CONFIDENTIAL

RESERVE-LAZARET ROTTENMUENSTER

BRITISH

November 5, 1941

Physician in charge of Wehrkreis V: Dr. Zeller

German Physician in charge of Reserve Lazaret Rottenmuenster: Stabsarzt Dr. Essig

Chief British Physicians:

        Captain Gilder, prisoner of war No. 3629

        Captain Lumsden,   "      "    "     "     1486

        Naval Lieutenant Singer  "    "     "    16492

I.) GENERAL DESCRIPTION

        No change.

II.) CAPACITY AND PRESENT PERSONNEL

        This Lazaret has a capacity of 400 prisoners. At present there are 109 British prisoners, of whom 93 are patients, three are physicians and thirteen are sanitary personnel. There are also French and Polish prisoners here.

III.) INTERIOR ARRANGEMENTS

        Each prisoner now has two blankets. The thirty blankets which were taken away from the prisoners mentioned in previous camp reports are still at the Reserve Lazaret where they are in storage. Presumably they are being kept to replace other blankets which prisoners might destroy if they attempt to escape. German authorities stated that no British blankets, either privately owned or sent by the Red Cross, were being used except by the British prisoners.

IV.) BATHING AND WASHING FACILITIES

        Adequate.

V.) TOILET FACILITIES

        Satisfactory.

VI.) FOOD AND COOKING

        The kitchen is clean, light and airy and the equipment is adequate. No information could be obtained about the composition of the food other than the sausage served is largely gelatin. A sample menu is attached to the end of this report.

VII.) MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SICKNESS

        In the Lazaret there are about six cases of beri-beri. The British doctors state that these are now relapsing because of the lack of thiamine. Vitamin B, both for oral and parentaral administration is needed badly. There are also ten or fifteen cases of malaria of all types. The supply of anti-malarial drugs is low, quinine, atabrin and plasmoquin are needed. The British doctors also asked for McLean's powder for their gastric cases. Thirty men with amputations from wounds received in the campaign in Greece and Crete are still in the Lazaret. Many of these patients are now ready for artificial limbs and should be provided with them. There are also two convalescent typhoid patients, several postdiphtheritic cases, and one or two poliomyolitis patients.

        Captain Gilder stated that Vitamin B and certain medical supplies including medicines were wanted. Dr. Zeller asked him to send a list of all needed supplies to him personally at Reserve Lazaret Ludwigsburg. If these supplies are not promptly forthcoming, an effort will be made to have them sent from London.

        The British doctors state that their relations with the French patients are now very good.

        According to reports, the first train load of wounded sent from Greece to Germany included only baggage and cattle car compartments. The captives were locked inside for five days, and the only refreshment and food allowed them - aside from these elementary provisions which they brought with them - were provided at Belgrade by representatives of the American Red Cross. Toilet facilities were, of course, not existent and hence living conditions for the seriously and lightly wounded were extremely unpleasant. One prisoner died on route, while a second, it was learned, was shot allegedly for attempting to escape. The second and third train loads had better conditions. They were sent up in hospital trains, and the care and the food which the prisoners received were very satisfactory. It is not known here whether any more trains have come up. No more patients have been received here since the third train. It is the opinion of the British doctors that there are still some British wounded left in the hospitals in Salonika and Athens.

VIII.) CLOTHING

        Satisfactory, although the Australians would like more warm clothing. Boots and uniforms are needed here since the men were captured in a warm climate and are not sufficiently well clothed for the German winter.

IX.) LAUNDRY

        Satisfactory.

X.) MONEY AND PAY

        Satisfactory.

XI.) CANTEEN

        Satisfactory.

XII.) RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY

        There is no Protestant chaplain but there is a French Catholic priest.

XIII.) RECREATION AND EXERCISE

        No changes.

XIV.) MAIL

        Mail has become more frequent of late and the German authorities stated that censorship at STALAG V B required now only three days. There are four or five English speaking censors at STALAG V B. It was learned that certain British officers who wanted to write letters to friends in Egypt and Sweden had their letters returned from the censorship at STALAG V B. Local authorities stated they would investigate this matter since there was no reason that they know why such letters should not be forwarded.

        Red Cross parcels are now being received, but none have been received in the Lazaret in Ehingen. Such parcels are now coming directly to Reserve Lazaret Rottenmuenster rather than through STALAG V B and hence are coming more quickly.

XV.) WELFARE WORK

        This camp is visited occasionally by members of the International Y.M.C.A.

XVI.) COMPLAINTS

        Conflicts between the French and British prisoners at this Reserve Lazaret appear to have diminished. Such conflicts as existed in the past apparently were due mainly to personal differences and to the somewhat strained political relations between the Vichy Government and London.

        Captain Gilder was pleased that the prisoners now have their own kitchen where they can cook the contents of food parcels. He added that he had two weeks' reserve of such packages. Gilder praised Dr. Essig and some of his assistants. He did not share the Embassy inspector's opinion that Oberstabsarzt Dr. Zeller was a capable and efficient officer. It was learned that on the morning of the day during which this visit took place the Reserve Lazaret was inspected by representatives of the Mixed Medical Commission, and that of the 54 cases presented by the local authorities and by Captain Gilder for examination 32 were passed and 22 were not passed. The Mixed Medical Commission refused to pass any tuberculosis cases which were screened. These patients, however, were recognized by the local authorities. They will be examined again in six months.

        Details concerning four Indian patients at this hospital, one of whom has died, have been sent to London by special cable. Gilder reported that Red Cross food packages are still being received at this Reserve Lazaret after having been forwarded from STALAG V D, although as is well known there have been no British prisoners at STALAG V D since January 1941.

        Captain Gilder was informed that discussions were under way with a view to the possible dispatch of Indian wounded prisoners to a warmer climate such as southern Italy. Captain Gilder hoped that if this proves successful it may include Maories and even wounded Australians and New Zealand troops.

XVII.) GENERAL IMPRESSION

        Captain Gilder stated that he also had worked at Reserve Lazaret Dieburg and that Rottenmuenster was better. It will be recalled that there have been no British or Belgian prisoners at Dieburg since September 1941.

        All matters subject to complaint in this report have been discussed with the local camp authorities. Defects which the local camp authorities refuse to correct or state they are unable to correct, have been taken up with the German High Command in Berlin in a letter dated November 19, 1941.

Dr. Charles Spicknall

Gordon Knox.

MENU FOR THE WAR-LAZARET ROTTENMUENSTER from 21 to 31.10.41.

        Approved: