Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Hirsh, Michael
Publication Date
June 2008
Abstract
This is an oral history interview with Holocaust concentration camp liberator Ray W. Peterson. Peterson was a member of the 63rd Infantry Division, which liberated Kaufering IV, a sub-camp of Dachau, on April 28, 1945. He was part of an intelligence and reconnaissance platoon assigned to scout ahead of the division. While on their way to Landsberg, his unit found a compound surrounded by a moat and barbed wire. They entered the compound and found the camp with several thousand prisoners still inside. Peterson radioed back to their platoon leader, who, fearing disease, ordered them to leave and continue their mission. After the war, while on occupation duty, Peterson was one of the soldiers who brought Wernher von Braun and his staff out of the Soviet-controlled region on their way to the United States. He also helped the 63rd become officially recognized as a liberating division.
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, Veterans--United States--Interviews, Genocide, Crimes against humanity
Holding Location
University of South Florida
Language
English
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
audio/mp3
Identifier
C65-00106
Recommended Citation
Peterson, Ray W., "Ray W. Peterson oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 94.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/94
Rights Statement
