Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Hirsh, Michael
Publication Date
May 2008
Abstract
This is an oral history interview with Holocaust concentration camp liberator Albin F. Irzyk. Irzyk was the commander of the 8th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, which liberated Ohrdruf on April 4, 1945. In this interview, he gives the highlights of the division's arrival in Europe, experiences during the Battle of the Bulge, and progression through the Rhineland. En route to Dresden, Irzyk received orders to go to Ohdruf and look for an underground complex which was thought to hold communications equipment. His division bivouacked outside the town for the night and started to hear reports of bodies. The next morning, Irzyk went into the camp to look around, finding over 300 corpses. He describes his reactions to the camp and how it affected him as a commanding officer. Irzyk retired from the army as a brigadier general and is the author of three books about the U.S. military.
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, Generals--United States--Interviews, Veterans--United States--Interviews, Genocide, Crimes against humanity
Holding Location
University of South Florida
Language
English
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
audio/mp3
Identifier
C65-00062
Recommended Citation
Irzyk, Albin F., "Albin F. Irzyk oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 52.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/52
Rights Statement
