Dan Snow's History Hit The Liberation of Bergen-Belsen
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Apr 15, 2025 
In this riveting discussion, bestselling author and journalist Thomas Harding reflects on the liberation of Bergen-Belsen by British troops 80 years ago. He vividly describes the unimaginable conditions faced by inmates and the haunting impact on the liberators. Harding delves into the high mortality rates among survivors and the complexities surrounding the British response, highlighting both the compassion shown and the criticisms faced. His insights prompt urgent questions about humanitarianism in the face of atrocity.
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Liberators' Shock at Belsen
- British troops arrived at Bergen-Belsen camp unprepared for the horrors they found.
- They saw tens of thousands of emaciated prisoners and about 13,000 unburied corpses piled high.
Post-Liberation Death Toll
- After liberation, about 14,000 prisoners died due to typhus, starvation, and lack of medical support.
- The British response was hampered by under-preparation and the scale of the crisis.
Belsen’s Impact on Public Awareness
- Images of Belsen liberation shocked the world and raised public awareness of Nazi atrocities.
- Unlike Auschwitz's limited early coverage, Belsen's visual evidence transformed global consciousness.