Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Hirsh, Michael
Publication Date
August 2008
Abstract
This is an oral history interview with Holocaust concentration camp liberator Max R. Schmidt. Schmidt was a member of the 80th Infantry Division, which liberated Buchenwald on April 12, 1945. He arrived in Europe as a replacement in March 1945, meeting the 80th in Germany. Schmidt and his unit got to Buchenwald the day after its liberation; they only passed it, not having the chance to stay or go inside. He could smell the camp as they approached and saw piles of weapons confiscated from the Weimar townspeople. Passing the camp, Schmidt saw the barracks and some of the prisoners. He and some friends went back to Buchenwald in 1994 and toured it; though the memorial was closed, the staff made a special exception for them. Schmidt is very active in a number of veterans' groups, including the division association.
Keywords
Concentration camps--History--Germany, World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Germany, World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation, World War, 1939-1945--Atrocities, World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American, World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--United States, Veterans--United States--Interviews, Genocide, Crimes against humanity
Holding Location
University of South Florida
Language
English
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
audio/mp3
Identifier
C65-00122
Recommended Citation
Schmidt, Max R., "Max R. Schmidt oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 107.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/107
Rights Statement
