On the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau, survivors and liberators gather to reflect on the past and confront the rising tides of extremism in contemporary Germany.
80 Years Later: Commemorating the Liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp
80 Years Later: Commemorating the Liberation of Dachau Concentration Camp
Annual remembrance highlights the growing significance of historical awareness as the last witnesses fade away.
Sunday marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, an event attended by survivors, liberators, their families, and dignitaries, drawing poignant reflections in a time when historical narratives face challenging reinterpretations.
Among the attendees was Lockered Gahs, a century-old soldier of the U.S. Army’s 42nd Infantry Division. Gahs recounted the harrowing experience of liberating the camp, expressing the profound realization of the meaning behind their fight—“When we opened the gates to Dachau, it was only then that we understood what we had been fighting for,” he shared, recalling the emaciated prisoners and the overwhelming scenes of suffering that awaited inside.
The ceremony also featured poignant speeches from survivors, including 101-year-old Jean Lafaurie, who recounted the cruelty faced by inmates during their imprisonment. Lafaurie’s testimony served as a stark reminder of the grim realities of life within the camp and underscored the importance of remembrance in combating historical amnesia.
As the last surviving witnesses of these dark chapters in history pass away, the memory of Dachau and its horrors has become a crucial part of Germany’s collective consciousness, shedding light on the ongoing struggles against rising far-right sentiments in society today.
