The 11th Armoured Division liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April 1945. When its soldiers entered the camp, they witnessed the horrific conditions that prisoners had faced.
![After liberation of the Bergen-Belsen camp, British soldiers forced German mayors from nearby towns to view mass graves. [LCID: 74938]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/6b7002a2-e793-48ed-8c30-46f5253be545.jpeg "After liberation of the Bergen-Belsen camp, British soldiers forced German mayors from nearby towns to view mass graves. [LCID: 74938]")
After liberation of the Bergen-Belsen camp, British soldiers forced German mayors from nearby towns to view mass graves. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, after April 15, 1945.
Item View![Soon after liberation, women camp survivors prepare food near piles of dead bodies. [LCID: 32080]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/ab5b9cdd-db53-43cb-9d54-618f2558fe77.jpg "Soon after liberation, women camp survivors prepare food near piles of dead bodies. [LCID: 32080]")
Soon after liberation, women camp survivors prepare food near piles of dead bodies. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, after April 15, 1945.
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An survivor of the Bergen-Belsen camp, after liberation. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, after April 15, 1945.
Item View![Soon after liberation, camp survivors walk amidst dead bodies. [LCID: 13053]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/1ce7983b-1a70-4f75-ad95-e3ecb711a0ff.jpg "Soon after liberation, camp survivors walk amidst dead bodies. [LCID: 13053]")
Soon after liberation, camp survivors walk amidst dead bodies. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, after April 15, 1945.
Item View![Soon after liberation, camp survivors await their ration of potato soup. [LCID: 77197]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/0de1e3b6-07b0-4bc4-80e5-e8cfe82ebe35.jpg "Soon after liberation, camp survivors await their ration of potato soup. [LCID: 77197]")
Soon after liberation, camp survivors wait for rations of potato soup. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, April 28, 1945.
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A mass grave at Bergen-Belsen soon after the liberation of the camp. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, May 1945.
Item View![Soon after liberation, a camp survivor receives medical care. [LCID: 46362]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/b8ea4679-6807-4adb-9732-3098663ce1ae.jpg "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.
Item View![Soon after liberation, camp survivors bathe in outdoor showers set up by the British. [LCID: 45050]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/a7c18d4a-3ff2-4885-8cf7-be45438136b4.jpg "Soon after liberation, camp survivors bathe in outdoor showers set up by the British. [LCID: 45050]")
Soon after liberation, camp survivors bathe in outdoor showers set up by the British. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, after April 15, 1945.
Item View![Soon after liberation, British medical officers begin disinfection of camp survivors. [LCID: 75116]](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/images/large/bd7e4bd0-28d7-4c10-b979-ee07af23427c.jpg "Soon after liberation, British medical officers begin disinfection of camp survivors. [LCID: 75116]")
Soon after liberation, British medical officers begin disinfection of camp survivors. Bergen-Belsen, Germany, May 1945.
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Buildings of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp are burned to the ground by British soldiers to prevent the spread of typhus. Germany, May 21, 1945.
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