Work Camp   299 GW

Location: Oberdorf an der Laming

Type of work: Magnesit mine

Man of Confidence: Pte M.F. O'Malley, 3737

Number of Men: 28

Known to be present

Photo provided by Ian McKinley and Sharrie Mills.

Date of visit: September, 1942

General Description

In this camp work are 28 British prisoners. They have been here for 11 months. They work in a Magnesit Work. Some men are employed in the mining work, some have to attend to the furnaces and some to the loading of the material on the railroad cars. The work is done in three shifts:

1st shift from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.  2nd shift from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.  3rd shift from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The eight men working at the furnaces never have 24 hours consecutive rest. They are, however, working exactly the same hours as the civilian workers, doing the same kind of work. This has been discussed with the management of the factory. They explained that they did not see any way how to change this.

Interior arrangement

The men are living in a wooden barrack in one room, furnished with double tier beds. There are enough tables and chairs. There is also a good stove which can be used for preparing Red Cross food. Plenty of coal is at the disposal of the prisoners. The prisoners expressed the wish to have a special room for drying, especially in winter, their wet clothes. A solution has been found by placing in the washroom a small stove. Up to now everything had to be dried in the sleeping quarters.

 Bathing and washing facilities

Adequate.

 Toilet facilities

Adequate.

Food and Cooking

The food is prepared in the village inn. It was said that it was well cooked but the men thought that the bread ration they get was not quite up to the ration they are entitled to. This seems to be true and the accompanying officer gave immediately the necessary order to the Camp Leader to investigate this and send a report to the Stalag Commander. This matter will be taken up with the higher authorities. Order was also given that a ration table was to be posted in the prisoners' quarters, so that every man knew what he was entitled to. Some of the men receive the ration of heaviest work, all the others, heavy work rations.

 Medical attention and sickness

As this Work Camp is situated in a small mountain valley quite high up, it was asked to have an Orderly sent here, as the doctor, who can be called in case of need, is quite far away. This wish was immediately granted and the accompanying officer promised to give the necessary orders to this effect. There were no patients in this Camp at the time of the visit.

 Clothing

The prisoners have only two blankets and it would be rather necessary to send some Red Cross blankets to this camp, so that each man has at least 3 blankets for the winter. Clothing and boots are in pretty good shape, but socks are needed for the winter.

 Money and Pay

The pay of the men is the usual 70 PFG. a day. Every once in a while the men can buy beer or lemonade.

 Religious activity

A visit by the Padre from Stalag was asked for.

 Recreation and exercise

No games or sports articles have arrived so far. The men would like to receive a football, a cricket set, dartboard, chess, cards and some books and quoits.

Complaints

There were no real complaints except those mentioned above.

General impression

The camp can be considered a pretty fair one.