CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH

No.488.

STALAG IV F, HARTMANNSDORF

LABOUR DETACHMENTS DEPENDING ON STALAG IV F.

PLAUEN-AREA

Date of visit: May 30, 1944.

        Area Man of Confidence : Gnr. R.H. VYVYAN-DAY, SAEF

        A meeting took place where nine men of confidence attended, representing the work detachments of the Plauen-Area. It was a very pleasant gathering, no particular complaints nor requests. The man of confidence reported satisfactory conditions on their respective detachments. There are 420 prisoners in this area and the very good conditions prevailing in this area are due to the very tactful manner in which the area man of confidence is handling his affairs.

REVIER REICHENBACH

        British Medical Officer : Capt. V.P. MARTIN, NZMC

        This infirmary is exclusively reserved for British prisoners of war. It is situated on a elevated position and housed in an old concrete building. The interior arrangements are most primitive, one large room to accommodate 90 patients in double-tier beds. No bed linen provided for. No provision is made to disinfect the blankets regularly.

        The cooking is done in a nearby restaurant, there is a stove for the cooking of hot drinks and Red Cross food in the cellar, shortage of fuel. In the same cellar is a small dining-room, a washroom and the latrines.

        The Oberstabsarzt agreed with me that this Revier is not a very satisfactory solution, he said that he was unable to find a more suitable place. He promised to arrange for a regular washing and disinfection of the blankets and to issue, if possible, a limited number of sheets. The British Medical Officer discharges the patients, surgical cases are sent to a lazaret or a civilian hospital.

AUERBACH - AREA

        Area Man of Confidence : Gnr. A. DARCH

        The meeting was attended by five men of confidence representing the work detachments of the area.

        Requests and questions with regard to ventilation of the barracks at night, issue of over-alls for dirty work, sports and recreation facilities, fire fighting in case of air-raids, pay in case of working accidents and whilst in hospital were discussed and settled with the local Kontroll-Offizier.

CHEMNITZ-AREA

date of visit: 31st May, 1944.

        Area Man of Confidence : Sgt. T.A. KIRBY

        A meeting took place where three British Men of Confidence representing a total of 231 prisoners were present.

        These men are engaged in the manufacture of concrete blocks, a soap factory and the Reichspost, respectively. Working hours are reasonable and accommodations satisfactory.

        A request for permission of more frequent inter-detachment sport activities was agreed upon by the local Kontroll-Offizier.

ROCHLITZ-AREA

        At the work detachment M 88 Mittweida, 6 British Men of Confidence attended the meeting. Questions of general interest were discussed. General living accommodation satisfactory. Requests with regard to sports and recreational facilities, medical attendance, overalls, issue of towels, facilities for photographs being taken and sent home to relatives, etc. were amicably settled with the Kontroll-Offizier. Satisfactory conditions met with in this district.

LAZARET STALAG IV F, HOHNSTEIN

German Doctor: Stabsarzt STOESSEL

British S.M.O.: Major H.R. FOSBERY, RAMC

Assistant to the British S.M.O.: Capt. A.C.F.D. THOMPSON RAMC

This lazaret is well situated and equipped. It accommodates 500 patients. The two British Medical Officers expressed their entire satisfaction.

The only complaint Major Fosbery brought forward was the very poor transport facilities sick and wounded patients receive going to and returning from this lazaret. Patients travel in ordinary cattle trucks with no convenience whatsoever. Such transports are usually shunted at various stations and take an unreasonably long time to arrive at their destination.

The Stabsarzt assured me that he made various complaints with regard to such inhuman treatment. It appears that the Railway Authorities act in accordance with existing instructions. Similar complaints have risen elsewhere.

Swiss Legation, Berlin, is to deal with this matter.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS:

Following the visit to Hohnstein, a meeting took place with the Stalag Commandant, Oberst Händler and his staff officers, at Harmannsdorf.

Religious activities in this Stalag have remained to be unsatisfactory as no British chaplains, Protestant or Catholic have taken up duty so far. The Commandant promised to renew his application.

Under the orders of the Oberstabsarzt Dr. Michels several hundred British prisoners have been re-shifted from heavy work to light work. In this Stalag careful medical examinations take place in order to prevent prisoners to be sent to work for which they are physically unfit. A very remarkable feature.

Stalag IV F makes a good impression. Commandant Oberst Händler was a prisoner of war in British hands during the 1914 - 1918 war. He recalls the good treatment he enjoyed in Great Britain and in turn wishes to offer the British prisoners at present under his care a fair deal.

The British Chief Man of Confidence, Cpl. A.D. Neale, was permitted to accompany the undersigned visiting the various Stalag areas.

(Signed)

Ruloph E. DENZLER