Stalag VIIIB

From our report on Stalag 344 of February 7th and 8th, 1944, the division of the former Stalag VIII B - Lamsdorf into Stalag 344 and Stalag VIII B - Teschen will be noted. The former commander of Stalag VIII B - Lamsdorf has moved with his staff to Teschen.

The camp is situated in the small city of Teschen in fairly pleasant surroundings. It is not a new camp by any means as its construction dates back to the Austrian reign, that is to say at least 35 years ago. It was then built to provide billets for the Austrian frontier guards. It goes without saying that today most of the barracks need rebuilding.

The compound includes 14 large wooden barracks, of which two are allotted to British prisoners of war as sleeping quarters, 1 as lazaret and 1 as theatre and entertainments centre. The only barrack of recent construction is the one built by British prisoners of war about two years ago (when it was meant to be the beginning of a British lazaret in Teschen, which was never completed) and today used as a medical barrack, the operating theatre, the dispensary, the dental station and a few other rooms being located here. The kitchen is in a separate barrack, also the canteen.

Unfortunately and astonishingly this is not a purely British camp; there are Russian, Italian, Serbian prisoners of war as well as some other nationalities and there is no attempt on the German side to separate any nationality from the other. The British do, however, possess their own barracks but during day time the prisoners of war are free to mix with each other and there is nobody stopping them.

The total number of British prisoners of war in the Stalag VIII B today is 11535, of whom there are

The number of working detachments in the area of Stalag VIII B is 53. Reports of those visited by the Delegate of the Protecting Power on this tour follow hereafter.

From the British Isles

" Ireland

" Canada

" Australia

" New Zealand

" South Africa

" U.S.A.

8,890

110

618

971

880

11,535

The sleeping rooms of the prisoners of war are quite pleasant, spacious enough and well heated. Lighting too is adequate. There are double-tier wooden beds. Each man has two blankets. At present there is no overcrowding. Although the barracks as such are rather old, as far as the sleeping quarters are concerned these cannot be considered as unsatisfactory.

Bathing facilities are satisfactory; hot baths are available each week. Washing facilities are in an annexe to each barrack (running cold water). Satisfactory.

Food is cooked by the prisoners themselves in the special kitchen barracks where at the same time the other nationalities represented in the camp are also cooking their food. Although no particular complaint was made about this arrangement, the fears and arguments as set out under points VII and XVI of this report were put to the Delegate of the Protecting Power.

Food as such was not complained about. The correct rations are being received. Private cooking is done in a special room at the disposal of British prisoners of war and was described as satisfactory. There is a large stock of Red Cross food parcels.

There are, at present, four British Medical Officers in this camp, excluding the Senior British Medical Officer, Major A.W. Woolley. The latter gave the following information as to the purely British administrative side of the lazaret:

"The drug position is satisfactory, in fact better than anywhere else I have been before. Most of it is from England, but large quantities of German medicaments are also received. I have full charge of the medical block, that is to say the operating theatre, the dental station, the dispensary and everything is run jointly with the other nationalities".

There are 253 beds in the lazaret, of whom 18 are reserved for British patients and which are located in a separate room. On the day of visit there were 18 British patients, but no serious cases.

Speaking for the whole of Stalag and as far as the British prisoners of war are concerned, the situation of this lazaret is, according to Major Woolley, geographically unsatisfactory, as it is far removed from the area in which the working detachments are situated, but intended to be served by this lazaret. This could be remedied by moving the British lazaret to suitable premises in the industrial area, a suggestion which will be strongly supported by the Delegate of the Protecting Power in his future discussions with the General at Breslau and the OKW, although on the German side the plans to put this suggestion into practice are already far advanced and the opening of a British lazaret in the centre of the industrial region is contemplated shortly.

The dental treatment lies in the hands of a Russian dentist, assisted by Russian dental mechanics. There was no complaint.

In general, however, the position of this lazaret was said to be unsatisfactory on account of the mixture of nationalities and although all British patients are separated from the other nationalities, a proper segregation in other ways is practically impossible. In this connexion Major Woolley wishes it to be known to the British Government that he is supplying the Russian patients in this lazaret with British drugs and food as far as that is possible from the invalid food and medical parcels received, but that he is doing everything that can be done to bring about a separation both in the lazaret and the camp, and he requested the Delegate of the Protecting Power to use his influence with the camp commander in that respect. When discussing the latter with the Germans the Delegate of the Protecting Power was informed of a planned construction of a new camp for the Russian prisoners of war, due to start in about six weeks. Until its completion, however, there will be no possibility of meeting the above demands. The Protecting Power will therefore report the matter to the OKW.

Major Woolley also requested a statement of the duties of British Medical Officers employed on working detachments with particular reference to their limitations and rights. It is asked to know whether a British Medical Officer is able to put a man off work in the absence of a German Medical Officer, realizing that when a British Medical Officer and German Medical Officer opinions differ, the latter's opinion must be accepted. It is requested that every British Medical Officer be furnished with a pass written in German and English (similar to that now held by some Medical Officers, but stating in addition his duties, limitations and the camps which he is permitted to visit). The matter was discussed with the camp commander, who stated that the British Medical Officer could put a man off work until the opinion of a German Medical Officer could be obtained and that the Under-Officer in charge of the camp (Kommandofuhrer) was obliged to accept the decision of the British Medical Officer. On the other hand in a similar case of British sanitator and German Kommandofuhrer the reply given was that the decision as to whether a man was sick or not lay with the Kommandofuhrer, but should the opinion of the British sanitator and German Kommandofuhrer differ, it would be for the British doctor to decide.

The camp commander also told the Delegate of the Protecting Power that everything was being done on the German side to employ as large a number of British Medical Officers in the industrial areas as was at all possible. These efforts would be continued in the future.

At first the clothing position in this Stalag was very satisfactory as the clothing department brought large stocks from Lamsdorf when being transferred here. However, later the position became rather difficult when about 2,000 British prisoners of war from Stalag VIII A were pushed on to this Stalag, that is to say started working in detachments of the Stalag VIII B area. These men had arrived from Italy with bad clothing and were issued none by Stalag VIII A before being detailed for work in Stalag VIII B detachments. However, clothing is arriving now and the situation is improving daily. It was also pointed out that the men who had arrived from Italy never received any private clothing parcels.

The canteen is moderately well stocked. There are three British prisoners of war in charge.

No complaint. There are 2 chaplains in the camp, one Church of England and one Free Church. At the present there is no Roman Catholic padre.

There was no complaint regarding indoor entertainments or recreation: There is a very pleasant little theatre and an orchestra is being formed.

Outdoor exercise, however, leaves much to be desired. There is no sportsfield inside the compound and the limited area outside the British barracks allows for net-ball only. When discussing the matter with the camp commander, it was stated that no sportsfield in or out of the town could be used by prisoners of war and that in the opinion of the camp authorities there were good opportunities for sports within the camp compound.

Owing to the position of this camp (situated near the centre of the city) no satisfactory solution is possible. The OKW will, however, be informed of the situation regarding sports.

No complaint. The mail department is functioning very well. Mail is just beginning to arrive for those prisoners of war who arrived from Italy last autumn.

On the following matters complaints were put to the Delegate of the Protecting Power.

1. Mixed Camp. Although the Germans give hints suggesting that it is up to the British prisoners of war to keep to themselves, in practice this is very difficult, if indeed not impossible. As so to speak everything is being done in conjunction with other nationalities (Cobblering, tailoring, cooking - other nationalities using the same cookhouse - lazaret etc.) a separation is out of question. However, the commander is unable to do anything about it and the Protecting Power will therefore refer the matter to the OKW. As pointed out under VII of this report, the greatest fears are on the medical side, as the health of the other nationalities, particularly the Russians, leaves much to be desired.

2. Confiscation of Red Cross Food (unopened tins), clothing, petrol lighters, etc. from men entering the camp. The Germans state that unopened food or tins, as well as certain types of clothing and a few other articles well known to prisoners of war were liable to be confiscated. In the case of food tins information was volunteered that such confiscated food is handed to the lazaret of the camp for the benefit of all. Against this procedure the British camp authorities protest and therefore the Delegate of the Protecting Power arranged for the British and German camp authorities to meet and find another solution acceptable to both sides.

3. Permission is asked for R.S.M. Read or R.S.M. Titley to attend all burials of British prisoners of war with or without Padre. This was granted at once by the Germans, stating that such permission has never been refused in the past.

4. Protected Personnel. The British ask that such prisoners of war should immediately cease work on receiving proof of identity certificates, as in the past often weeks have gone by without the men concerned being released upon receipt of such certificates. The camp commander stated that this was not known to him, but new instruction on the subject would be sent to all commandos.

Although the mixture of nationalities is in no way desirable, merely on account of this fact this camp cannot be described as a bad one; it must not be forgotten either that it is more or less an administrative centre only and as a rule a relatively small number of British prisoners of war remains here any considerable length of time.

There are now 487 prisoners of war in this camp, which was last visited on October 13th, 1943. Generally speaking there are still the same working conditions; although there is no established rule, the men are off every second Sunday. However, the delegate of the Protecting Power was given the names of men who have worked for seven consecutive weeks with only one single day off during this time. He protested strongly against such proceedings and was promised that in future it would not happen again.

The man of confidence stated that as far as the camp was concerned, matters were satisfactory with the exception of one point. He is asking for the following additional camp-staff as the present strength was inadequate.

Already in the camp are 2 Sgt. Majors, 4 tailors, 4 cobblers, 2 cooks, 1 butcher, 1 man for the canteen, 1 man for the Red Cross stores, 1 barber, 1 man for the German stores, 2 camp cleaners, 3 sanitators and 1 interpreter. (This request will be put to the Camp Commander at Teschen by the delegate of the Protecting Power).

The Medical officer stated that since our last visit there had been no serious accident but an ever increasing number of minor ones, such as hand-injuries, concussion etc. He again confirmed that the medical examination as to whether a man is fit to work in a mine had been most cursory in the past but that in the case of this camp the doctor of the mine had now no longer any say in the matter, all examinations being carried out by himself in conjunction with the German military doctor. A further point in question is the absence of any opportunity to train newly arrived prisoners of war for mining-work, thus totally inexperienced men are on occasions still sent down without any tuition to work along with professional miners. This matter will be put to the General at Breslau by the delegate of the Protecting Power when calling there shortly, requesting that steps be taken to end this state of affairs.

There are still three prisoners of war wearing glasses who work in the mine. When putting the matter to the Germans, orders were given for these men to work above ground.

The medical officer stated that he had an adequate supply of medicaments both from Germans and Red Cross sources.

There are still a few British working detachments in the neighbourhood without their own medical officer, and Capt. Lancaster has so far not been allowed to visit these. The delegate of the Protecting Power will therefore do his best to obtain such a permission from the commander of Stalag VIII B when calling on him.

It was further pointed out to the delegate of the Protecting Power that neither the medical officer nor the sanitators in this camp had received any pay since their arrival at this camp on October 26th, 1943. This matter, too, will be settled by the delegate of the Protecting Power when visiting the base camp.

When inquiring after the state of health of Pte. A. Coleman, PoW No. 4437 (please see our last report of October 13th, 1943) the delegate of the Protecting Power was told that Coleman was feeling quite well but that his paralysis was no better. However, he will be sent home with the next repatriation.

On the occasion of his last visit to this camp the delegate of the Protecting Power had expressed the wish for section 2 of the mine to be barred for British prisoners of war, but according to the man of confidence prisoners have ever since worked in that particular part of the mine. When repeating his request this time, the Germans promised to consider the matter.

Bath house arrangements are still as unsatisfactory as on our last visit. Again the delegate of the Protecting Power sternly requested that an improvement be brought about and he was definitely promised that this shall be done. The Stalag is to take the matter in hand (to be checked).

Regarding the clothing position it was stated that underground workers were given working clothes and boots, though the quality or state of such protective clothes is not always satisfactory. Regarding British clothing only few men have two uniforms and two pairs of boots so that generally speaking the situation is far from being satisfactory.

Regarding sports, the prisoners state that they have very poor facilities and are seldom allowed to go out for football and have never played any other detachment. The Germans explained that it was extremely difficult to find a suitable ground in industrial regions but promised to try again.

The new camp mentioned in our last report of October 12th, 1943, is still not quite completed but the prisoners have already taken possession of it; therefore, the two commandos (E 593, Part A, and E 593, Part B) are joined again in one camp.

There has been no change in the working conditions. 200 men are now working below ground and the others are split up into several working detachments.

At the moment there is some slight overcrowding as some of the barracks are not yet completed. However, this problem will solve itself in due course. There are only 191 men with 2 blankets, the others have only one; the reason for providing the prisoners of war with only one blanket in this camp seems to be an order by the General at Breslau which states that only one blanket may be given out if there are insufficient supplies, but provided the barracks can be well heated. This order has been complied with in this camp. The delegate assured himself that the heating was adequate but all the same a protest will be made to the General at Breslau against this order.

The sanitator in charge, Sgt. R.C. Bentley, PoW No.23253, stated that the general health was satisfactory. At the moment there is a certain amount of 'flu, tonsillitis and colds, but nothing very serious. On the day of visit there was only one patient in the revier. Altogether there are 5 sanitators. Sgt. Bentley complained that the revier had still not been supplied with bedding and an adequate number of blankets that in the past patients had been obliged to bring their own along, naturally a very unsatisfactory state of affairs. When [debating] this point with the Germans, it was promised that the revier shall receive a satisfactory supply of blankets.

In this camp too the protected personnel has not received any pay since October 1943 and the matter will be taken up at the base camp by the delegate of the Protecting Power.

The complaints put forward, apart from the above, concerned the following points:

(1) Medical attention and examination by the doctor of the mine (a woman doctor) were stated to be unsatisfactory in every way. The delegate of the Protecting Power will therefore request the commander of Stalag VIII B to appoint a British medical officer for duty in this area as there are three other commandos in the district without a medical officer in addition to this detachment.

(2) There are still about 30 men working underground who wear glasses. This matter will be taken up with the O.K.W.

This commando was last visited on October 12th, 1943. Since then the strength of the camp has increased to 403 British prisoners of war, of whom one is in hospital and three are away at a holiday camp.

The delegate of the Protecting Power was informed that another 200 prisoners of war are expected to arrive shortly; he, therefore, requested information regarding their accommodation as at present the camp is already overcrowded. The Germans stated that another barrack would be added to this camp. This addition would also remedy the overcrowding of the present quarters.

On the following matters the man of confidence lodged complaints with the delegate of the Protecting Power:

(1) There is an utter lack of cleaning materials, such as brooms, brushes, soap, etc. In order to keep the camp clean, the prisoners of war have helped themselves with self-made brooms from strings and other makeshift arrangements, but they now ask for adequate supplies of what is required to keep the camp in a clean state. The matter was discussed with the Germans who were unable to give a satisfactory reply as the materials concerned were unobtainable at the present moment.

(2) The firm used to supply the prisoners of war with working shirts and towels but recently stopped all supplies. On discussing the matter with the Germans the delegate of the Protecting Power was told that there were none in stock and could not be provided at the moment.

(3) In this camp, too, there are 100 men with only one blanket; the question will be dealt with as indicated in the report on Work. det. No. 593 Schomberg.

(4) Recently a new system was introduced by which prisoners of war must pay separately for their soap ration, i.e. to say the man of confidence must now collect the small amounts from each individual prisoner, this means a great deal of additional work and he is asking the return to the old system by which the deduction is made directly on the pay sheet. The Germans promised to look into the matter and meet the wish of the man of confidence.

(5) The prisoners of war complain that burners (part of lamp that shapes the flame) were not issued in adequate numbers and were recently of very poor quality. When putting this to the Germans, it was said that the prisoners of war often use these for bartering, but at the same time it was admitted that burners received lately were of poor quality.

For this camp, too, the medical attention lies chiefly in the hands of a woman doctor (see previous report) employed by the mine. She is stated to watch over the interests of the firm in the first place and often declared men fit for work in the mine, when, in the opinion of the prisoners of war, a man is decidedly unfit. Hospital accommodation in the neighbourhood was described as being insufficient too. The prisoners therefore ask for a German military doctor or a British medical officer to be put in charge of the medical side of this camp; although this request will meet with some difficulties on the part of the (powerful) firm employing the prisoners, the delegate of the Protecting Power will put it to the Commander of Stalag VIII B as well as to the O.K.W., being determined to achieve relief and help in this important matter.

In this camp too, the numbers of accidents are increasing and in this connection the often complete ignorance of the German language on the part of the prisoners was mentioned; it may happen that in the mine the prisoners, very likely non-professional miners at that, are suddenly shouted at by a German miner endeavouring to give a warning of falling coal or any other danger, yet the prisoner remains where he is simply because he does not understand what was said to him. This point, too, will be brought to the knowledge of the O.K.W. and the General at Breslau.

This demand will be put to the Commander of Stalag VIII B at Teschen by the delegate of the Protecting Power.

This is the first visit by the Protecting Power paid to this working detachment. There are 117 British prisoners of war engaged on mining work, 34 men work on top and the others are divided in three shifts working underneath. As a rule the men are away from camp for nine hours, actual work amounting to scarcely 8 hours daily. Every second Sunday is free. Most of the men have been attached to this working party for over three years and would very much welcome a change.

Work in the mine is described as somewhat dangerous, partly on account of falling coal or bad air although it is said not to be gassy. In order to obtain a fair picture of conditions in the mine, the delegate of the Protecting Power interviewed a number of professional English miners. These stated that generally speaking mines in England were safer as there "safety comes first" and here "coal comes first", suggesting that security measures are not always satisfactory, quite apart from the fact that the mine as such is considered to be unsafe on account of the high seams (8 to 9m.) no longer adequately secured because of the shortage of timber. It was also said that new workers are not given any instruction and have to learn by themselves.

When discussing these points with the Germans, it was stated that this mine was definitely considered as a safe mine by German standards.

The camp as such is very satisfactory. Accommodation is provided in a stone building, comprising two large and well aired sleeping rooms, fitted with spring-beds and central heating. Alongside these two sleeping-rooms runs a fairly spacious corridor providing excellent facilities for storing the private belongings of the prisoners of war. In addition, there is a proper store room in which each prisoner has his own cupboard.

Washing facilities are very satisfactory; the washroom is next to the sleeping quarters and there is always hot and cold running water.

Near the main building is a wooden barrack with the following accommodation: 1 room for the sanitator, 1 work shop for the cobbler and the tailor and 1 large day and recreation room including adequate facilities for the cooking of private food.

The sanitator stated that he had no proper revier but that four beds were reserved in the main sleeping quarters for sick prisoners of war. This naturally not being a satisfactory arrangement, he has already asked the Germans for an extension to be added to the wooden barrack with direct access to his room. He has the promise of the Germans that it shall be done and on inquiring into the matter, the delegate of the Protecting Power was assured that this extension, the revier to be, will be constructed as soon as the necessary material is at hand.

The sanitator stated the general health of the men to be good. Medicaments are supplied in about equal shares by Red Cross and German sources. Until recently dental treatment had been satisfactory but according to a new order men requiring false teeth must now return to Stalag. Fillings and extractions can still be done at Kattowitz. At the moment 3 men require dentures.

The German doctor at the mine is stated to be overworked and not in a position to pay good attention to prisoners of war and it is asked for the British medical officer at Hindenburg to visit this camp every fortnight. The delegate of the Protecting Power will, therefore, discuss the matter at the Base camp, endeavouring to fill this wish.

Cooking is done by a civilian woman and the prisoners have no complaint. There is a stock of 548 Red Cross parcels.

Each prisoner has only one uniform but everybody has been supplied with working overalls and those engaged below in the mine receive rubber boots.

Until recently the mine laundry did all the washing for the prisoners, but the men are no longer satisfied with this arrangement and are now looking out for a laundress to do their private washing, sending only mine clothing to the mine laundry.

The men state that they have no complaints apart from the fact of their having been here too long.

This camp was visited for the last time in March, 1943. The working conditions are about the same as last year, the prisoners working in three shifts of 8 3/4 hours daily.

The trouble in this party is that the mine is very damp and that prisoners often have to work in water without sufficient protecting clothing; some rubber boots are provided but their number is not sufficient to provide some to all the men who have to work in wet parts; besides, they are now of such a bad quality as not to provide adequate protection. The German authorities declare themselves absolutely unable to improve the situation as it is simply impossible nowadays to procure rubber articles in Germany.

296 prisoners are still living in the camp described in last report and there is nothing new to be said about it; as a whole the situation is satisfactory.

A new camp is in the course of building a few hundred yards from the old camp. It will be nearer the mine. When completed, this new camp will provide accommodation for the whole party; for the time being 202 men are already living there in some of the barracks which have been completed; it will take certainly another six months before the whole party can be moved to the new camp. It is composed of brick barracks, each one with a central passage on both sides small rooms with accommodation for 10 to 12 men.

The kitchen, washing and toilet facilities are now temporary ones, rather primitive but sufficient.

The medical attention is satisfactory. There are three British medical orderlies for the whole camp but an application for two more has been made. There is a daily sick parade at a Polish doctor's under the supervision of a German military doctor. Besides, the British medical officer stationed at detachment E 538 visits the camp twice a week. The general state of health is satisfactory. There have been very few cases of serious illness but quite a number of slight colds and pains in the back due to the dampness of the mine. There have been recently a certain number of accidents but no fatal ones. The average of men out of work is about 25 and of men kept in bed about 4 to 5.

The drug supply from Geneva and Red Cross sources was said to be sufficient. Dental attention as before.

The man of confidence complains that the prisoners have great difficulty to keep clean with the amount of soap they have as recently only N.Z. parcels (containing no soap) were issued. The matter was discussed later on with the chief man of confidence in Stalag VIII B who agreed to send in future no longer N.Z. parcels to the mining parties except if he is in a position to issue them with extra bulk of soap.

The clothing situation is far from satisfactory; like in most working parties the issue of working clothes in definitely insufficient in quantity as well as in quality; the "blues" provided by the mine are wearing out very quickly and tailors, although constantly repairing them, can hardly cope with the situation. For three years only 80 spare working clothes have been delivered by the firm, apart from the first issue.

Each prisoner has one uniform but often in bad condition. About 200 men from this party came from Italy with very bad clothing. These men who came from Italy complained that they have received no mail so far; however, as in other camps the mail for prisoners from Italy has just started arriving, it is hoped that it will be the same here.

There were no complaints about the treatment in this party which can be considered as a fairly good one.

British non-commissioned officer in charge of party: Sgt. G.H. Bishop, POW No. 25929.

This party has existed since July 1943 and was never visited before. The prisoners work in a coal mine, all of them underneath; the normal working hours are 9 hours actual work daily, but they have constantly to do extra hours. Every third Sunday is free. Pay regular.

The camp is composed of wooden barracks, is well laid out with much space between the barracks. There are 16 men per room. No overcrowding. Every prisoner has two blankets. The heating and lighting are adequate.

The prisoners complained that some bugs had been found in some rooms and that some of the roofs are leaking. Both these complaints were discussed with the German authorities who promised to take at once the necessary steps.

The washing and toilet facilities, in special barracks, are satisfactory. Hot baths can be had at any time at the mine.

The food is cooked by civilians outside the camp and was said to have improved recently. It seems that it had been very bad indeed at the beginning. The prisoners would prefer to do their own cooking but it will certainly be very difficult to provide the kitchen equipment. However, as a new camp of brick barracks is being built, the military authorities, who are in favour of the prisoners having their own kitchen promised to do their best to obtain satisfaction for the prisoners on that point.

The medical attention is satisfactory. The prisoners are looked after by a German military doctor and besides a British medical officer comes twice a week from Party E 543. There is in the camp a well equipped revier.

Owing to the very hard working conditions the state of health is pretty bad in this camp with an out of work proportion reaching sometimes over 30% of the camp strength. On the day of the visit 5 men were in the revier but no serious cases.

There have been so far no fatal accidents but since July last 10 serious cases, due probably to the fact that the prisoners are often very tired and not able of taking care of themselves as they should.

For special X-ray examinations the prisoners are sent to the hospital in Sosnowice, the serious surgical cases are sent for treatment to Lazaret Laurahuette, and the serious medical cases to Lazaret Kattowitz.

The drug supply from the German side is very limited but with the help of the Red Cross medical parcels the British medical officer is able to carry on. The German doctor was said to be very helpful.

The working clothes issued by the mine are of very poor quality as well as the working boots; there are practically no rubber boots issued; fortunately this mine is much dryer than others in this area.

The uniforms are generally in a very poor condition, most of the prisoners in this camp having come from Italy.

Sport facilities are there, but the prisoners do not make much use of them now, being too tired and the spirit in the camp being very low.

The incoming mail was said to have been better recently and even some prisoners from Italy have started receiving letters.

There are no serious complaints concerning the camp itself or the treatment by the German military authorities; on the contrary the Kommandofuehrer does everything he can to help the prisoners. But the working conditions, as far as could be ascertained during that visit are really appalling, probably the worst seen in any mining party ever visited by the delegate of the Protecting Power.

The prisoners have to work together with Polish miners, generally one or two prisoners with three or four civilians. Each party has to do a certain amount of work during the day. If not completed in the mine hours, the whole party must stay longer in order to finish the task. The result has been that, for the last month for instance, the average time of actual work has been about 11.15 hours a day. This is, of course, definitely too much for mining work and considering that prisoners are not free every Sunday.

Besides, it seems that on one or two occasions recently prisoners were compelled to work an extra shift to replace a normal free Sunday.

The British medical officer, Capt. Seaford, was fortunately in the camp at the time of the visit and the delegate of the Protecting Power had a long interview with him. Having been a very long time in another mining party and visiting regularly 3 other mining parties, he is certainly in a position to judge the situation, and his opinion is very valuable. He declared that, generally speaking, in his opinion the state of health in mining parties is good and that the work does not seem to affect the health of the prisoners. But in this party the general state of health must be considered as unsatisfactory. As mentioned before, the rate of out of work prisoners reaches sometimes 30% about 40 prisoners had already to be sent back to the Stalag on account of deficient health. Besides, the whole spirit of the camp is now very low, illustrated by the fact that recently the prisoners had no desire to play football or other games.

The delegate took a very serious view of the situation in this camp and he was supported by the accompanying officers from the OKW as well as by the German Kommandofuhrer. The accompanying officer had an interview with the British medical officer and the man of confidence and promised formally to take at once the matter in hand in an effort to have things soon improved.

Then the German officers and the delegate of the Protecting Power had an interview with the manager of the mine, and his assistant, who tried to prove that the prisoners do not work well and that they are responsible for the extra working hours. But the fact remains that in other mines the British prisoners work 8 to 8 3/4 hours daily to the satisfaction of the employers and that the general health condition in this camp is considerably worse than in any other.

As the military authorities have now the matter in hand, nothing else will be done pending the decision taken.

A few days after that visit the German accompanying officer had a telephone call from the company officer in charge of that party who informed him that the firm had already stopped the extra working hours as a result of our intervention.

Notwithstanding this fact the delegate of the Protecting Power insisted with the commander of the Stalag as well as with the General commanding the prisoners of war in this area, that strong action should be taken and the working conditions in this party constantly controlled by the military authorities.

The delegate of the Protecting Power wants to state that, like in most mining parties, the prisoners are generally well treated by the military authorities, all the trouble coming from the civilians, managers, employers and workers of the mine.

This party has been visited twice before, the last time on October 14th, 1943. There is no change except for the extension of the camp, and this will not be described again.

(1) There was a complaint here too that the prisoners have to do a great deal of extra hours of work. The German control officer explained that the extra work is only the result of a re-organization of the work in the mine following the departure of many German workers, but that it is only temporary and will stop in a few days. But, as these additional working hours have been imposed on the prisoners for several months, it can hardly be considered as a temporary state of affairs and, in the delegate's opinion, it is rather the result of a bad organization of the work. The minimum amount of work asked daily from the prisoners can probably not be accomplished in 8 3/4 hours. This is a matter which, with some good will, can very well be settled locally, and the delegate of the Protecting Power asked that a new conference be arranged between the representative of the mine, the German control officer, and representatives of the prisoners. If no reasonable agreement can be reached, the Protecting Power will be informed, and the OKW asked to take the matter seriously in hand.

(2) The man of confidence complained that sometimes foremen, who are not satisfied with the work done by a prisoner, send him to work in a particularly wet place or give him extra work to do, this as a punishment. The accompanying German officer of the O.K.W. agreed with the representative of the Protecting Power that this is an intolerable interference by the civilians, and he gave strict orders to the company officer to control that such practices be stopped in future. This case was further mentioned to the General commanding the prisoners of war of the area who was asked to give general instructions that prisoners of war can only be punished by military authorities.

The man of confidence stated that the bad treatment reported in the last report has completely ceased following the intervention of the Protecting Power.

(3) Like in most mining parties visited the working boots are in a very bad condition and the man of confidence experiences the greatest difficulty in having them replaced by better ones; this general complaint was communicated to the commandant of the Stalag.

(4) The British medical officer, Capt. Lee, R.A.M.C., No. 31826, stated that in this party the state of health is generally good.

The proportion of out of work prisoners is about 10%. An average of 10 men are kept in the revier.

On January 26th, 1944, Gunner James Riley, POW No. 28097, was killed in the mine by accident. He had been working in this party for only eight days.

Serious surgical cases are sent for treatment to Lazaret Laurahutte and serious medical cases to Lazaret Kattowitz.

The drug supply from the German side is minimal, but the medical officer is able to carry on with the help of the Red Cross medical parcels.

This camp was visited on October 14th, 1943. The working conditions are normal and the man of confidence had no complaint in that report.

The prisoners have now been moved to a new barrack camp much nearer the mine, thus reducing considerably the walk to and from work.

This new camp is composed of one storey brick buildings, and also already occupied, not yet completed. The barracks are large and well built, each one with a central passage and small rooms on both sides, with accommodation for 10 men each. There is no overcrowding. Heating by coal stoves in every room. The electric light is poor, but, when the delegate of the Protecting Power complained of its inadequacy, the camp authorities promised to have it improved. Will be checked on next visit.

The wash barrack is not yet built; in the meantime a temporary arrangement has been made in one room of each barrack. Hot showers every day at the mines. However, the prisoners complained that the number of showers ad the Mochow mine is inadequate (5 showers for a shift of 77 men), thus increasing considerably the time during which they are away from the camp. The German authorities promised to take the matter in hand. Will be checked on next visit.

The toilet facilities are temporarily in a wooden barrack pending the completion of the special toilet barrack.

There was no complaint about the food which is cooked by civilians. A special stove in each barrack provides the facilities for the cooking of private food, but these facilities seem hardly adequate. The camp authorities explained that a special barrack for that purpose will be built.

The medical personnel is composed of one sergeant, one sanitator and two orderlies, which is not sufficient for the present strength of the camp. But an application has already been made to the Stalag for some more sanitators.

The medical attention is in the hands of a Polish civil doctor who comes three times a week. Besides, a British medical officer, Capt. Lee, R.A.M.C., visits the camp once a week. He is stationed at party E 538.

The revier is temporarily installed in a room with six beds. It is, of course, too small, but an adequate and spacious revier is in the course of building. As an average about 15% of the prisoners are out of work. On the day of the visit 6 patients were in bed.

There have been no serious working accidents for a long time. Serious surgical cases are sent for treatment at Lazaret Laurahutte and serious medical cases at Lazaret Kattowitz.

The dental treatment by a civilian dentist in Sosnowice was said to be good but slow.

The German drug supply is far from satisfactory and would be insufficient were it not for the help of the Red Cross.

The clothing situation is unsatisfactory. Working clothes are provided by the employer, but they are of a very bad quality and do not last long.

The working boots are of poor quality, too. At the moment about 80 men have their working boots in such a bad state that they cannot wear them and have to borrow some from other prisoners working in different shifts. That question of general interest was discussed at length with the commander of the Stalag as well as the General commanding the prisoners of war in this area; but the military authorities seem unable to improve the situation.

The great majority of the prisoners in this camp have only one uniform, generally in bad condition (about 160 men came from Italy).

Except for the clothing situation there are no serious complaints in this detachment and, when completed, this camp will certainly be a very good one. Generally speaking the conditions have greatly improved since last visit.

The strength of the camp is 527 prisoners of war. All men are engaged on mining work.

In one of the mines work was described as "not too bad" and in the other one as "not too good". The men are divided into three working-shifts of roughly 8 3/4 hours each; it is stated that one of the mines is a long way from the camp and those working there complain of the long absence from camp. As a general rule the prisoners of war work on every second Sunday.

Food is cooked by a civilian woman. The man of confidence states that the dry rations, such as bread, margarine, etc. are excellent, in addition the potato ration allowed in this camp is still somewhat bigger than in other camps, the men, however, find the food dull but in all fairness it must be said that compared with other camps there is no reason for a complaint.

The stock of Red Cross parcels is satisfactory, according to Sgt. Major M. Norry, POW No. 31978, who is the Red Cross trustee for the area. There is a stock of 10 weeks' supply for all camps. Sgt. Major Norry complains that he is not always given the best of facilities to visit the camps of his Red Cross area, in fact there are still two detachments he has not yet been able to visit. The same applies to the man of confidence regarding his routine visit to the Stalag. The delegate of the Protecting Power will therefore put their complaints to the Commander of the Stalag when calling there.

Medical attention is in the hands of a British medical officer, Cpt. Seddon, POW No. 1171, who states that his activities have so far been greatly hampered by both the German Kommandofuhrer in charge of the camp and the civilian doctor employed by the mine. The latter, of Polish extraction, is said to be a more political than a medical man and in no way co-operates with the British medical officer and, as Dr. Seddon put it, is rather under the influence of the Kommandofuhrer who does not appear to be an easy person to get on with. In short, owing to various incidents which have occurred since Dr. Seddon's arrival at this camp relative to medical attention, Dr. Seddon rather expects to be removed and replaced by another British medical officer. The delegate of the Protecting Power was given full details by the British medical officer on the situation which has arisen, and he will discuss the whole question with the O.K.W. The replacement of Dr. Seddon by another British medical officer under the present circumstances is desirable. Should he encounter the same difficulties in carrying out his duties, a clear proof as to where the fault lies will then be furnished and provide the Protecting Power with a strong case.

Regarding the clothing of the men the man of confidence states that some men have two British uniforms, but the majority only one. There were quite considerable reserves of clothing at hand until the arrival in this camp of about 130 prisoners of war from Italy last year, badly requiring new clothes and thus exhausting the stock available here. At the moment there are only a few pairs of boots and some army shirts in stock. The mine has provided the prisoners of war with working overalls and boots, but the situation today is that the rubber boots of the men working in water badly need replacing and that almost all prisoners of war are wearing their army shirts to work in, as none are supplied by the mine. When discussing this point with the Germans, it was stated that there were great difficulties in providing rubber boots and shirts. Summing up the man of confidence describes the situation as not serious but likely to become so rapidly.

As to sports, there is a good football ground about an hour's walk away and the prisoners of war ask for a field closer to the camp. The delegate of the Protecting Power discussed the matter with the Germans and they promised to try and obtain permission for the prisoners of war to use a field next to the camp; although the piece of land concerned needs first levelling, the prisoners of war would very much appreciate its being at their disposal. Otherwise recreation is very satisfactory, the camp is very well off regarding theatrical equipment and sports gear.

Mail is satisfactory and letters are just beginning to arrive from England for those prisoners of war who came from Italy.

The man of confidence had no complaints regarding the camp. He states, however, that the Kommandofuhrer is a difficult man to get on with and "puts his nose into everything".

Information was required as to why the ration of French cigarettes as a rule regularly supplied to the canteen had not arrived during the last two months. (When later discussing this point at the base camp, it was stated that prisoners of war receive a monthly ration of 75 French cigarettes but for which they must make a written application).

This camp is really situated in a small village called Bory at some distance from Jaworzno and has previously never been visited by the Protecting Power. The present camp compound is of fair size and comprises three large wooden barracks of the usual type in which there are the men's sleeping rooms, a small revier and two single rooms for the man of confidence and the sanitator. Although there is no overcrowding in the sleeping rooms, at present all beds are occupied (double tier type). The rooms as such are pleasant. In this camp, too, there are some men (17) with only one blanket.

Washing facilities are installed in a separate barrack. There is running cold water, hot water is supplied by a boiler. There are no facilities for hot showers, but the men bathe at the mine after finishing work.

Toilet facilities are adequate as such, but there is a complaint that the pits are not emptied often enough. The delegate of the Protecting Power on complaining was promised that adequate arrangements shall be made in future.

The men are all engaged on mining work in the Robert-Grube all working below ground. They are divided into two shifts, each of about 8 1/2 hours daily. On the average prisoners of war work on two Sundays out of four. The pay varies, in December the prisoners were paid according to the civilian scale, and for January the usual 70 Rpf. a day were allotted.

Food is cooked by civilians and is not bad. The man of confidence has full control over the rations issued. All prisoners of war receive "heaviest workers rations". There is a stock of Red Cross food parcels for about 6 weeks.

The sanitator states that medical attention is not always satisfactory. As a rule prisoners of war are attended by the same civilian doctor attending Working Detachment No. E 596 (see previous report) and the situation here is exactly the same as in that detachment. Serious medical cases are sent to a hospital at Kattowitz and serious surgical cases to Laurahutte. The average daily sick parade is attended by about 30 prisoners of war of whom, as a rule, 6 to 8 are found unfit for work.

There are four beds in the revier, but on the day of the visit there was neither bedding nor blankets to be seen, and upon inquiring about the reason for this extraordinary state of affairs the delegate of the Protecting Power was not given a satisfactory answer. However, when discussing this matter with the accompanying officer, both bedding and blankets were promised and ordered on the spot.

Clothing is in a bad state regarding both British uniforms and working overalls supplied by the firm. Although every man was issued with overalls at the time, these are now in bad condition. The same applies to boots. Altogether 130 men have two uniforms. The stock of underclothing is practically nil; nothing has been received during the last six months although indents are sent regularly to the Stalag.

The prisoners of war complain about the utter lack of sports facilities. When discussing this point with the Germans, it was said that the position in this respect was indeed difficult, as the only sportsground available in the neighbourhood belonged to the village and could not be used by the prisoners of war but that, however, work for extension of this camp was already in progress and when completed, a large football pitch would be at the disposal of the prisoners of war within the compound. The delegate of the Protecting Power was assured that the extension would be completed by May of this year (to be checked).

There were several requests put to the delegate of the Protecting Power, including:

(1) Till now doors of the sleeping rooms were locked at 8 p.m. for the night. Prisoners of war ask that the hour be put back and on discussing the matter with the Germans, the delegate of the Protecting Power was promised that in future doors will be locked at 9 p.m. only.

(2) The prisoners of war ask for more musical instruments, especially for a piano accordion and a gramophone. Their wishes will be transmitted to the Y.M.C.A. by the Protecting Power.

The man of confidence states that as a camp "we are not badly off", but complains of the attitude of the Kommandofuhrer, pointing out exactly the same characteristics as already described in the report on E 593 (see previous report) concerning the Kommandofuhrer there. Both these men appear to be very much inclined to have everything their own way, asserting themselves on any and every occasion, without, strictly speaking, infringing their powers or right as "under officers" in charge.

A report on the shooting of two British prisoners of war by a German guard in this camp will reach the British Government immediately the Protecting Power is in possession of the details to be furnished by the O.K.W.

There was no complaint about the working conditions which are normal. The accommodation is about the same as previously except that, the camp strength having increased, about 40 prisoners are lodged in basement rooms. These rooms have generally sufficient day light and are well heated (central heating), but most of them are damp in winter. The delegate of the Protecting Power considers them as adequate accommodation for a short period but inadequate as permanent sleeping and living rooms. Therefore he requested that the prisoners living in these rooms be given other accommodation. As it will be impossible to find other quarters for more than 16, the German authorities will be pressed to demand the building of a barrack by the employer.

Further the German authorities have been asked to send no more British prisoners to this camp with which they agreed. Since last year a recreation room has been put at the permanent disposal of the prisoners.

There was no complaint about the food which was said to have rather improved. The cooking facilities for private food have improved since our last visit.

Capt. Lacey, R.A.M.C. is still in charge of the medical attention; there are no regular visits from the German military doctor who comes only when he is called for, leaving thus the medical attention entirely in the hands of the British medical officer.

The general state of health was said to be good. The average rate of sick parade is about 20% and the average rate of men out of work is about 10%. There have been no serious accidents except one fatal accident which occurred in the mine on the 18th September, 1943, causing the death of Pte. Preston, POW No. 13694.

The serious cases are brought to the Reserve Lazaret Knurows where prisoners are still looked after by Capt. Lacey. The drug supply is poor from German side, but sufficient with the supplies of the Red Cross.

All the prisoners have been provided with working clothes and boots by the firm, but they are, of course, not of very good quality and require frequent repairs. A cobbler is in the camp and another one has been applied for. There is a tailor shop in the camp too. No rubber boots have been issued, but fortunately this mine is rather dry.

A request to the employer to provide the prisoners working in the "cockery" with gauntlets to prevent burns are granted at once.

Every man has only one uniform and mostly in a very bad condition, particularly the men who came from Italy. An application was made long ago to the Stalag but the stocks there are exhausted.

The man of confidence complained that deductions are made from the men's pay, but they do not always exactly know why. It is very often for lost articles of clothing, but it is not quite clear how much they have to pay for such articles. Therefore, the delegate of the Protecting Power insisted that this matter be cleared up and that every prisoner be told the standard price of each piece of clothing and be told exactly on every pay sheet for what reason the deductions are made.

The man of confidence asked if the camp money paid to the prisoners in Italy could be exchanged against German camp money; the reply from the German accompanying officer was that negotiations are now taking place on that subject with the Republican Fascist Government and that anyhow prisoners having such money should keep it till a decision has been taken.

The British medical officer asked if the following instruments could be sent to him through the I.R.C.C.:

The man of confidence stated that the camp is rather short of sports gear and he asked for the following articles: a rugby and a football, football kit and boots, a cricket set. Further a piano-accordion, gramophone records, music and music manuscript paper.

There are no serious difficulties in this party and, as soon as the question of accommodation has been settled, it will be a good camp.

Following is substance of report on main camp Stalag VIIIB situated in centre of Teschen containing 11,535 British and Dominion prisoners of whom 234 in base camp 11,178 in 53 detachments 123 in various lazarets: accommodation in large wooden barracks. No attempt to separate British during day from Russian, Italian, Serbian and other prisoners whose health poor. Sleeping accommodation, lighting, heating, washing, toilet facilities, food and private cooking arrangements satisfactory, British M.O. Major Woolley stated drug supply good, situation of lazaret far away from detachments unsatisfactory though new site contemplated. M.O. is supplying Russian patients with drugs and food from British parcels. Swiss representative was informed construction of new camp for Russians to be started in six week. About 2000 British from Italy arrived VIIIB from VIIIA with bad clothing and have not yet received any private clothing parcels.

Insufficient space for outdoor exercise. Mail satisfactory. Unopened Red Cross food tins, clothing and petrol lighters confiscated from prisoners on arrival in camp.

Despite mingling of nationalities camp cannot be described as bad and only a relatively small number British remain in main camp for long.

Most of the British prisoners employed in coal mines (pit work) work in Upper Silesia and up to now all the coal mining working parties there depend upon Stalag VIII B.

There must be at present some 15 such working detachments with about 4000 prisoners. Eleven of these parties have been visited by a representative of the Protecting Power, seven of them twice. During a recent visit of Stalag VIII B eight mining parties were visited or revisited and the delegate of the Protecting Power took the opportunity to make a special enquiry on the working conditions.

All British prisoners pass a medical examination before being sent to work in a coal mine.

This examination takes place either in the Stalag (main camp) or on arrival in the working detachment; sometimes the prisoners are even examined at both places. The examination is made by a civilian German Doctor attached to the mine where the prisoners are supposed to work.

In certain cases the examination is serious enough but mostly, according to the reports of the British Medical Officers interviewed, it is very superficial.

There do not seem to be definite instructions as to what sort of infirmity or illnesses are to be excluded from the mining work. For instance, while in some mines the German doctor does not accept men wearing glasses for the work underneath, in others such prisoners are accepted.

Up to last spring the medical examination never took place in the presence of a British Medical Officer, but since then in the main camp the Senior British Medical Officer is mostly present; Major de Clive Lowe declared to the representative of the Protecting Power that generally speaking his advices are taken into consideration.

No enquiry is made into the past medical history of those whom the German Authorities propose to employ on this work and, for instance, in certain cases prisoners are employed in mines who have been seriously wounded in the war and are not fit for that sort of work in the British Medical Officer's opinion.

It is difficult to say that up to now the health of prisoners working in coal mines has in fact suffered greatly.

However according to the British Doctors, the rate of patients is slowly increasing and their recovery in cases of illness takes longer than before; there seems to be a general state of fatigue among the prisoners, the majority of whom are no professional miners and many of them not used to such heavy work.

A certain number of tuberculosis cases and of ear troubles have been detected; the tuberculosis cases are sent to special lazarets, but the men suffering from ear troubles do not seem to receive any adequate treatment if a treatment at all.

In the opinion of several British Medical Officers every prisoner having worked in a coal mine for two years or more should be X-rayed; the Delegate of the Protecting Power discussed that point with the Commander of prisoners of war in Wehrkreis VIII the latter told him that the German authorities have already decided to have every British prisoners X-rayed and that very soon.

Several British Doctors expressed the view... [Note: a portion of the page has been torn away and so this sentence is largely unreadable] prisoners should be withdrawn from mining work after a certain time... indistinctly.... years and replaced by other prisoners. This would certainly prevent an excessive deterioration of the prisoners' health.

The incidence of accidents varies greatly from one mine to another. Generally speaking the British Medical Officers do not seem to consider the proportion very high.

Since the beginning of the work in the coal mines there has been altogether six fatal accidents plus one very serious accident which occurred recently in party E.51 Klausberg and will very probably have a fatal issue.

Besides there are constantly small accidents, the most frequent of them being smashed fingers; in many cases fingers had to be amputated.

The usual time of work is eight to eight-and-half hours daily actual work; but with the walks to and from the mine, the preparations to go down the pits and the bath after the work the prisoners are very often away from the camp for eleven or even twelve hours a day which leaves them very little time for taking care of their things and for rest, inasmuch as in the mines they are free at the utmost one Sunday out of three, without compensation during the work for the other Sundays.

The attention of the German High Command has been many times already drawn to that breach of Article 30 of the Geneva Convention and that instance has been repeatedly asked to alter their regulations in order to have that article respected but so far without success.

In every party visited prisoners of war were interviewed out of the presence of Germans and as a rule only prisoners who are professional miners in civil life.

Generally speaking they declared the German mines in Upper Silesia more difficult to work in than the British Mines.

(a) The height of the coalseams which are often five to six meters high, while in England they are generally not more than half that height. It means that coal is sometimes falling down from a dangerous height and further that the mines are often unable to hear the coal "working" over their heads and therefore unable to get away in time.

(b) The steepness of many coalseams with the consequence that the labour is much harder, that the miners are slipping on the ground and that pieces of coal are constantly rolling down over the miners causing all sorts of injuries.

Generally speaking, the safety regulations can be considered as adequate and a very strict State Control is made regularly; but it was said that those orders are not always carried out with enough care by the civil miners themselves.

One mine was visited which seems to be more dangerous than the others; it is "Castellengogrube" (Working Detachment E.51 Klausberg) and chiefly in the sections 2 and 10 of the pit. A proof of it is that out of the seven fatal accidents mentioned before three happened in this mine. About 20 men out of 400 are daily out of work following minor accidents; the German High Command will be asked to order the withdrawal of all British prisoners from the sections 2 and 10 of that mine.

No proper instructions are given to the prisoners who start working in mines. They mostly are sent down the pit with an experienced German miner, but it seems that even that precaution is not always taken.

According to the professional miners interviewed, one of the great causes of danger is precisely the lack of experience and of instruction of most of the prisoners working in the pits.

There is very rarely dangerous gas in the mines of Upper Silesia and the Delegate of the Protecting Power was told that all precautions are taken.

On the other hand, the ventilation seems to be sometimes insufficient (E.51 Klausberg).

The Federal Political Department, Foreign Interests Division, have recently received from the Swiss Legation in Berlin a report on the steps they have taken in connection with the position of British prisoners of war working in mines, the substance of the report is as follows:

This question has for some time occupied the attention of the Swiss Legation. Reports drawn up by their inspectors indicate that it is not so much the conditions in the camps occupied by prisoners of war working in the mines that are bad as conditions of work there. According to observations made in the course of various inspections of camps, these difficulties are caused mostly by the civilian authorities; the directors and staffs of the camps the "Arbeitsamt" (Labour Office) or even the Labour Ministry, and the Military Authorities appear unfortunately to have little say in the matter. The chief aim of the German civilian authorities concerned seems to be to increase the output of the prisoners of war to the maximum.

As His Majesty's Legation will remember, representations have been made on many occasions both by the inspectors of camps at the time of their visits and to the Generals O.C. P.O.W. Camps in the various military districts also by the Special Division of the Swiss Legation in Berlin to the German High Command and the German Foreign Office. Nevertheless, apart from certain improvements in living conditions, brought about in most cases by the intervention of the Military Authorities, the results obtained as regards conditions of work have not, up till now, been at all encouraging.

It appears that, generally speaking, the argument of the German Authorities is based on the idea that they are entitled to subject British prisoners of war to the same conditions of work as German civilian workmen. Representatives of the German Foreign Office even declared, in the course of an interview with certain representatives of the Swiss Legation, that the German Authorities would have no objection to the British Authorities making German Prisoners of War work under conditions similar to those under which British prisoners of war work in Germany. This attitude obviously does not facilitate the efforts of the Swiss Legation in this matter.

One of our colleagues, the Minister M. Foldscher, during an interview at Army Headquarters with the Director of Prisoners of War (Kommandeur der Kriegsgefangenen) returned again to the question of conditions of work in the mines, stressing particularly the need for abolishing Sunday work without adding to hours of work during the week, and the desirability of giving the prisoners of war a change of occupation after a certain period spent in the mines. The Director of Prisoners of War promised to have the question re-examined pointing out, however, that the final decision in the matter rested with the Ministry of Labour.

Finally, the Swiss Legation submitted to the German Foreign Office on June 2nd, 1944, a number of proposals designed to improve the present position:

1). Increase in the number of prisoners of war in the detachments, in order to make it possible to give the prisoners of war rest periods of 24 hours at a stretch, as recommended by Article 30 of the Geneva Convention of 1929. If this solution were adopted, it would involve an increase of 10% in the number of prisoners of war in establishments giving one rest day every three weeks; and 7% in establishments giving one rest day every fortnight.

2). Another solution would be to transfer prisoners of war who have worked in mines for a given period - e.g. 2½ years - to different work, replacing by other prisoners of war. In view of the very difficult conditions of work in the mines, this method of relief is particularly to be recommended, especially in case of prisoners of war who are not miners by profession.

As regards the last paragraph of Note Verbale No. XI/351/44 of April 11th, 1944, the Swiss Legation regret that they are unable to suggest to His Majesty's Government what measures they could take in order to obtain reasonable treatment of prisoners of war employed in mines.