Bergen-Belsen was a concentration camp located in the outskirts of the town Celle, Germany. This is the last camp that Holocaust survivor, Fred Spiegel, whom accompanied the group on our trip, was taken to before being liberated on April 15, 1945, by the British 11th Armoured Division. Walking into this camp, the first thing you see on your right side is a huge mound with a plaque in front of it. It states that 1000 bodies lie there.
This was only the first of many on the property of Bergen-Belsen.Nothing except these mass graves still remain. Everything in the camp had been burnt down, in fear that it would spread disease. Although it was not a death camp, those who once stayed in Bergen-Belsen can tell you how many people were just simply worked to death. This was the first concentration camp that the study tour group had been brought to so it was a very emotional experience. One thing that helped with the experience was having Fred right by our side. He seemed calm, being that he has been there a few times since his liberation, and also eager to share his stories with all of us. On of Fred's main reasons for comi
ng back to Germany is to share his experience and to let people know what really happened there.
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