Work Camp  11072 GW

Location: Gradnitz

Type of work: Railway

Man of Confidence: Cpl James C Johnston, POW 1732

Number of Men: 102

Known to be present

Albert Freeman	Room 4	Robert Randall
Swimming	Linley, Read, Moore	Railway work
Orchestra	Choir	Maori dancer

Thanks to Dave Freeman and Joe Woodward for the photographs. Joe has produced a play based upon his father's experiences in captivity. It's called 'Violine'. The link takes you to the Shadowhouse Pits (Canberra) website.

Date of visit: 24 May 1943

General Description

This camp is situated in an open field near a railway line some miles outside Klagenfurt. The compound comprises just the one large barrack, there is practically no ground otherwise.

Interior arrangement

Lighting in the camp is good. Fuel for heating is very scarce.

Bathing and washing facilities

The washhouse is rather badly equipped in that there are only 27 washing bowls for 102 men; furthermore the one boiler holds only enough water for about 50 men. The prisoners on the other hand, are allowed to go swimming each Saturday and Sunday for two hours.

Toilet facilities

Adequate.

Food and Cooking

The food is cooked by the prisoners themselves. No complaint. As for the cooking of Red Cross food, the fuel question is making it somewhat of a problem, as the supplies have to be divided between the washhouse and the private cooking.

Medical attention and sickness

There is an acknowledged sanitator in the camp and he has adequate supplies of medicaments. Sick prisoners are transferred to the Camp Lazaret in Klagenfurt (Weidmannsdorf).

Dental treatment in Klagenfurt by a civilian dentist.

Clothing

Everything in order.

Laundry

The laundry is washed by the men themselves.

Money and Pay

In order.

Canteen

There is a small canteen but poorly stocked. The men urgently require toilet paper and razor blades. This will be transmitted to the YMCA by the Delegate of the Protecting Power.

Religious activity

In order.

Recreation and exercise

The prisoners are able to play football and cricket.

Mail

Parcels arrive regularly. Mail is delivered once weekly.

Welfare work

In order.

Complaints

The Man of Confidence states that they all consider the size of the compound as being totally out of keeping with the number of inmates. There is neither a mess- or a day-room nor a hall for theatrical entertainments. Furthermore, new crockery is needed, some of the men drinking out of empty tins at present. Also they would like to go to a cinema sometime.

All these points were discussed with the Accompanying Officer who promised to find satisfactory arrangements.

General impression

Good camp.

Date of visit: 7 September 1943

94 men. There is no day-room in this camp. The firm has promised one and the wood is already available, but the means of transport were not yet accorded by the Riechsbahn. The Accompanying Officer on the demand of the Delegate insisted that the barrack containing the day-room must be built before the cold season sets in. A new cook-house is just being finished at will be at the camp's disposal in a few days. No other complaints.

Date of visit: 19 November 1943

174 British and 2 USA prisoners of war. This camp has considerably increased in number as about 80 men have joined from Italian captivity. In the new barrack was no night latrine and the accompanying Officer gave orders to have one installed. There too, the blankets are much worn out and were ordered to be exchanged. No other complaints. This is a fairly good camp and the man of confidence reported good understanding and personal contact with his firm and the camp authorities.