Once Upon A Time In War

German civilians burying the dead of Nordhausen.

Nordhausen (a satellite camp of Mittelbau-Dora, which itself was already a sub camp of Buchenwald) was liberated 12 April 1945 by the 104th US Infantry Division, and the first American GIs that arrived to camp discovered a gruesome scene of more than 3,000 corpses. In several hangers were were no survivors and in others only 2 or 3 living inmates were found amongst the dead. The situation was reported so drastic and calamitous that the 104th’s medic unit had to request urgent medical reinforcement and supplies. Despite this and the effort made by the medics, numerous inmates still died within the immediate hours and days following the liberation of Nordhausen.
In the direct vicinity of the camp were more than 400 German civilians. Under US Army orders and supervision, the men and women of the town were forced to collect and give the dead respectable burials.

German civilians burying the dead of Nordhausen.

Nordhausen (a satellite camp of Mittelbau-Dora, which itself was already a sub camp of Buchenwald) was liberated 12 April 1945 by the 104th US Infantry Division, and the first American GIs that arrived to camp discovered a gruesome scene of more than 3,000 corpses. In several hangers were were no survivors and in others only 2 or 3 living inmates were found amongst the dead. The situation was reported so drastic and calamitous that the 104th’s medic unit had to request urgent medical reinforcement and supplies. Despite this and the effort made by the medics, numerous inmates still died within the immediate hours and days following the liberation of Nordhausen.

In the direct vicinity of the camp were more than 400 German civilians. Under US Army orders and supervision, the men and women of the town were forced to collect and give the dead respectable burials.

October 05, 2012, 11:56am / 96