Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Hirsh, Michael
Publication Date
October 2008
Abstract
This is an oral history interview with Holocaust concentration camp liberator Kenneth Ayers. Ayers was a first lieutenant with the 84th Infantry Division when it liberated Salzwedel on April 14, 1945. The division went overseas shortly after D-Day and was in combat for the first time at Geilenkirchen. They were in the process of capturing the town of Salzwedel when the camp was discovered. As an officer, Ayers was involved in managing the liberation, distributing rations and organizing a show for the former prisoners each night. After the war ended, he briefly returned to the United States and was then sent back to Europe for the occupation; he was the warden of Landsberg Prison, and also escorted a group of displaced persons back to Russia. Ayers was in the Army for twenty-four years and retired as a major.
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, 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
C65-00006
Recommended Citation
Ayers, Kenneth, "Kenneth Ayers oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 6.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/6
Rights Statement
