Stalag VB

TRANSLATION BY THE LONDON DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEE (Germany)

Americans

British i.e.

Indians

English

Arabs

Canadians

437 patients dont:

Medical staff

recognised

non-recognised

This lazaret is situated in an old hospital. The rooms are spacious, but unfortunately they are rather dark, the rooms being comparatively small. The doctors have no complaints to make in regard to the accommodation however. All the patients have individual bedsteads; each of them has two blankets, there is enough bedding. The medical staff have a large room furnished with two-tier bunks. The officers quarters suffice, though they are rather cramped.

The rooms in this lazaret have not changed at all since the last visit of the delegates. The prisoner doctors are satisfied with their quarters and those of the patients.

The food is adequate; the usual rations are issued and the man in charge of the kitchen can check the allocations of food stuffs made to the lazaret. The prisoners have no difficulty in preparing the contents of Red Cross food parcels. A certain amount of complication is, however, caused by the numerous Indian prisoners present not eating ordinary European meals.

The British and American prisoners are not at all satisfied with the consignments sent them from Geneva. They get the impression that on account of their being only a small group of men they are sometimes overlooked. It is difficult for the Camp Leaders to reply adequately to complaints from soldiers that prisoners of other nationalities are better treated and receive more clothing. It would be a useful move to send a considerable consignment of clothing here as soon as possible addressed to the British, who specially need overcoats, body-linen and pyjamas. A consignment was announced to be coming but nothing has yet reached this lazaret.

The sanitary installations, such as latrines, washplaces and showerbaths, are equipped in the normal way, and the quantity of disinfectant available is adequate.

The co-operation between the prisoner doctors and the Staff doctor is good and the prisoner doctors get on very well with one another.

The doctors are satisfied with the operating theatres, the consultation rooms and the laboratory. On the whole, all the cases which have been sent to the Reservelazarett have been able to receive the appropriate treatment.

This hospital comprises 3 sections: a medical section (containing within itself a section for neuro-psychiatry), a surgical section (having a specially good ear-nose- and throat section), and a dermatological section.

The British doctor stated that unfortunately the men often arrive several days after a visit of the Mixed Medical Commission has taken place. Cases which are considered to be unfit for service have to wait a minimum of 6 months before being examined by the M.M.C. and a further 6 months afterwards before they can hope to be repatriated. This makes a whole year wasted. The British doctor declared to the delegate, however, that he did not see how this state of things could be remedied.

The British doctor drew attention to the fact that unfortunately the members of the medical staff at this lazaret have very little chance of being repatriated. It is, nevertheless, the best of them, who have been of the most use, who are never sent to a Stalag. When exchanges take place the men exchanged should not be merely those who are superfluous at any given Stalag, but those prisoners in lazarets who have been there longest and more particularly those medical orderlies who by their devotion have well deserved to be among the first repatriated men. In particular he mentioned for recommendation these men:

There is no Anglican priest at this lazaret. It seems that there is one too many at Oflag V A. The delegate asked the German authorities, during his final interview with them whether something could not be done about this. Steps will be taken to this effect.

The library is poor in French and English books. Books of all kind are lacking. A consignment - mostly of fiction - should be sent out without delay.

Mail to and from England worked normally until a month ago. The last letter to arrive at the lazaret is dated the 14th April. Since then, no further letters have arrived.

The British and the few Americans have enough supplies in hand to cover 8 weeks' consumption. But the supplies of Indian parcels are now completely exhausted. The Camp Leader says he does not know how he is going to solve the problem of the next distribution. The Indians will not eat preserved meat, but if the meat content of ordinary parcels is withdrawn there remains only a half-parcel. If possible, adequate reserve supplies of Indian parcels should be sent out. The transport from Geneva to the station of Villingen is satisfactory. Thefts only take place between Villingen and the lazaret.

The delegate was able to talk freely to each of the above. Unfortunately no one, not even the German authorities of the lazaret had been warned that he was coming. The prisoners, therefore, had no opportunity to prepare a statement of any grievances they might have. The officer from the Defence Ministry who accompanied the delegate at once sent a note in regard to this to the Stalag responsible. No serious complaints were made during the final interview the delegate had with the German authorities. The various details which were discussed were able to be attended to upon the spot, and without delay.