Liberator William Levine Testimony | USC Shoah Foundation

[@scottgendell7836]

Interviewing General William Levine was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I interviewed about 50 survivors and liberators over a 15 year period. Steven Spielberg’s Survivors of the Shoah Foundation specifically trained us to conduct the interviews in a manner that preserved historical evidence that could not be challenged in the future. We were told not to cry or show too much emotion so that the interviewees wouldn’t shut down for fear of inflicting pain or sorrow on the interviewers. After a particularly painful segment with the General, we took a five minute break, and I stepped outside his home and wept. Surviving took immeasurable courage, but so did living with the images and experiences. As we honor the allies on the 80th Anniversary of D Day, please remember the cost paid by our Veterans and their families so that we may live freely. May their memories continue to be a blessing for us all.

[@corriesullivan1141]

Thank you for your service and bravery - May you be blessed always 🙏💜🙏

[@successfulperson3304]

Bless this wonderful man

[@weebofthesouth4113]

Congratulations sir. I am one of the children raised without any prejudice.

[@peggyjensen294]

A remarkable man who lived to 97 years old. God bless his family.

[@maryelnelligar9503]

So painful to watch men like this break down so many years later. They held so much in . I can not imagine living with this for so many decades. .never sharing the horror the pain. Bless him and all his brothers .

[@Paula_Shelton]

What a wonderful man. May he rest in peace.

[@kristabell5107]

What a beautiful man. His courage, honesty and personality are inspiring.

[@stacywagenknecht4794]

E no XD XX

[@deniseb.5883]

What a truly remarkable man. This is an outstanding interview. The interviewer is excellent. Questions were thoughtful and measured. Their beliefs on education are even more pressing today. How wonderful he found love again. His family are blessed to have him. Thank you for another well done testimony.

[@ladydar69pluto76]

I just wanted to hug this big, adorable man when he broke down about keeping it a secret and not telling his wife. I really, really, would have liked to have meant him in person and thanked him for his service, and let him know how proud I am that he represented the US during those days. He makes me proud to be an American...…….Thank you, Major General, for your service, your sincerity, your civility, and your courage to finally tell the secret. Rest in Peace, Dear Man. xo

[@southerncross86]

You are so right. If I was the interviewer, I would have given the old man a big hug.

[@diannekeightley9443]

Beautiful words my dear. You posted something which brought a tear to my eye. I guess I'm rather emotional after this amazing Mans testimony. God Bless.

[@KlaraMoody]

I was very moved by the Document of William Levine's Military Career which went through WW2 and landed him eventually as the Liberator of "Dachau" and ,the horror he encountered which haunted him for years.Only after a breakdown ,with the help of his 2nd.wife he was able to master to teach younger generations,about this experiences ,which helped with the healing process of his trauma.. Many thanks and regards from Western Australia.

[@k.1701]

This made me cry…what a tragedy…how could this happen

[@goodkarna]

My absolute favorite of all the SHOA testimonies. I've watched this several times throughout the years. Well done, good and faithful Mr. Levine. You've moved me immensely.

[@BeckBeckGo]

I’ve heard the stories of a lot of survivors. But this is the one of the few full accounts I’ve heard from a liberator. It’s interesting to see, because clearly survivors and liberators are all likely suffering, or did suffer from PTSD. But the way that trauma manifests in both groups is unique to that group, if that makes sense. When I was a kid, I assumed the liberators felt like heroes. I did understand that what they saw was terrifying, because I knew what they walked into. But I always assumed that they understood that they were heroes. And I was surprised, as a kid, to learn that most didn’t see themselves this way, and a lot felt like failures for not winning sooner and saving more lives. And that always left me feeling so sad for them, and so confused about the guilt they felt. But now see I’m a mother. When you’re a parent, every person starts to feel like your child. I know now that no matter how many lives they saved, and they did, and they are heroes to me, many had to go home to their families and see them and think “god it could have been them..” and that would haunt you so terribly. Just knowing what I know I feel weirdly guilty for all the generations of children who won’t exist. But I had a childhood. I existed. And my incredible child does today. It bothers me. There are nights when I just hug her until she pushes me away. For so many reasons, but having grown up knowing this atrocity is certainly a prominent one. Imagine if I’d seen it. I think I’d have gone completely insane.

[@Chevy120]

This interview was so touching. I hope everyone gets to hear what this great man has to say. I was so sorry to read of his passing in 2013.

[@sheilakey3725]

Thank you William Levine from my heart!

[@solangeboudreau6467]

What an intelligent man. A true hero!!! I’m so glad he gave this interview!!!

[@suzanneanderson6921]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. He was a lovely, lovely human being. Rest in peace, sir.

[@lorry2763]

Wonderful interview. The interviewer was knowledgeable and asked good questions while remaining respectful. Great job

[@southerncross86]

Such a good person, may God bless his soul

[@terrioestreich4007]

I love this man

[@garrisonnichols7372]

Bless him and all the souls in this world.

[@beverleygailluen4714]

Love this man, my heart breaks for his pain and hurt xx

[@charlesparrish2831]

Thank you for your service sir!🙏🇺🇸

[@melissabryant6639]

He has such a sweet smile :) Blessings

[@lcj8206]

Thank you so much for your story. God bless you for all that you did.

[@rickhaines9397]

Thank you for your bravery. Bless you.

[@Gandalftheginge45]

I lived in a street in Liverpool that was named after the ship you came to England on. Thank you for sharing your story. They don't make them like youse guys anymore!

[@patriciarouse2801]

This man speaks clearly, I like his candor, his self disclosure. In him I see a clarity and awareness that is specific to US military service, and what is shared by Americans. It is self and other respectful. it is accurate, and unassuming. There is a quality in what is being a human being that has no other definition, no origin it is moral, ethical self aware and unashamed by truths. Life is safe in his hands, Tremble if you fear him.

[@gopalreddy4671]

Very great man!

[@genataylor460]

It was a remarkable story, but the end, the love between him and his wife, brought tears to my eyes. Most of the story was sheer horror, the end was love.

[@albertarthurparsnips5141]

More viewings, and comments, would be so very welcome !

[@santi7470]

Thank God for these men. I don't know how they did it.💔💔After all these years , your heart still hurts for them - my heart hurts for you and every last soul who went through this and for those who witnessed it.

[@courierdog1941]

Our wedding anniversary takes on a whole new meaning, Thank You

[@emmcee662]

An incredible life - Utah Beach, Ardennes campaign, liberation of Dachau - all while so young. A very decent, honest and resilient man RIP

[@suenoble64]

May God give you peace of mind and peace of heart.

[@janyd9441]

Bless you for sharing. Please don't feel ashamed for not saying anything until now. You were part of such a horrific time and you felt this was how to deal with what you saw and didn't know how else to deal with it. We now know, however, PTSD. Men and women of that generation were not told how to cope and not told to express their feelings. Perhaps you felt you were saving others the pain. J. Canada

[@blancabulgrin5560]

This is so horrific that after every story it never fails I say to my sons I can't believe this actually happened.I wish these prisoners , victims had spoken up.sooner like in the 60s .this needs to be taught in school .

[@karenembury6467]

A hero. Thank you for talking, such pain to live with .

[@estherkroub5908]

There’s a reason our United States of America’s is such a great nation . It’s because of leaders like General Levine

[@sabreecarpenter4285]

Unfortunately, most of these brave courageous men and women of this greatest generation are all gone. Your comment was four years ago. I'm really worried about our country these days. Things are so different today.

[@melissahedden5396]

@@sabreecarpenter4285 me too! :( it seems like respect for others and human decency aren’t as important anymore. It honestly scares me to death.

[@sabreecarpenter4285]

@@melissahedden5396 Thank you for you comment. We can pray that there's a new generation waking up. A generation that wants what America once had, once was. Strong, honest, people. People who care for each other.

[@shulahamilton9025]

every day I watch one of these testimonies. My paternal grandmother died in Auschwitz.

[@timgordon4853]

😥❌⭕❌⭕Dorothy says👆🤏✌️🤌💕

[@sabreecarpenter4285]

I have listened to quite a few of these also. I think about what they went through, working all day out in the elements, cold or heat, with little to eat. I've often wondered how I would have fared under such circumstances. It definitely took courage, some luck, and some had a sister or a brother to help them endure.

[@fabbrunette]

Of course the Russian & English armies wouldn't treat the German POWs as well as the Americans did. Germany was merciless to both countries - especially Russia.

[@gillharris1588]

A wonderful man.

[@JaneDoe-ql7sc]

Hope he's still living, given his parents' & grandparents' longevity! What a great character he has!

[@kashesan]

God bless this brave man. If this experience could bring him to tears, it is true evil.

[@robbie_]

What an interesting man.

[@margaretdavis8113]

Thank you ❤🙏

[@margaretdavis8113]

🙏 Thank you.

[@coolbeans129]

Very inspiring

[@saristeier6658]

This gentleman is right out of Band of Brothers!

[@777poco]

geezus if you don't tear up listening to this story your made of stone

[@cathyleach5007]

Tears.

[@charlesparrish2831]

God bless his soul in Heaven and God bless his family!🙏🙏🙏

[@bee4590]

such a well-spoken man, as awful as this interview is, it's a treat to hear him speak so eloquently and thoughtfully. there are some amazing quotes in this

[@hankochai]

Fascinating. What an outstanding man. I wish the interviewer had followed up on his ill opinion of Parisians!

[@sharon8331]

Thankyou.

[@valpurves45]

Nice man.

[@meigacha4283]

On the shooting of the guards, I almost get the feeling he would have been part of it, But I'm not blaming him if it was the case.

[@JackJackKcajify]

its different in the moment. Before your a POW your an enemy combatant. lots of executions happen before the soldier gets lucky enough to be branded a POW. usually soldiers outside of CO line of sight, would do the killing.

[@JackJackKcajify]

its not even respectful to think about what he would have done. all that matter sis what happened

[@lorry2763]

The information is inaccurate. More like 30 guards not 300.

[@lorry2763]

300 Guards being fired upon is very inaccurate. Furthermore, the machine gun incident reportedly killed 12 guards. The shooting was stopped and the sobbing soldier was replaced. He claimed they were trying to get away. I highly doubt that. I would want to shoot them too! "The total number of German guards killed at Dachau during that day most certainly did not exceed fifty, with thirty probably being a more accurate figure." -Felix L. Sparks Lt. Co.

[@clarev7931]

Liberator charles salt's testimony is also very interesting as he talks about arresting irma grese

[@lorry2763]

The Liberators are traumatized to this day. 😪

[@Albertwildhorseshoer]

Here is the Meadowland s song General Levine spoke of hearing liberated Russian POW's sing on the road as they were moving toward a displaced person's camp (minute 1:22 on the time line). kzbin.info/www/bejne/aaKcl3h8gpxogck

[@frances9099]

I want so much to be able to listen to this narrative but the VOLUME IS TOO LOW!

[@lloydwalters4252]

Don't like this interviewer, he sounds like he's making the man give a deposition. God bless this man

[@meigacha4283]

Not the worst interviewer. I thought he was pretty good.

[@deborahborne4861]

I didn't like him either. Seemed condescending and some of his questions were so confusing. I felt sorry for Mr. Levine but he handled it gracefully.

[@toastedcheeser]

He’s reading a list instead of asking follow up questions.

[@southerncross86]

I thought the same

[@janyd9441]

Was there any psychological support through the military after the war?

[@christinebiada1292]

My guess would be yes, BUT it could damage your career if you went to get help or the members thought it would- I don’t think the military became serious about PTSD until recently- maybe first Gulf War. I could be way off. Something I’d have to fully research. As a retired AF Vet with ADHD, they don’t look too keenly on certain medications. You need to be able to function without them if you’re ever deployed and can’t receive your medications.

[@janyd9441]

That's not right, especially when you put your life on the line.

[@jaykay6315]

I think the interrogator asked redundant questions and treated this testimony as if he was an attorney in a court of law, questioning a general. It was really disrespectful.

[@charlesparrish2831]

God bless him for liberating Dachau🙏

[@lorry2763]

I really wanted him to answer the question about why he thinks the war lasted longer than it could have.

[@fabianasensio1168]

why is he asking so many tiny details? he sounds like an attorney.

[@mariavila8857]

The irony of surrendering dachau to a Jewish officer. spitting in his face and calling him a disgusting pig, showed admirable restraint on his part. With the greatest respect and admiration rest in peace general Levine.

[@noonenoone1628]

Geat man

[@jobethk588]

Interview protocol: sfi.usc.edu/collecting

[@charlesparrish2831]

He survived Dday by the grace of God🙏

[@courierdog1941]

William I personally feel the interviewer was extremely insensitive to both the prisoners in Dachau and yourself and in your participation in the Liberation

[@JackJackKcajify]

What are these questions, you go from completely relevant questions, and the next question goes to a completely irrelevant area.... the interviewer goes to asking if he interrogated officers... to asking if he had controls on his own troops!!! why not ask him about what he got from the interrogations?? is that not some of the most meaningful information you can get? interviewer is borderline being obstructive to this interview. @ 1:50:00 so the interviewer is using this to keep asking him about allied atrocities at the camp? jesus! and he brings up a dubious report of 300 guards being gunned down by one guy at the camp????

[@rhonda6791]

Sadly a lot of these interviewers are awful for lots of different reasons. It’s upsetting.

[@wednesdayschild3627]

I disagree with them killing the horrible camp guards, because they may have had information. These people were absolutley fanatical about lists. I bet they had a list of every prisoner they killed.

[@riadrossos-usa4415]

Men like him they don't exist in our times. People have lost their natural love. Education needs to come only from the parents not from tv or iPad. God said, teach your son and your daughter from infancy.

[@maryannluke7168]

God bless this wonderful man....interviewer shows NO compassion

[@BeckBeckGo]

“We provided the SS with calories. Calories. Not FOOD.” Nice.

[@K.DeVille]

1:53:47 😉

[@EthanFamorianFAmOriFAMoRIA.]

Quit doing evil crazies 😊

[@lloydkennedy8023]

The momentous fedelini equally appreciate because joseph naturally strap inside a clumsy train. crooked, well-to-do feast