CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH/AMERICAN.

No. 644

HEILAG ANNABURG IV D/Z

Reference is made to our previous report, No. 461, dated May 6th, 1944.

I) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        No change since our last visit.

II) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        The details of the total strength were given as follows:

        The strength of the camp will, naturally, become higher when the men selected for repatriation are transferred to this Heilag to await their exchange. The capacity at the moment is about 800 Ps.O.W. (including the staff of 100).

III) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS                   )

IV) WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES  ) remained satisfactory.

V) TOILET FACILITIES                                    )

VI) FOOD AND COOKING

        Thanks to Red Cross supplies which are now sent directly from Geneva, the food is satisfactory in both quality and quantity. 1000 food, 1100 diet and 120 Medical parcels were in stock on the day of visit.

VII) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND STATE OF HEALTH

        The Senior British Medical Officer gave a very favourable report on the medical situation in this lazaret. Dental treatment also is stated to work satisfactorily.

        30% of the supply of drugs are received from German sources, the rest being sent by the Red Cross.

        It may be pointed out that the patients only come to this Heilag when fit for the strain of longer transport, so that, as a rule, no serious operations are carried out here.

VIII) CLOTHING

        The clothing position is very good in this camp. The prisoners returning to England are asked to leave all unessential clothing behind to be distributed later on to newcomers who are usually badly in need of uniforms and underwear.

IX) LAUNDRY

        remains satisfactory.

X) MONEY AND PAY

        Nothing to report.

XI) CANTEEN

        Only beer is available at the canteen.

XII) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        2 weeks ago, Capt. the Rev. JENKINS (Church of England) arrived at this camp. By proposal of the Delegate, he will be allowed in future to visit the working detachments in the neighbourhood of Annaburg, apart from holding Divine Service in the camp itself.

XIII) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        Indoor entertainment is working satisfactorily; outdoor recreation had to be stopped owing to snow and ice.

XIV) MAIL

        No complaints.

XV) WELFARE WORK

        The Delegate of the Red Cross paid a visit to this camp at the end of last month, the Delegate of the YMCA 2 months ago. The YMCA has been informed of the need of a razorblade-sharpener.

XVI) COMPLAINTS

        Apart from some requests regarding repatriation of Medical Officers and medical orderlies (requests which can not be settled with the Stalag Commandant), no complaints of any importance were put to the Delegate of the Protecting Power. The minor complaints were settled on the spot, when discussing the visit with Oberst Richter.

XVII) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        Heilag Annaburg remains a very good camp. The spirit of the men awaiting their transport to England is naturally very good.

(sgd) FRITZ DASEN.

CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH

No. 643

Date of Visit: November 16th, 1944.

ZWEIGLAGER ANNABURG IV D/Z

I) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        The only change since our last visit on January 4th, 1944, is the transfer of the remaining prisoners to 4 newer barracks.

II) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        The total strength of the camp at the moment is 332 Indian Ps.O.W., the details being as follows:

        against 1772 on the occasion of our last visit.

III) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        3 barracks are arranged as sleeping-rooms with the usual type of wooden double-tier beds. The remaining barrack serves as revier.

        The prisoners are adequately accommodated and each of them has 3 blankets. Lighting and heating are in order,

IV) WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES  )

V) TOILET FACILITIES                                    ) remain satisfactory.

VI) FOOD AND COOKING

        No complaints about food or cooking, the latter being done by Indian cooks.

        At present there is a Red Cross supply in the store-room for 5 weeks.

VII) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND STATE OF HEALTH

        On the day of visit 17 Ps.O.W. were at the revier, well attended by the Indian doctor, Capt. Rana, who fortunately had no serious cases to report.

VIII) CLOTHING  satisfactory

IX) LAUNDRY               )

X) MONEY AND PAY  ) in order

XI) CANTEEN               )

XII) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        4 prayer-rooms are now at the disposal of the men of different religions such as Hindu, Sikh, Mohammedan and Christian. Religious activity is very satisfactory.

XIII) RECREATION AND EXERCISE  satisfactory.

XIV) MAIL

        Concerning outgoing mail, the prisoners are very lucky to be allowed to write in their native language. No complaint about mail.

XV) WELFARE WORK

        The camp has been visited twice by the YMCA Delegate since our last visit. The wish for Hindu- and Urda-books will be transmitted to the YMCA.

XVI) COMPLAINTS

        1) A strong complaint from the Senior British Medical Officer has to be lodged with the Stalag Commandant concerning ill-treatment of Indian prisoners. Several cases were reported and finally the Stalag Commandant, Oberst. Richter, who was present at the inspection of the camp, was asked to investigate these cases very carefully and to punish the guilty parties.

        2) Due to a new order of the G.H.C., who forbids the storing of Red Cross parcels inside the camp, all parcels are kept in a German store-room. Since this removal the doors or windows of this store-room have been forced open on 5 occasions and 50 food parcels and 20,000 cigarettes stolen. The German authorities stated that twice the thieves were caught and punished by the police. On the other hand they declared to try their best to prevent any further pilfering.

        3) Some minor complaints were settled on the spot.

XVII) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        Apart from 2 complaints mentioned above, the camp is in a good condition and makes a very satisfactory impression. Both the Senior British Medical Officer and the Man of Confidence seem to be very capable of keeping the camp in order.

(Sgd.) FRITZ DASEN.