Work Camp  956 GW

Location: Mitterdorf

Type of work: Building Factory

Senior NCO: Sgt Maj John Broom, POW 573

Man of Confidence: Ossie Phillips, POW 698

Number of Men: 39 (1942); 47 (1943)

Known to be present

The following photographs were kindly supplied by Ann Wood, daughter of Dvr Len Wood, Royal Sigs, except for the Group with names, which was supplied by John Gross, son of Dvr Arthur Gross, RASC. Bill Bourke has also sent a copy of the smaller group taken at Mitterdorf. On the far right of the picture is Spr Dave Butcher, RE, who disappeared at the very end of the war and didn't get home. Further photographs have been supplied by Tom Phillips, son of Ossie Phillips of New Zealand.

Taken at Kindberg	Taken at Mitterdorf	Taken at Mitterdorf
	Group with names	Taken at Mitterdorf
Melbourne, Wood	Work Party + Guard	Wood, Melbourne, Unknown
Merv Bramble	Ossie Phillips
	Lapworth, Yearsley, Belfield

Dates of visits: 12 September 1942 & 13 September 1943

General Description

1942: 39 POWs are working in this camp, of which 5 are Australians and 12 New Zealanders. The men are working for a building factory whose management takes good care of the prisoners. They do contract work and are never working more than 6 - 8 hours daily. Sundays are always free. They are here since June.

Interior arrangement

1942: The men are living in 3 rooms which are well furnished with beds, tables, chairs and lockers. Good stoves are in all the rooms and coal seems to be here in sufficient quantities. Each man has two blankets.
1943: Electric light, double-tier beds. Four rooms used a living and sleeping quarters.

Bathing and washing facilities

1942: Good
1943: Two hot showers per week. Cold water supply adequate.

Toilet facilities

1942: Good
1943: Adequate.

Food and Cooking

1942: food is prepared in a good kitchen where 2 women are cooking. One of the prisoners is working there to prepare the cabbage in English fashion.
1943: Food cooked by the factory does not satisfy the POWs. The Works Director agrees with the proposition of the Delegate to build a little cookhouse for the British POWs and let them do their cooking themselves. This kitchen will be inside the barrack and will also serve for the preparation of Red cross food.

Medical attention and sickness

1942: One Sanitator in the camp was looking on the day of our visit after 6 patients, all with minor diseases. The British Man of Confidence at Stalag has been asked to send some medical parcels and some invalid comfort parcels to this camp. Dental treatment is given by a civilian dentist in the village.
1943: One Sanitator in the camp. A civilian doctor comes to the factory every day and attends to the sick. Medical supply adequate. Dental treatment adequate.

Clothing

1943: In progress.

Laundry

1943: Done in camp.

Money and Pay

1943: Correct.

Canteen

1943: Beer available, otherwise nothing.

Religious activity

1942: A visit from the Padre from Stalag was asked for.
1943: In order.

Recreation and exercise

1942: No sporting goods or games have ever arrived here. The men especially asked for a football, a cricket set, boxing gloves, chess, card games and musical instruments. Also for some topical music, new songs about home life and the war. This will be mentioned to the Y.M.C.A.
1943: Outdoor games adequate. No recreation room. There is a big concert hall in one of the barracks for civilian workers; this will be open for the British POWs some evenings each week.

Mail

1943: Satisfactory.

Welfare work

1943: In order.

Complaints

1942: There were no complaints.
1943: No complaints.

General impression

1942: This is a good camp.
1943: This is a very good camp. Physical and moral health are perfect. The British Man of Confidence could show a little more grit as the discipline seems to be slackening a bit.