How the first report from Belsen shocked the world In April 1945, the BBC’s Richard Dimbleby was the first reporter to enter the liberated Belsen concentration camp. His report describing the unimaginable horror he found, was the first time many listeners had heard the bleak truth of what it was like to have endured life and death under the Nazis. Around 70,000 people died in the Bergen-Belsen camp. The broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby told Witness History how his father broke down recording the report and why the BBC were at first reluctant to broadcast it.
Witness History - Richard Dimbleby describes Belsen - BBC Sounds The BBC’s Richard Dimbleby was the first reporter to enter the liberated Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. His report describing the unimaginable horror he found was for many listeners around the world the first time they had heard the truth of what it was like to have endured life and death under the Nazis. An estimated 70,000 people died in the camp. The broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby reflects on the impact of the report on his father and why the BBC was reluctant to broadcast it at first. Produced by Josephine McDermott. This programme contains distressing details.
