Conditions in Mauthausen were appalling , and 25 % of the POWs ( including 5,000 Italians ) died there of hunger , illness and cold .
The treatment of officers was much better than the treatment of soldiers .
Conditions in Mauthausen were appalling , and 25 % of the POWs ( including 5,000 Italians ) died there of hunger , illness and cold , although the treatment of officers was much better than the treatment of soldiers .