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PART I

SPECIAL PRISONERS

Each concentration camp had an elite of privileged prisoners, no more than ten percent of the population, and admission to this exclusive club depended on an inmate’s position in the internal hierarchy, which was determined by myriad factors such as ethnicity, nationality, profession, political beliefs, language, age, and the time of arrival in the camp.

–Nikolaus Wachsmann, KL

Following the defeat of France, about 40,000 British troops joined an estimated 1.8 million French, Belgium and Dutch prisoners of war in Germany. The provisions of the Geneva Convention were largely observed, although, in breach of its terns, a small proportion of prisoners were transferred to concentration camps. Some were selected for punishment due to repeated escape attempts or for political or security reasons. While some had to endure the deprivations of ordinary concentration camp inmates, others were given special status, housed in isolated compounds and allowed more favourable treatment. These included a number of the British Army and Air Force prisoners, who were held with Russians and natives of other combatant countries. They were placed in Sachsenhausen and later Dachau, where they were joined by prominent Germans suspected of traitorous intentions against the Nazi regime. Two British Intelligence officers were included in the group.