Report on Knockaloe Camp November 1917

This Report covering a visit of inspection to the place of internment for civilian prisoners of war at KNOCKALOE, Isle of Man, from November 19th, to November 24th, 1917 was made by Dr A. L. Vischer of the Swiss Legation who had taken oven the task of representing German interests in the UK after the USA had entered the war

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Previous visits

Knockaloe Camp has been previously visited [by the Swiss Legation] on two occasions, once in May 1917 by the undersigned, and once in August 1917 by Dr. F. Schwyzer and the undersigned, and Reports were addressed to you under date of May 30th and September 6th, 1917, respectively.

Direction

Lieut. Colonel Metcalfe Smith is Commandant, Major Graham Taylor Assistant Commandant and Captain Smith Cleburn Adjutant. The staffs of the respective camps remain unchanged.

Prisoners

There are, in all, 18441 prisoners in the Camp. Their net nationalities are as as follows

Description of Camp

I arrived at Douglas on November ; 17th. On the 18th I visited Noble's Hospital, Douglas (see special report dated November 30th, 1917). on November 19th and 20th, I visited Camp IV, Knockaloe, on the 21st Camp III, on the 22nd Camp II and on the 23rd Camp I. On the morning of the 24th I inspected the Isolation Hospital and in the afternoon interviewed the representatives of several camp committees and a certain number of individual prisoners.

In visiting the respective camps I first interviewed the members of the various committees, after which I went to each compound and saw those prisoners who wished to speak to me personally, the average number being about 15 in each compound. Every facility was given me to see the camp and all the interviews took place privately.

Housing

The housing and sanitary arrangements are the same as those described in the last report. One complaint which was made in all the camps was that the lighting of the huts was insufficient and that, unless right under the lamp, it was very trying to read or write after dark. I went personally to the huts one evening after the lamps were lighted and found that the complaint was not unfounded. A futher complaint was that some of the huts were not water tight.

The quantity of coal issued per day has been reduced since last winter

Boys Compound

The scheme of separating the juvenile prisoners from the adults has now been carried into effect. About 500 prisoners under the age of 21 years have been collected in Compound 7 of Camp IV. They include the "ship's boys" who, as stated in the last report, were already in that compounds Mr. Rehbehn, who was formerly Manager of Baron von Bredow's Estate, Heinrichsdorf, Pomerania, and afterwards Government farmer in the Cameroons, has, on the recommendation of this Legation, been made Head Captain of the Compound. He enjoys the confidence both of the Commandant and the Camp Leaders, and is at present engaged in organising schools and developing workshops to occupy the prisoners under his charge. In this he is assisted by a school committee consisting of Professor Albers, Wr. Seidel (formerly Educational Adviser to the Republic of Colombia) Mr. Scharlach and Mr. Seitz.

A Musical committee is being formed and theatrical performances will soon be started. The Rev. Schmidt , a pastor of the Free Church, will conduct religious services. A certain number of complaints were brought to my notice from boys who stated that they had been seperated from relatives by their removal to the juvenile compound. Such a scheme, generally carried out, must necessarily be of disadvantage in some individual cases, but the difficulties of making exceptions are very great. It has, however, been decided that in cases where sons are living with their fathers in other camps, they wil not be obliged to go to the juvenile compound. I am convinced that in a month's time, when the compound is in good working order, it will prove thoroughly satisfactory to all concerned.

Major Anderton Nodin, the Sub-Commandent of Camp IV, takes a grest interest in the scheme, and the well-organised committees of his camp will be of great assistance. It is easy to understand that some of the boys have acquired bad habits through three years' contact with doubtful elements and are inclined to be unruly. They will need careful management and discipline. I would suggest that boys who have reached the age of 21 years may be given the choice as to whether they leave the juvenile compound or not.

Nutrition.

There were few complaints about the food which is probably due to the fact that, according to the present dietary sheet, about 16 ozs. of potatoes are issued, which add greatly to the substance of the daily ration. Apart from the dietary scale (see EXHIBIT "A"), each Compound Kitchen Committee may buy the following provisions [per month] from the canteen:-

200 cwt. potatoes
17 cwt. maize flour
700 cwt. oatmeal
392 lbs. rice
196 lbs. peas . .
48 gallons vinegar
4 cases onions

Jam is occasionally substituted for the margarine ration. The whole question of nutrition is one which must be under careful and constant supervision. The order allowing the camp doctors to recommend cases for extra rations is to a great extent made use of only in Camp I, where special care is devoted by Dr. Hicky to cases of anaemia.

Canteen

Since November 1st, 1917, the retail sale of the canteen has been handed over to the the prisoners which is an advantage. (See EXHIBIT "B"), The wholesale department is still entirely staffed and managed by the Isle of Man Government. Unfortunately the Canteen stock is at present rather low and many articles, especially tobacco, are often not obtainable. It may be mentioned that all orders for articles required by the prisoners must go through the canteen and there is, apparently great delay in their execution.

Recreation.

Theatrical and musical entertainments are a great feature of the camp life. Each compound has large recreation hut and numerous bands, both brass and string, besides well-organised dramatic societies, have been formed. I was present at a string band concert in Compound 4 of Camp IV. The programme consisted chiefly of classical music and it was an impressive sight to watch ; several hundred prisoners, most of whom were seamen and working men by profession, listening to the music with the greatest attention.

Nearly every night some dramatic performance is given. I myself attended a representation of "Im Krug zum Grunen Kranze". The plays are not limited only to comedy but classical plays, such as "Die Hermanns-Schiecht " are also given. There are also Debating Societies, Workmen's Unions, Chess Clubs, etc.

Whatever the merits of these different entertainment committees, and I believe them to be considerable, they all have the common advantage of breaking the deadly monotony of camp life and diverting the thoughts of the prisoners to other things. It struck me as an interesting fact thet the members of the dramatic or musical societies are, apparently, too much occupied to find time for complaints.

The numerous trades carried on in the camp deserve special mention. They include carving, modelling, printing, basket-making, drawing and even weaving. Relative to this I should like to place on record the excellent aid rendered by Mr. James T. Baily representative in Knockaloe Camp of the Friend's Emergency Committee.

Religious Services

Pastor Hartmann, who used to hold services in Camp I, has now been repatriated, but his work is efficiently carried by the Rev. Pocock who was formerly an Anglican clergyman on the Continent, and is now working under the Right Rev. Bishop Bury. Weekly services are held in Camp II by Mr. Huppenbauer formerly an Evangelical missionary in Togoland, and in Camp IV by the Rev Schmidt, already mentioned. Pastors Goehling and Scholten are not allowed to visit the camp at present, but it is to be hoped they will eventually be permitted to continue their work which is much appreciated py the prisoners.

The Rev. Dean Crookhall and the Rev. Traynor, assisted by Dean Steinherr hold services for Roman Catholics at frequent intervals; opportunities are provided for Confession.

Mail Delivery

During the last two months the Postel service has slightly improved. Letters from Germany take about 6 to 8 weeks, parcels 2 months. I endeavoured to investigate the question of lost parcels from Germany and Holland, and by comparing the statements of a number of prisoners I found that about 85 to 90% arrive safely. Several prisoners stated that parcels frequently arrive with articles missing, especially tobacco and leather ware; ineffective packing is some- times responsible for this. It was also generally complained that the transfer of money through the Deutsche Bank takes three to four months. A more serious was made to the effect that the luggage of prisoners transferred from other camps if often pilfered I brought this to the notice of the camp authorities who comfirmed it, stating that on several occasions police enquiries had been instigated but that it could not be ascertained where the robberies had occurred, whether on the mainland railways, in the Liverpool Docks, on board ship from Liverpool to Douglas Pier or on the Peel Railway.

Medical Information

A detailed account of the medica1 organisation at Knockaloe Camp has been given in the last report. Colonel King, who was responsible for this elaborate and efficient scheme has now left the camp.

I visited the four 4 Camp hospitals and the Isolation Hospital. The work of Dr. Hicky in Camp I. deserves special mention. He is, as stated, above, paying careful attention to cases of anaemia in the camp, which number, at present, about 450, mostly under 30 years of age. All these patients receive an extra ration and many of them are weighed periodically and thus kept under careful observstion. About 30 are quartered in a special hut partitioned into two sections, where they are examined daily by Dr. Hicky.

I regret to state that several complaints were made in Camp II about the harsh and inconsiderate manner of the Resident Medical Officer.

In the Hospital of Camp I, I sw 32 patients, including one case of cancer of the stomach, aged 52, one aortic aneurism, aged 52, and one case of Bright's Disease, aged 52. All these three are stokers by profession and are naturally anxious to know as members of the mercantile marine, they are excluded from repatriation, I also saw a further case of aneurism, aged 54, and one of apoplexy.

In Camp III Hospital there were 32 patients, including two cases of spastic paralysis, one bad heart case, one of apoplexy, one of gastric ulcer, one tabes, one Case of chronic rheumatism, aged 62, and one of stricture, the captain of the merchant steamer "Angela" aged 70.

In Camp II there were 23 patients, including one case of chronic Bright's disease aged 53, one of hemiplegia, one of tuberculosis , of the larynx, one new growth of the oesophagus, aged 56 one of epilepsy and one of heart disease.

In Camp IV Hospital there were 46 patients, amongst whom were cases of heart disease, Bright's Disease, tabes and ulcer of the stomach.

The Isolation Hospital is under the careful supervision of Dr. Sugden. Ward A contained 69 cases of phthisis. Dr- Sugden's report on the patients in this ward for the month of October is as follows ;-

"According to general examination, temperature, etc" Improving 55 Stationary 11 Getting worse 5
"According to weight only" Gaining 29 Stationary 27 Losing 15

Ward B contains 40 cases of phthisis, the report for October being as follows:-
"According to physical examination and temperature":- Improving 21 Stationary 14 Getting worse 3
"According to wight only" :- Gaining 22 Stationary 10 Losing 6

Ward C containg 17 cases of syphilis They are treated with injections of galyl, a new preparation, a substitute for Salvarsan, and with injections of Biniodide of Mercury. The blood is occasionally examined by the Wessermann test in the government laboratory at Douglas.

In Ward C, there are, in separate rooms, 6 mental cases, including bad epileptics, 19 cases of incontinence of urine, 2 of gonorrhoea and one of impetigo.

As the name indicates, the Isolation Hospital was originally intended for epidemic diseases and it is only since the increase of phthisis in the camp that it has been transformed into a hospital for consumptive patients. Happily Knockaloe Camp has not suffered so far from any epidemic disease. Some time ago a compound in Camp III was emptied to serve as an Isolation hospital for epidemic diseases, should any occur.

Eight deaths occurred in the camp durng August, 5 during September, 6 during October ae 4 in November up to the 23rd; 1 suicide since August 1st. The deaths which have occurred in Noble's Hospital are included in the above figures..

Since August lst, 1917, 26 cases have been transferred to Noble's Hospital, Douglas and 20 cases have been sent to the Isle of Man Lunatic Asylum.

In this connection I should like to mention the good work done by the Sick and Burial Board in the Camp, of which Mr. Wisemann is chairmen and Messrs. Kilian, Hintze and Gerber are members.

Dentistry

The services of a British dentist are available for the four Camps; he performs extractions and temporary fillings free of charge. There are also interned dentists at work in the different camps. Material is provided to them at cost price by the Relief Committee; they attend destitute Prisoners free of charge and others at a moderate fee, It is to be hoped thet this effective arrangement will be allowed to continue.

German Government Allowance.

The payment of the German Government Allowance of 10/- a month to destitute prisoners is now in good working order. The preparation of the lists of eligible prisoners has been no easy work for the compound captains who deserve great credit for the manner in which it has been done. It is easy to understand that several prisoners unentitled to the grant are greatly incensed at not receiving it. The captains take every care to exclude gamblers.

Mentality.

It is exceedingly difficult to get an accurate impession of the mentality of nearly 20,000 prisoners during one week's visit. Many are necessarily badly affected by the 3 years captivity and the nerves of all are highly strung. Heated discussions ending with mutual insults and even blows quarrelling over petty grievances, out burst of wild passion, are frequent occurrences. Sleeplessness and failing eyesight are common complaints.

The mentality varies according to external influences. For instance, at the time of my visit the prisoners were cheered by the fact that about 600 men over the age of 45 years had left for the repatriation cemps near Boston. The sight of packing and repairing trunks and other preparations for departure reminded the remaining prisoners that their own captivity would come to an end one day, and to a certain extent raised their depressed spirits. On the other hand the dread of the coming winter has a bad effect. The resumption of repatriation, which has been suspended for fully 9 months, is most beneficial, and it is to be hoped that there will be no further delay in repatriating the remainder of the prisoners over 45 years of age as well as eligible invalids, and that the transfer of those selected for internment in Holland will soon take place. The presence of the sick and aged prisoners in the camp is very depressing and their departure will be a relief.

Criminal Compound

Gambling is one of the worst influences at work in the camp. Many the prisoners now in receipt of the allowance cannot resist the temptation of passing away their time by gambling. In these circumstances those men of better social standing and education who stand aside, naturally suffer accordingly. It must be remembered that amongst the prisoners at Knockaloe there are a considerable number of convicts and lawless characters of all sorts ; probably numbering over 1000. These men do not improve behind the barbed wire and on average one is sent to trial each week for offending against common law, such as stealing government property or robbing a fellow prisoner, Consequently these bad characters must have a most deteriorating influence on their fellow prisoners and conditions have become somewhat worse since, according to the Hague Agreement, all prisoners who were sentenced before August 1st, 1917, have now been set free from gaols and sent to this camp. I would suggest that those prisoners who, during their internment have been convicted for crime against common law should be segregated in a special compound, which ought to be quite separated from the rest of the camps, out of shouting range or other means of communication. Their cases ought, of course, to be thorough investigated and the Sub-Commandants should be given power to single out such cases as they consider fit for segregation. I would emphasize that only the the Sub-Commandants who have been in daily contact with the prisoners for a period of two years and who know the camp well, should have a voice in this selection. As a suitable site for such a compound I should suggest an area outside the Isolation Hospital. Transfer to the "criminal" compound ought naturally, never to be used as a means of discipline in the case of offence against military law.

Conclusion

In concluding this report I should like to mention once again the four sub-Commandants and their Adjutants, who fulfil their arduous duties in a most humane spirit and do all that lies in their power to counteract the bad effect of the long internment upon the prisoners under their charge. I was especially struck by the excellent organisation of Camp IV, in which Major Anderton Nodin has always taken the greatest interest.

Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received The Editor HTML Transcription © F.Coakley , 2022