Stalag IVD

Stalag Commander

Assistant

Arbeitseinsatz

German Doctor

Accompanying Officer from

German High Command

British Chief Man of Confidence

: Oberst Bier

: Major Ackermann

: Hptm. Fehlrich

: Oberstabsarzt Dr. Otto

: Hptm. Schaade

: RSM C.A. Parslow (223820)

This number does not include the approximately 1700 Indian prisoners of war from Zweiglager IV D/Z Annaburg visited in January this year.

A meeting was arranged where four British men of confidence representing British labour-detachments within the Bitterfeld-area were assembled.

The individual reports on the condition on each of the labour-detachments read as follows:

I. Two fairly large barracks form the men's living and sleeping quarters, situated near the railway shuntings of Bitterfeld station. Reasonably large compound. Within the barbed wire is also a cook-house and a latrine hut.

II. 152 British prisoners of war form the camp's complement, of whom 104 are from former Italian captivity, the rest from the Italian campaign.

III. The larger barrack is divided into 4 sleeping-rooms, each with 26 double-tier bunks of the wooden type, the other barrack holds 49 men accommodated in double- and single-tier wooden beds. Electric light and good stoves with sufficient fuel in the two barracks. Sitting accommodations fairly adequate in number. No wardrobes.

IV. Washing installations are good in the larger barrack with hot and cold running water, but inadequate in the smaller hut, where improvements have been promised. Hot showers are available once a week at the station bath-house. Showers were reported to be under repair.

V. 8 seats, pit-type. In order. Night latrines consist of drums which are put in the entrance of every sleeping room.

VI. As these men work for two different firms, there are also two separate kitchens where British cooks are in charge. Food is reported to consist mainly of sweet turnips and about 4 potatoes per man a day. For the first seven weeks the prisoners had no Red Cross parcels but at present there is a four weeks supply in camp. The bulk food which arrived in this region is reported to cause a lot of trouble and time for distribution.

VII. There is no recognised sanitator in camp. The prisoners have twice a week sick-parade with a Polish doctor at the revier in town, but have to present themselves first to the Kommando-fuhrer. They more or less depend on his judgment and good will. The medical supply from the German side is very limited and no British Red Cross supply has arrived yet. Dental treatment, extractions only, in town with a French dentist.

VIII. The clothing position is very unsatisfactory. Most of the men wear the same cloth as they did when captured, worn out and torn. The uniform is completed with pieces of clothing from other nationalities. Boots and footwear are also very much needed. Most of the shoe-soles are entirely walked-through. At the repair-shop wooden soles are fixed which go off after a few days and leaves the men even in a worse position. Some wooden clogs are issued. Every prisoner has a least two blankets.

X. Correct. Up to the last two weeks, these men had no day off. The two parties are engaged in railway-work. About 100 men work under direct supervision of the Reichsbahn, the rest is engaged by a contractor who also works for the same firm. Actual working hours: 9 1/2 hours daily.

XI. No canteen. A very small issue from Stalag is available. Razor-blades and similar things are badly needed.

XV. No welfare work yet. The YMCA will be approached to send some indoor games and musical instruments to this camp.

XVI. Besides the above mentioned insufficiencies in the accommodations, and especially clothing and medical attendance, no other complaints were brought to the knowledge of the delegate. These points were discussed at the meeting with the Guards Company Commander and will also be a matter for the conference with Stalag authorities.

I. This camp was opened on the 13th of November 1943, is housed in the factory buildings itself and consist of three sleeping- and living-rooms, a kitchen, washroom and lavatories.

II. Complement: 109 British prisoners of war except for 3 Cypriots and one Free French. The majority from Italian captivity.

III. The sleeping rooms are furnished with double-tier wooden beds, sufficient tables and benches, good stoves and electric light. Two blankets per man. The roof is under repair.

IV. Satisfactory. 16 taps with running cold water in the washroom where also a boiler for hot water is installed. Hot showers daily at the factory shower-room.

VI. In order. Two British cooks are in charge. Food is said to be well cooked and good, but insufficient in quantity. Red Cross parcel supply in order for the last two months.

VII. The position is the same as for camp BE 2 except that there is a recognized sanitator in camp who is able to send his comrades to the sick parade with the Polish doctor at the revier in town. Nevertheless the situation is quite inadequate as this doctor is in charge of about 5000 prisoners of various nationalities and therefore overworked. General state of health fairly good.

VIII. The clothing position is also very bad in this camp. Especially boots are very much needed.

X. In order. The men work at the above named factory manufacturing pipes. Working hours from 6.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. with half an hour's break for breakfast and lunch.

XV. None. The Protecting Power will ask the YMCA to furnish some books and indoor games to this camp.

XVI. Several complaints were settled at the conference with the Guards Company Commander who promised to do his best to straighten them out.

I. This Arbeits-Kommando has been opened at the end of October 1943. The prisoners are housed in caravans as the proper accommodations are still unfinished. They are quite satisfied. They have spring mattresses and each waggon holds four men. The situation will improve once the proper camp is ready.

II. 50 British prisoners of war form the camp's complement. The majority from Italian captivity.

III. The caravans are fairly well-equipped. Good beds, electric light and good stoves in every waggon.

IV. The men have hot showers every day. Besides that only one tap with running water is available for the time being.

VI. The cooking is done by the firm. Two British help in the kitchen. Food is reported to the clean and well cooked. Red Cross parcel issue in order.

VII. There is no sanitator in camp, but a first-aid-kit is available at the factory where also the firm's sanitator is in charge. Otherwise the position is the same as for the other Commandos in this town.

X. Correct. The men are engaged on pipe welding, bending and on transports. 9 1/2 hours actual work.

XIII. Owing to the lack of sufficient space, physical exercise is very limited. A football is in camp, a sportsground will be available.

XVI. Besides the above mentioned insufficiencies, such as accommodations, clothing and medical attendance, no other complaints were brought forward at the conference with the delegate. Some minor points were straightened out on the spot.

I. On the 23rd December 1943, this Arbeits-Kommando had been opened and is accommodated in a good barrack, holding one large sleeping-room, 1 dining-room, 1 kitchen, 1 washroom and 1 storeroom. The latrines are in a separate hut within the barbed wire.

II. There are 60 British prisoners of war one third from Italian captivity, the other two third from the Italian campaign.

III. Double-tier wooden beds, sufficient benches and tables, electric light, good stoves, 3 blankets per man.

IV. In the washroom are three taps with running cold water and a boiler for preparing hot water. Hot showers once a week in town.

VI. 2 British cooks do the cooking in a fairly well equipped kitchen. Ration scale is provided. Food is reported to be fairly good. Red Cross parcel issue somewhat irregular.

VIII. Every man has one full British uniform, except for the overcoats, which are of various descriptions. Boot repairing material is very much needed.

X. Correct. The men work for the Stadtverwaltung and are digging air-raid shelters. 8 to 9 hours actual work per day.

XIII. A football has arrived two days ago and the men will be allowed to play on Sundays.

XVI. The only serious complaint was about the lack of proper medical attendance in case of sickness.

A meeting was arranged where four British men of confidence representing labour-detachments within the Eisleben-area were assembled.

The individual reports on the condition of each of the labour-detachments read as follows:-

I. This camp was opened in the middle of October 1943 and is accommodated in two brick-buildings, formerly machine-halls of an old factory. The open-air space round the camp is very limited and a wooden fence separates them from a Russian work-detachment of about 600 men.

II. Complement: 250 British prisoners of war all from Italian captivity except for the man of confidence who came from Stalag III D.

III. The two large halls are furnished with double-tier and triple-tier beds. Sitting accommodations and tables are insufficient in number, some were promised by the Guards-Company Commander. There are electric lights with rather feeble bulbs and central heating.

V. Latrines are insufficient in number as there were only 8 seats, pit-type. Enlargement has been promised.

VI. There is only one British cook in charge assisted by his comrades in their spare time. Guards-Company Commander promised to detail more men to the kitchen. Bread is issued once a week and becomes very often sour and stale. From now on the issue of bread will be done twice a week.

VII. There is a medical orderly in camp as well as a French doctor in the near-by revier. The prisoners have three times a week sick-parade with this doctor. Major cases are sent to the civilian hospital at Eisleben, where also a revier under the supervision of a Polish doctor is installed. This doctor complained very bitterly about the lack of sufficient medical supply and equipment. This revier is primitive, four British patients are in at the time of visit.

VIII. The clothing position is very bad. All sorts of uniforms and civilian clothing are worn. Specially trousers, battle-dresses, underwear, boots and footwear are wanted.

X. Correct. The prisoners are engaged in the above named copper-mine. The majority works underground and a few are engaged on surface work and in the workshops. 8 1/4 hours actual work, 1 1/2 hour to and from the working place. These men have a 24 consecutive hours rest only in three weeks.

XV. The above mentioned insufficiencies were fully discussed at the conference with the military authorities who promised to do their best to alleviate the general situation. A few minor points were settled on the spot, others will be taken up with Stalag authorities.

I. This camp is situated about 8 km. north of Eisleben and was opened on the 17th of October 1943. It is housed in one very large barrack and the moving space within the barbed wire is rather small.

II. 152 British prisoners of war from former Italian captivity form the camp's strength.

III. Triple-tier beds, overcrowded, sufficient sitting accommodations, electric light, good stoves. An extension of the present quarters is being considered and was strongly recommended by the Delegate.

IV. In the washroom are 8 washbasins with running cold water and two sprays with hot water for showers. Hot baths are available every day except on weekends.

V. Very primitive. A bar above a large pit forms the latrines. Improvements have been promised.

VI. The cooking is done by German women and is said to be well cooked and clean. A ration scale is provided and held. Two weeks supply of Red Cross food parcels in camp.

VII. There is a medical orderly in camp. The men report sick to the Kommandofuhrer who decides whether a man is fit for work or not. A Russian doctor is in charge of the revier, little medical supply available, general state of health satisfactory. Dental treatment with a French dentist at Eisleben.

VIII. The clothing position is very bad. The miners were provided with working-kits, but when some British uniforms arrived, this clothing was taken from the men. The delegate strongly protested against this unfair attitude and the matter will be taken up at higher quarters. Boots are very much needed, as well as footwear and underwear.

X. Pay is correct. 64 of the men work in the workshops, shifting materials, melting, and on transports, the rest does underground work in this copper-mine. They work in three shifts and have one day free within three weeks.

XIII. No physical exercise, as there is no sportsground available, a football is in camp.

XVI. Above mentioned deficiencies as well as some minor complaints were subject of representations at the conference with the local authorities.

I. The camp consists of three barracks used as the men's living and sleeping quarters, 2 latrine houses, a hut for storing purposes and the kitchen which is in the guards barrack. The space within the barbed wire is too small.

II. 196 British prisoners of war, the majority from Italian captivity. One of the men is with pneumonia in hospital at Eisleben,

III. Double-tier beds, good and sufficient sitting accommodations and tables, 1 wardrobe to share between three men, electric light. One of the barracks is divided into 12 rooms of different sizes, the second barrack has four rooms and the third is one large hall. The first and the third barrack is heated by central heating, the second has a good stove in each room.

IV. In order. Hot showers at least twice a week for everybody; the miners can have hot baths every day.

V. Insufficient in number. There are only three seats in use as the second latrine house is too primitive and is only used for emptying the night-latrines.

VI. 4 German women do the cooking, not very satisfactory to the prisoners taste. Red Cross supply in order.

VII. There is a medical orderly in camp with whom the prisoners have daily sick parade. All major cases are sent to the civilian hospital at Eisleben. Some medical supply from the German side is in camp.

VIII. The clothing position is very bad. It is more or less the same as for all the camps in this region. Boots are much needed too.

X. Pay is correct. The men are engaged in the coal-mine at Etzdorf, 13 of them work underground, 23 do surface work and the rest in the factory's workshops. The actual working hours last from 7 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

XII. A French padre from a nearby French prisoners of war camp cares for the Roman-Catholics.

XIV. Letter-mail is in order. Some cases of pilfering of private parcels occurred on the way from Stalag to the Arbeitskommando, the matter is subject of an investigation.

I. This camp is situated near the above named Kali-mine, on a flat compound in the immediate vicinity of a French prisoners of war camp and barracks for foreign civilian workers. Usual type of barrack divided into 5 compartments, each holding about 27 or 28 beds. There is also a latrine house and the kitchen which is outside the barbed wire in the basement of the guards barrack.

III. Double-tier iron bedsteads, palliasses, 2 blankets, sitting accommodations somewhat restricted through lack of space. Central heating, electric light.

IV. Two washrooms in the basement of the barrack with an adequate number of built-in washbasins and running cold water. Hot showers are available every day at the factory.

VI. 5 German women do the cooking in a very clean and well equipped cookhouse together with the food for the French prisoners of war. It is said to be well cooked. Red Cross parcel supply in order.

VII. There is a medical orderly in camp. The prisoners have twice a week sick-parade with a Polish doctor at a nearby revier. General state of health, except for the many furuncles due to the nature of work, is said to be fair.

VIII. The clothing question is acute. Some working kits for the miners and for the men dealing with acids or rough materials were issued. Boots are very much needed.

X. Some men only received about 55-60 Rpfg. a day. The matter will be looked into by the Guards-Company Commander. The men are engaged at the Kali-mine and works at Teutschenthal. (Burbach-Kaliwerke A.-G.) 50 of them work underground, the rest on various jobs at the factory. Three shifts of nine house per day. The delegate was anxious to see the condition under which these men work down in the mine and was invited to descend. He was satisfied that all precautions have been taken and that the air in the shaft is fairly good. Although the shaft is about 700 metres deep and the main tunnel almost 2 km. long there was no excessive heat nor dust. The trolleys are all electrically driven and the work cannot be considered as too hard.

XII. None, except for the Roman-Catholics who are allowed to attend mass when the French prisoners of war have a padre at their camp.

XVI. No complaints, except for the poor clothing and shoeing condition and some minor deficiencies who were promised to be dealt with.

A meeting was arranged where seven British men of confidence representing British labour-detachments within the Halle-area were assembled.

IV. 16 taps in the washroom with hot and cold water all day. Showers are available.

VII. Medical attention is reported to be bad. Twice a week sick-parade with a French doctor who has very little medical equipment at his disposal. General state of health good. Dental treatment poor, extractions only.

VIII. The clothing position is bad. Only one British battle-dress has arrived at this camp and no working overalls had been supplied. Boots are in bad condition.

X. Pay is correct. The men work for a private firm loading trucks, 8 hours a day.

XVI. The only complaint is that they had to pay for British Red Cross clothing which was lost. This will be stopped.

I. One barrack with two sections. The larger division forms the men's sleeping quarter, the small is for messing. Latrine-hut in the camp's yard which is very small. Little moving space.

II. 42 British prisoners of war, except for one who is Free French. 23 were captured in Africa, 11 on the Isle of Kos.

III. Double-tier beds with three blankets. Lockers in the messroom, but not sufficient sitting-space. Steam heating which is said to be insufficient in the bedroom, additional small stove in the mess-room. Lighting good. Night-air ventilation bad due to the black-out arrangements.

IV. 8 washbasins in the bedroom. Cold water only. Hot showers provided once a week.

V. 3 seats, tubs in very bad state. For night purposes a bucket is in the lobby.

VI. Food is drawn from common kitchen in the factory. Limited cooking arrangements. Very clean German kitchen. To start no Red Cross parcels for five weeks, owing to lack of transports, now regular.

VII. Sick parade twice a week with French doctor. No sanitator in camp. The Kommandofuhrer decides whether a man may go for medical attendance or not. After illness not sufficient time is given to recover. General state of health fairly good.

VIII. Clothing in bad condition. Not more than 10 men have a complete suit. Boots are also in bad state. No protective clothing issued.

IX. Laundry is done by the men. No facilities for drying, it is done inside the rooms.

X. Correct. Working in paper-factory in shifts of 12 hours. No break for meals. These men have not every week their 24 hours rest.

XVI. There were the following complaints: No copy of the Geneva Convention in camp. No break for meals for the factory workers. Men being pushed about at work (4 striking incidents have occurred).

I. One large room situated in the factory, quite large enough to house the full complement. Camp is enclosed by barbed wire with about three feet moving space.

III. Double-tier beds, 2 blankets and one cupboard to each, enough sitting space, electric light adequate, heating suitable, ventilation very bad.

V. Latrines are satisfactory, 2 seats, flush type, for day use. A bucket is used at night.

VI. Cooking is done on the premises by German women. Food is usually well cooked. Very clean. When they arrived in Germany they had no Red Cross parcels for 6 weeks, now regular.

VII. No sanitator in camp. Sick parade twice a week with French doctor on attendance. Dental attention, extractions only.

VIII. General clothing condition is very bad. Some of the prisoners never had an issue of clothing since captured in June 1941. Boots are in very bad state. Firm supplies no overalls.

IX. Washing is done by the men themselves. Washing powder and soap are available but have to be paid for.

X. Correct. Carpenter-work for "Gustav"; working-hours 6 a.m. to 5.15 p.m., 10 1/2 hours a day.

XV. No welfare work. No musical instruments in camp. Indoor-games and musical instruments will be appreciated.

I. One bungalow divided into 5 barrack-rooms and 1 kitchen. The latrines are still in course of construction. The camp is surrounded by barbed wire which leaves no moving space at all. It is situated in the sports-stadion (Sud-Kampfbahn) but the men are not allowed to use the grounds.

II. Their strength is 119 men, mostly captured in North Africa. (Old Italian prisoners). Others were captured in Italy or Kos. They have also 4 Free French troops with them.

III. Double-tier beds (12 per barrack), 2 blankets and one palliasse per man. Insufficient sitting accommodations. No wardrobes. Coal stoves for heating and electric light. Windows and doors are bolted every night. Bad ventilation at night and the barracks are very stuffy.

IV. Washing facilities are bad at the moment, the washhouse still being in course of construction. At present they have about two washbasins per hut and water is drawn from the kitchen. One hot shower a week.

V. The latrines are not ready yet. For the time being they use the Council latrines in the sports-ground, but no water is turned on. Night latrines are provided in each hut, consisting of tin buckets emptied every morning.

VI. They have two of their own cooks working under the supervision of a French civilian cook. Rations are reported to be very poor, but well cooked. The Red Cross parcels are appreciated. The men were without parcels the first 3 weeks and again for a subsequent period of 2 weeks afterwards. Lack of transport facilities are the cause.

VII. Medical supply poor. There is no sanitator in camp. Sick parade is with a French doctor 7 km. away. Due to lack of understanding there is such confusion and therefore the medical attention leaves much to desire. Dental treatment is bad, extractions only.

VIII. The only clothing is supplied by the Red Cross and it is fast ruined by the type of work the men do. No protective clothing is issued. Boots too are in bad condition.

IX. The arrangement is quite good. The laundry is done by a firm and the men pay for it, as well as for the soap issue, reasonable charge.

X. Correct. The prisoners are employed by the Statverwaltung. They are digging air-raid trenches. Actual working hours 8 to 8 1/2 hours daily and 5 1/2 and 8 1/2 hours on Saturdays. No work on Sundays. In some cases the men had to walk 8 to 9 km. to and from work.

XIV. Up to now these men have received only two letters and two cards per month to write home. Incoming mail is very slow.

III. The barracks are divided in several rooms, each housing 16-18 men. Double-tier beds with three blankets per man. Wardrobes, sufficient sitting accommodations. Good heating. Lack of ventilation and cleaning utensils.

IV. Unsatisfactory. The men have to use the washroom of a nearby French prisoners of war camp. Installations there are good, with hot and cold water available. Hot showers once a week.

V. Latrine house in the camp's yard with 8 seats, pit-type. At night buckets are in the sleeping quarters.

VI. Cooking is done by French prisoners of war in their camp. It is well cooked but insufficient in quantity.

VII. Twice a week sick-parade with a French doctor who has very little medicine and dressing at his disposal. General state of health not very satisfactory. Dental treatment consists of extractions only.

VIII. The clothing question is acute. The uniforms worn are over two years old and have been used every day. 12 full uniforms have been received a few weeks ago. The state of the boots is very bad too. Many men are working in the snow with holes in their boots.

X. Pay is correct. The men are engaged in pick and shovel work, digging and cement working.

XIII. There is a soccer ball in camp but the prisoners have no sportsground at their disposal.

XVI. There is no copy of the Geneva Convention in camp. The man of confidence complained that his men are forced to work in the snow and rain.

I. The men are housed in a barrack consisting of three bedrooms, bathroom, lavatory, parcel-room and guard's room.

III. Double-tier beds, 2 blankets per man as well as a wardrobe. One good stove per room.

IV. Very good. 40 taps and two showers with hot and cold running water. Hot showers are allowed twice a week.

VI. The food is drawn from a kitchen run by German women. It is well cooked and clean.

VIII. General state of clothing is very bad. There is only one outfit of clothing for all use. Some men are wearing foreign great-coats. Only one pair of boots per man.

XVI. The complaints are: occasional Sunday work; no recreation facilities; insufficient medical attendance.

I. This camp is a small house separated from the factory, with one room for eating meals and general recreation, a further room for sleeping and an inside latrine.

III. The recreation-room has insufficient accommodations and is apt to become overcrowded and airless especially so in the evening when the black-out shutters are down. The same applies to the sleeping-room. Single- and double-tier beds, with two blankets per man, no lockers, good stoves with sufficient fuel, and electric light.

IV. Washing facilities are poor. The water must be fetched from a pump in the camp's yard. No inside taps. Hot showers can be had whenever the men wish after their daily work.

VI. The food is drawn from central-kitchen in town. Food is sufficient and clean and well cooked. Heating stove in barrack for personal cooking.

VII. Sick parade twice a week. Poor medical supply. Men have to walk a considerable distance to hospital and no transport is available. General state of health fairly good. It is stated that this condition is no doubt due to the added goodness from the Red Cross parcel supply upon which they are all so dependent. Dental treatment, extractions only.

VIII. General state of clothing poor. Majority of men's clothing definitely in need of replacement.

X. Correct. The men are engaged in brick-works. Work from 7 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. during the week-days. Saturday 7 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Occasional Sunday work.

XI. Canteen as regards beer is good, but toilet requisites are non-existent. No issue from Stalag so far.

British chief man of confidence: RSM C.A. Parslow (223820) (acting as district man of confidence)

The following British men of confidence came to Stalag to the conference with the delegate:

I. This labour-detachment has been installed on the 29th of January 1944 and is housed in two rooms adjoining the garage where the men work. They have a sleeping-room and a mess-room.

III. 2 double-tier and 2 triple-tier beds, ample sitting accommodations and tables. No wardrobes. Electric light, adequate heating.

IV. There is one built-in wash-basin in the sleeping-room. Hot showers once a week.

V. The prisoners have one latrine reserved for them in the garage-yard. In order.

VI. The cooking is done by the wife of the owner of the garage and it is reported to be well done and clean. Regular Red Cross parcel issue.

VII. Whenever a man is sick he reports at the nearby revier for sick-parade with a p.o.w. doctor of foreign nationality. Dental treatment, extractions only with a French dentist at Liebeswerda. General state of health is reported to be good.

VIII. Quite good. Every man has a full British uniform except for one man who has a Russian overcoat. Boots are in bad condition.

X. None so far. The men are in a large garage, cleaning cars and on various odd jobs as handy-men. 8 1/2 hours daily.

The following is the ration scale for work-detachment B.E. 4 for the current week:

At the final conference with Stalag Commandant and Stalag staff officers, the following points were subject of representations:

(1) The condition of the clothing and state of the boots is serious. Most of the prisoners have come from former Italian captivity or are of recent captures. Many of them wear the same outfit as they did at the time of capture. When a consignment of Red Cross clothing had been distributed, the old clothing had to be surrendered to the Kommandofuhrer. In this case, prisoners were sent to do dirty and oily work with their new outfit. Apparently the Stalag authorities considered the clothing worn at the time of capture as booty. As a general rule such clothing is recorded in a clothing card, and if a prisoner loses a piece he is made to pay for it. Delegate strongly protested against this attitude and Commandant assured him that in future any such confiscation shall be stopped.

British chief man of confidence has sent further requests to Geneva for clothing and it is hoped that the situation may soon improve.

(2) Long working hours and in many cases no 24 consecutive hours rest within a week.

Delegate emphasised the fact that the Detaining Power completely fails to comply with Art. 12, first paragraph, but nevertheless exploits the working capacity of the prisoners to the utmost.

(3) More careful medical attention for men who report sick. Oberstabsarzt promised to do all in his power for the better. Non recognition of medical orderlies, i.e. protected personnel. The security officer is responsible for these recognitions.

(4) No religious activities so far. Commandant agreed to apply for two chaplains, a protestant and a catholic.

(5) It was suggested that British men of confidence should assume the responsibility and issue of the Red Cross parcels and not the Kommandofuhrers. In some cases the Kommandofuhrers are withholding such supplies for disciplinary measures. Food parcels and tobacco may only be suspended in cases where prisoners undergo detention punishment.

(6) On the execution of the so-called Leistungs-System many prisoners draw less than 70 Rpf. a day.

Prisoners falling sick are obliged to pay over three days pay at the beginning of each of the periods which they are sick.

With reference to the information supplied in our last report Stalag IV B Muhlberg, dated January 6th, 1944:

Pte. Cecil CASEY, Army No. 213804, 2nd Division, S.A. Army, shot and killed November 13th, 1943, at the Brottowitz Sugar Factory Stalag IV D Torgau.

Casey was sick, Kommandofuhrer ordered him to go to his bunk. Prisoner refused to go to his bunk after the order had been repeated several times and threatened Kommandofuhrer and a Guard. Kommandofuhrer shot and killed him. No British witness.

Delegate expressed his greatest astonishment as to how a sick prisoner could challenge two armed Germans, leaving them no other possibility than to fire. Work-Commando Brottowitz has since been dissolved.

Death of William FAWCETT, No. 247290, Stalag IV D died December 9th, 1943, in the Halle area.

Death of Samuel SMITH, No. 224794, Stalag IV D died at the Res. Laz. Leipzig, date unknown.

Your telegram No. 593. Report on Stalag IV D detachments visited 15th to 17th February confirms lack medical supplies and inadequate medical attention long working hours in many cases no 24 hours consecutive rest weekly. Condition of clothing and baths in nearly all detachments very bad (International Red Cross Committee informed). Stalag contains 4,668 prisoners mostly from Italy in 75 detachments not including 1,700 Indians at IV D/Z Annaburg.

Detachment BE 2 Bitterfeld 152 prisoners food reported to consist mainly sweet turnips and about four potatoes per man daily for first seven weeks no Red Cross parcels distribution bulk food distribution unsatisfactory. BE 4 Bitterfeld 50 prisoners housed in fairly well equipped caravans. BE 8 Bitterfeld 60 prisoners only complaint lack proper medical attendance.

Eisleben area E.1.150 E.250 prisoners little outside free space insufficient seats, tables and toilets, bread issued once weekly becomes sour and stale, Polish doctor at primitive revier complained bitterly lack medical supplies and equipment, no free time for recreation. E.1 113 E.152 prisoners accommodation overcrowded toilet facilities very primitive no sportsground. E.1 116 E.196 prisoners outside space too small toilets insufficient and primitive coalmine work 9½ hours daily. E.1 114 E.138 prisoners some of whom engaged in potash mine conditions in which Swiss representative found satisfactory.

Rei 65 Halle 60 prisoners medical dental treatment bad prisoners pay for BRC clothing when lost. Rei 1 E.42 prisoners insufficient seats Kommandofuehrer decides whether prisoners may have medical attendance clothing bad. Rei 12 E.38 prisoners very small outside space ventilation bad some prisoners not issued with clothing since capture in June, 1941 firm supplies no overalls no recreation incoming mail poor no copy Geneva Convention. Rei 93 E.119 prisoners captured North Africa, Italy or Cos, no outside space washing facilities bad latrines still under construction camp situated on sportsground which prisoners unallowed to use, ventilation bad, clothing quickly ruined by work on digging air raid trenches, incoming mail very slow. Rei 102 E.120 prisoners washing facilities poor uniforms two years old many men working in snow with holes in boots, no sportsground no copy Geneva Convention. Rei 47 E.38 prisoners occasional Sunday work no recreation facilities insufficient medical attendance. Rei 104 E.15 prisoners inadequate sitting accommodation ventilation bad washing facilities poor no copy Geneva Convention.

At subsequent conference with Stalag authorities representations made concerning (1) condition of clothing and boots. When Red Cross clothing distributed old clothing must be surrendered to Kommandofuehrer and prisoners sent to do dirty work in new outfit apparently authorities consider clothing worn at time of capture as booty if any lost prisoners must pay (2) long working hours and no 24 hours consecutive rest weekly (3) inadequate medical attention (4) no religious activities (5) withholding of Red Cross parcels as disciplinary measures by Kommandofuehrers (6) many prisoners on piecework receive less than 70 RPF daily (7) rations for sick prisoners reduced.

Reference my telegram 795 213, 804 Private Cecil Casey shot 13th November at Brottowitz sugar factory as when sick alleged to have refused order of Kommandofuehrer to go to bunk no British witness Swiss representative expressed astonishment as to how sick prisoner could challenge two armed Germans. Detachment since dissolved Swiss Legation Berlin will take matter up. Enquiries will be made concerning deaths of Fawcett (my despatch 793) and 24, 794 Samuel Smith at Reslaz Leipzig date unknown.

Your telegram 1343 (of 29th March, 1944. Conditions in work detachments of Stalag IV.D.).

I fully appreciated efforts made by Swiss to improve disgraceful conditions obtaining at these work detachments. Their representations fully endorsed by His Majesty's Government. Request Swiss persist in their representations for immediate and substantial improvements.