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  • The camp was liberated on April 4, 1945.  It was the first concentration camp liberated by US troops.

  • Before the liberation, the German's forced many of the prisoners to go on a dead march.  Because of this, the camp was partially evacuated by the time the troops had arrived.

  • In October of 1950, it was decided that the camp would be demolished.  

  • The main gate, crematorium, hospital block, and two guard towers were not demolished.  Foundations where the other buildings stood were left untouched.  Later, these buildings were rebuilt to serve as a memorial.

  • A monument, a temporary one, was erected only days after the liberation.  This monument was built by the survivors, and was made of wood.  Later, a second monument was built outside the camp.  In place of the temporary, a new memorial was place inside the camp, and is always kept at body temperature.