Please see paragraph reporting on the final discussion with the German Stalag authorities.

Sig. Fritz Dasen.

SPECIAL REPORT

on the visit of the Delegate of the Protecting Power

to the Wehrmachtsgefangnis FORT ZINNA, TORGAU.

No.731

Date of visit: March 10th, 1945.

The following prisoners of war were in Fort Zinna on the day of the visit:

1) Capt. L. LEE-GRAHAM, POW No. 174490.

        Capt. Lee-Graham was shot down in a plane and afterwards captured in civilian clothing. He was courtmartialed and sentenced to death in November 1944.

        He reported that, except for two things, the treatment is good and that he receives the facilities that he is entitled to, receiving of parcels etc. He is, firstly, kept separate from other prisoners and not allowed to see the British Chief Man of Confidence from Stalag IV D Torgau, and secondly, that he is not allowed to take walks except if hobbled by chains on the ankles. This is a special order from the Reichsgerichthof but the Protecting Power will take up the matter with the German High Command.

        Otherwise he has no complaints.

The six prisoners mentioned below are in one cell with some French prisoners of war.

2) Pte. Jos. COLLINS, POW No. 12549.

        Collins was tried for sabotage and sentenced to death on November 3rd, 1944.

3) Pte. Nelson FRENCH, POW No. 191.

        French is accused of espionage but has not yet been courtmartialed.

4) S/Sgt. A.W. TWYMAN, POW No. 7816.

        Twyman was working in Yugoslavia and is accused of having given assistance to rebel bands (Tito). The trial was adjourned but he was informed that he must reckon with a death sentence.

5) Spr. W. COMAN, POW No. none.

        Coman escaped during the transport from the front to Germany. He was recaptured two years later and tried for sabotage. The sentence was one year hard labour. When he had this sentence the case was re-opened and Cowan sentenced to death. This was about 20 months ago.

6) Rifl. C.G. JARVIS, POW No. 9974.

7) Pte. F. DAY, POW No. 11651.

        These two men were tried for sabotage and "Feindbegunstigung" and sentenced to death.

The treatment of the above mentioned prisoners is correct and they receive all facilities that they are entitled to. The Delegate did his best to help keep up their spirits by informing them that no sentence of death has yet been carried through. The Protecting Power is watching these cases and discussions on the possibilities of exchanging prisoners who are under a death sentence are in progress.

sgd. Fritz Dasen.

F.O.Ref. K.W. 2/4.

W.O.Ref. 0103/5600 (P.W.2)

No. 1669

XXV/31/45.

        His Majesty's Minister at Berne presents his compliments to His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and has the honour to transmit to him the under-mentioned documents.

        British Legation

        Berne.

        14th April, 1945

From:- International Red Cross Committee

Date: 13th April, 1945

Subject: British Interests: Relief parcels for Stalag IV D, Torgau and Res. Lazaret Leipzig-Wahren.

COMITE INTERNATIONAL DE LA CROIX ROUGE

Division des Secours.

GENEVE

19th April, 1945.

        Dear Sir,

        Re: British Red Cross Relief for Stalag IV D, Torgau and Res.Lazarett Leipzig-Wahren.

        We are in receipt of your letter of the 23rd March, 1945, reference 1890/34/23(d), and thank you for informing us that the British authorities received a report from the Protecting Power to the effect that there are no Red Cross food parcels and a complete lack of medical supplies at Stalag IV D, Torgau. Also that food parcels cigarettes and medical supplies are urgently needed at Res.Lazarett Leipzig-Wahren, where a large number of British and American prisoners of war have recently been transferred to.

        In respect of Stalag IV D, Torgau, we beg to give hereafter the following figures which will give you a clear view of the food and medical parcels position.

STALAG IV D, TORGAU

His Britannic Majesty's Consul,

41 Quai Wilson,

Geneva.

        In addition to these consignments two blocktrains of food parcels were despatched to Moosburg on the 3rd and 17th March, 129 tons of which are ear-marked for prisoners of all Allied nationalities interned at Torgau, which means roughly one parcel for every British prisoner of war.

        With regard to Lazarett Leipzig-Wahren, telegraphic news was also received, at this end, from our Delegate in Berlin, advising us of a large influx of British and American prisoners of war at this lazarett, and we have already been considering in which way arrangements could be made for attending to the needs of these new prisoners.

        It being quite impossible, at the present juncture, to despatch a waggon direct to Leipzig, we will try our best to send a lorry with 5 tons of food parcels from Moosburg, where the above mentioned two block trains were unloaded.

        Further consignments are foreseen, if circumstances permit, for both Stalags IV D, Torgau and Lazarett Leipzig-Wahren.

        Yours faithfully,

        For the International Committee of the Red Cross

        M.A. de FRANZ

        pour A.R. RIGG

        Asst. Manager, of the Relief Division.