CONFIDENTIAL

RESERVE-LAZARET ROTTENMUENSTER (Wehrkreis V.)

Chefarzt: Stabsarzt Dr. Essig.

B.S.M.O. & Man of Confidence: Capt. Gilder, R.A.M.C.

Date of visit: June 13th, 1942.

        The British patients who had been, some time ago, transferred to Reserve-Lazaret Nagold, are back here again, together with the doctors and Medical Orderlies. Nagold is now no more used as a British hospital. It is also very probable that the British will not remain very long in Rottenmuenster, and will go to some other hospital, so that no British prisoners of war will be any more in Wehrkreis V.

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        The hospital is a large brick building of which the ground-floor is occupied by the British, on one side the surgical, and on the other the medical cases. This building is part of a compact, formerly an Insane Asylum, now a hospital for German soldiers. A large park is attached to this hospital.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        On the day of the visit, there were 3 British Doctors:

                Capt. Gilder, R.A.M.C.

                Capt. Lumsden, R.A.M.C.

                Surgeon-Lt. Singer, R.N.

        Also 12 Medical orderlies and 85 patients. 6 of the patients are Officers.

        Of the 6 members of the "Friends Ambulance Unit" mentioned in a previous report on Res.-Laz. Nagold, 2 are at Rottenmuenster. They are recognised now as Sanitators, and paid as such/

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        The wards can be considered as very satisfactory. There is no overcrowding, and the rooms are airy and light.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES AND

V.) TOILET FACILITIES

        The washing and toilet facilities are very adequate.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        There was no complaint about the food, which comprises the same quantities as in other prisoners' of war camps. Potatoes, which had been of a rather poor quality, were better again now.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        Most patients here are surgical cases, amputated principally. Many of them have been already seen by the Mixed Medical Commission.

        The British Doctors do their own surgical work now. They have the necessary equipment, and x-rays as well as sterilizing-apparati are at their disposal in the German Lazaret. Although this entails some delay once in a while, the present arrangement can be considered satisfactory, and is decidedly better than at Nagold.

        Capt. Gilder complained that the drug supply was rather short at times. The Stabsarzt said he would try and procure more medicaments. Also more British drugs would be welcome. The S.B.M.O. emits the wish that more medicaments be included in the Invalid Parcels, rather than food. He also would like to have more operation-sheets, 1.50 m. x 1.50 m.

        The British Doctors also look after the Russians and Serbians. They said they were doing it absolutely free-willingly.

        The Medical Orderlies are taken out for walks 3 times a week. The British Doctors are also going out for walks, but have to walk in the streets, not on the side-walks. They are forbidden to do any shopping. The German High Command will be informed of that.

        There were still some Doctors and Medical Orderlies not recognised as such officially. Their names have been sent to England some weeks ago.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        New uniforms have been received from the Red Cross towards the end of March. Everyone is well fixed up now, except for great-coats, a consignment of which has been announced but has not yet arrived.

IX.) LAUNDRY

        No complaint.

X.) MONEY AND PAY

        No complaint.

XI.) CANTEEN

        No complaint.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        A French curate reads Mass regularly, also for the British. A Protestant Sunday-service is held by Capt. Gilder or another Officer. A clergyman would be welcome here, if the British remain much longer in Rottenmuenster, which does not seem to be the case.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        No complaint.

XIV.) MAIL

        The mail is good now, also for New-Zealanders, but the Australians, and specially those from West Australia, get very few letters and very irregularly.

        The prisoners of war are not allowed yet the regular amount of out-going letters and postcards, which they are entitled to write. The Chefarzt said he was aware of their rights, but that he had not yet received the appropriate orders from Stalag V B, from which this hospital depends. The German High Command will be asked to interfere in this matter, so that the prisoners of war are allowed at once to write the official number of letters and postcards.

        This Lazaret receives a regular supply of Red Cross parcels.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        This hospital being reopened only of late, no welfare work has been done.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        Some trouble has arisen between the British Doctors and some of the patients, amongst which Officers. The principal arguments were that the discipline should be in the hands of the troop Officers, and also that they should control the food parcels. The misunderstanding was cleared up during the visit. The inspectors explained to Capt. Gilder that, being a Doctor, he was not really a prisoners of war, and therefore could not be Man of Confidence, the latter being the representative of the prisoners of war. The inspectors advised the B.S.M.O. to adjoin to him the B.S.O., who would act as Man of Confidence. The B.S.O., also interviewed, said he would gladly collaborate with the Doctors on all non-medical questions, and that the other Officers would help him in every way.

        There is only a copy of the Geneva Convention in booklet form. The German High Command will be asked to send a poster here, which is more convenient, as every prisoners of war can read it at any time he wishes.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        This Lazaret gives a good impression, and the difficulties which have arisen between the British Officers will, it is hoped, soon disappear.

Fred O. Auckenthaler,

Dr. Hans Wehrle.