Never forget, tankies liberated Auschwitz
https://www.yadvashem.org/artifacts/featured/liberation/diary-auschwitz.html
Something extremely astonishing was then seen in Auschwitz: the ‘Häftlings’ (prisoners) who had tasted too much vodka staggered through the streets, to the delight of the Soviet soldiers.
And they, who had already divested themselves of their white capes, astonished us with their beards, their mustaches. The Red Star stood out on their fur hats. And there were female soldiers, similar to the male soldiers, armed as they were, and driving mules hitched to sleds. They surrounded us, as surprised as we were. And already we were “tovarish” (comrades).
… For two days I took advantage of the sunshine to go and wash in the snow. I was rather weak, but how can I describe my joy that once again I was free, that once again I could walk without holding myself at attention among the Blocks. That it was good to sit myself down on one of the benches on the perimeter. This was the first time that something like this had happened to me, and in the observation towers it was Soviets who were standing guard."
Alexander Mayer
