The 95th Infantry Division during World War II
In 1985, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the US Army Center of Military History began a program to honor US Army divisions that took part in the Allied liberation of Nazi camps. The US Army Center of Military History defines a liberating division as one whose official records show its presence at a camp within 48 hours of the first soldier’s arrival. The 95th Infantry Division is among the 36 US divisions that have been recognized to date.
Key Facts
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US, British, Soviet, and Canadian troops encountered concentration camps and other sites of Nazi crimes as they advanced across Europe in 1944 and 1945.
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The Allied soldiers liberated sick and starving camp prisoners from Nazi tyranny. They also provided them with food, clothing, and medical aid.
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The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the US Army Center of Military History have recognized 36 US divisions for their role in the liberation of Nazi camps.
95th Infantry Division Campaigns during World War II
Formed in 1942, the 95th Infantry Division landed in France on September 15, 1944, some three months after the Allies invaded France on D-Day (June 6, 1944). In October, the "Victory" division advanced to the Moselle in Lorraine, where it repelled German military efforts to cross the river.
The following month, the division captured the French city of Metz and entered Germany, establishing a bridgehead on the Saar River. In February 1945, the "Victory" division was redeployed to the Limburg province of the Netherlands, near the city of Maastricht. From there, the 95th moved into Germany and advanced into the industrial Ruhr region. On April 13, 1945, it captured the city of Dortmund.
The 95th Infantry Division and the Liberation of Werl
In April 1945, the "Victory" division uncovered a German prison and civilian labor camp in the town of Werl. On April 7, the unit reported discovering a camp housing some 4,500 undernourished French officers and 800 enlisted men. The 95th provided the prisoners with emergency rations from the division's own supplies.
Recognition as a Liberating Unit
The 95th Infantry Division was recognized as a liberating unit by the US Army's Center of Military History and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1995.
95th Infantry Casualty Figures
Casualty figures for the 95th Infantry Division, European theater of operations:
- Total battle casualties: 6,591
- Total deaths in battle: 1,387
95th Infantry Division Nickname
The 95th Infantry Division, the "Victory" division, gained its nickname from the divisional insignia approved in 1942: the arabic numeral "9" combined with the roman numeral "V" to represent "95." The "V" led to the nickname, since the letter "V" was universally recognized as an Allied symbol for resistance and victory over the Axis during World War II.
Critical Thinking Questions
What challenges did Allied forces face when they encountered the camps and sites of other atrocities?
What challenges faced survivors of the Holocaust upon liberation?