Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Hirsh, Michael
Publication Date
July 2008
Abstract
Oral history interview with Holocaust concentration camp liberator Robert Ray. Ray was a rifleman in the 3rd Armored Division, which liberated Nordhausen on April 11, 1945. When Ray's division arrived at the camp, one of the tanks in his unit punched a large hole in the wall and the prisoners came out. The soldiers could see how emaciated they were and gave them food and cigarettes. Ray also saw several flatcars loaded with bodies on a railroad track outside the camp, some of which still moved. His unit was unable to stay at the camp for very long; after giving the inmates their rations, they had to continue on their mission. After the war, Ray stayed in Europe on occupation duty for another year, during which time he was reassigned to the 2nd Armored Division as a photographer.
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
C65-00111
Recommended Citation
Ray, Robert, "Robert Ray oral history interview" (2008). Concentration Camp Liberators Oral History Project. 99.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/concentration_OH/99
Rights Statement
