Work Camp   132 GW

Location: Retznai

Type of work: Quarrying, Cement Factory

Man of Confidence: J.R. Middlemore, 5293 (March 1942); A. Greenwood, 5254 (June 1942)

Number of Men: 88 approx. in February 1942, 47 in March 1942, 46 in June 1942

Known to be present

The killing of John Flynn

On 5th February 1942, a refusal to work by the POWs led to a guard shooting Pte Flynn and Sgt Evans (this rank is incorrect - should be Private) , both of Australia. John Flynn died of his injuries on the same day and Sgt Evans lost the use of a leg and was subsequently repatriated. After the war, an enquiry was held. Part of the evidence is illustrated below.

(Thanks to Phil Evans for discovering this at The National Archive.)

Date of visit: 23 March 1942

It seems odd that the visit described below took place only a few weeks after the shooting, yet there is no mention of it in the report. Also, the number of POWs in the camp has almost halved.

General Description

In this camp are 47 POWs (English, Australians and New Zealanders) doing pick and shovel work.

Interior arrangement

They are all accommodated in a very large wooden barrack containing a small room for the German guards and a large one where all the British prisoners are lodged. This sleeping qusrter is furnished with triple tier bunks; each man is provided with 2 or more blankets, there are further tables and benches in the room where prisoners take their meals.

Bathing and washing facilities

Washing facilities are sufficient and at least once a week the men have an opportunity to have hot shower baths in a nearby fabrik.

Toilet facilities

There are two latrines of the pit type which are quite sufficient.

Food and Cooking

Food rations are ample (for instance for a week 300kg potatoes and 21kg marmalade) and there was no complaint about the quality of the food. But it was ascertained that there were not enough plates, spoons and forks supplied; the Abwehr-Offizier complained at once to the Employer's firm's representative, and insisted that more of them should be provided as soon as possible.

Medical attention and sickness

Medical attention by the civil physician of the next village; no revier, the lighter cases being attended to in the sleeping quarters; the serious cases are evacuated to the lazaret of Stalag XVIIID in Marburg; there is a small pharmacy and one British-recognised sanitator; on the day of the visit there were 6 prisoners unfit for work owing to slight illness.

Clothing

As in most camps several men are in need of boots

Money and Pay

The salary is the usual 70pfg a day.

Canteen

There is no canteen in this small camp.

Religious activity

Recreation and exercise

Recreation opportunities are poor in this camp and some games and especially playing cards are wanted as well as a loud radio speaker. These wishes will be communicated to the Y.M.C.A.

Complaints

1. Prisoners COLES, MARTIN and EVERSON, who were some time ago under arrest were neither allowed exercise nor reading nor writing letters. A strong protest was made by the Lagation's representative to the Abwehr-Offizier, who gave at once instructions to the camp commander to comply in the future with the stipualtions of Art. 56 and 57 of the Geneva Convention.

2. The following Non-Commissioned Officers: Sgt MIDDLEMORE, 5293, Sgt Thomas LLOYD, 4071, Cpl Reginald HURFORD, 5284, Cpl Alan GREENWOOD, 5254, were sent to this work camp without having volunteered for it; strong protest was made to the Abwehr-Offizier, who agreed that these prisoners ought to be sent back to the main camp as soon as possible. He promised to do the necessary in this respect.

3. Pte Vivian REVELL, 3839, home address: Sea View Road, Westtown, New Plymouth, New Zealand, has not yet received any news from home since 11 and a half months when he was taken prisoner.

Date of visit: 1 June 1942

At present there are 46 British prisoners of war all employed at different kinds of work at a cement factory. They are working for 8 hours a day and normally have Sundays and Saturday afternoons free.

The Man of Confidence stated that since the last visit the conditions in the camp have greatly improved. The food was stated to be sufficient except that there had been a certain shortage of potatoes for the last few weeks. Mail is coming in regularly and so far the usual number of the Red Cross parcels have been distributed. New complete outfits for all the men had newly arrived and the clothing conditions were now good.

The four N.C.O.s mentioned in the last report as being forced to work have been sent back to the Stalag except for Cpl Greenwood who volunteered to stay in the camp as Man of Confidence.

The question of eating utensils has also been settled in a satisfactory way.

The following questions were discussed this time:

The medical orderly, as well as other prisoners in the camp, complained about the way the civilian doctor treated the sick prisoners. It seems as if this doctor is rather treating the prisoners according to his political view rather than as patients.

The medical orderly has been punished by the German Camp Leader by withholding a Red Cross parcel. As a Camp Leader is not entitled to punish anybody, this fact was reported to the accompanying officer.

The prisoners, who used to cook their private food during the winter on the stove in their room, asked if not a small stove could be furnished to be placed outside the room.

It was also asked to have the outdoor recreation space enlarged.

These questions were discussed with the accompanying officer who promised to take the necessary steps. They will be checked on the next visit.