Greatest Generation Live and Glenn Flickinger host a special event screening and discussion of the documentary film, The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald, about the 168 Allied pilots shot down in WWII imprisoned at Buchenwald concentration camp. Filmmaker Mike Dorsey and expert Marilyn Walton join us after the screening to talk about this largely unknown history.

“The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald” delves into the harrowing and lesser-known story of a group of Allied airmen during World War II who were captured by the Nazis and wrongfully imprisoned in the Buchenwald concentration camp. Directed by Michael Dorsey, the film offers a deeply personal and detailed account of these men’s experiences, blending interviews, archival footage, and historical analysis to shed light on a dark chapter of the war that remained largely hidden for decades.

The story begins in 1944, when these airmen, primarily Americans and Canadians, were shot down over France and captured by the German forces. Typically, downed airmen were treated as prisoners of war (POWs) and sent to POW camps, where they were subject to the rules of the Geneva Convention. However, these particular airmen were not afforded that status. Instead, due to a combination of bureaucratic oversight, Nazi cruelty, and mistaken identity, they were categorized as “terrorists and saboteurs.” This misclassification led to their imprisonment in Buchenwald, a place where the horrors of the Holocaust were in full force.

The documentary meticulously documents the journey of these airmen from the skies over Europe to the squalid, brutal conditions of the concentration camp. Through interviews with surviving airmen, as well as historians and military experts, the film pieces together how these men were transported to Buchenwald. The airmen describe the shock and disbelief they felt upon arriving at the camp, a place they never expected to see. Unlike a POW camp, Buchenwald was a place of death and despair, where Jews, political prisoners, and other groups targeted by the Nazis were sent to die.

The airmen recall the appalling conditions at Buchenwald: the overcrowding, the lack of food, the constant fear of death, and the horrific treatment of prisoners by the SS guards. The film does not shy away from the grim realities of life in the camp, showing how these airmen were forced to endure the same brutalities as the other prisoners. They were made to work in slave labor, lived in unsanitary conditions, and witnessed the daily atrocities committed by the Nazi guards.

One of the most compelling aspects of the documentary is its focus on the camaraderie and resilience of these airmen. Despite being thrust into one of the most horrific environments imaginable, the airmen relied on their training, discipline, and solidarity to survive. They formed a tight-knit group, supporting one another through the darkest times. The film captures the strong bonds that were forged in Buchenwald, bonds that would last a lifetime.

The documentary also explores the broader historical context of these events, examining how the airmen’s presence at Buchenwald was almost erased from history. The film reveals that after the war, there was a concerted effort by both the Allied and German governments to cover up the fact that Allied airmen had been sent to a concentration camp. This was partly due to the embarrassment it would have caused and partly due to the complexities of post-war politics. The airmen themselves were sworn to secrecy, and many did not speak about their experiences for decades. This aspect of the film is particularly poignant, as it highlights the long-lasting impact of their imprisonment, not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically.

The film also touches on the eventual liberation of the airmen. In October 1944, after enduring months of unspeakable hardships, the airmen were transferred to a POW camp following the intervention of a Luftwaffe officer who discovered their presence in Buchenwald. This intervention saved their lives, as Buchenwald was a place where prisoners were systematically exterminated. The airmen’s transfer to a POW camp marked the end of their nightmare in Buchenwald, but not the end of their struggles. Even after the war, many of the survivors suffered from the trauma of their experiences, and the film captures this ongoing struggle.

Archival footage and photographs are used effectively throughout the documentary to bring the story to life. The images of Buchenwald, with its barbed wire, barracks, and emaciated prisoners, are haunting. They serve as a stark reminder of the horrors these men endured and the inhumanity of the Nazi regime. The film also includes footage of the airmen’s missions before they were captured, providing a contrast between their lives as soldiers in the skies and their lives as prisoners on the ground.

Interviews with the surviving airmen are the emotional core of the documentary. These men, now in their later years, recount their experiences with a mixture of sorrow, anger, and pride. Their stories are deeply personal and moving, as they reflect on the comrades they lost, the horrors they witnessed, and the strength they found in one another. The film gives these men a voice, allowing them to share their story with the world, many for the first time.

The documentary also features commentary from historians and military experts, who provide context and analysis of the events. They discuss the significance of the airmen’s story in the broader narrative of World War II and the Holocaust, and they explore the reasons why this story was suppressed for so long. Their insights help to frame the airmen’s experiences within the larger historical context, making it clear that their story is not just one of personal survival, but also one of historical importance.

In its conclusion, “The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald” serves as both a tribute to the bravery and resilience of these men and a reminder of the horrors of war and the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. It is a powerful and moving documentary that uncovers a forgotten chapter of history, ensuring that the story of these airmen, who endured unimaginable suffering yet survived against the odds, is not forgotten.

The film’s meticulous research, combined with the emotional depth of the interviews and the stark imagery of Buchenwald, creates a compelling narrative that is both informative and deeply affecting. “The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald” is not just a story of survival, but a testament to the human spirit’s ability to endure and triumph even in the face of overwhelming adversity. It is a documentary that demands to be seen, offering a sobering reminder of the past while honoring the courage and sacrifice of those who lived through it.