"for the sake of humanity"… A small town American high school history project changes lives worldwide. These are the observations of a veteran teacher- on the Power of Teaching, the importance of the study of History, and especially the lessons we must learn, and teach, on the Holocaust. Click on "Holocaust Survivors, Liberators Reunited" tab above to begin.
After 36 hours of travel and lost luggage, I arrived at Celle, Germany, joining film director Mike Edwards and crew members Joel and Josh. Six hours later we were on our way to Bergen Belsen to get an interview with staff and tour the grounds and railway ramp for footage for the upcoming film ‘A Train Near Magdeburg.’ I will post some photos and descriptions; it was a beautiful April day, in fact the same week that the transport was loaded and evacuated.
So much respect for German historians and friends Bernd Horstmann and Stephanie Billib. Being the historian when your subjects are the ‘good guys’ is easy. They do the tough work here, and gave great interviews, providing context for what happened in the overall camp system, and that last spring of horrors in 1945. On to the liberation site for the 77th anniversary at Farsleben.
Railway ramp. Arrivals here walked 5KM to Belsen along this cobble roadway… 120,000 people passed thru the Exchange Camp at Belsen.Railway ramp. Arrivals here walked 5KM to Belsen along this cobble roadway… 120,000 people passed thru the Exchange Camp at Belsen.Railway ramp. Arrivals here walked 5KM to Belsen along this cobble roadway… 120,000 people passed thru the Exchange Camp at Belsen.Frank sisters memorial.The arrival/departure area, 5KM walk from the camp.The arrival/departure area, 5KM walk from the camp.The arrival/departure area, 5KM walk from the camp.House of Silence.HERE REST 5000 DEADGPS IMAGING 1945 PHOTO OVERLAY. The British burned the camp to the ground, May 1945, to control the spread of typhus.Josh and Stephanie.MR and German historian and friend since 2009 BB Custodian of the Book of Names Bernd Horstmann.MR and German historian and friend since 2009 BB Custodian of the Book of Names Bernd Horstmann.Bernd and Mike Edwards, director.
My father was one of the soldiers from the Pioneer corps involved in the Liberation ,he reconnected the water supply,and as a trained Bulldozer driver is seen in footage moving the bodies into the Mass Graves,he never spoke of this horror ,but had a breakdown in about 1953,we now suspect this was part of what he had witnessed at the end of the war.Cyril Nicholas Carter 1921-2000.
Matt,
The world is very lucky to have a person so dedicated to enlightening all of us about such atrocities during WWII. We are grateful that you were such a wonderful teacher to our sons and that you shared your knowledge with them. Thank you! – Colleen
Thank you for the photos Matt. It’s still so hard to comprehend – that people can do this to each other – even now. I’ll be thinking of you and the others in Farsleben. Safe travels. Linda Gray (Barnstijn)
Teaching History Matters 
My father was one of the soldiers from the Pioneer corps involved in the Liberation ,he reconnected the water supply,and as a trained Bulldozer driver is seen in footage moving the bodies into the Mass Graves,he never spoke of this horror ,but had a breakdown in about 1953,we now suspect this was part of what he had witnessed at the end of the war.Cyril Nicholas Carter 1921-2000.
Matt,
The world is very lucky to have a person so dedicated to enlightening all of us about such atrocities during WWII. We are grateful that you were such a wonderful teacher to our sons and that you shared your knowledge with them. Thank you! – Colleen
Thank you for the photos Matt. It’s still so hard to comprehend – that people can do this to each other – even now. I’ll be thinking of you and the others in Farsleben. Safe travels. Linda Gray (Barnstijn)
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