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Media Essay

Liberation of Nazi Camps (Abridged Article) - Photograph

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liberation Nazi camps liberating units Allied powers

Child survivors of Auschwitz

Six children of various ages walk out of a wood barrack through snow. They are all wearing heavy coats, scarves, and other kinds of winter accessories. The child in the center of the photograph is the only one that looks towards the photographer.

Soon after liberation, surviving children of the Auschwitz camp walk out of the children's barracks. Poland, after January 27, 1945.

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A survivor of Bergen-Belsen

An emaciated victim sits on the ground outside of a fenced area. They are wearing a long coat and leaning back with a look of anguish on their face. The victim appears to be holding something in their lap. Several buildings can be seen behind the fence.

An survivor of the Bergen-Belsen camp, after liberation. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, after April 15, 1945.

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Caring for survivors

Soon after liberation, a camp survivor receives medical care. [LCID: 46362]

Soon after liberation, a camp survivor receives medical care. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, after April 15, 1945.

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Survivors prepare food

Soon after liberation, camp survivors cook in a field. [LCID: 75115]

Soon after liberation, camp survivors cook in a field. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, after April 15, 1945.

In the days before liberation, the prisoners had been left without food or water. More than 13,000 inmates died in the three months following liberation. 

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Overcrowded conditions at Buchenwald

Liberated prisoners demonstrate the overcrowded conditions at the Buchenwald concentration camp, Germany, April 23, 1945. [LCID: 78713]

Liberated prisoners demonstrate the overcrowded conditions at the Buchenwald concentration camp. Photograph taken after the liberation of the camp. Buchenwald, Germany, April 23, 1945.

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Corpses of victims of the Buchenwald camp

American journalists view corpses in the Buchenwald concentration camp. [LCID: 74994]

American radio journalists view corpses in the Buchenwald concentration camp. This photograph was taken after the liberation of the camp. Germany, April 18, 1945.

Pictured from left to right are, Lowell Thomas (NBC); Howard Barnes (WOR); and George Hamilton Combs (WHN).

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Young survivors of Buchenwald

Two young children with light skin tone sit on a small makeshift bench behind a heavy barbed wire fence. A third child with light skin tone stands behind them. There are barrels and other random boxes in the background.

This photograph taken soon after liberation shows young camp survivors from Buchenwald's "Children's Block 66"—a special barracks for children. Germany, after April 11, 1945.

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Survivors of Buchenwald

Five people stand along a tall barbed wire fence. All are severely emaciated and are wrapped in blankets. The two individuals on either end are standing, while the three in the middle sit. The second person from the left has a pair of crutches propped up against the fence behind him.

Emaciated survivors of the Buchenwald concentration camp soon after the liberation of the camp. Germany, after April 11, 1945.

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A Soviet physician examines Auschwitz camp survivors

A uniformed physician and his assistant examine severely emaciated individuals sitting on a table. The main subject has no hair and skeletal features.

Soon after liberation, a Soviet physician examines Auschwitz camp survivors. Poland, February 18, 1945.

This photograph is a still image from Soviet film of the liberation of Auschwitz.

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Corpses in Mauthausen

Piles of corpses, soon after the liberation of the Mauthausen camp. [LCID: 74466]

Piles of corpses, soon after the liberation of the Mauthausen camp. Austria, after May 5, 1945.

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