TRANSLATION BY THE LONDON DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEE (Germany)
STALAG IV G
visited on the 4th of July 1944 by Dr. Rossel
British Camp Leader James Wakelin No.229186 IV.B
Strength 3747 British of whom:
21 are at the Camp
88 are in Infirmaries
46 are in lazarets
out of a total of 34936 prisoners.
Site and Accommodation
The mens quarters are still established in the gloomy rooms of a Cotton mill. The rooms are overcrowded; on account of the great heat, these rooms are very difficult to ventilate.
The camp will be transferred from here in 10 or 15 days - or possibly later to another mill in the locality. The delegate visited these proposed new quarters. They are both larger and lighter, and are divided into several groups of rooms; this will make it possible to separate the prisoners of various nationalities and give them accommodation in rooms of their own.
There are very few men at the main camp. All the prisoners are - as soon as possible - divided among various Labour Detachments. Only the men who do administrative work at the Stalag (at the office of the Camp Leader, the Red Cross Store etc). There is no lazaret attached to the camp, in the way which is usual; all the camp comprises is a small infirmary.
In the agricultural detachments, the rooms are inadequate.
Food
The prisoners have the usual rations issued to them; the cooks can check the amounts issued. Since the beginning of the month the German authorities have taken down the board on which the weekly rations are posted up; this is in pursuance of an order issued by the Defence Ministry (O.K.W.)
The British Camp Leader is satisfied with the food situation in the Labour Detachments, as the consignments of Red Cross food are large enough to cover requirements.
Clothing
The British Camp Leader states that the state of the prisoners' clothing is excellent. He has no requests to make.
Collective parcels
All the Camp leaders drew our attention to the fact that the Storage room at their disposal is inadequate. They are obliged to distribute everything to the various Labour Detachments immediately it arrives. During the final interview which the delegate had with the German authorities they affirmed that it is - in actual fact, very difficult to find the required room-space locally.
The British have a sufficient reserve of parcels to cover 10 weeks' consumption: they have no complaints, things work smoothly.
Canteen
It is possible to buy a little beer at the canteen, some razor blades and pencils and paper. The Camp Leaders have no means of knowing whether the canteen makes any profits or not.
Hygiene
This Stalag is, primarily, a Stalag of Labour Detachments. The country administered by the Stalag is divided into various districts for the purpose of organising their work. Each district enjoys a certain measure of independence; it possesses its own infirmary and a regional Camp Leader.
The drug situation varies much in the several infirmaries. At the Camp, on account of the proximity of the German Reservelazarett there are enough drugs, while in many other infirmaries in the district the supply of German drugs is inadequate.
On the very day of the visit the division of a consignment of drugs from Geneva among the Labour Detachments took place; the order was submitted in the Autumn of 1943.
Requests 2 galvano-cauterisers or Thermo-cauterisers (220 Volts). One of these galvano cauterisers will be sent to the hospital.
Leisure and Intellectual and Religious Needs
By the way of chaplains there are, among others, one Catholic priest, and one Church of England clergyman.
All the chaplains can visit the various detachments accompanied by an escort.
The British have at the present time 1000 books. The Y.M.C.A. has promised them a consignment; the Camp Leader would be grateful to receive some books from Geneva.
Both the orchestra and the theatrical company work normally.
Work and Pay
The prisoners are very much concerned at the fact that their industrial detachments are all quartered in regions exposed to air attacks. When a high explosive bomb fell on a shelter 38 British were killed.
All the Camp Leaders drew attention to the fact that the prisoners working in agricultural detachments have practically no Sundays free. However, in many of the industrial detachments the prisoners work on one Sunday out of two (this is by order of the O.K.W.) Men who are classed as being suitable only for light work (that is to say 30 to 50% physically fit) are, it is true employed only on easy work; but they have - nevertheless - to do it for very long hours.
Correspondence
Mail for all prisoners has been less good during the past months. The British have received hardly any post at all.
Interview with the Camp Leaders
The delegate was able to converse freely with all the main Camp Leaders of the Stalag, with many District Camp Leaders and with the Camp Leaders of Labour Detachments. Among these were:-
For:
D.T. 653 Arthur J. Warford No. 228420
Strength 30 British
7 British Detachments Sergeant J.T. Conacher 222907
D.T. 755 Stanley Robinson 10987
Strength 37 British
D.T. 582 John Mace
Strength 53 British
D.T. 29 Leslie Reeves 211537
Strength 202 British
D.T. 61 Eric Johnson 240454
Strength 101 British
D.T. 36/377 George Skinner 11941
Strength British from District (no figure given. trans)
D.T. 30/377 George Stevens 262240
Strength 58 British
All these Detachments were able to be visited.
In most cases, minor problems were able to be settled at once with the Geneva officers in charge. The following points remained, however, for consideration at the final interview which the delegate had with the Commandant of the Stalag:-
1. The housing accommodation at the Stalag is inadequate as the strength is too large. Reply This problem will be settled by the transfer of the camp to new quarters.
2. At Detachment 755 there are complaints about the authorities in charge of the factory. These bring pressure to bear upon the Head of the Detachment and the sentries to induce them to force the prisoners to do an unduly large amount of work. Reply This matter shall at once be dealt with and put in order.
3. At Detachment 682 the British prisoners who are working in a factory do not understand the system whereby the amount of their pay is arrived at, nor how the amount of the deductions made by the Stalag is calculated. Many Labour Detachments find themselves in a similar situation. Reply The Senior Pay-and-Quartermaster will at once give the Camp-Leaders all the information they desire.
4. In all the industrial Labour Detachments, the directors fail to supply the prisoner-workers with working outfits. For this reason the clothing sent by the intermediary of the Red Cross are very soon worn-out and beyond repair. Reply The German military authorities regularly instruct industrial enterprises that they are to supply prisoner workers with working clothes.
5. The Camp Leader cannot give the support of his authority to certain of the orders issued by the German authorities. He was, for instance, requested to insist that some of the Camp Leaders should make their men work on Sundays on the day shift. Reply The Camp Leader's support to this order was not requested, he was only asked to let the Camp Leaders know the orders of the O.K.W. (Defence Ministry) and the dangers which would be incurred by not complying with them.
6. Canteen profits Reply The Paymaster will explain this matter to the Camp Leaders.
Conclusion
On the whole, despite the many complaints in regard to minor matters, this Stalag can be considered a good one.
0103/5838(P.W.2) 17.7.1944.
K.W.2/4 (Foreign Office Reference) 7.7.1944.
(CYPHER)
DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.
FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Mr. Norton
No.3101
5th July 1944.
D. 1.58 p.m. 5th July 1944.
R. 5.20 p.m. 5th July 1944.
When visiting Stalag 4G Oschatz Swiss representative noticed following detachments are situated near synthetic oil plants which have recently been attacked several times: Regis-Breitingen Grube DEA/91 men, Berna Karlsschacht 46 men, Bohlen Asw (A.G.Sachsischer Werke) 153 men, Espenhain Asw (A.G. Sac... Werke) 115 men. Swiss Legation Berlin have drawn the attention of German authorities to Article 9 of Convention and requested the transfer of detachments.
0103/5838(P.W.2) 1.8.1944.
K.W.2/4 (Foreign Office Reference) 27.7.1944.
Prisoners of War Department,
Foreign Office,
Devonshire House,
Piccadilly, W.1.
27th July, 1944.
Dear Chancery,
Your telegram No.3101 of the 5th July, states that several work camps dependant on Stalag IV G, are dangerously situated near to military objectives contrary to Article 9 of the Prisoners of War Convention.
The location of the following detachments gives ground for particular complaint
Regis-Breitingen Grube
Borna Karlsschacht
Bohlen A.s.w. (A.G. Sachsischer Werke)
Espenhain ( " " " )
We note that the Swiss have already complained to the German authorities of the location of these camps and shall be glad if the Swiss may now be informed that His Majesty's Government are grateful for their action in this matter, and request that they will continue to press for the transfer of prisoners of war in these camps to a safe location.
Yours ever,
PRISONERS OF WAR DEPARTMENT.
The Chancery,
British Legation.
Berne.
J. Wakelin (Sgt).,
Chief British Man of Confidence,
Stalag IV G.
Oschatz.
31st August, 1944.
Maj.Gen. Sir Richard Howard-Vyse, K.C.M.G., D.S.O.,
British Red Cross Society,
St. James's Palace,
LONDON S.W.1.
Sir,
I have the honour to attach a letter from an area Confidence Man, who is responsible for a large number of British Prisoners of War, on Working Commandos. This letter speaks for itself, and does not require further comment on my part, excepting, to state that it is a true description of part of the organization of this Stalag.
With respectful good wishes.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obediently,
J. Wakelin. Sgt.,
Chief British Man of Confidence,
Stalag IV G. Oschatz.
Copies to:- Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Col. Brown, Lord Revelstoke, Miss Thornton, Mrs. Bromley-Davenport, Mr. Tribe, Mr. Barket, Miss Hordman, Gen. Gepp, Registry, File.
AREA CON. MAN.
ARB. KDO. 29,
Stalag IV G.
27/8/44.
To Maj. Gen. Sir Richard Howard-Vyse, K.C.M.G., D.S.O.,
Order of the Red Cross of St. John & Jerusalem,
St. James Palace,
London, S.W.1.
Sir,
Our Chief man of confidence, Sgt. Wakelin, has suggested that you might be interested in a letter from the Representative of one of the working area in this Stalag.
I represent a total of over 1,200 P.O.W's, divided amongst 15 camps ranging in size from 20 men to nearly 250. Each camp has a Confidence man who may also have to work, depending on the size of the camp. Those camp Confidence men are in regular touch with me by means of my visits to them which are unrestricted, and I see them on various other occasions such as Red Cross Clothing issues, Food Parcel issues, etc. I in turn am in touch with Sgt. Wakelin who watches, officially, our interests at headquarters by means of my visits to Stalag, when the camps individual requirements are reported to him. He is also allowed to make periodic visits to the working Kommandos.
Red Cross Food Parcels: I travel regularly to Stalag with transport for these parcels. They are stored in a central magazine within one of the camps until they are to be distributed usually about every four weeks. Every camp has a satisfactory reserve of parcels and every effort is made to keep this reserve constant. Every man in the area is receiving regularly a food parcel and 50 cigarettes per week.
Red Cross Clothing: Clothing usually arrives in large consignments and is collected by me from Stalag. It is issued on the camp confidence man's signature from the German stores under my direct supervision. The issue of the clothing within the camp is the direct responsibility of the camp confidence man who is in a better position to know the men's personal requirements. Every man in the area has a complete British uniform and at least one pair of British boots, but owing to the nature of the work of some men it is not possible to guarantee the perfect condition of this clothing. In fact in a number of cases replacements are needed. Boot repairing kit, i.e. leather etc. has also been received and was most welcome but more is required in almost all camps. The camp shoemaker has been busy repairing boots while the stocks have lasted.
All kit, comforts, toilet accessories, books etc. are always issued on a percentage basis.
Work: The work varies largely, from Railway repair sheds to manufacturing ice for cold storage purposes. There are however a large number of men employed in factory or indoor work, although the work is actually, usually harder. The hours all round have a tendency to be long and 10 hours a day is fairly general. Sunday work still carries on, mostly every other Sunday is free.
Camps: These again differ widely, but a common form of billet in this area is a Gasthof of Hotel. Usually the prisoners are housed in one large room for sleeping and the lavatories and washrooms are separate. The normal wooden barracks is not much used. Beds are in most cases 3 tiered and wooden, a man being provided with a palliasse and 2 blankets. Cupboards for clothes etc., are rather scarce.
Sports and Entertainments: Football matches are allowed between working Kommandos. Also almost every form of sport or entertainment is allowed providing the facilities exist or can be provided.
Cinema shows are given every two or three weeks on Sunday mornings.
Three Lagers have their own Concert parties. As there is not too much spare time to arrange and rehearse large scale productions, Lagers must largely rely on their own ingenuity for entertainment within the camp. Much has been done by the camps themselves. Newspapers are produced in at least four camps, whilst drives, debates, and two boxing shows have also taken place.
Life in a Camp: It cannot be described in a few lines - it is much too varied and only a genius at precis could attempt to do it. Suffice it to say that as usual the British P.O.W. gets down to it and tries to make the best of it, grumbling perhaps, but nevertheless managing to keep cheerful. I am expressing the opinion of everybody in this area when I say that thanks to the Red Cross, life as a P.O.W. in a working camp, although not definitely a pleasure is at least bearable.
Yours respectfully.
B.L. Reeves.
Area Confidence man.
P.O.W. No: 251537
Distribution: Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Col. Brown, Lord Revelstoke, Miss Thornton, Mrs. Bromley-Davenport, Mr. Tribe, Mr. Barker, Miss Herdman, Gen. Gepp, Registry, File.
0103/5798(P.W.2.)
2nd September, 1944.
COPY OF TELEGRAM
From: International Red Cross Committee, Geneva.
To: Delegate, London.
Sent: 24.7.44.
Received: 26.7.44.
ELT INTERCROSS LONDON
Oflag IV C visited 6th July. Camp Leaders Lieutenant Colonel W. Tod, Senior British Officer No. 1554 Captain J. Puchois Free French Forces 228310 Doctor H. Dickie 16043 Strength 265 British of whom 15 are Australians 2 are New Zealanders 13 are Canadians and 34 are Free French Forces. Accommodation still poor Earl of Hopetoun Captain Romilly 8 Canadian and 5 British officers still under specially rigorous supervision. Food unchanged. Clothing satisfactory Reserve of 5617 parcels (Red Cross) enough for 19 weeks Enough tobacco for 7 weeks but no Indian parcels ever received. Showerbath once every 10 days State of health satisfactory. Some small sporting accidents. Doctor lacks drugs and surgical materials Supply medical parcels inadequate 10 officers to go before Mixed Medical Commission Theatre often closed on account of undisciplined behaviour Difficulties in practising sports Delays in correspondence still same disciplinary regime Contunnal [Continual?] tension exists.
Stalag IV C [Note: this should be IV G] visited 4th July. Camp Leader James Wakelin 229186 IV B 3734 British of whom 21 at camp 88 at Infirmaries 46 at lazarets out of 34936 prisoners. Present quarters at camp dark and overcrowded Transfer planned to larger lighter rooms in a fortnight. Numerous Labour Detachments Accommodation inadequate Danger from air bombardment Food everywhere sufficient thanks to Red Cross parcels Reserve in hand sufficient for 10 weeks Clothing good Consignment of drugs distributed on day of visit. Catholic and Anglican chaplains 1000 books Usual leisure occupations. Mail practically ceased Discipline normal. In spite of several points needing attention a good camp.
INTERCROIXROUGE D. 9272
