Opening The Gates of Hell: The untold story of Herbert Kenny, the man who discovered Belsen

by Mark Hodkinson

The incredible true story of the first Allied soldier to open the gates of Belsen.

Herbert Kenny, an army dispatch rider, was the first Allied soldier to push open the gates at Belsen Concentration Camp, in April 1945. He kept his story from the world until an encounter with a trainee journalist brought it to light. Now, forty years on, that reporter is ready to share Herbert's incredible tale with the world.

With unprecedented access to Herbert's diaries, letters and interviews, Mark Hodkinson brings to life the harrowing conditions of Belsen and its eventual liberation. From the events leading up to its gruesome discovery, to the trauma Herbert faced and his abandonment in the aftermath, this is a testament to the power of one person in the face of unimaginable darkness.

This is the tale of an ordinary man thrown into an extraordinary, life-changing situation. How can a person cope when they come face-to-face with history's darkest moment? Herbert Kenny was that man. This is his story.

'I have carried this story for many years, as Herbert did. I have written it because I owe it to him and others, the unknown and unsung, who, across many areas of life, have been burdened indiscriminately by great adversity and grief. They do really walk among us. And their grace, humility and strength is inspirational. While this is a tale of systematic malevolence, it is also about the resilience of the human spirit and a celebration of there is more good than bad in the world, however it may sometimes seem.'

Genres: Historical, World War II

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2024

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book looking at the life of the 1st soldier who liberated Belsen camp

[Paul Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

History fascinates me and this includes the 2nd World War and the reasoning behind the barbaric action of the Nazi party and its followers. This book tells the story of the soldier who was probably the first Allied soldier to enter Belsen Concentration camp. It tells the story of the gent including backing info from other stories. But it never glorifies the story and concentrates on the soldier Herbert Kenny and his words on such.
It spend lots of time and words expressing the dismay created by the Nazi actions and how society shouldn’t ever forget this and do its utmost to ensure it never happens again.
Hence in today’s torrid time (2023/2024) and the rise of similar tones being expressed by some areas of society against others people whether religious or migrants this story and its underlying tone makes for good reading for everybody

[Shire · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book about the discovery of Belsen there was far too much backstory of the man who found it. Yes, some understanding of the man is needed, but half way through the book you should have gotten to the point Belsen was a thing. I got so bored with the man that I no longer cared about how the experience might effect him.

[Andrea Johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t deal with the writing style. Gave up almost as soon as I started, which I’ve never done with a book before.

[Jim Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Hodkinson's ‘Opening the Gates of Hell’ is a poignant and powerful exploration of the human spirit, juxtaposing the mundane with the monstrous. Herbert Kenny, a seemingly unremarkable man from the unassuming town of Middleton, North Manchester, is revealed as a figure of immense historical significance.

Hodkinson masterfully captures the stark contrast between Kenny's ordinary life and the extraordinary horrors he witnessed as the first person to enter the Belsen concentration camp. This juxtaposition is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking, forcing readers to confront the fragility of human existence and the capacity for both immense suffering and extraordinary resilience.
Kenny's story is a testament to the enduring impact of war. Hodkinson's sensitive portrayal of the psychological toll on a man who carried the weight of such unimaginable atrocities is both compelling and deeply moving. Through Kenny's experiences, we are reminded of the importance of remembering the past, even when it is painful, and of honouring the lives lost in the pursuit of human dignity.

‘Opening the Gates of Hell’ is not just a biography; it is a powerful exploration of memory, trauma, and the human condition. Hodkinson's painstaking research and skilful storytelling brings Herbert Kenny to life, making him a relatable and unforgettable character. This is a book that will stay with readers long after the final page is turned.

[Petrus Forsgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opening the gates of hell – The untold story of Herbert Kenny, the man who discovered Belsen (2024) by Mark Hodkinson is half autobiography/interview and half history/contextualization. The background to the book was an interview the author did with Kenny in 1985 in the local newspaper. Kenny was deeply moved by the horrors he saw in the Belsen concentration camp. The book provides an insight into first-hand proof/evidence of the Nazis' crimes against humanity. Belsen was the same camp that Ann Frank was imprisoned in. The British military helped to save the prisoners. About Herbert Kenny: His father died in the First World War. He grew up in a small town called Middleton outside Manchester. As a father of 4, he volunteered for the military before the Second World War. He was a practical man with a lot of wisdom. A very stoic personality. After the war, he continued to work and had another child. The family moved to Australia and later returned to the UK. He had many grandchildren. Also an advocate for physical health (Gym/powerlifting/walking/stretching). An honorable person who, despite an extremely difficult situation, persevered and lived a very good life.

[Gavin Hogg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that made me think for the first about the trauma inflicted on the liberating soldiers and the knock-on effects that are felt in the next generations. War was a whirlwind that picked up these young men and set them down in some terrible and brutal places. They sacrificed so much for us at a moment when they had barely lived themselves.
Beautifully written account of Herbert's life, mostly factual with some parts where Mark tries to get inside Herbert's head to imagine what he would have thought or things he may have said.

[Diego Atterbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important read. Well written. Still struggling to understand how the sharing of Herbert’s original letter came about. His motives, expected outcomes and so forth aren’t overly clear to me. Would have loved a further exploration on Herbert’s thought processes and not simply the cause and effect retell of sequential events. Cheers

[Alistair Leadbetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Herbert Kenny, the first man into Belsen. His story is the focus, but the story is also the story of the town of Middleton, of the 20th century British working class, as well as how trauma affected these men and their families after they returned from the war.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read. It really hits you between the eyes on what happened.

[Lily-Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very insightful book, discussing lots of avenues of the holocaust which aren't greatly discussed

[Angus Chauncy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow start, begins to get interesting and then plateaus very quickly. A lot of filler and not a whole lot on the liberation of the camp. Struggled to finish.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for history lovers out there such as myself, heavy, as expected. Lost a star because I found it has too much back story of the main character

[Laura Kemp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.. for such a key moment of history, there could have been more pages dedicated to what happened at Belsen.. I felt there was more coverage of Middleton.. though I do feel it important to capture these accounts so they are never forgotten

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bit confused as to why it's showing as not being published yet as I've used the ISBN number from the copy in my hands purchased from the supermarket a fortnight ago but hey ho.

This tells the life of Herbert Kenny, the first Allied soldier to open the gates of Belsen.

A quiet, unassuming man who like many of that generation (my Dad included) didn't speak of what they had seen during WW2 but suffered greatly. The majority of his family, if not all, totally unaware of what he had been through and the horrors held in his memories until he gave his story to a local newspaper in the 80s.

The writing, in my opinion, is sympathic and well written. It follows Mr Kenny as he integrates back into civilian life and his family.

[Dylan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

More an interesting insight into life in England during the period prior to and after WWII, with a small section on Bergen-Belsen in the middle. Overall, somewhat light on. An important story, but the subject’s reluctance to share details hinders the ability to really make it feel fully realised.