Red Cross Report
Red Cross Report |
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No 548
Confidential
Date of Visit: August 7th to 23rd 1944
Stalag XVIIIA
Stalag Commandant: Oberstlt von Reckow
Abwehroffizier: Hptm Steinklauber
Chefarzt: Oberstabsarzt Dr Toppler (Chief Doctor)
Betretier Sonderfuhrer: Dr Lause
Accompanying Officer GHC: Hptm Schafer
British Chief Man of Confidence: WO E.F. Stevenson, AIF
British Senior Medical Officer: Major P.D.C. Kinmont, RAMC
1. General Description
The Stalag XVIIIA (area) extends over the Austrian Provinces of Styria and
Carinthia. Its Headquarters and base camp are stationed at Wolfsberg. A branch
camp is situated near Spittal. The 313 British work detachments are spread all
over the country; in the Alpine regions of Upper Styria, in the more
industrialized districts of Leoben, Bruck and Graz, in the rural countries of
Lower Styria near the Hungarian and Yugoslav borders, in the Drau valley or the
Carinthian lakes.
The attitude of the civilian population is friendly, the
countryside pleasant and the climate healthy, no wonder there is a fair general
state of health and good morale everywhere on the work detachments.
At the base camp and in the larger work detachments,
prisoners live in wooden barracks. In the rural districts they are accommodated
in farm houses, bungalows or any concrete building fit up to the purpose. Of
course, the standard of the dwelling accommodation varies a great deal, the
condition as a whole may be considered satisfactory. With few exceptions,
mentioned later in this report, air raid precautions are adequate.
Prisoners are engaged in various industries, building of
hydroelectric power plants, air raid shelters or roads, forestry and
agriculture. In the course and execution of recently introduced regulations and
decrees, the working hours have again been increased, causing here and there
considerable discontent amongst the prisoners. In fact, the settlement of labour
disputes was the topical question on the occasion of this visit. Very
unfortunately the word 'excessive' is nowhere clearly specified and a Protecting
Power's Delegate has no power to enforce his judgement. He has, however, strongly
warned many civilian employers and advised them to moderate certain tasks - a
bow long bent at last waxeth weak. As may be seen later in this report, in some
cases substantial reductions in daily tasks have been achieved.
2. Capacity and Present Personnel
At the date of visit, the complement of British prisoners of war within Stalag XVIIIA numbered as follows:
At the base camp,
Wolfsberg
746 men
At the branch camp,
Spittal
245 men
Detailed on the 313 Work detachments 9571 men
Total
strength
10362 men
Roughly two thirds of these men have been captured during
the Greek and Cretan campaigns of 1941; many of them come from far away
Australia and New Zealand. Following the Italian armistice in 1943, some 3500
more British prisoners arrived from ex-Italian captivity, making the total
strength up to the present figure. The latter are captures of the North African
campaigns and originate partly from Britain and the Union of South Africa.
On the occasion of this tour, the Delegate has visited the
base camp at Wolfsberg, the branch camp at Spittal and 28 work detachments in
the various districts. In addition he has conferred with 154 British Men of
Confidence who attended meetings in the camps or detachments. Such meetings are
highly appreciated by the men concerned; it offers them a unique opportunity to
meet, to exchange views with the Protecting Power's representative and to
discuss any topical questions. Following these meetings a conference takes place
with the local Military Authorities and, if necessary, with civilian employers,
whose complaints and requests are dealt with.
3. Interior arrangements
The interior arrangements of the cubicles usually consist of beds of the
double tier wooden slatted type, palliasses and two or three blankets supplied
by the Retaining Power. Medical Officers and Orderlies, Chaplains and Men of
Confidence are accommodated in single or double rooms.
Cubicles are furnished with tables and benches and in many
places with lockers and wardrobes. The necessary ventilation during blackouts
has here and there been improved. Wherever electric current is available, the
lighting is adequate; on some of the smaller detachments kerosene lamps are
provided with the usual insufficient supply of kerosene.
Facilities for the cooking of Red Cross food are adequately
supplied almost everywhere. However, some prisoners drew attention to the
difficulties in obtaining sufficient fire wood. On the other hand, the local
German Authorities blamed the prisoners for wasting fuel; in fact on many
occasions the stove was heated 'at top' even if nothing to boil or fry on it.
Walls are plentifully decorated everywhere by the prisoners
with photos of next of kin, paintings, sketches and caricatures by own artists.
Maps showing the theatres of war are also very popular.
All the larger barrack compounds have a well equipped concert
hall with stage; the smaller compounds have at least a recreation or writing
room or partition.
On the occasion of this tour, the undersigned Delegates
fourth visit to Stalag XVIIIA, there were no complaints with regard to
overcrowding. A calamity is the shortage of such utensils as sweepers, brooms,
brushes and rags for cleaning. These are 'Mangelware' (in short supply) in Germany and very
difficult to obtain. Under this condition, it is impossible to maintain a
military state of cleanliness. In this case, Protecting Power's representations
are almost fruitless and it has been suggested to invite the IRCC to supply the
needy articles from Geneva. Prisoners meet the situation halfway by making
brushes, using Red Cross parcel strings or any other material.
4. Washing and bathing facilities
The washing and bathing facilities have gradually been improved and now reach a satisfactory standard in the various barrack compounds. Many prisoners can have a hot shower or bath at any time, others weekly or at least fortnightly. Of course, on many of the smaller farm detachments, these facilities have remained primitive. In some of these places, particularly in Styria, water must be fetched from fountains handled by pumps; bathing is done in simple wooden tubs or otherwise. Prisoners realise that it would be hopeless for the Protecting Power to ask for more sanitation, since such installations are almost unknown in some of these rural areas.
5. Toilet facilities
There were no complaints with regard to the toilet facilities. However, a better and more regular supply of disinfectants had been asked for and in any case promised.
6. Food and Cooking
The situation has remained unchanged. Ration scales which are published and
can be checked by the Men of Confidence are in force for a period of four weeks.
Rations for prisoners on work detachments are on the heavy or long worker scale
or considerably higher that the rations in force for the German base troops,
namely the prisoners' own guards.
Britons are good gardeners and it is a pleasure to see that
many prisoners grow, besides beautiful flowers, fair quantities of fresh
vegetables for the kitchen. In some districts prisoners have purchased fresh
vegetables and fruits out of their own funds on the local market.
Kitchens are well equipped and wherever possible, prisoners
do their own cooking. The supply of Red Cross parcels is well organised; there
are several weeks stock in every district.
7. Medical attention and State of health
British Medical Staff at Stalag XVIIIA
At the base camp, Wolfsberg: Major P.D.C. Kinmont, AMC
Capt. R.B. Beatty, NZMC
At the branch camp, Spittal: Capt. O.V.S. Kok, SAMC
Capt. E.W. Levings
At work detachments:
951GW, Marein: Capt. S.G. Munro, RAMC
107GW, Graz: Capt. R. Howe, RAMC
924GW, Niklasdorf: Capt. I.N.D. Stewart, RAMC
10028GW, Lavamund: Capt. R. Warren, SAMC
Medical Orderlies:
At the base camp, Wolfsberg: employed 20
unemployed 8
At Spittal and detachments: employed 80
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