2003: Memorial stone at the entrance to the former concentration camp where tens of thousands died of disease , starvation, or were murdered.

2003: Memorial stone at the entrance to the former concentration camp where tens of thousands died of disease , starvation, or were murdered.
Photo Credit: wiki-Arne List

History: April 15, 1945- British-Canadian Liberation of Bergen-Belson death camp

Located in north Germany about half way between the port city of Hamburg, and Hanover, in April 1945, the huge Bergen-Belson concentration camp was in the middle of the war zone.

Following several days of negotiations between the Allies and Germans, the camp was declared a neutral zone and would be turned over to the Allies peacefully.

British and German officers standing between Canadian designed and built CMP 60cwt trucks, sign the truce deal on 12 April 1945
British and German officers standing between Canadian designed and built CMP 60cwt trucks, sign the temporary ruce deal on 12 April 1945 © Sgt H Oakes 5AFPU IWM BU-4068

On April 15, British forces augmented by Canadians, entered the camp only to be horrified at what they found.

Unimaginable horror: a British army bulldozer has to push bodies into a mass grave at the camp, April 19, 1945.
Unimaginable horror: a British army bulldozer has to push bodies into a mass grave at the camp, April 19, 1945. © Sgt H Oakes, 5AFPU-IWM BU-4058

Immediate efforts were made to try to save the some 60,000 starving and sick, and deal with some 13,000 bodies littering the camp.

Soon after liberation, camp survivors await their ration of potato soup. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, April 28, 1945.
Soon after liberation, camp survivors await their ration of potato soup. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, April 28, 1945. © US Holocaust Memorial Museum

In spite of heroic efforts, there were still hundreds of deaths a day from the effects of disease and starvation. About 14,000 prisoners died in the month following liberation.

Camp director, Josef Kramer, who had held posts in a number of concentration and death camps, was tried as a war criminal and hanged in Hamelin jail on December 13, 1945.

CBC report 40 years later with Canadian liberator

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