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Softcover. Condition: g to g+. First edition. Folio. Unpaginated. [11] leaves. Original illustrated wrappers. This rare issue of "Schlemil," a German POW Camp Newspaper, provides a first-hand account of the feelings and emotions of the men, as well as their day-to-day activities during their internment in Fanara, Egypt. This issue (the fourth) was the first published in 1947 (issues 1-3 were published in 1946). The last issue (No. 8) was also also published in 1947, shortly before the prisoners were shipped home (1947 through 1948). Of all the German POW camps, camp 307 had the highest rate of German mortality. The reason can primarily be found in the harsh climatic conditions. Indeed, unlike to the soldiers of the Africa corps who were fit for the tropics, the soldiers who were taken prisoners in Italy, Greece and its islands, had many difficulties with the climate in Egypt. Hot wind and sandstorms in spring, great heat in summer and severe cold in the winter impaired life in the strange climate. This led to the well known "Declaration of the captured Lutheran Pastors in Egypt*". The front cover of this copy of "Schlemihl" features a drawing depicting a German POW painting a newlywed couple with the year 1947 at the upper left corner. The illustrator must have expressed to see his wish come true (being freed and shipped home, and marry his sweetheart). The newspaper contains poetry and short stories with a strong anti-Nazi stance. There are 5 other illustrations throughout the whole issue. Each leaf is printed on recto only. Some age-toning and creasing to wrappers, with tiny chipping and closed tear at upper front and back cover. Upper corner slightly creased throughout. Text in German. Wrappers in overall good, interior in good+ condition. * Declaration of the captured Lutheran Pastors in Egypt: The captured Lutheran Pastors in Egypt, moved by the emotional situation of their fellow prisoners in the M[iddle] E[ast], which has become extraordinarily critical, and in obedience to their sworn duties of office, would like to make the following declaration before the British authorities, before the German public, before their fellow prisoners, and also before the Christians of the world. For at least the last two and a half years and, for the most part substantially longer periods, German Prisoners of War have been held in the M[iddle] E[ast], whose number at this time amounts to more than 60 000. They have been put to work in a climate which, for half the year is positively unbearable for a European. Through the long duration of imprisonment, through the separation from their relatives, through the bad news from home, through the impossibility of effectively helping them [their relatives] and, for many (the "C+" people), through the completely immeasurable continuance of their imprisonment, the emotional burden of these prisoners has reached a degree which gives grounds for the gravest fears for the future. The symptoms, which are already manifesting themselves, are shocking enough: the incidences where prisoners break down emotionally so completely that they become mentally ill, are increasing. Alone in one Work Company (2719) of 5000 men, no fewer than six prisoners have been admitted to the appropriate department of the British military hospital because of mental illness. Above all, the cases are increasing where prisoners are ending their own lives, which appear unbearable to them. In the last month, in just one of the three British Military Districts in Egypt, five cases of suicide are known to us. This is because the majority of Prisoners of War in the M[iddle] E[ast] have come to a total collapse of trust in the promises and declarations of the British custodial powers. The emotional strain, which has arisen from this among the Prisoners of War, is extreme. The most important reasons, to name only these few, which have led to this crisis, are the following: 1. At the end of last year, more than eighteen months after the capitulation, the Prisoners of War were advised of the Repatriation Plan, as it was to be binding for the year 1947. This Repatriation Plan gave the individual the opportunity to envisage, within an admittedly broad framework according to his score and his political classification, his return home. This plan has not been carried out. On 30 September 1947, the British Government announced that it would be necessary for it to reduce the repatriation to a fraction of the planned quota, because of shortages of ships. Can one think ill of Prisoners of War that they held the following declaration, which had been printed in the papers for some time, against the British Prime Minister Attlee: that the work of the Prisoners of War at this time was the only available reparation from Germany, and could not be done without? Or that they received the impression from the speech to the Lower House on March 27, of the Member of Parliament for Ipswich, Mr. R.R. Stokes, that the reason for the sluggish pace of the repatriation from the M[iddle] E[ast] is that the local British authorities held the manpower of the Prisoners of War to be so indispensable, that they would simply have to wait for repatriation? Can one think ill of the German Prisoners of War who, due to previous experience are already full of mistrust, today take into consideration that the almost complete halt to repatriation will not just last until the end of the year, but that probably the closing date for repatriation, the end of 1948, won't be adhered to? With great and honest thankfulness the Prisoners of War of the M[iddle] E[ast] have experienced the intervention for the easing of the lot of the captured and their speedier return home, by men of the British public, above all from a great number of Bishops, the Member of Parliament Stokes, a man such as Viktor Gollancz and, finally, a group of more than sixty Lower House members. In the M[iddle] E[ast] hardly any of this has come about and the result is growing bitterness and hopelessness, instability and de.