Liberation of Nazi Camps: James Rose (U.S. 42nd Division)

As Allied and Soviet troops moved across Europe in a series of offensives against Nazi Germany, they encountered concentration camps, mass graves, and numerous other sites of Nazi crimes. American soldiers witnessed evidence of the Holocaust and Nazi atrocities as they marched into the interior of Germany, liberating the major concentration camps such as Buchenwald, Dachau, and Mauthausen as well as hundreds of subcamps, including Ohrdruf (a subcamp of Buchenwald). Though the liberation of Nazi camps was not a primary objective of the Allied military campaign, U.S, British, Canadian, and Soviet troops freed prisoners from their SS guards, provided them with food and badly needed medical support, and collected evidence for war crimes trials.

James A. Rose, of Toledo, Ohio, was with the 42nd ("Rainbow") Division during the liberation of Dachau. In this interview with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Rose describes his impressions of the camp.

To learn more about liberation of the Nazi camps, visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum at http://www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/focus/liberation/.

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Tags:

• Liberation
• Holocaust
• Museum
• 42nd
• Armored
• Infantry
• Dachau
• Concentration
• Camp
• USHMM
• WWII
• Genocide
• Rose

[911sanitarium]

We did not fight for liberation we fought because we got attacked and wanted revenge. all that bull shit that we went to war to save the prisoners was just a way to get men to join.

[ShaytanBozorg]

@Jonnyreb1988, bullshit.

[PHAEDRIDER]

his last line .. awesome stuff!

[Jonnyreb1988]

Get a good look at this man. Men like this are the definition of heroes.

[wadawut]

@wilson60634 What do you mean "pearl Harbor was a big part" Dude It started the fucking war. And for you to say "If u weren't affected by it directly you might need more reason to kill other men" Dude you are like the fucking rest of Americas horrible society, The ones that say If It didn't happen to them then turn the other way. Thousands died On that Day. Don't forget that.

[PoliticalPars]

@LpBonecrack Perhaps as English is not your first language you made an error when suggesting the US declared war on Germany & Japan. History says otherwise.

[LpBonecrack]

@cfodk

no need to be rude bro.

overall i just wanted to point out that these people deserve much respect.

but thanks for education class anyways:)

[cfodk]

@LpBonecrack Go back to school buddy. Japan attacked USA - which is pretty much a declaration of war, wouldnt you say? Shortly after Germany declared war on the USA. This was within the agreement Hitler had with the Japanese. I wonder what posesses you to write the nonsense you do. I hope it is lack of education. I expect howver, that it is wishful thinking. A shame that people like you are still around.

[kitkat6026]

@LpBonecrack with respect look up pearl harbour 7th dec 1941a good reason

[LpBonecrack]

i feel so sorry for these brave american men.

at the beginning they weren't even involved in the war till the american government declared war to germany and japan.

they had no choice but to fight for no reason.

i cant even imagine 1% of what they've been going trough.

big props to these guys!