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List of Units at Belsen
1 Vascular Injuries Research Team 10 Military Government Garrison Detachment 102 Control Section Early May 1945 102 Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit 104 Mobile Laundry and Bath Unit 11 Light Field Ambulance R.A.M.C. (Field Hygiene) 17/04/1945 113 LAA Regt Royal Artillery 18/04/1945 113 LAA Regt Workshops R.E.M.E. 18/04/1945 11th (British) Armoured Division Mobile Bath Section 12 Displaced Persons Assembly Team 14 Amplifying Unit, Intelligence Corps 15/04/1945 155 Detail Issue Depot 1575 Light Artillery Platoon R.A.S.C. 1576 Heavy Artillery Platoon R.A.S.C. 15th Scottish Division Mobile Bath Section 163 Field Ambulance R.A.M.C. 08/05/1945 166 DID R.A.S.C. 172 Battery, 58th LAA Regiment RA 174 Battery, 58th LAA Regiment RA 22 Field Transfusion Unit…
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Squadron Leader Douglas Haig Palmer RNZAF
I am responding to your request for information about the liberation of the Bergen Belsen camp in May 1945. 12,262 total views
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Mady Gerrard – Survivor
On 15th April 1945, British Soldiers entered the gates of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp for the first time. They found more than 50,000 prisoners, suffering from disease, starvation, neglect and torture – as well as the bodies of thousands who had already died.Immediately, a major relief effort began, with British troops trying to save as many lives as possible, but even after liberation, 14,000 more people would die. Today, 75 years on, SSAFA remembers the actions of the British soldiers, who did what they could to rescue and revive the thousands of people on the verge of death, from the worst terror imaginable. The first men to enter the camp were…
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Tomi Reichental on liberation day in Bergen-Belsen
Tomi Reichental on liberation day in Bergen-Belsen. 11,217 total views
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Ted Smith – Canadian Pilot
Ted Smith, 92, was a Canadian pilot during the Second World War who saw frequent combat. But it is a spring day in April 1945 that’s seared into his memory. He arrived at Bergen-Belsen, the Nazi concentration camp, two days after it was liberated. Here is his description of the horrific scene he encountered. 11,171 total views
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John Crosbie (Jack) Lt. 113th LAA DLI
This article was written by John J. Crosbie (known as Jack) in March 1964. Jack was born in Girvan in 1915 and after the war he lived in Giffnock with his wife and two sons until his death in 1995. 13,699 total views
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Report on Belsen Camp by Lt. Col. Taylor
REPORT ON BELSEN CAMP by Lt-Col. R.I.G. TAYLOR, DSO, MC. Appendix ‘A’ attached is a short account of the condition of the camp as known before the entry on 15 April. Appendix ‘B’ is a copy of the agreement concluded between representatives of the Allied and German Armies on 12 April 1945. PART I. On 13 April I received written instructions from B.G.S., 8 Corps that I was to assume control of the area as given in the agreement, that I was to command all enemy troops remaining in the area, and “in principle British troops were to be employed to give authority of enemy forces vis a…
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Leopold John “Leo” Genn (War Crimes Unit)
WCIT. War Crimes Unit. Arrived 20th May. Produced initial report 22nd June. 14 page document summarised investigators key findings and made recommendations for the cases against key concentration camp personnel. 12,000 total views
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British Royal Engineer (59 Plant Troop)
Picture of Royal Engineers Dozer team (59 M.E) that arrived from Maxhafen on or around 25th/26th April 1945. 12,875 total views
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Clifford Beckwith – Green Howards
My dad Clifford Beckwith was among the first British soldiers to enter Belsen. He never spoke of it other than to say they were told not to give food to the prisoners as it would make them ill. He said he never felt so helpless. 14,969 total views