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The History Place - World War II in Europe

A truckload of bodies from Buchenwald concentration camp. The Nazis were about to dispose of them by burning when the camp was captured by troops of the U.S. 3rd Army. The camp was used as a center for slave labor, where as many as 6,000 persons died each day from starvation and brutality. Below: Slave laborers at Buchenwald after liberation, showing the effects of Nazi cruelty. Included in this photo is Elie Wiesel, future Nobel Peace Prize recipient. He is pictured in the second row of bunks, seventh from the left, next to the vertical beam (see closeup on on right).

(Photo credits: U.S. National Archives)

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