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 Don Latimer. Latimer was a radio operator in the 36th Infantry Division's reconnaissance troop, which encountered a death train in the vicinity of Bad Tölz in late April 1945. The train had several boxcars, nailed shut, with many Jewish prisoners inside, some alive, some dead. Latimer remained in his armored car, staying in radio contact with the platoons and with headquarters, while his comrades opened the train doors. They gave the prisoners food, water, and medical treatment and continued on to Bad Tölz. Latimer describes the train encounter as one of the most traumatic events of the war for him. He did not see any other camps during the war but later visited Auschwitz and Birkenau.
Keywords
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Germany, Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Personal narratives, American, World War, 1939-1945--Jews--Rescue, 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
C65-00074
Recommended Citation
Latimer, Don, "Don Latimer oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 62.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/62
Rights Statement
