Today, on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi camp Bergen Belsen by the 11th Armoured Division of the British Army, Holocaust survivors and witnesses rallied to tell their stories.
Holocaust survivor Judy Rosenzweig remembers the moment British troops liberated the Bergen Belsen concentration camp in northern Germany.
She recalls the message that came through the Nazi camp’s loudspeakers on April 15, 1945 – 70 years ago today.
“All of a sudden out of the blue sky we saw tanks rolling into the camp.
“Loudspeakers started speaking loudly in German and in English: ‘You are liberated. We are the English army – you are liberated. Stay alive. Try to hang in there. We are here to help you’.”
Politicians from across the mainstream parties took to social media to mark the liberation of the camp where teenage diarist Anne Frank died.
Tristram Hunt, shadow education secretary, tweeted: “Proud to join @HolocaustUK in remembering 70 years since liberation of Bergen-Belsen by 11th Armoured Division of British Army #Belsen70.”
Labour MP Yvette Cooper tweeted: “70 years since liberation of Bergen-Belsen by British Army, more important than ever to join @HolocaustUK in remembering #Belsen70.”
Tory MP David Burrowes tweeted: “Let's join @HolocaustUK today in remembering 70 years since liberation of Bergen-Belsen by 11th Armoured Division of British Army #Belsen70.”
The families of British liberators also took to social media to remember the anniversary.
Steve Wickenden tweeted: “Remarkable to think my granddad played a pay in the history of #Belsen70.”
Another tweeted: “My dad was amongst the first in - he couldn't ever really speak about it. We must not forget what happened.”
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “This year, as we mark 70 years since the liberation of Bergen-Belsen, we pause to remember the kindness and courage shown by British armed forces when they brought freedom to the Jewish people imprisoned there.
"We are delighted to be taking 200 of our HET ambassadors, teachers and supporters to participate in the international commemorations and pay our respects on this important anniversary.”
