from the British Medical Journal 30 June 1945...
My attention has been drawn to an article in your issue of June 9 (p. 814). In the interest of accurate recording it is felt that Dr. Collis should be aware of the following facts:
(1) The typhus area including Belsen Camp was uncovered by the 11th Armoured Division during April 15 and not April 17 as his account suggests.
(2) The first individual to enter the camp was the Divisional A.D.M.S., Col. D. Bluett, who went in about midday on April 15.
(3) The first medical unit began work in the camp at approximately 4 p.m. on April 15. This was the Divisional Field Hygiene Section.
(4) Incidentally this unit was the only medical unit working there until April 18. It spent the first two days completely within the wired enclosure, and during the first 24 hours the S.S. men were still in control of the camp.
(5) It was due to the foresight of Col. Bluett that supplies of A.L.63 and disinfectant were available for this initial effort. Up to the afternoon of April 18, when another Field Hygiene Section came up, some 15,000 inhabitants of the camps had been deloused.
(6) The fact that the 11th Armoured Division provided some troops, water-carts, the greater part of its hygiene section, and its whole laundry and bath unit, while active operations were being carried out, is deserving of mention in any account of Belsen.-I am, etc.,
F. R. WALDRON, 76 (Br.) Field Hygiene Section, B.L.A. Major, R.A.M.C.