A female survivor and her child who have escaped from a train near Magdeburg run up a hill, following their liberation by American soldiers from the 743rd Tank Battalion and 30th Infantry Division.

Photograph | Not Digitized | Photograph Number: 44706

Overview

Caption: A female survivor and her child who have escaped from a train near Magdeburg run up a hill, following their liberation by American soldiers from the 743rd Tank Battalion and 30th Infantry Division.

The woman has been possibly identified as Shlima Spitzer.

LOW RESOLUTION IMAGE FILE ONLY.
Photographer: Clarence Benjamin
Date: 1945 April 13
Locale: Farsleben, [Prussian Saxony] Germany
Photo Credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Dr. Gross
Event History: American troops of the 743rd Tank Battalion and the 30th Infantry Division came upon a railroad in Farsleben outside of Magdeburg. The train consisted of both cattle and passenger cars and contained approximately 2,500 concentration camp inmates, primarily Jewish. Many of the prisoners died during the transit, and most of the survivors were suffering from severe malnutrition and lack of medical attention.This train was one of three that left Bergen-Belsen between April 6 and 10 bound for Theresienstadt. The prisoners all held papers from neutral and non-European countries. Only one train arrived in Theresienstadt; the third was liberated by Soviet forces outside of Troebitz.

https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005131. https://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10008065.

Photo Source: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Copyright: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Provenance: Dr. Gross

Second Provenance: George Gross
National Archives and Records Administration, College Park

Copyright: Public Domain

Keyword: CHILDREN (0-3 YEARS) CHILDREN/YOUTH CLOSE-UPS SURVIVORS TRAINS WOMEN
Photo Designation: LIBERATION -- Germany: General -- Train to Magdeburg/Farsleben

Biography: George Gross served as a tank commander with the 743rd Tank Battalion.

On "Friday, the 13th of April, 1945, led by their major scouting in a jeep, Tanks 12 and 13 of the 743rd Tank Battalion of the U.S. Army have just liberated a train transport with thousands of sick and emaciated victims of the Holocaust. Major Clarence L. Benjamin snaps the photograph at the moment of liberation.

Tank 12 was commanded by Sgt. Carrol Walsh. Tank 13 was commanded by Sgt. George Gross. In 2001, Walsh was interviewed by USHMM teacher fellow Matthew Rozell, who was then directed to this photograph taken by the commanding officer and in the possession of George Gross, who had also taken several photographs of the liberation. Gross later became a professor of English literature at San Diego State University before passing away in 2009. Walsh retired as a New York State Supreme Court justice, passing away in 2012." information provided by Matthew Rozell