Gillespie, a machine gunner with the 42nd 'Rainbow Division,' moved to block 11 of the infamous complex which was the first camp built by the Nazis to house its enemies in 1933.
Very touching story!
I don't want to dampen the joy of this reunion, but I am interested in checking out the historical accuracy of it.
I know that the 42nd Rainbow Division was indeed at Dachau about this time, because my dad was in the 42nd, and took some revolting photos of the camp that he brought home with him and would show to me when I was a youngster.
But in my reading on WWII, I've never seen the Rainbow Division get any specific mention for liberating Dachau, whereas other units have. Then again, I'm not sure of April 29, 1945 (one day before Hitler's suicide), as the accepted date of the liberation; IIRC, it is generally said to have occurred a few days earlier.
If there are any historians - professional or amateur - who can clear this up, please let me know.
I won’t clear any of the confusion up, but add to it. Because certain soldiers arriving at death camps, and seeing and smelling the environs, knew what was done and who was responsible, they sought out the nearest perpetrators. And shot them, without taking them prisoner as they were supposed to if the guards/officers surrendered. Photos of the days after liberation document the time (by virtue of shadows from buildings, etc.) and could be used to match up who was where and when and tie them to “premature” executions. That could lead to courts martial.
So there may be intentional misstatement of dates and whereabouts in the immediate hours and days following liberation.
My grandfather did time in Dachua in 1938 and in Stadelheim (still in use) from ‘42 until November ‘44. Never being allowed to speak with him (Commies took over where he lived) I sought out those who knew of events such as this one. I do not know if what I was told was completely true or completely false, but I would understand it if there was even some slight truth. “They had it coming.” And the ones who served up some early justice were protected by the “fog” of war — deservedly so in the eyes and nostrils of those who first entered.
Thank your relative for his service.
GreyFriar is a military Historian.
A longer piece on the Holocaust Museum site about the 42nd Infantry Division and the liberation of Dachau.
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10006164
And other web pages on this topic:
http://www.scrapbookpages.com/DachauScrapbook/DachauLiberation/LiberationDay3.html
http://www.45thinfantrydivision.com/index14.htm
http://www.scrapbookpages.com/DachauScrapbook/DachauLiberation/LiberationDay.html