On April 13, 1945, a train carrying 2,500 Jewish prisoners from the German concentration camp Bergen-Belsen – including some 700 children – was liberated near the city of Magdeburg, Germany, at the town of Farsleben, by American soldiers of the 30th Infantry Division of the Ninth U.S. Army. Most of the survivors were from Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands and Greece.
Among the train’s liberators, helping to lead the survivors to safety, and providing them with food and medical care, were two American soldiers – a tank commander and an infantry liaison officer — who now live in Florida.
Today, there are known to exist approximately 220 survivors who were children then, who are scattered throughout the world. Those who have been located have been able to contact their liberators to express their thanks.
More survivors of this train are sought. If you are a survivor or know of one, please contact Frank Towers at towersfw@windstream.net, or Varda Weisskopf at hila_64@inter.net.il or Varda120@walla.com