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 Werner Ellmann. Ellmann was a member of the 11th Armored Division, which liberated Mauthausen on May 5, 1945. Born in Germany, he, his parents, and younger brother came to the United States in 1929; his two older brothers were left behind and eventually joined the German army. Ellmann was drafted into the U.S. Army and arrived in Europe in 1944, during the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. Before being assigned to the 11th Armored, he was a liaison with the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. Since he spoke German, Ellmann often interpreted for the officers, helping them to coordinate movements, and thus was one of the first soldiers to enter Mauthausen. After the war, Ellmann was an interpreter at the Dachau Trial in 1946. In this interview, he describes his experiences at the camp, during the trials, and after the war, particularly how seeing Mauthausen has affected his life.
Keywords
Concentration camps--History--Austria, World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Austria, 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, Dachau Trial, Dachau, Germany, 1946, Veterans--United States--Interviews, Genocide, Crimes against humanity
Holding Location
University of South Florida
Language
English
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
audio/mp3
Identifier
C65-00037
Recommended Citation
Ellmann, Werner, "Werner Ellmann oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 29.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/29
Rights Statement
