GEDENKSTÄTTE BERGEN-BELSEN - CONCENTRATION CAMP MEMORIAL BERGEN-BELSEN

Bergen-Belsen is a name that clings to our memory. Originally, it was an open camp to «welcome» a few hundred French and Belgian soldiers. In July 1941, Soviet soldiers were imprisoned in droves. Approximately 18 000 will die of hunger and cold during the winter of 41-42. In April 1943, the transfer to the SS of part of the camp will make Bergen-Belsen a nightmare where ordinary Nazi horror will reign. Several thousand Jews will die here. The massacre will continue until the release of the camp by English troops, and even beyond, since 13 000 people will later die, especially because of an epidemic of typhus. With Anne Franck, there have been some 50 000 civilian prisoners and between 30 000 and 50 000 prisoners of war.