CONFIDENTIAL

No......

BRITISH/AMERICAN

Date of visit February 14th, 1945.

RESERVE-LAZARET ROTTENMUENSTER-ROTTWELL

        Reference is made to our previous report No. 603, dated October 16th, 1944.

I) GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

        No changes since our last visit.

        The Red Cross painted on the roof of the lazaret, as requested by the prisoners on the occasion of our last visit, has been mostly washed off by the rain, but the German lazaret authorities promised to have it re-painted, and propose to have the same sign painted on the roof of the camp kitchen.

        The arrangements for the A.R.P. may be considered as adequate.

II) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL:

        The total strength of this hospital of British/American staff and prisoner patients is 287, details being as follows:

        A detailed list of protected personnel on the staff of this lazaret is attached at the end of this report, as well as a list of deaths occurred since our last visit.

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

III) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS:

        Since our last visit the Hospital rooms have been whitewashed and have improved in general outlook. Otherwise there has been no change in the living quarters of the staff or the sick wards, and the interior arrangements may still be considered as adequate, although the increase in the number of patients well fills the sick wards.

        Regarding the heating, no particular complaint was lodged although it was pointed out that heating had been only on a moderate scale.

IV) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES:

        The Senior British Medical Officer reports that the hot water supply is inadequate; at present there is insufficient pressure to convey the hot water from the ground floor to the first floor where the slipper baths are installed which are necessary for bathing badly wounded patients. Furthermore, at the moment open Tb. patients are required to use the same showers as normal patients because the hot water is not conveyed to their section of the hospital.

        When discussing the matter with the German lazaret authorities, the Delegate of the Protecting Power was informed that there were certain technical difficulties in the way to a regular hot-water supply, which will be remedied, however, in the very near future. It is to be arranged that for washing and bathing purposes hot water shall be available at least once a week and at set hours.

V) TOILET FACILITIES:

        These are adequate.

VI) FOOD AND COOKING:

        The food situation, with the help of Red Cross parcels, has continued satisfactory since our last visit. The scale of rations for the period of from February 12th to 18th, 1945, is attached at the end of this report and gives all details.

        The figures of the present stock of Red Cross supplies are as follows:

        At the present time, no notification of further food consignment has been received. The lack of such a notification is causing concern to the medical staff, particularly since most new arrivals are wounded front line troops and require invalid comfort parcels together with Indian parcels in the first place while standard food parcels, or their equivalents, will be required in the very near future. However, by regular indents the Red Cross is informed of the needs in this respect.

        Regarding the issue of Red Cross food parcels referred to in our last report, the matter has in the meantime been settled, and there are now no complaints in this direction.

VII) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS:

        The number of patients at present under treatment is shown under II) of this report.

        The S.B.M.O. reports no change of any importance in the facilities for medical treatment, but now states that because of the large influx of patients he is frequently compelled to discharge patients before they are completely restored to health.

        Regarding the supply of medicaments and drugs, it is stated that the percentage of German supplies has decreased considerably although the German pharmacist attached to the lazaret is doing his very best.

        Among the twenty Indian patients, there are now only six TB. cases but their transfer to the special TB. hospital formerly at Elsterhorst is now, for obvious reasons, unlikely.

        The majority of cases at present under treatment at this lazaret are surgical ones, as already reported last time (shrapnel and gun-shot wounds, amputations, etc.).

        A list of American patients to be presented to the Mixed Medical Commission is attached to this report.

        Amongst the British patients, no serious cases are reported.

        Patients in need of dental treatment are sent to Villingen where good attention is being received from a French dentist.

        A request from Lieut. Vibbert to be transferred to the Eye Hospital at Bad Soden was put to the Delegate of the Protecting Power who discussed the matter with the German Lazaret Authorities. It was promised that this officer will be taken to an eye specialist at Tuttlingen on whose recommendation he would, if necessary, be sent to Bad Soden.

        Regarding the walks of the Medical Personnel, the S.B.M.O. asked whether it could not be arranged for one of these walks taking place on a Sunday as owing to the great amount of work to be attended to by the medical orderlies as well as the very frequent air raids, many have no chance of taking the air on the fixed days during the week. The German Lazaret Authorities replied that it was a question of the necessary guards being available, and if it could be done, it shall be arranged.

        The Delegate of the Protecting Power was informed of the cases of three American Ps.o.W. who appear to have missed the latest Mixed Medical Commission and the repatriation following thereupon. The prisoners concerned were transferred to this lazaret from Reserve Lazaret Donaueschingen only after the departure of the last DUs. The German Lazaret Authorities have noted the names of these prisoners, and the Protecting Power will see to it that they are presented to the next Mixed Medical Commission. The details of the patients concerned are shown on the list of American patients to be presented to the Mixed Medical Commission referred to above.

VIII) CLOTHING:

        USA: The American Man of Confidence reports that since our last visit no clothing has been received from the Red Cross. Not only are there no reserves of American clothing now but a large percentage of admissions arrive here without proper clothing so that upon discharge the American Man of Confidence is unable to equip them adequately in the absence of any stocks. Up to now, the British have supplied the Americans with the most necessary outfits as the British strength at this lazaret has been but small. However, their stocks are also gradually exhausting.

                The serious position which has arisen regarding the state of clothing was reported to the representative of the I.R.C. when he paid a visit to this lazaret in January 1945. The matter was also discussed at great length with the German Lazaret Authorities as well as with the Commander of Stalag V B, and the Delegate of the Protecting Power received assurances that steps will be taken to avoid undue hardship in this matter. Dispatches of immediate supplies of some clothing from Stalag V B to Reservelazaret Rottenmunster were promised.

        BRITISH: British stocks of clothing have diminished considerably since our last visit because, as stated above, supplies were given to the Americans at this lazaret.

                Facilities for the mending of clothing are stated to continue adequate - some repair material is also on hand.

IX) LAUNDRY:

        Owing to the length of time required for the return of Laundry in Germany to-day and in the absence of sufficiently large stocks of bed clothing, the regular change of bed linen and pyjamas leaves much to be desired. The Delegate of the Protecting Power requested the German lazaret authorities to look into the matter and to endeavour to improve the situation regarding both, quicker laundry service as well as to provide more hospital clothing and bed linen.

        Facilities for the washing of private clothing at the hospital are still fairly good but often hampered by the lack of hot-water or soap.

X) CANTEEN:

        Present supplies: nil.

        Razor blades, cigarette paper, toilet necessities of all types are almost unobtainable. The Protecting Power informed the Y.M.C.A. of the needs in this respect.

XII) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY:

        Existing arrangements are satisfactory as far as Protestants are concerned but leave much to be desired regarding Roman-Catholics. A large percentage of newly arrived Americans belong to the latter faith and have expressed a desire for a resident Roman-Catholic priest. The Protecting Power will request the German High Command to meet this requirement if at all possible, there being but few Roman-Catholic priests in German captivity. For the time being, Roman-Catholics are attended by a priest of another nationality.

XIII) RECREATION AND EXERCISE:

        As reported after our last visit, the arrangements are satisfactory.

XIV) MAIL:

        Mail arrivals at the present moment are described as non-existent regarding both, letters and parcels. The following shows details of average time of delivery of letters and cards:

        Letters and cards (incoming): Period: Oct. 1-31, 1944.

                British      231 )

                American 100 ) Average time of delivery: 45 days.

        Letters and cards (incoming): Period: Nov. 1-30, 1944.

                British      155    Average time of delivery: 48 days.

        Letters (incoming): Period: Dec. 1-31, 1944.

                British    130 )

                American 43 ) Average time of delivery: 50 days.

        Letters and cards (incoming): Period: Jan. 1-31, 1945.

                arrived from England, etc.  NIL.

XV) WELFARE WORK:

        As pointed out above a representative of the I.R.C. recently paid a visit to this lazaret. The patients sincerely regret that no representative of the Y.M.C.A. has called for a considerable time, as there are a great number of wishes and requests to be placed before this institution. Above all, musical instruments (most especially a B-flat tenor saxophone) and modern dance music are asked for. The Protecting Power will inform the organisation accordingly. (When paying a visit to Stalag V B, the Delegate of the Protecting Power arranged for the dispatch to this lazaret of two cases containing a gramophone and theatrical requisites).

XVI) COMPLAINTS:

        1) Repatriation. The S.B.M.O. complained that in the past the selection of personnel for repatriation appears to have been entirely fortuitous inasmuch as personnel recently captured have been repatriated within six months of being captured, while others captured in 1940, 1941, etc., remained in captivity. This; naturally, gives raise to some degree of discontent. The Delegate of the Protecting Power was able to inform the S.B.M.O. of the provisions ruling the repatriation of Ps.o.W.

        2) Saluting of all German guards, irrespective of rank, while on duty by Ps.O.W. below the rank of Commissioned Officer. The S.B.M.O. reports that he has assumed the position as Man of Confidence of the lazaret since the former Man of Confidence, Sgt. E.W. Jones, POW. No. 11166, was removed from that position because he did not salute a German Feldwebel on duty when passing him. This incident occurred shortly after Christmas, 1944, and caused much illfeeling on both sides, and relations for this reason were somewhat strained. The prisoners state that if this matter is to be pursued on the part of the German Authorities, there may be trouble, whereas the German are of the opinion that "orders is orders" and must be followed, stating that the bearing of Sgt. Jones has repeatedly been "arrogant". Although the situation was saved for the present by the S.B.M.O. taking over the position of Man of Confidence, the aforesaid cannot continue in this capacity as his time is fully taken up by his duties as S.B.M.O. The Delegate of the Protecting Power requested the German Lazaret Authorities not to stress the point, at the same time advancing prisoners to be as diplomatic as possible in this matter which will be taken up by the Protecting Power with the German High Command. In the opinion of the Delegate of the Protecting Power, the German Lazaret Authorities could have avoided the unpleasant situation which has arisen, with a little more "Fingerspitzengefuhl".

XVII) GENERAL IMPRESSION:

        The S.B.M.O. states that as far as the running of the British/American section of the hospital is concerned, he is satisfied with the facilities and freedom being afforded him although the material difficulties are increasing day by day, more especially since the number of patients is increasing as well. On the rule, however, the situation may be described still as fairly satisfactory.

(signed) Werner Buchmüller.

Speisezettel fur Abt. Kriegsgef.Lazarett fur die Zeit vom 12.2-18.2.45.

Rottweil a.N., den 8, Febr. 1945.

Im Entwurf genehmigt: gez. Dr. Bronsert Oberfeldarzt u. Chefarzt

Aufgestellt: gez. Ammon Oberzahlmeister.

0103/5718(P.W.2) 9.3.1945

K.W.2/4 (Foreign Office Reference) 6.3.1945

(EN CLAIR)

FILES

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton

No.402

3rd March 1945

D. NFT 3rd March 1945

R. 12.55 a.m. 4th March 1945

        My despatch 7950.

        Telegraphic summary of report on Rottenmuenster visited 14th February containing 39 British patients, 4 doctors, 1 chaplain, 27 protected personnel, states no serious complaints.