CONFIDENTIAL

BRITISH

No.352.

STALAG IV F HARTMANNSDORF

Date of visit: January 9, 1944.

Stalag IV F Hartmannsdorf is a new Stalag for British prisoners of war. It is a so-called "Schattenlager" which means that only a very small number of prisoners of war are at the base-camp and the large majority are out on working-detachments. All the British prisoners of war at this Stalag came from Italian captivity roughly about three months ago. The base-camp itself is housed in a former spinning-mill in one of the south-eastern suburbs of Hartmannsdorf near Chemnitz

On the day of visit 22 British prisoners of war were at the base-camp itself of whom 6 are acting as assistants to the Man of Confidence for storing and dispatching the Red Cross supplies. The total strength of all the British prisoners of war depending on this Stalag amounts to 3551 men diverted on 60 work-camps. A number of these camps will be visited next month when the Delegate will be back in this area. The Man of Confidence reports fairly good conditions on the commandos, although some cases of illtreatment occurred here and there by the guards or civil foremen. This point was mentioned at the conference with the Stalag Authorities and the Stalag-Commander assured the Delegate of his full attention. The black point in this Stalag appears to be Arbeitskommando Niederwiesa and the Delegate drew the Stalag-Commander's special attention on this work-camp and informed him that this camp will be the first to be visited in February.

General conditions at the base-camp are quite good. There is one large room reserved for the British prisoners of war. It is furnished with double-tier beds, good and sufficient sitting accommodations and tables, some wardrobes are also provided. The room has central-heating and good electric lighting. The bathing-, washing- and toilet facilities are satisfactory and in good order. The food is said to be well cooked and clean. Facilities for preparing Red Cross food are somewhat restricted as the men are only allowed two hours in the afternoon to the kitchen. Self-made electric stoves were confiscated.

Medical attention is given by a French doctor at the base-camp. Three British Medical Officers are carrying out their duties in the whole Stalag area. The Lazaret at Hohenstein-Ernstthal where two of the British Medical Officer are, is reported to be satisfactory. It will be visited on the next tour to this Stalag, in February.

The clothing position is reported to be unsatisfactory, for all the men from Italian captivity arrived badly equipped. Boots are also very much needed. Applications for all sorts of British clothing has been made to Geneva; a limited quantity has arrived so far.

Pay is reported to be in order throughout the Stalag area, but there is very little to buy as the canteens are very poorly stocked.

A padre from the Salvation Army is at the Stalag and will visit the work-camps.

Recreation is very poor. The Delegate applied for walks and possibilities for sports. It is under consideration.

Mail has just started to come in from England. The prisoners of war have to pay for the letterforms (1 Rpfg.). Otherwise in order.

The Delegate gained a fair impression on the condition at this Stalag. The Chief Man of Confidence is on good terms with the German Stalag-Authorities and serves the depending work-detachments to the best of his abilities.

Rudolph E. DENZLER

0103/5643 P.W.2. dated 28.2.44.

F.O. Ref. K.W. 2/4 dated 24.2.44.

(EN CLAIR)

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN Office.

Mr. Norton

No.818

24th February, 1944.

D. 8.00 p.m. 14th February 1944.

R. 9.25 a.m. 25th February 1944.

In report on Stalag IV F. Harmannsdorf visited 9th January it is stated 3551 British prisoners from Italy are distributed among sixty workcamps to be visited February. Man of confidence reported fairly good conditions in detachments though some cases of ill treatment by guards or civilian foremen. Niederwiese detachment

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