CONFIDENTIAL

No.495.

BRITISH/AMERICAN

STALAG V B - VILLINGEN

Date of visit: 26th and 27th May, 1944.

        Referring to the last communication No.339, dated January 30th, 1944, it could be ascertained that the only American prisoner of war No.30266, Cagle Louis, had left for the military prison at Graudenz on March 27th, 1944. At present Stalag V B has - as far as it concerns the nations belonging to the activity of the Protecting Power - only Indian prisoners of war who came from Stalag V C to be employed on works. The following two work-detachments have been opened in January 1944 and have now been visited for the first time by a representative of the Swiss Legation.

No.7901 V B / 1412 V C Ittenbeuren (near Ravensburg).

Man of Confidence: CHINAPAN AROWTO No.3889 (Roman Catholic)

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

        The prisoners of war are employed in a flax-factory. They have to perform task-work in two shifts:

                Day-shift from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. with half an hour's break for a meal - effective work 9 1/2 hours.

                Night-shift (only 5 shifts a week) from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a break for a meal - effective work 10 1/2 hours. There is no work on Sundays.

        The prisoners of war complained about the dusty work, but as other prisoners of war and German civilians are working under the same conditions and as adequate daily washing facilities are given in the factory, no objection could be raised, all the more as the prisoners of war are not affected by this work in their health.

        Adequate air-raid shelters exist in the factory. Trenches outside the quarters will be built.

2. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL:

        40 Indian prisoners of war (38 Hindus, 2 Christians). Internal camp staff not employed on work: 1 Man of Confidence, 1 cook, 1 sweeper and 1 scribe.

3. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS:

        They are lodged in wooden barracks outside the factory. The present quarters are overcrowded, but will be moved within a fortnight to better equipped and larger barracks which are quite satisfactory (seen by the Delegate of the Protecting Power).

4. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES:

        Adequate, daily hot showers.

5. TOILET FACILITIES:

        Satisfactory.

6. FOOD AND COOKING:

        The German food issued corresponds with the scale set down for prisoner of war workers. They get twice a week fresh pork, however, vegetable is issued as far as available. (The ration of potatoes is even doubled).

        Stalag V C supplies this detachment with Indian Red Cross food parcels.

7. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND STATE OF HEALTH:

        The civil doctor in the village attends satisfactorily. It would however be appreciated if a trained Indian sanitator could be detached to this camp, who could at the same time act as a scribe.

        The general state of health is very good.

8. CLOTHING:

        Satisfactory.

9. LAUNDRY:

        Done by the sweeper.

10. MONEY AND PAY:

        Regular.

11. CANTEEN:

        A supply of shoe polish, shaving brushes and razor-blades is needed. Applications have to be made to Stalag V C on which the detachment depends in this respect.

12. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY:

        Satisfactory.

13. RECREATION AND EXERCISE:

        Arrangements prove satisfactory.

14. MAIL:

        A scribe is needed to help the Man of Confidence in transcribing the letters written in the active Hindu idioms into English, as only English-written correspondence will be forwarded by the German Authorities.

15. WELFARE WORK:

        This labour-detachment depends on Stalag V C.

16. COMPLAINTS:

        (a) The Geneva Convention in English should be posted in the detachment.

        (b) The English printed paper "The Camp" issued by the German High Command should also be distributed to this detachment. As the German High Command does not allow it, the Protecting Power will again approach the said authorities to have this only kind of literature available for those prisoners of war allowed to them.

17. GENERAL IMPRESSION:

        As soon as the prisoners of war will have moved to the new quarters, the conditions in general may be considered quite satisfactory in every respect. The prisoners of war are in a very good spirit.

No.7902 V B / 1413 V C Allmendingen (Ulm). Cement-factory.

Man of Confidence: Cpl. AJAIB ALI No.812.

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

        The prisoners of war are employed in the cement factory 10 hours daily in each of the two day-shifts, and 9 hours during the night-shift, viz.:

                1st shift: 5.30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (1 1/2 hour's break for meals)

                2nd shift: 10.00 a.m. - 10 p.m. (1 1/2 hour's break for meals)

                Night shift: 7 p.m. - 6 a.m. (1 hour's break for meals)

        No Sunday work is requested. Most of the prisoners of war have to work in the dusty machine-rooms. They complained about the unhealthy conditions and the very long working hours.

        The prisoners of war No.9122 and 857 are physically unfit for the work and will be again examined by the German military doctor.

        There exist adequate shelters (cellar). However, the prisoners of war feel very troubled about the location of their quarters which they consider extremely dangerous on account of an eventual bombardment of the factory.

2. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL:

        55 Indian prisoners of war (all Mohammedans).

3. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS:

        They are on the top-floor of the factory building, near the machine-rooms and therefore very noisy. The hammering of the machines is heard day and night and the prisoners of war have no restful hours as the factory is working till Sunday at noon. The prisoners of war strongly complained that they cannot sleep. It seems that two prisoners of war No.3384 and 3298 had a nervous break-down on account of these conditions.

        The quarters are rather dusty too. As all the prisoners of war sleep in intercommunicating rooms, they are always disturbed by their comrades who have to work in other shifts.

        The windows are always kept closed by the prisoners of war because the air outside is very dusty too.

4. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES:

        The installations are adequate, but no hot water is available. The Indian prisoners of war are not used to cold water, mainly showers, and therefore their bodily cleanliness is neglected. As a consequence, since the prisoners of war suffer from boils, it has been promised to provide them for at least one weekly hot shower.

5. TOILET FACILITIES:

        No lime was issued. The urinal has to be used in common with the civilian workers.

6. FOOD AND COOKING:

        These prisoners of war receive the rations for heavy and long workers. Instead of meat, more vegetables are issued. The Indian prisoners of war have their own kitchen. No complaints were raised with regard to the German food issued. Adequate arrangements exist for the cooking of Red Cross food.

7. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND STATE OF HEALTH:

        The Doctor (Indian prisoner of war) at the Reserve Lazaret Ehingen, attends satisfactorily to these Indians. The prisoners of war are partly effected by the unhealthy work and location of the quarters (lung troubles) and their general state of health is rather low.

8. CLOTHING:

        Satisfactory.

9. LAUNDRY:

        Has to be done by the prisoners of war themselves. No hot water is available; no cleaning material is issued.

10. MONEY AND PAY:

        Regular.

11. CANTEEN:

        Razor-blades and matches are needed.

12. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY:

        No proper arrangements. A prayer-room is under construction. These Mohammedans are not allowed the time to pray during work as practised in all other detachments. They have, according to their religious regulations, to pray five times daily, viz. at present at 5 a.m., 3.30 p.m., 6.30 p.m., 9.15 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. (at least 20 minutes each time). It is evidently only a question of goodwill on the part of the employer, as no pressure can be used to comply with such a request considered by Europeans as unusual. A man should be freed from work in order to be able to act as a prayer-monger.

13. RECREATION AND EXERCISE:

        The lack of an entertainment-room for indoor games is very much felt. Football parties are allowed whenever wanted.

14. MAIL:

        For one year, none of these prisoners of war has received any home mail. They are very depressed about this fact. The Man of Confidence writes for all of them in English.

15. WELFARE WORK:

        This labour detachment depends on Stalag V C.

16. COMPLAINTS:

        (a) There is no Geneva Convention at this camp.

        (b) Frequently prisoners of war are punished and sentenced to disciplinary arrest without any reason being given and no indication made of the duration of punishment inflicted on them.

17. GENERAL IMPRESSION:

        Great dissatisfaction prevails amongst all prisoners of war and the employer too is very angry. The prisoners of war are very depressed.

        Working conditions are particularly hard and unhealthy for Indian prisoners of war (eyes and lung troubles on account of the dust and small injuries on the hands from the rough work).

        The complete lack of rest at the quarters is an essential point which, however, has never been sufficiently considered. Apparently, the quarters cannot be removed elsewhere.

        The guard on duty at present is correct.

        An incident of obvious illtreatment was mentioned, which has occurred on March 7th, 1944, when the prisoners of war refused to work in night-shifts. Standing to the wellknown order of the German High Command, the guards are, under such circumstances, allowed to make use of their weapons to enforce the execution of their orders. A full account of the happenings was given by the man of confidence.

        The commandant of the Stalag, upon investigation made by the Delegate of the Protecting Power, replied that he were [was] not in a position to give any exact explanation on the matter, at the moment; but he promised to make the necessary enquiries and to report the facts as related to him by his staff, to the Protecting Power which will deal with the case separately and forward at the time a special account to the British Government.

        It was moreover reported that prisoner of war No.3277 Mohd HAZAT, was seriously struck by a civilian worker on February 15, 1944. The case was immediately investigated and the civilian, according to the information received by the Stalag Authorities, has been severely punished.

        Owing to many misunderstandings arise many troubles with the civilian workers. These incidents become more and more frequent and serious.

        On the whole, the various unfavourable circumstances and conditions induced the Delegate of the Protecting Power to suggest an immediate dissolving of this detachment to the Camp commander who promised to seek another possibility of adequate employment of these prisoners of war. The Protecting Power will also approach the German High Command to this effect.

(Signed) WALTER BRAUN.

Görne, June 12, 1944.

CONFIDENTIAL

No. 483.

BRITISH/AMERICAN

RESERVE-LAZARET ROTTENMUENSTER/ROTTWEIL.

Date of visit: May 30th, 1944.

Reference is made to the previous report, Nr. 340, dated February 11th, 1944.

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

        No change.

2. CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL:

        The hospital's capacity amounts to 550 beds. They are all occupied and the complement with regard to British and American prisoners of war was given as follows:

        French, Poles, Serbians, Russians, Italians.

        The different nationalities are quartered in separate wards and do not mix. The section for prisoners of war, although in the same building, is separated from the German lazaret. Now the prisoners of war section has a theatre of their own for light surgery.

3. INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS:

        Satisfactory. The rooms are occupied by 4-6 patients. The bigger wards contain 10 patients.

4. WASHING AND BATHING FACILITIES:

        The supply of hot water has improved. Weekly showers are now available.

5. TOILET FACILITIES:

        Satisfactory. Toilet paper is supplied in sufficient quantity now.

6. FOOD AND COOKING:

        More coal is needed to prepare the RC-food. It was promised to increase the issue.

        The food-parcels are now forwarded to this lazaret directly from Geneva. It was also arranged that for other Red Cross articles this lazaret will in future entirely depend on Stalag V C which will guarantee a better and more regular supply.

        An Indian cook has arrived, but a sweeper is still urgently needed. The German authorities have been requested for one long ago.

        As to the German food ration the quality of the potatoes and turnips must be considered very bad. It was promised to supply bigger quantities so as to make up for the loss.

7. MEDICAL ATTENTION AND STATE OF HEALTH:

        The British Senior medical officer is satisfied with the existing arrangements, exception made for the treatment of the 17 Indian Tb-patients who should be sent to a proper sanatorium (Elsterhorst). The lazaret authorities try to have them transferred whenever possible. With regard to the dental treatment received from the French dentist at the Stalag, supervised by a German dentist, no more complaints were brought to notice since last time.

        The general state of health is good and the healing process of the patients can be considered normal.

        The D.U's as well as the Indian Tb-patients (closed Tb only) should be allowed walks outside the lazaret, as the courtyard is too small. It was promised to give the desired facilities.

        The sanitators No. 17075 Peton and 36875 Palmer have become mentally unbalanced and should be removed. As soon as their substitutes have arrived they will be sent to a mental home. The 4 mental patients at this lazaret will soon be transferred too.

        The newly arrived six medical orderlies are all drivers and should therefore be selected by the British medical officer at Stalag Lamsdorf. This request will be favourably considered.

        The protected personnel is now getting regular walks three times a week.

        The American medical parcels have arrived in the meantime from the I.R.C.C.

        15 British and 1 American patients, mentioned in the annex, are proposed for an examination by the Mixed Medical Commission. The 30 cases mentioned in the last list have all been presented on the occasion of the visit of the Mixed Medical Commission in April past. They are still at the lazaret awaiting their repatriation as D.U's.

8. CLOTHING:

        The British prisoners of war are short of shirts, whereas the American patients urgently need field jackets, greatcoats and light cotton suits for the summer. Otherwise the clothing position is quite satisfactory now, as the consignments requested long ago from Geneva have arrived in the meantime.

9. LAUNDRY:

        Satisfactory now.

10. MONEY AND PAY:

        No complaints.

11. CANTEEN:

        There is now a British barber detached to this lazaret, which proves highly satisfactory. Razor-blades are issued monthly. Beer and lemonade is available at the canteen.

12. RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY:

        The authorities of the lazaret have asked the G.H.C. to attach a protestant chaplain to this lazaret, as over a hundred patients need his assistance. This request has been refused. The Protecting Power will again approach the competent authorities with a view to having transferred such a clergyman to this lazaret as soon as possible.

13. RECREATION AND EXERCISE:

        As mentioned above, walks outside the lazaret should be organized for patients who can easily move as the garden is too small.

14. MAIL:

        No particular complaints.

15. WELFARE WORK:

        The representative of the Y.M.C.A. has paid a visit to this lazaret in the meantime and rendered very good services for satisfactory recreational activities.

16. COMPLAINTS:

        The previous complaints have all been satisfactorily settled. The officers who were not recognized last time have all been transferred to Oflags in the meantime.

        New complaints: (others than the above mentioned)

        The Geneva Convention in English should be posted in the wards. This will be arranged as soon as fresh copies are available.

17. DISCIPLINE:

        The general difficulties to maintain a good discipline amongst the various classes of patients still exist. The two Arabs who gave particular trouble have been removed in the meantime. Generally speaking the morale of the patients is excellent at present.

18. TREATMENT:

        Considerate in every respect by the German staff as well as the guards. The co-operation on medical points is very good.

19. DEATHS:

        Particulars of deaths:

                NATHE KHAN, Army Nr. 5210, POW Nr. 1987, Indian, Mohammedan, home address: Village Panchur, P.O. Panchur, District of Jhelum, Punjab, India. Died on 17.4.1944, Diagnosis: Open TB lungs. Interred at Rottweil.

                DIDAR SINGH: Army Nr.      POW Nr. 1027, Indian, Sikh. Home address: Village Basrampur, P.O. Jullundur, District of Jullundur, Punjab, India. Died on 23.5.1944. Diagnosis: Abdominal TB. Interred at Rottweil.

20. GENERAL IMPRESSION:

        The improvements which could be expected have been realized to a great extent since the last visit. The lazaret may be considered as adequate for British and American patients. It is, however, essential that a British or American surgeon be added to the present staff. The authorities of the lazaret would highly appreciate an intervention of the Protecting Power with the G.H.C. to this effect as their repeated requests have had no success till now. It is known that only very few British surgeons are in German captivity and that it will therefore be rather difficult to comply with this wish in the near future.

June 12th, 1944.

Walter BRAUN sgd.

RESERVE-LAZARET ROTTENMUENSTER/ROTTWEIL.

LIST OF BRITISH AND AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR TO BE PRESENTED TO THE MIXED MEDICAL COMMISSION.

BRITISH:

        CHONI LAL, Army Nr. 7721, POW Nr. 73069, Sgt. Diagnosis: Spondylitis, Tuberculosis Lumbar Vertebrae.

        CHULUM MOHD, Pte, Army Nr. 19740, POW Nr. 79606, Diagnosis: Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

        MOHD SHARI[?], Pte, Army Nr. 7423, POW Nr. 332, Diagnosis: Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

        SARDAR KHAN, Pte, Army Nr. 911355, POW Nr. 79612, Diagnosis: Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

        BABU LAL, Seaman, POW Nr. 87098, Diagnosis: Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

        CHANDRA JADU, Pte, Army Nr. 4353, POW Nr. 1610, Diagnosis: Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

        FAZAL HUSSEIN, Pte, Army Nr. 28501, POW Nr. 5343, Diagnosis: Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

        SANTA SINGH, Pte, Army Nr. 44687, POW Nr. 79549, Diagnosis: Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

        RAM CHARON, Sgt., Army Nr. 39335, POW Nr. 8877, Diagnosis: Osteomyelitis Calean[??]s

        DALIP SINGH, Pte, Army Nr. 70802, POW Nr. 959, Diagnosis: Open Pulmonary Tuberculosis

        PARTAP SINGH, Pte, Army Nr. 11182, POW Nr. 2424, Diagnosis: Pulmonary Tuberculosis

        JAHAN SHER, Pte, Army Nr. 8523, POW Nr. 3282, Diagnosis: Myocarditis

        LISON, James Edward, Pte, Army Nr. 4343941, POW Nr. 18614, Diagnosis: Fracture of ankle in bad position

        DOWLING, William, Pte, Army Nr. 5337077, POW Nr. 55371, Diagnosis: Schizophrenia

        ELKES, Alfred Henry, Sgt., Army Nr. 1817239, POW Nr. 18618, Diagnosis: Loss of fingers and toes.

Americans:

        FRIEDMANN, Murray, Cpl., Army Nr. 12157029, POW Nr. 30543, Diagnosis: Ankylosicite, Stiff elbow, Fracture of femur.

0103/4590 P.W.2. dated 9.8.44.

F.O. Ref K.W.2/4 dated 18th July, 1944.

(EN CLAIR)

DEPARTMENTAL NO.1.

FROM BERNE TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Mr. Norton.

No. 3334

18th July, 1944.

D. 8.50 p.m. 18th July, 1944.

R. 3.15 a.m. 19th July, 1944.

        Following points mentioned report two detachments Stalag VB Villingen containing Indians from Stalag VC. 7,901 VB/1412 VC Ittenbeuren near Ratisbon 40 Indians employed flax factory no serious complaints. 7,902 VB/1413 VC Allmendingen ULM 55 Indians employed cement factory some 10 hours daily other 9 hours night shift no Sunday work complained unhealthy conditions long working hours noisy dusty accommodation top floor of factory which prisoners consider dangerous owing possible bombardment no hot water no disinfectant for toilets prisoners affected by unhealthy work and location of quarters general health rather low no incoming mail for one year prisoners frequently sentenced disciplinary arrest without reasons given or indication duration of punishment one call ill-treatment one striking by civilian worker, Swiss representative suggested immediate dissolution this detachment.