Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Hirsh, Michael
Publication Date
April 2008
Abstract
This is an oral history interview with Holocaust concentration camp liberator Harry Feinberg. Feinberg was a gunner and tank commander in the 4th Armored Division, which liberated Ohrdruf, a sub-camp of Buchenwald, on April 4, 1945. Before being drafted in 1942, he was a professional musician, a member of Borrah Minevitch's Harmonica Rascals. In this interview, Feinberg provides a detailed description of his experiences in training and en route to Europe. The division trained in England for several months before arriving in France in July 1944. From there, they proceeded on the Rhineland and Central Europe Campaigns. In Gotha, Feinberg had an encounter with a German woman who had a lampshade made of human skin in her house. A few days later, they reached Ohrdruf, which was the first concentration camp liberated by the Americans. Feinberg was present when Eisenhower and Patton toured the camp, and was also there when the townspeople were brought to see it. Feinberg also describes his activities after the war, including his involvement with the 4th Armored 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--Tank warfare--Personal narratives, World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American, World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--United States, Veterans--United States--Interviews, Jewish veterans, Genocide, Crimes against humanity
Holding Location
University of South Florida
Language
English
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
audio/mp3
Identifier
C65-00041
Recommended Citation
Feinberg, Harry, "Harry Feinberg oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 33.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/33
Rights Statement
