Stalag VB

Stalag Commander

Adjutant

Lageroffizier

Accompanying officer of

the G.H.C.

: Oberstleutnant Gall

: Hptm. Praefke

: Hptm. Goetz

: Hptm. Schaefer

There is no British staff or other personnel at this base camp and since our last visit on May 26th - 27th, 1944, no further working detachments have been opened in the Stalag area; the two Indian detachments described hereafter are still the only ones. It may be noted that these detachments have two numbers each, the reason for this being that the Indian Ps.O.W. have come to this Stalag area from Stalag V C, Offenburg, where the men are still registered. For all other matters, however, the detachments depend on Stalag V B. In a lesser degree, this also applies to Reserve-Lazaret Rottenmuenster.

A number of questions raised when visiting the two Indian working detachments, were discussed with the Stalag commander, who assured the Delegate of the Protecting Power that special attention shall be paid to working detachment No. 7902 V B / 1413 V C, Allmendingen.

Since our last visit on May 26th, 1944, the Ps.O.W. have been moved to a new wooden barrack (outside the factory premises) which is larger and better equipped than the one previously occupied. As the personnel is still the same, there is now no overcrowding.

Total

Hindus

Roman Catholics

Protestants

Indian Prisoners of War

The Man of Confidence, 1 cook, 1 sweeper and 1 scribe form the camp staff. All other Ps.O.W. are employed in a flax-factory nearby. They work in two shifts, namely a day-shift from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. with half an hour's break for a meal, and a night-shift (only 5 shifts a week) from 2 p.m. to 1.30 a.m. with an equal break for a meal. Both shifts are working 60 hours a week. There is no Sunday work.

Regarding work and working conditions no complaint was put forward to the Delegate of the PP.

The new barrack contains 1 large day-room and 2 dormitories with the usual wooden double-tier beds. Lighting and heating are good and the new quarters can be considered as satisfactory.

In the new barrack there are 2 well equipped wash-rooms at the disposal of the Ps.O.W.; furthermore, daily hot showers may be taken at the factory.

Cooking is in the hands of an Indian cook. The German food issued corresponds with the scale of ration fixed for Ps.O.W. Although they are entitled to 400 grs. of potatoes a day, at present they receive 500 grs., if possible, even more. To ensure the supply of fresh vegetables, the factory has assigned a garden to the Ps.O.W., which provides a welcome supplementary vegetable ration.

There is an adequate stock of Red Cross food parcels (142 Indian and 18 Canadian food parcels).

A civilian doctor from the village visits the camp three times a week. Serious cases are transferred to the hospital at Ravensburg.

On the whole, medical treatment and state of health are very good in this camp. The Man of Confidence possesses a small stock of drugs and medicaments and the necessary first aid equipment.

The clothing position is satisfactory. Every man has two uniforms. A supply of boots and underwear has recently come in from Geneva and the camp is well provided in every way.

The Man of Confidence complained that no receipts are given to the Ps.O.W. for money they send to the Stalag. The accompanying officer of the G.H.C., with whom the matter was discussed, promised that in future receipts will be given to every man who sends money to the Stalag, as is the case in all other camps. It appears that the matter was not quite clear to the German Kommandofuehrer in charge of this detachment.

The Man of Confidence complained, that no German cigarettes have been issued for the last month. As also no supplies from the Red Cross have been received for several weeks, the men are almost without cigarettes. The Germans promised to do their best in providing the usual monthly ration in future, as well as arrears, but state that the situation is rather difficult, as no supplies have arrived even at the Stalag. Bombing attacks and transport difficulties are said to be the reason for the non-supply.

The facilities for both, indoor entertainments and outdoor exercise, are good. The prisoners enjoy frequent walks and have plenty of books and games.

At the moment mail is very bad. Very few letters arrive and no parcels at all come through from India.

The Man of Confidence is now doing the translating of the letters from native Hindu into English, as only English-written correspondence is accepted by the German Authorities.

The old complaints (please see our previous report No. 495, XVI) have been settled in the meantime.

No new complaints, other than those mentioned above, have come to the knowledge of the Delegate of the PP.

There has been no change since our last visit on May 27th, 1944 (please see previous report No. 495).

49 Indian Ps.O.W. (48 Mohammedans and 1 Hindu) including one prisoner at present at the Reserve Lazaret at Rottenmuenster.

The men are employed in a cement factory. The working hours are the same as stated in our last report, namely 60 hours a week, the men being employed in 3 shifts a day. There is no Sunday work. No complaints about work or working conditions have been put forward to the Delegate of the PP.

The P.O.W. No. 9122 (please see previous report No. 495, I General description) has been sent back to the Stalag. As regards P.O.W. No. 857, please see under VII "Medical attention" of this report.

Regarding the accommodation of the Ps.O.W. there has been no change since our last visit. Please see point XVI) complaints, of this report.

Arrangements have been made two weeks ago whereby Ps.O.W. can now have daily hot showers in their billets and enjoy facilities of running hot water. However, at present only two taps out of ten can be used, the Germans stating that no workman can be found to repair those out of order.

As such adequate, but only one seat for 49 prisoners is provided. The Delegate of the PP. asked for a second seat.

The food rations issued by the Germans are in accordance with the scale fixed for Ps.O.W. The prisoners have their own cook.

The cooking facilities for Red Cross food are adequate. The stock of Red Cross food parcels at the moment amounts to 3 weeks supply.

Sick Ps.O.W. are now attended by a German military doctor. Serious cases are taken to the hospital at Ehingen, from where, if necessary, they are transferred to the Reserve Lazaret at Rottenmuenster. A small stock of drugs and medicaments has been supplied to this detachment by the Red Cross.

Arrangements were made for POW No. 857, Pte. Sasajdin, stated to be physically unfit for work, to be examined by the German military doctor once again.

Every prisoner has two complete British outfits. Protective overalls have been supplied by the factory to all Ps.O.W. and the clothing position is satisfactory throughout.

The Man of Confidence stated that a month ago the supply of German cigarettes had stopped, and as no Red Cross tobacco parcels have come in for some time, cigarettes are badly needed. The Germans promised to look into the matter, pointing out at the same time that transport difficulties were the reason of the non-supply for the past 4 weeks. (When discussing the matter at the Stalag on October 17th, it was confirmed that the cigarettes in question had in the meantime been dispatched).

A prayer-room has been built by the prisoners themselves. Up to now it could not be used as neither door nor windows have been supplied by the management of the factory. When requested by the Delegate of the PP. to press for a speedy completion of the temple, as desired by the Ps.O.W., the manager of the firm promised to do his best.

The lack of an entertainment-room for indoor-recreation is very much felt. Sunday walks or a game of football are allowed whenever asked for.

In this camp it is stated that mail from India takes 4 to 5 months and that only few letters come through at all.

The location of the living quarters of the Ps.O.W. on the upper floor of a factory-building (immediately above the machine-rooms) is an exceedingly unpleasant one, for not only is the noise of the machines heard night and day, but there is a constant vibration felt throughout the entire billet. It goes without saying that the Ps.O.W. find it difficult to enjoy a proper rest with the exception perhaps on Sundays, when the machines are stopped for some hours.

In addition, the air raid shelters assigned to the Ps.O.W. are situated in the very centre of the factory and in case of a direct hit totally inadequate.

The Delegate of the Protecting Power, after discussing the matter with the Indian Man of Confidence, firmly requested the Germans to transfer the Indian Ps.O.W. to more suitable living quarters in a new barrack at some distance from the factory, at present occupied by Russian and Italian Ps.O.W. This barrack was inspected by the Delegate of the Protecting Power and found adequate in every respect. The Germans promised to comply with this request at the earliest possible moment, this statement being confirmed by the Stalag Commander when paying him a visit a few days later.

Once transferred to their new quarters, the Ps.O.W. will have the use of a small compound, up to now denied to them, as well as proper ARP-trenches inside this compound.

In case of an air-raid during day-time, an assurance was given that Ps.O.W. will be taken to trenches at a considerable distance from the factory itself.

At present the spirit amongst the Ps.O.W. of this detachment is not too high, but the forthcoming transfer to good new quarters is bound to have an excellent effect. The delegate of the Protecting Power would have preferred to demand the removal of this detachment altogether, but complying with the particular request of the Indian Man of Confidence to leave this detachment here, only the transfer to new quarters with adequate arrangements for ARP was requested. However, should this transfer not show the desired results, the removal of the prisoners to another commando will be demanded on the occasion of the next visit of the Protecting Power.

The manager of the factory is a most difficult person to get on with and he repeats his dissatisfaction as to the results of the work done by the Indian Ps.O.W.

German Chief Medical Officer

Assistant

Senior British Medical Off.

British Man of Confidence

American Man of Confidence

Accompanying Officer of

the G.H.C.

: Oberfeldarzt Dr. Bronsert

: Stabsarzt Dr. Maerker

: Major G.M. Fosbrooke, RAMC, POW No. 23910

: Sgt. E.W. Jones, RAMC, POW No. 11166

: Pte. Russel C. Lathrop, POW No. 30318

: Hptm. Schaefer

Additional wards and other rooms have been allotted to the British and American patients, as their number has increased considerably since our last visit (please see point II below).

In accordance with a request of the prisoners the painting of a Red Cross on the roof of the lazaret is now promised by the Oberfeldarzt and will be done in the near future.

The total strength of this hospital of British and American staff and prisoner patients is 158, details being as follows:

a) Patients:

b) Staff:

British

Indians

Arabs

Total British

Americans

Tunisians

Total Americans

British Medical Officers

British Padre

British Interpreter

British medical orderlies

Indian medical orderlies

American medical orderlies

Total Staff

British and American patients are mixed, whereas Indians and Arabs are accommodated in separate rooms.

In September last, 2 British medical officers were repatriated on medical grounds, namely

These are satisfactory. The smaller rooms are occupied by 4 to 6 patients and the larger wards accommodate from 11 to 14 patients. Otherwise no change, but the Oberfeldarzt promised to have the wards whitewashed and made as homely as possible, as in the opinion of the Delegate of the Protecting Power all rooms need some attention in that direction.

Regarding heating the prospects for the coming cold season are rather uncertain at the moment. The German Oberfeldarzt states that owing to bombardments the usual coal transports at this time of the year have not arrived yet and it is not known when and what proportions of former supplies are to arrive. However, at the moment daily wood parties (Russian POWs) are sent out, and, according to the Germans, there will be adequate fuel supplies to start the winter off. It is hoped that later the needed coal transports will arrive. It is also pointed out that the German lazaret is heated by the same system as the POWs lazaret, suggesting that the Germans in their own interest will naturally do all in their power to obtain adequate coal supplies.

German rations are stated to be of good quality and according to scale. The Senior British Medical Officer states that if the German rations remain what they are now and regular supplies of Red Cross food parcels are available, every patient may be sure of an adequate diet.

American:

British:

Food parcels

Invalid diet

Food parcels

Invalid diet

Indian parcels

Cigarettes

263

318

656

237

166

4500

In accordance with the recent order of the German High Command regarding the storage and issue of Red Cross food parcels, all supplies were removed from the British-American hospital compound and placed in the German section on October 9th, 1944. Four days later the issue of Red Cross food was stopped altogether, though unofficially, if desired, tea and coffee could be drawn. Cigarettes were allowed to be issued. No written order or statement explaining the action was produced. Upon discussing the matter with the Oberfeldarzt the latter stated that in compliance with an order of Stalag V B, Villingen, the above action had to be taken though he had made sure that seriously ill POWs or patients requiring special diet would not be affected by these measures. This was confirmed by the British Senior medical officer. The British as well as the American Man of Confidence stated that the storing facilities in the German section of the hospital are excellent and that they have full control of the removed goods.

When visiting Stalag V B, Villingen on October 17th, 1944, the Delegate of the Protecting Power requested information as to why the issue of Red Cross food at this lazaret had been stopped. The camp commander replied that there must have been a misinterpretation of a certain paragraph of the aforesaid order, as he had never forbidden the issue of Red Cross food. He then promised to get into touch with the lazaret authorities immediately and put matters right.

As mentioned under point II) of this report, Capt. Lewin and Capt. Guilder have been repatriated since our last visit. The present medical staff is composed of 3 British medical officers, namely Major Fosbrooke, acting as Senior Medical Officer, Capt. D. Lumsden, RAMC, POW No. 1486 and Capt. K.W. Riddis, AAMC, POW No. 3222. Major Fosbrooke arrived here from Berlin (where he had been working in a POWs hospital) on August 11th, 1944, whereas the two other doctors have been at this lazaret for some time already. Details of the remainder of the medical staff are shown under point II) of this report.

On request of the British medical officer, once again the German authorities were requested to remove the Indian TB patients (all but 4 of whom are cases of open TB) to a more suitable hospital, preferably a sanatorium, such as Elsterhorst. Conditions for treating TB at this lazaret are not as favourable as they could be. The German Oberfeldarzt again promised to make applications for the desired transfer, at the same time pointing out that all cases of open TB will be repatriated on the next occasion.

Sanitator Peton, POW No. 17075 (see our previous report point VII. medical attention,) has been sent back to the Stalag in the meantime. Sanitator J. Palmer, POW No. 36875, who shows signs of mental strain, will be removed from the hospital as soon as possible.

Regarding the source of supply of medicaments and drugs it is reported that about 50% are furnished by the Germans and the rest by the Red Cross Societies of America and Great Britain.

The mixed Medical Commission visited this lazaret on October 10th, 1944, and found 20 British and 9 American patients fit for repatriation, whereas 3 Americans and 2 British POWs are to be presented to the next Commission.

On the request of the Delegate of the Protecting Power, two eye-patients will now be sent to the Reserve-Lazaret Bad Soden-Salmuenster for special treatment by Major Charters, the British eye-specialist, as no facilities for such treatment are available at this lazaret.

The Senior British medical officer stated that the majority of British and American POWs patients are surgical cases (shrapnel- and gunshot-wounds, amputations etc.), but none of them very serious ones. Facilities for treatment are described as adequate and the state of health in general good, both, regarding patients and medical staff. (As to the number of patients please see point II) of this report.)

A complete list of American prisoner-patients, showing name, rank, POW No., American Service No., diagnosis and prognosis, is attached to this report.

USA: A consignment of 60 pyjamas and 60 pairs of bed-room slippers arrived some days ago from Geneva. However, complete outfits for American patients are still wanted, as otherwise nothing has arrived from the American Red Cross for the last 18 months, yet the number of American patients has increased from 6 to 86. The American Man of Confidence described the situation as "depressing", as consignments from the American Red Cross are coming through regularly for Serbian and Polish patients, but none for Americans. In the past, according to their requirements, all Americans have been - and will in future be - equipped with British clothing, but the American Man of Confidence feels it is somewhat odd that USA citizens should receive nothing. Although a representative from the IRCC visited this camp about six months ago and orders for the most necessary requirements were given to him, no consignments have come in yet. In addition, letters and telegrams have been sent on several occasions. Present stocks of clothing therefore are negligible; shaving and other toilet articles are also exhausted.

British: Stocks of clothing are described as "fairly good" by the British Man of Confidence in charge of clothing.

Both, the British and American Man of Confidence confirm that they have full control of the clothing.

Capt. the Rev. Guiness (Church of England) arrived at this lazaret at the end of July 1944. Services are held every Sunday. No complaints at all.

Upon request of the Delegate of the Protecting Power, an assurance was given by the Oberfeldarzt that in case of need a German Roman Catholic priest is available, as the majority of American POWs-patients at this lazaret are Roman Catholics. At present the Roman Catholics attend the services held by an Italian priest.

Outgoing: It is complained that on one occasion the issue of letter forms and cards has been very unpunctual lately and deficient in numbers. When discussing the matter with the Germans it was said that transport difficulties were the reason for the delay, assuring the Delegate of the Protecting Power that in future a lorry shall be sent to Stalag V B, Villingen, the source of supply for this lazaret. This will improve the situation.

Incoming: From England, letters take 1 to 3 months in arriving and from the USA 10 weeks. Parcels are rather poor.

Previous complaints: A copy of the Geneva Convention has in the meantime been posted in one of the corridors.

New complaints: No new complaints of any importance other than mentioned under the previous points of this report.

As a result of the various interventions by the Protecting Power on behalf of this lazaret, the German authorities arranged for the transfer of a British surgeon to the British/American section of this hospital. As already reported, Major Fosbrooke, RAMC, arrived at this lazaret on August 11th, 1944, from Berlin, where he had been working in a POWs hospital at Neu-Koelln. His cooperation with the German medical staff, particularly the Oberfeldarzt, is pleasant and the latter leaves the running of the hospital to the British and American staff. Thus in all medical matters the British doctors have a free hand and generally speaking conditions in this lazaret can therefore be described as satisfactory.