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

ZEWIGLAGER CONVALESCENT CAMP STALAG IV D.

Visited by Dr. Landolt and Dr. Thudichum on October 21st. 1944.

Senior British Officer - Lt. Col. Le SOUEF.

Strength - 60 British, as follows:-

        This camp is exclusively intended for British and American prisoners of war due for repatriation, who arrive from various camps in Germany and assemble at the Heilag a few weeks before their departure. The German authorities have done their best to organise a proper transit camp for sick and wounded, with good results. Various improvements have been made in the buildings which were formerly occupied by Indian p.o.w.

        On the day of the Delegates' visit, the camp was nearly empty; only the permanent personnel, 60 British, was present.

Accommodation - The camp, which has already been described, is composed of a large stone building (a former German Army School for N.C.O.) and six wooden huts which are still in good condition.

        With the exception of the officers who have their own rooms in the principal building, the permanent personnel is lodged in a wooden hut divided into small rooms containing six prisoners each. The beds are of wood and two-tiered. The men are comfortable in their rooms which are tidy and clean.

        There are 800 beds available for sick and wounded; these beds are of wood, single for officers and two-tiered for the men. They are placed in large rooms in the main building so that prisoners have sufficient room. The whole installation is adequate for a strength not exceeding 800 men but does not suffice when the strength totals 1050, which was the case in August this year before the exchange at Götenborg. Bed linen is changed every fortnight. There are dining rooms on each floor.

Hygiene - There is an abundant supply of good drinking water. There is a large shower-bath room with hot water twice a week. The latrines are in order and clean.

Food - There is a large well-equipped kitchen; the regulation rations can be controlled, the cooks are British; a small kitchen has been set apart specially for diet cooking.

        Since October 16th. 1944, following an order from the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht of September 30th. 1944, the bread ration was reduced from 9700 to 8900 grams for a period of four weeks. Thus, prisoners receive 300 gr. of bread five days a week and 360 gr. twice a week.

Clothing - The prisoners are all well equipped. Some articles of clothing were procured, on the departure of sick prisoners to be exchanged at Götenborg, from others who had extra clothing.

Medical attention - Medical attention is given by the three British doctors attached to the permanent staff, also by doctors in transit awaiting repatriation.

        The main building includes two dressing rooms and a physiotherapy ward. An infirmary containing 50 beds and a small operating ward is situated outside the camp centre.

        Medical supplies and instruments in use are sufficient for needs at the Heilag.

Canteen - Only a few toilet requisites are on sale.

Recreation, intellectual and spiritual needs - The library contains 2000 books.

        The theatre has been set up in one of the huts and shows are given for repatriated prisoners awaiting their departure.

        There is a sufficient number of musical instruments.

        There is a lack of space in the camp area for a proper sports ground; nevertheless, prisoners play cricket, hand-ball, volley-ball etc. During the crowded period of last August, prisoners were not able to use the neighbouring sports ground which will probably be in use shortly. Matches with neighbouring detachments are not allowed by the Abwehr; who will not tolerate any contact between prisoners at the Heilag and those of nearby camps, although the latter are also British. The medical personnel have regular outings under escort; the same applies prisoners awaiting repatriation.

Collective consignments - On October 21st. stocks of Red Cross parcels were as follows:-

        Total 1653 Food Parcels

        The reserves in this camp are quite insufficient for there is to be foreseen, in a very near future, an approximate strength of 1000 prisoners in the camp for a period of about 6 weeks.

Interview with the Senior British Officer (without witnesses) -

        Lt.Col. Le Souef lodged no complaint.

Requirements -

        Razor blade sharpener

        Razors, scissors for hair cuts

        Pipes

        Hematin for Major PARKES (Doctor)

Conclusion - This convalescent camp gives a very favourable impression; it is a good transit camp for sick and wounded and prisoners who stay there for a few weeks prior to their departure for repatriation enjoy better conditions than in the camps from whence they come.

Extract from cable. I.R.C.C. Geneva to London No 386 at 13/11

Zweiglager Stalag 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 N.C.O's, 5 Orderlies, 13 N.C.O'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. Overcrowding in August 1050 prisoners. Sanitary installations adequate large kitchen rations checked British cooks small kitchen for diets. 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. 2000 books theatre musical instruments and sport ground walks medical staff under escort and repatriates. Reserve food parcels 1653 insufficient expected strength 1000 prisoners for 6 weeks excellent impression.