The 71st Infantry at Gunskirchen Lager, Austria – 1945

Gunskirchen Lager
This pamphlet was produced by the US Army after they liberated a concentration camp in Austria called Gunskirchen Lager. The 71st arrived just days before VE day. Many graphic pictures included.

Gunskirchen Pamphlet CoverGunskirchen, Austria – May 4, 1945

This pamphlet was produced by the US Army after they liberated a concentration camp in Austria called Gunskirchen Lager. The 71st arrived just days before VE day.

The book recounts in detail, and with very graphic photos, the tragedy they found in the camp.


When my maternal grand-mother passed away, I came into possession of a small pamphlet owned by her second husband’s (my step-grandfather) brother. His name was Ken Hoffman and he was a member of the 71st infantry during World War II.

I decided to make placing this material on the web a small personal project of mine and this site is the end result. I have reproduced here all the narrative text and all the black and white photos that appeared in the book. You should be warned that this material very accurately reflects the grisly details of the Army’s initial arrival at the camp. I was also motivated to produce this site since the pamphlet, while stored for decades in my family’s belongings, is still showing signs of age and becoming somewhat tattered.

The book is divided into 4 sections, with personal accounts by separate members of the liberating division. There is a text only version which lists all the text without the photos.

Complete Pamphlet – Graphic Version

Text Only



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Comments: John Mooney