Stalag 18A/Z
Stalag 18A/Z |
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Stalag 18A/Z was located at Spittal an der Drau to the North-West of Klagenfurt and Villach. It was originally designated Stalag 18B. Initially there were two camps: a Transit Camp for POWs being moved from one area to another, and a Lazaret (hospital) which catered for sick or injured POWs. The photographs shown below may have been taken at the Camp or at the Lazaret. The same applies to the POW names. To give some idea of chronological order I have amalgamated extracts from a number of Red Cross reports.
Forename |
Surname |
Rank |
Unit |
POW |
Comments |
| Arty | Albrow | ||||
| Peter J. | Anderson | Sgt | RASC | 5116 | |
| A. | Ball | ||||
| J. | Balshaw | ||||
| Des | Barratt | ||||
| A.V. (Acker) | Barsley | Sgt | R Sigs | 9355 | |
| G. | Bates | ||||
| F.W. (Vic) | Baum | ||||
| H.J. | Bean | ||||
| Jack | Bennett | ||||
| G. | Bode | Pte | 2/15 Inf. Bn. | 8319 | Australia |
| James W. | Bofinger | Pte | 6 Div. Prov. Co. | 6928 | Australia |
| R. | Brain | Pte | RASC | 7740 | |
| H.J. | Bran | RSM | RA | 9094 | |
| S. | Browell | Cpl | RAMC | 8792 | |
| E. | Brown | ||||
| Matty | Caldwell | ||||
| K. | Cameron | ||||
| R. | Carpenter | ||||
| E. | Cashmore | ||||
| D. | Cavanagh | Sgt | 8094 | New Zealand; transf'd to Stalag 357 | |
| R. | Chapman | ||||
| J. | Charton | ||||
| E. | Chatwin | ||||
| G.G. | Cleverly | Sgt | 7767 | New Zealand | |
| H. | Cochrane | ||||
| W. | Cole | ||||
| E. | Collins | ||||
| R.J. | Connelly | ||||
| C.H. | Cook | Gnr | 4977 | New Zealand | |
| A.A.S. | Cotman | WO 1 | 2/15 Inf. Bn. | 8821 | Australia |
| F. | Cox | ||||
| E. | Crisp | ||||
| Gus | D'Alcorn | L/Sgt | Foresters | 39481 | |
| O. | Damelin | Pte | 8574 | South Africa; transf'd to Stalag 8A | |
| R. | Davey | ||||
| T. | Davies | ||||
| W. T. | Dear | L/Sgt | RA | 7356 | MOC Lazaret |
| L. | Dyke | Sgt | RA | 9320 | |
| Snowey | Elfic | ||||
| J. | Ellis | ||||
| Ed H. | Engledow | RAF | 9270 | R/Gnr, Wellington Bomber; shot down over Sicily | |
| Joe B.L. | Farrow | ||||
| C.S. | Forbes | ||||
| J. (Jock) | Galloway | WO2 | Cam. H. | 9178 | |
| George | Gittings | L/Cpl | CMP | 2613 | Transf'd to Stalag 357 |
| J.W. | Glare | Pte | 1 A/Tk. Rg. | 3887 | Australia |
| ? | Green | ||||
| ? | Greenwood | ||||
| A. | Gregg | CSM | RE | 9053 | |
| Les | Grimward | Dvr | RASC | 7228 | Transf'd to Stalag 357 |
| William W. | Gunther | Capt | AAMC | 4940 | MO; also 924/GW |
| A. | Hale | ||||
| W. | Hanlon | Pte | Cam. H. | 7775 | |
| A. | Harnwell | Sgt | AAC | 7769 | |
| C. | Harris | ||||
| W. | Harwood | ||||
| Paddy | Hayes | ||||
| R. | Henderson | ||||
| Norman | Henstridge | Sgt | 2/15 Inf. Bn. | 7703 | Australia |
| Ken | Henty | Sgt | Queens | 9273 | Transf'd to Stalag 18C |
| J.A. | Herdman | Sgmn | R Sigs | 7976 | |
| R. | Hodder | Pte | 4283 | New Zealand | |
| R. | Hopper | ||||
| H. | Husbands | Bdr | 7758 | South Africa | |
| Bill | Hutchings | ||||
| A. | Hutton | ||||
| J. | Hynd | L/Cpl | Seaf. H. | 6208 | |
| C. | Jessop | ||||
| G. | Johnston | ||||
| Norry | Jopson | Sgt | PC | 8179 | Theatre; transf'd to Stalag 383 |
| Harry A. | Kaplin | Cpl | 7 Div. Sigs | 5216 | Australia; MOC |
| R. | Keddie | Dvr | RASC | 6911 | 100/L; transferred to Stalag 383 |
| Peter | Kilbey | CSM | CG | 1749 | Transf'd to Stalag 383 |
| W. | Kingsland | Sgt | R Sussex | 9301 | Transf'd to Stalag 357 |
| O.V.S. | Kok | Capt | SAMC | 9546 | South Africa; MO |
| G.B. | Lamsdale | Tpr | RAC | 6040 | 100/L; transf'd to Stalag 383 |
| J.R. | Lawrence | ||||
| R. | Laws | Pte | RAMC | 9305 | |
| R.L. | Leggo | WO 1 | 2/28 Inf. Bn. | 7694 | Australia; transf'd to Stalag 357 |
| T.H. | Leppens | S/Sgt | 9316 | South Africa; transf'd to Stalag 357 | |
| E.W. | Levings | Capt | 3 A/Tk. Rg. | 31588 | Australia; MO |
| H. | Lewin | ||||
| Neville | Lodge | Cpl | 9333 | New Zealand | |
| W. | Lowen (Lowan?) | ||||
| D.A. | Macfarlane | Dvr | RASC | 7774 | |
| George | Maig | ||||
| R. (W?) | Main-Ellen | ||||
| A.J. | Marshall | Pte | RASC | 1011 | Transf'd to Stalag 18C |
| Bill | Martin | ||||
| R.E. | Mason | Cpl | 1 A.C. HQ | 5181 | |
| F. | Masterton | ||||
| John Patrick | McCosker | L/Bdr | 1 A/Tk. Rgt. | 1495 | Australia; also 11006/GW; transf'd to Stalag 357 |
| J. | McDermid | Pte | Cam. H. | 4135 | |
| E. | McDonald | ||||
| C. | McEvoy | ||||
| R.H. | McGillivray | Dvr | 9265 | New Zealand | |
| I.B. | McIver | Padre | 3326 | ||
| J.E. | McKenzie | Sgt | RE | 1664 | Transf'd to Stalag 383 |
| L. | McWilliam | ||||
| Tex | Mitchell | Australia | |||
| Arthur | Moore | ||||
| A. | Morris | ||||
| Alan | Moss | ||||
| T. | Motford | ||||
| A. | Nixon | ||||
| Reg V. | Nottingham | Dvr | R Sigs | 4219 | Transf'd to Stalag 357 |
| N.T. | O'Boyle | ||||
| W. | Oliver | ||||
| L.J. | O'Regan | Pte | 2/6 Inf. Bn. | 3977 | Australia; transf'd to Stalag 18C |
| Taffy | Owen | Theatre | |||
| A. | Owens | ||||
| J. | Parker | ||||
| C. | Payne | ||||
| D. | Potter | ||||
| Jack | Power | ||||
| F.J. | Pretorius | L/Cpl | 9493 | South Africa | |
| Peter | Puohotaua | T/L/Cpl | 4149 | New Zealand; also 11041/GW | |
| Wally | Redgewell | L/Sgt | RA | 9141 | Transf'd to Stalag 18C |
| J. | Reid | ||||
| Leslie John | Rhodes | Pte | 19 Bn. | 9194 | New Zealand |
| J. | Richardson | ||||
| E.B. | Rishton | ||||
| ? | Rogan | ||||
| D.C. | Roper | WO 1 | HQ 17 Inf. Bde. | 5240 | Australia |
| J. | Russell | ||||
| Mike | Sadler | L/Bdr | 26 Fd. Rg., SAA | 7894 | South Africa |
| F. | Scales | Cpl | 2/7 Inf. Bn. | 5139 | Australia |
| G. | Scott | ||||
| Ted | Seabrook | ||||
| John (Jack) | Sealby | BQMS | RA | 9461 | |
| Alexander Frederick | Seaman | Cpl | RASC | 1072 | |
| W.H.A. | Sefton | WO 2 | 2/28 Inf. Bn. | 7701 | Australia |
| W. | Seymour | ||||
| Basil R. | Sharp | ||||
| H. | Smith | Bdr | 7145 | 100/L | |
| A. | Stone | ||||
| F.J. | Suddaby | RSM | RAC | 2398 | Transf'd to Stalag 18C |
| David | Syme | Bdr | 3 Lt. A.A. Rgt. | 7393 | |
| P. | Tarney | Tpr | RAC | 5796 | |
| B. | Taylor | ||||
| W. | Tempest | Spr | 8525 | South Africa | |
| Fred | Thomas | ||||
| W. | Thomson | ||||
| Johnny | Verblis | Merchant Navy (Alba) | |||
| L.H. | Wales | Pte | 7 Div. Prov. Coy. | 6074 | 100/L |
| A. | Ward | ||||
| W.H. | Wellington | L/Sgt | 2/28 Inf. Bn. | 7368 | Australia |
| J. | West | ||||
| Leslie Jessie | Watson | Pte | 2/32 Inf. Bn. | 6626 | Australia; 95/GW |
| F. | Wheatcroft | Tpr | RAC | 5363 | |
| R.E. | Williams | ||||
| Snowy | Wilson | ||||
| A. | Winter | ||||
| W. | Wood | ||||
| B. | Yates |
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| Ian Houston group | Ian Houston group | William Logie group |
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| David Forsyth group | David Forsyth group | |
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| Peter Puohotaua group | Peter Puohotaua on L | Peter Puohotaua on R |
Man of Confidence: Sgt H. Kaplin
Camp Officer: Major Graf Leiningen
German Doctor: H. Fasan
British Doctor: Capt. Andrea Mikellides, RAMC (+ 3 Medical Orderlies)
Padre: G. Rex Morgan, R.A.Ch.D.
POW Strength: 209
Little coal is available and winter is setting in. Only one hot shower a week is available. Men coming in from Work Camps are often in worn-out uniforms. At least 400 uniforms are needed.S Rev. Morgan is still having problems with the camp authorities who would like to have him transferred but the POWs are supporting him.
Only minor cases are treated in the Infirmary; the rest go to the Lazaret. Capt Mickelledes wishes a transfer as he only has minor medical work to do heare.
Medical Officer: Capt. Ian McD. G. Stewart (Stuart?), RAMC
German Doctor: H. Fasan
Surgeon: Serbian (name unknown)
6 Medical Orderlies
3 Dentists
80 British patients
The medical equipment in the lazaret is very good. It is possible to carry out every surgical intervention. The Serbian surgeon is very efficient and clever. There is no civil hospital available. The drug supply is sufficient and there are some facilities for dietary treatment. There is no sign of vitamin deficiency but some of iron deficiency. The dentists are short of dental material. Dental treatment is free.
Man of Confidence: Sgt H. Kaplin
POW Strength: 100 (41 English, 30 Australian, 20 NZ)
Since the new Stalag 18B was created, this camp is the equivalent of a large Work Camp. German administration is carried out by one officer and a Paymaster. The camp would have been done away with were it not for the nearby Lazaret. About 100 POWs a month pass through the camp and Lazaret. They are allowed to recover their health, morale and equipment before being moved on. The buildings of the old Stalag 18B are being used to accommodate POWs elegible for repatriation, who were once at Stalag 18D. 20 NCOs arrived in May 1942 and will shortly be transferred to Stalag 3C. About 600 men (100 permanent occupants, 100 in transit, 400 in nearby Work Camps) are dependent on this camp.
The camp contains about 10 tons of bulk food and 9 tons of Red Cross parcels (5kg each). The coal ration (1.4kg/day/head) is inadequate.
Medical Corps: 40 (12 British + 1 Chaplain)
7 Doctors (2 British)
293 patients (34 British)
Camp comprises 4 large huts each divided into rooms holding 20-40 patients.
Man of Confidence: Sgt H. Kaplin
Camp Officer: Oblt. Gatternik
Padre: Capt. I.B. McIver (NZ)
POW Strength: 201
A nearby camp is to accommodate 400 NCOs (probably from Stalag 18A).
M.O: Capt. Stewart
Padre: Capt. J.C. Hobling
48 British patients
Camp Leader: D.C. Roper, 5240
POW Strength: 664 (362 British)
The whole camp (excluding the Lazaret) is to be transferred to the eastern side of the camp. (Presumably this became the Ostlager.) 32 Medical Orderlies want a transfer to Stalag 8B.
Camp Leader: Sgt I.C. Edmundsen, 5032
M.O: Capt Stewart
Chief MOC: Sgt H. Kaplin
Camp Officer: Oblt. Gatternig
Abwehr Officer: Haupt. Hartang
Ostlager MOC: W.O. A.G. Johnston
Padre: Capt McIver
POW Strength: 874 British
Ostlager - 416 (used for POWs from Italy)
Westlager - 312
Lazaret - 138
In September 1943, about 4200 British POWs passed through this camp in transit from Italy to Germany.
Senior M.O: Capt W.W. Gunther, AAMC
MOC: Sgt W.T. Dear, 7356
German Doctor: H. Fasan
138 patients plus medical staff
MOC: Sgt H. Kaplin
POW Strength: 185 (94 British)
During the last few days the POW strength has decreased as 200 NCOs have been transferred to Stalag 18C. The camp has a small theatre and an orchestra.
M.O: Capt O.V.S. Kok, 9546 (South Africa)
MOC: Sgt W.T. Dear
German Doctor: H. Fasan
Medical Staff: 9 Doctors (2 British), 23 Medical Orderlies (11 British)
323 patients (81 British)
From October 1944, The Red Cross reports refer to Spittal Hospital rather than the Lazaret. The description is of a building on the outskirts of Spittal rather than a camp.
MOC: Sgt H. Kaplin
The hospital is in the suburbs of Spittal
near to a railway.
M.O.s: Capt O.V.S. Kok, Capt E. Lewings, 31588 (Australia)
MOC: Sgt W.T. Dear
253 patients (102 British, 29 American)
A lot of British and American recently wounded in Italy are being treated. About 20 American and British wounded have arrived from the Western front.