TRANSLATION BY THE LONDON DELEGATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS COMMITTEE

STALAG V B

Visited on the 9th September 1944 by Dr. Landholt.

Strength: 16843 prisoners of whom 44 British, of these 4 officers 12 NCOs 26 Privates and 2 civilian internees.

        1 Irish private

        1 Canadian private

        2 South Africans of these: 1 officer 1 NCO.

        11 Americans of these 1 officer 6 NCOs 4 Privates

        3 British doctors.

Accommodation:

        The camp is situated in a flat district to the north west of a small town, amongst a great number of barracks and private houses. As the site of the camp is lower than the surroundings it is not particularly good and will be very cold in winter.

        The camp is composed of wooden huts, each accommodating about 25 prisoners. The latrines are outside the huts.

        The prisoners of different nationalities are segregated. It is possible to consider as good the way the huts are arranged. The camp is not overcrowded. All parts of the camp now have air raid shelters re-inforced with cement, and they can be considered as good.

Food:

        The Camp leaders say that the food is poor, and that it has been decreased in quantity recently, though the rations would appear still to correspond to the prescribed ones for prisoners of war. However, the food is not cooked in accordance with the wishes of the various prisoners of different nationalities.

        The French head cook has absolute control of all the food stuffs with which he is issued. Food from the collective consignments, is prepared, either in the huts, or in a special kitchen reserved for this purpose.

Canteen:

        As in all camps, it is not particularly well supplied. The profits go to the benefit of the prisoners.

Clothing:

        No special mention was made of the subject of clothing for the British prisoners.

Hygiene:

        The hygienic arrangements in the camp are satisfactory. There are however, bugs and fleas in the camp, and the last disinfection does not appear to have eliminated them, though this inconvenience is not very marked here.

Medical Service:

        There are 90 beds in the infirmary. At the time of the Delegates visit there were no British patients.

        The Head German doctor said that most of the patients were evacuated to the lazaret if their illness lasted six days or more.

        There is a sufficient stock of medicines.

        The lazaret is established in a sanatorium about 5 km from the camp. It is situated in the middle of a wood, on the side of a hill from there there is a lovely view of the mountain sides. The building is rather old fashioned and un-practical; however it suits its purpose fairly well. The sick from STALAG V B are admitted to this lazaret.

        On the day of the Delegates visit there were 236 patients. When the Delegate arrived, the patients were reporting all their possible ailments, amongst these, as in other camps, new cases of ulcers predominated. According to their ailments, the patients are put either in the surgical or the medical section. The equipment enables the specialists to make thorough examinations. The X-rays are taken at the German infirmary. There is also an operating theatre. Lists of the medicines required have been sent to Geneva.

        Since the last few weeks there is a new Oberstabsarzt in charge of the lazaret. The prisoner doctors speak well of him from every point of view. In the course of their visit, the Delegates were very favourably impressed, particularly with regard to the collaboration established between the different doctors.

        In the usual way this lazaret holds 300 beds, which is why, at present, it must be considered as overcrowded, as there are besides 70 prisoners graded unfit for service. The French doctor told the Delegates that the overcrowding prevented their admitting new prisoners who were unfit for service.

Recreation, Intellectual and Spiritual Needs:-

        There is a catholic priest and a protestant pastor who both minister in Stalag V B. Mass is celebrated regularly in a lovely little chapel.

        There is also a sports ground; but as the prisoners of various nationalities are segregated, it is impossible to organise any international competitions.

Correspondence:

        Two cards and two letters a month for every prisoner and an extra card for all NCOs.

Work:

        On an average they work 60 hours in the working detachments, and in general, working conditions are harder.

Discipline:

        The Camp leaders say that it is hard and strict but correct. They added that they had little to do with the Camp Commandant, whilst his replacement makes frequent contacts with the prisoners, and his attitude is very correct.

        Between the kitchen and the Italian Section two huts have been erected which are used as detention huts for persons under arrest.

Final Interview with the Camp Leaders and the Doctors:

        The Delegates were able to talk with the Camp leaders for seven hours. All points already mentioned in this report were considered.

Conclusion:

        Considering its situation, this camp must be considered as only fair, however, on the whole it is moderately satisfactory.