Oral History

Colonel Richard R. Seibel describes US Army procedures for burial of the dead after liberation of Mauthausen

In June 1941, Richard was ordered to active duty in the US Army. After a period of training, he was sent to Europe. He entered Austria in April 1945. A patrol came upon the Mauthausen camp and Richard was appointed to take command of the camp. He organized those inmates who had survived in the camp until liberation in May 1945, and brought in two field hospitals. After 35 days in Mauthausen, he was transferred to a post in the Austrian Alps.

Transcript

Critical Thinking Questions

What was the context of the Holocaust and World War II at the time of the events described here?

What other source materials might be helpful to provide more historical context for this eyewitness testimony? What aspects of the history might these other source materials help reveal?

How can personal testimonies and oral histories provide insights into the challenges Allied forces faced when encountering and documenting the evidence of atrocities?


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  • US Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
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