• bergen belsen concentration camp

    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…

  • bergen belsen concentration camp

    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…

  • 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.  11,587 total views

  • 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.  9,552 total views

  • 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.  10,113 total views

  • Military Government at Belsen

    The 224 Mil. Gov Det. was responsible for “the former concentration camp” and remained one month in Belsen (ie until the camp was completely evacuated).  8,956 total views

  • medical students Belsen

    Sir James Gowans (1924-2020)

    St Catherine’s College is saddened to share the news that Sir James Gowans, Honorary and Founding Fellow, passed away on 1st April, 2020 aged 95.  11,302 total views