Edited by Sam Dann    Forword by Joseph I. Lieberman    Introduction by Barbara Distel

Published by TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY PRESS

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Since World War II, Sam Dann has had a long career as a writer for radio, stage, and television and has taught visual and dramatic writing as an adjunct professor at Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. Also the author of two novels, Goodbye, Karl Erich and The Third Body, Dann lives in Connecticut.

In early September, 1998, Texas Tech University Press will release Dachau 29 April 1945 -- The Rainbow Liberation Memoirs. On that historic day of freedom, the 42nd Rainbow Infantry Division captured and liberated the infamous Concentration Camp at Dachau, accepting the surrender by the SS Commander.

The book dramatically describes:

A) How forward elements of the Rainbow entered KZ Dachau. While the existence of the Camp was known to higher headquarters, the men present (at least half were teenagers) had absolutely no idea that such a "House of Horrors" could exist.

"This is a nightmare! Please, please, God! Let me wake up!"

"It is not! It cannot be happening!"

"It was the longest 24 hours of my life!"

B) As important as the liberation itself, was the aftermath. There were over 30,000 dazed and ravaged inmates. The Rainbow was charged with their welfare. Thanks to the sympathy, understanding, and humane efforts of our officers and men, most of the survivors were delivered from near death to full life.

C) The continuing efforts -- to this day -- of Rainbow Veterans to keep alive the memory of the Holocaust. Such efforts include participation in memorial events in the U.S. and abroad, presentations at temples, churches, colleges, high and middle schools and community clubs, and support of archival collections of documents, photographs and audio-visual recordings.

D) With the emergence of revisionism, which, unfortunately, is not confined to extremist fringe groups (although it might be well to remember that Hitler originally was leader of an extremist fringe group) Rainbow veterans remain vigilant, monitoring and protesting actions of this latest generation of bigots, hate-mongers and would-be destroyers of our democracy.

Although there have been a number of oral histories, they are for the most part collections of random experiences. This is the story of a concerted military action. The participants worked together as a combat team. They not only supported one another in the action, but also in the telling of it. They not only describe Dachau, they reacted to it. They sat with, and wept with, the victims. They tried to extend help, hope and comfort. The horror that permeated the Camp runs through the book. They were infuriated by the Nazi guards and personnel. Captain (Doctor) Al Weinstein, one of the first American medical officers to enter Dachau to an SS civilian physician:

"How could you perform those experiments on living people!"

"Well, you see, Captain, they were all going to die anyhow."

An exchange between Sergeant Scott Corbett and an SS Officer:

"How could you do these things to human beings!"

"They are not human beings! They are swine!"

What was it like, was the unasked question, to be at the complete mercy of men (and women) like these?

What also angered our men was the casual attitudes of the townsfolk who disclaimed knowledge of the camp.

The aftermath:

Rainbow's Commanding Officer, Major General Harry J. Collins, was profoundly moved by the experience at Dachau. He was very close with our Jewish Chaplain Rabbi (Captain) Eli Bohnen, and called him padre. "Tell me what you need, padre, and I'll see that you get it!" And he did. He provided private housing where the survivors could live on their own. He was a hands-on officer. He made sure they received first class rations, complete medical attention, and he helped Rabbi Bohnen open channels to Jewish groups in the United States. Thus, the survivors received aid that the Army was unable to supply, including kosher foods, religious articles, and money, etc. General Collins went far beyond the requirements of duty. Corporal Eli Heimberg, Rabbi Bohnen's Assistant, was moved to write:

"I often wondered what prompted General Collins to appoint a Jewish Chaplain to The Rainbow. Not all infantry Divisions had a fully assigned Jewish, or even an Assistant Chaplain. Was it because our Division was founded on the premise that our men represented all of America, and we shone over the nation like a Rainbow? Or, was it, perhaps, some intimation of a day to come when he should be prepared for an unusual humanitarian role in the aftermath of the war?"

In Salzburg, Stanley Nowinski, a devout Roman Catholic, was in charge of repatriation. His mission was to make sure that all Displaced Persons would be returned to their own countries. But the Jews had nowhere to go. Nowinski risked his career by working with a secret Jewish Organization, Brichach, which means flight in Hebrew, to smuggle tens of thousands of Jews into Palestine For this, he was later honored by the State of Israel and received the highest accolade given to a non-Jew -- The Righteous Gentile Award.

Testimony of six Dachau survivors is presented. They cover a wide range. One is a distinguished professor of medicine at The Semmelweiss university in Budapest. Another operates a well-known tailor shop in New Haven, Connecticut.

In addition to text, official documents and photos -- previously unpublished art work is included. The testimony of Ted McKechnie consists of a series of line drawings of the inside of Dachau.

DACHAU WAITS Dachau, restless and uneasy, waits. One day past freedom, Snow softly fell, But could not hide the horror there. The chill remains Throughout all seasons, Felt by those who still pass through, By those who live within the shadow, Who wish that it would go away. Old survivors still return on pilgrimage. When they are gone, Who then will keep the memory? Who then will keep the vigil? Dachau, restless and uneasy, waits. ___________________

Dee R. Eberhart, 42nd Rainbow Division