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 Robert Persinger. Persinger was in a reconnaissance squadron in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, which was attached to the 80th Infantry Division when Ebensee was liberated on May 6, 1945. The squadron arrived in Europe in the summer of 1944 and fought at the Battle of Metz and the Battle of the Bulge, then proceeded on campaign through Europe. Assigned to capture and hold the town of Ebensee, they learned from the townspeople of a concentration camp up in the mountains. Persinger took two tanks and went to investigate; when they arrived, they walked through the camp, seeing the barracks and crematorium, and then radioed back to the platoon. They stayed in the camp for over a week while medical personnel began treating the prisoners. Persinger has been invited back to Ebensee for memorial services three times and has met many ex-prisoners.
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, Veterans--United States--Interviews, Genocide, Crimes against humanity
Holding Location
University of South Florida
Language
English
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
audio/mp3
Identifier
C65-00104
Recommended Citation
Persinger, Robert, "Robert Persinger oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 92.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/92
Rights Statement
