Liberating Belsen: Remembering the Soldiers of the Durham Light Infantry

by David Lowther

Nothing, no amount of training, could have prepared a small group of soldiers from the Durham Light Infantry for what they discovered on 18 April 1945, less than a month before the end of WWII in Europe.

Of the fifty-five million killed during the war, over ten per cent were murdered civilians. A majority of these were Jewish, although there were a significant number of political deaths, and killings of innocent civilians and minorities. This book is about how the world came to hear about these murders in what later came to be called the Holocaust—the collective extermination of almost six million people.

Through the words of those brave soldiers who made the ghastly discoveries, and the thoughts of the survivors of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, we are told the story of the infantrymen who uncovered those monstrous crimes seventy years ago, and the traumatic effect it had on their lives.

Genres: History, War, World War II, Holocaust

136 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 2015

Reviews

[Kira K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thoughts:
This is something completely different to the Holocaust books I have read before but I found it in my library and it being about local history piqued my interest. The beginning of the book is mainly around the history of the war and the Holocaust itself which I mainly knew but the paragraph all about the men DLI themselves was new and interesting and set the scene perfectly for them to be at Belsen. The book is very educational and I really liked the amount of references and further reading that was provided at the end for each different thing so I can learn more about the DLI and Belsen specifically without having to go hunting for their specific resources.

Favourite Quote:
“Never forget the six million who died in the Holocaust. If we forget, it may happen again.”

[Stew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I selected this book as I'd learned so much from another of David Lowther's books 'The Blue Pencil'.
That book, aimed at young adults, provided a great summary of events leading up to the 2nd World War. I'd read some excellent books on specific aspects of the war but I knew little of how the story all linked up and this book helped a great deal.
Liberating Belsen is a short volume only 129 pages long but if, like me, you wanted a book to describe all the major events of WW2 and how they linked together then this is the book to read. The title does not hint that this is what it includes which is a shame because its really a hidden gem.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book of history. Sad. So sickening what they did to the poor Jews and others who were imprisoned there. Most died. This book is eye witness of Lt. Colonel Leonard Berney.

[Where Is My review · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have seen pictures of Bergen Belsen inmates on Telegram, carrying loafs of bread, and these women were well fed.

[Shawn Luca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read.

[Seth Lynch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction aimed at teens but will server for adults too