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Bergen-Belsen:
Abraham
Bergen – Belsen was a concentration camp built in 1943. It was located in Germany between the cities Bergen and Belsen. At first it was semi-clean and had decent food. As time went on the conditions decreased dramatically. It was liberated on April 15, 1945.
February 20, 1945
My dear
Esther,
I have been moved to Bergen-Belsen, located in Northern Germany, from Auschwitz.
I am forced to do extremely hard labor day in and day out. I miss you so very
dearly. There were no beds, blankets, or hot food when we arrived. I must say
the conditions were much better than Auschwitz. We had been given two blankets
and a bowl. Here we have running water, and are fed with edible food. We were
served three times a day, coffee and bread in the morning and in the evening
sometimes we are lucky
enough
to receive sausage and cheese. During the middle of the day we received one
liter of vegetable stew. Now that the camp is getting fuller we are forced to
sleep without blankets on the floor. Food is being limited more and more. I
mourn for the fact that we did not come here as a family for families are permitted
to live together. I have been lucky to not have been evacuated back to Auschwitz
yet. Not long ago an import of Hungarian Jews came. The new arrivals were not
disinfected causing typhus to break out. The disinfection crew has been retired.
I have been unfortunate in catching typhus. I will surly die of typhus if not
at Auschwitz. Many have died of overwork and many other ways. Each day is a
fight for one's life. As the conditions worsen, the more I become worried I
will be
forced
to go to the sick camp. In the sick camp, sick prisoners are forced to exercise
and even do long distance running! Where will I find peace again? I write this
in hope you will receive it alive. I love you dearly and hope to see you again.
Your loving
husband,
Abraham
Bibliography
http://www.scrapbookpages.com/BergenBelsen/BergenBelsen01.html
http://www.auschwitz.dk/Bergenbelsen.htm
http://www.berea.edu/library/gowler/bergen.htm
http://www.ihr.org/jhr/v15/v15n3p23_Weber.html
http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Holocaust/Belsen.html