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.
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
