John M. Holocaust testimony
Abstract
Videotape testimony of John M., who was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1926. He recalls enlisting in the United States military; training as a radio operator; assignment to the XVIII Airborne Corps; and entering Ludwigslust concentration camp shortly after its liberation by the 82nd Airborne Division. He discusses having only two vivid memories: two emaciated prisoners (nothing but skin and bone) in striped uniforms with shaved heads lying by the gate, barely alive; and a building filled with corpses in total disarray emitting an incredible odor. He recounts being stunned; feeling totally inadequate to communicate with those who had suffered so greatly, knowing he could not help them; not believing German civilians who denied knowledge of the camps; and telling his wife and children he was there, but not sharing details with them.
Extent and Medium
1 videocassette
Conditions Governing Access
This testimony is open with permission.
Conditions Governing Reproduction
Copyright has been transferred to the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies. Use of this testimony requires permission of the Fortunoff Video Archive.
Rules and Conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Process Info
compiled by Staff of the Fortunoff Video Archive for Holocaust Testimonies
People
- M., John, -- 1926-
Corporate Bodies
- United States. -- Army. -- Airborne Corps, XVIII.
- Ludwigslust (Concentration camp)
- United States -- Army -- Airborne Division, 82nd.
Subjects
- Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945) -- Personal narratives.
- Men.
- Video tapes.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, American.
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives, American.
Genre
- Oral histories. -- aat