| Loot and Plunder: The Cultural Rape of Germany |
Another lucrative plunder was scientific. At the end of World War II, Allied scientific intelligence experts accompanied
the invading forces into Germany to plunder as much equipment and expertise as possible from the rubble, and they were
delighted and shocked at the advanced German technical achievements they found. In May 1945, while the Red Army
grabbed the atomic research labs near Berlin, the US forces removed V-2 missiles from Nordhausen, and in the process
captured Wernher von Braun's team which had built the V-2, before handing the town over to the Soviets as agreed to.
In August 1945, "Project Paperclip" was authorized by US President Truman, and it directed an operation where 700 of
these German scientists were sneaked out of Germany for use in the USA. Russia grabbed another batch.
the invading forces into Germany to plunder as much equipment and expertise as possible from the rubble, and they were
delighted and shocked at the advanced German technical achievements they found. In May 1945, while the Red Army
grabbed the atomic research labs near Berlin, the US forces removed V-2 missiles from Nordhausen, and in the process
captured Wernher von Braun's team which had built the V-2, before handing the town over to the Soviets as agreed to.
In August 1945, "Project Paperclip" was authorized by US President Truman, and it directed an operation where 700 of
these German scientists were sneaked out of Germany for use in the USA. Russia grabbed another batch.
The real estate and whole households of the millions of expelled ethnic Germans provided loot for years to come in those
areas. The German books, including some rare manuscripts, banned by the Soviets and Allies alike during 're-education',
while generally burned, often vanished with no accountability. Not only was there was unbridled theft of German patents,
copyrights, music, research data, scientific and educational studies, there was massive, unjustified requisitioning of German
owned property in just about every part of the world, often done on the flimsiest of pretexts.
areas. The German books, including some rare manuscripts, banned by the Soviets and Allies alike during 're-education',
while generally burned, often vanished with no accountability. Not only was there was unbridled theft of German patents,
copyrights, music, research data, scientific and educational studies, there was massive, unjustified requisitioning of German
owned property in just about every part of the world, often done on the flimsiest of pretexts.
Thousands of rare drawings from the Kunsthalle Bremen were put in a castle for safe keeping only
to vanish under Soviet occupation until some resurfaced on the New York art market in the 1990's,
taking a lawsuit to get them returned. From the same castle, Victor Baldin, then a Soviet Army
officer, "rescued" two paintings and 362 drawings which are presently being held by Russian officials.
to vanish under Soviet occupation until some resurfaced on the New York art market in the 1990's,
taking a lawsuit to get them returned. From the same castle, Victor Baldin, then a Soviet Army
officer, "rescued" two paintings and 362 drawings which are presently being held by Russian officials.
The Soviet looting was so sloppy that rare old master paintings were used as table tops and age old
nude paintings were sliced from their frames and plastered on Red Army trucks just for chuckles.
Unheated trains carried uncushioned precious cargoes of Rembrandts and DaVincis through freezing
weather to Moscow. Other masterpieces were ripped off their stretchers so their frames could be
burned for fuel by campfires of drunk soldiers. By the time the treasures made it to Russia, they
were left out in the cold and rain in vacant courtyards and alleys until thrown away or stored in attics
or basements in awful conditions. Antique furniture was chopped up and burned, rare china smashed,
glass broken and ancient metalwork disfigured or melted down.
nude paintings were sliced from their frames and plastered on Red Army trucks just for chuckles.
Unheated trains carried uncushioned precious cargoes of Rembrandts and DaVincis through freezing
weather to Moscow. Other masterpieces were ripped off their stretchers so their frames could be
burned for fuel by campfires of drunk soldiers. By the time the treasures made it to Russia, they
were left out in the cold and rain in vacant courtyards and alleys until thrown away or stored in attics
or basements in awful conditions. Antique furniture was chopped up and burned, rare china smashed,
glass broken and ancient metalwork disfigured or melted down.
The Rüstkammer, or armory, of the Wartburg used to contain a priceless collection of over 800 pieces from the
magnificent period of armour from King Henry II of France, to the items of Friedrich the Wise, Pope Julius II and
Bernhard von Weimar. The Soviet Occupation Army stole the collection in 1946 and it has since "disappeared" in the
Soviet Union. Only five small pieces were given back by the USSR in the 1960s.
magnificent period of armour from King Henry II of France, to the items of Friedrich the Wise, Pope Julius II and
Bernhard von Weimar. The Soviet Occupation Army stole the collection in 1946 and it has since "disappeared" in the
Soviet Union. Only five small pieces were given back by the USSR in the 1960s.
The Russians are unrepentant and arrogant about their thievery and seem to go down this brazen
path with the tacit approval of civilized nations. When the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in
Moscow opened its April 29, 2006 exhibition entitled "Archeology of War: Return from Nonbeing"
featuring pieces from the ancient world and largely based on Russia's collection of looted German art
from World War II, the German based Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation was not invited to be
involved in the project and was refused access to Russian's depots of German art treasures. Some
350 of the antiques displayed in this one show originally came from Berlin collections stolen by the
Soviet "trophy brigades" who pillaged and pilfered their way through the ruins of Germany.
path with the tacit approval of civilized nations. When the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts in
Moscow opened its April 29, 2006 exhibition entitled "Archeology of War: Return from Nonbeing"
featuring pieces from the ancient world and largely based on Russia's collection of looted German art
from World War II, the German based Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation was not invited to be
involved in the project and was refused access to Russian's depots of German art treasures. Some
350 of the antiques displayed in this one show originally came from Berlin collections stolen by the
Soviet "trophy brigades" who pillaged and pilfered their way through the ruins of Germany.
As World War Two was drawing to a close in 1945, the US Army arrived and briefly occupied
sleepy Quedlinburg, one of the lucky hamlets spared destruction by bombing. Twelve of the most
precious treasures disappeared, but before an investigation could commence, Quedlinburg was turned
over to the Red Army. In 1983, rumors surfaced which led to an investigation by a German agency
dedicated to recovering looted national treasures. The trail led to the State of Texas and to an oddball
thief by the name of Joe Tom Meador, once a forward observer for an artillery unit and one of many
men who made an advanced art out of thievery during their service in Germany. Although two of the
works are still unaccounted for, Germany, managed to buy back the treasures for an outrageous price
of 3 million dollars from Meador’s estate. This scene has been often repeated through the years.
sleepy Quedlinburg, one of the lucky hamlets spared destruction by bombing. Twelve of the most
precious treasures disappeared, but before an investigation could commence, Quedlinburg was turned
over to the Red Army. In 1983, rumors surfaced which led to an investigation by a German agency
dedicated to recovering looted national treasures. The trail led to the State of Texas and to an oddball
thief by the name of Joe Tom Meador, once a forward observer for an artillery unit and one of many
men who made an advanced art out of thievery during their service in Germany. Although two of the
works are still unaccounted for, Germany, managed to buy back the treasures for an outrageous price
of 3 million dollars from Meador’s estate. This scene has been often repeated through the years.
Typical Internet auction listing: "Rare, Ancient Handwritten German Book.
1522-1526 (right). I am selling this for a woman who's husband brought it back
from WW2. She informed me that her husband got it from a castle in Germany
that was a home for monks in 1945." The castles that survived bombing were a
favorite target of looters throughout Germany.
1522-1526 (right). I am selling this for a woman who's husband brought it back
from WW2. She informed me that her husband got it from a castle in Germany
that was a home for monks in 1945." The castles that survived bombing were a
favorite target of looters throughout Germany.
The Pushkin Museum insists, incorrectly and in violation of international
law, that all looted art belongs to Russia because it should not go to "those
who started the war." Prime targets of the looters were the treasures of the
German kings, including those of Friedrich the Great. The great paintings he
collected, his writings and music and even portraits of he and his family
were snatched and taken to Russia. That these objects are an integral part
of Germany's cultural history matters not to Russia.
law, that all looted art belongs to Russia because it should not go to "those
who started the war." Prime targets of the looters were the treasures of the
German kings, including those of Friedrich the Great. The great paintings he
collected, his writings and music and even portraits of he and his family
were snatched and taken to Russia. That these objects are an integral part
of Germany's cultural history matters not to Russia.
In 2003, a Russian named Vladimir Logvinenko tried to sell it to a German gallery, but he was
reported to Russian authorities who then acquired the painting. Now restored, it hangs in the Pushkin
State Museum. Following their custom, they refuse to return it to its rightful owner: Germany.
reported to Russian authorities who then acquired the painting. Now restored, it hangs in the Pushkin
State Museum. Following their custom, they refuse to return it to its rightful owner: Germany.
| Not Only the Red Army Plundered |
| The cultural property the Russian authorities and soldiers removed from Germany in 1945 included works of German art, plus two million books and files that if placed end to end would stretch three kilometers, or almost two miles. |
Germans regard other items as an integral part of their country's heritage, including about 5,800
ancient books from the famous Gotha library, two Gutenberg Bibles printed in 1454 and several
important paintings. By 1580, the Library was a reference library, containing books on theology,
history, medicine, surgery, law, mathematics, philosophy, mining, architecture, astronomy, warfare,
tournaments and festivals, numismatics, mineralogy, biology and agriculture. The collection also
included engravings, maps and illustrations of court life. Needless to say, those treasures fortunate
enough to survive the firebombing were greatly plundered and stolen by the Soviets.
ancient books from the famous Gotha library, two Gutenberg Bibles printed in 1454 and several
important paintings. By 1580, the Library was a reference library, containing books on theology,
history, medicine, surgery, law, mathematics, philosophy, mining, architecture, astronomy, warfare,
tournaments and festivals, numismatics, mineralogy, biology and agriculture. The collection also
included engravings, maps and illustrations of court life. Needless to say, those treasures fortunate
enough to survive the firebombing were greatly plundered and stolen by the Soviets.
Nazi war criminals at Nurnberg were expressly charged with "destruction et pillage d'oeuvres d'art" based specifically on
the violation of Article 56 of the Hague Convention of 1907 regarding war booty. Ironically, the Hague convention got its
inspiration from disputes which arose from the Napoleonic Wars regarding Napoleon's plundering. Article 56 was seen
as expressing the prohibition of any unilateral seizure of cultural property and putting an explicit limit to the prior practice
of unlimited looting. Sadly, the biggest theft of all, the most massive art heist of all times, the looting and plundering of
German treasures has drawn scant, if any, media attention.
the violation of Article 56 of the Hague Convention of 1907 regarding war booty. Ironically, the Hague convention got its
inspiration from disputes which arose from the Napoleonic Wars regarding Napoleon's plundering. Article 56 was seen
as expressing the prohibition of any unilateral seizure of cultural property and putting an explicit limit to the prior practice
of unlimited looting. Sadly, the biggest theft of all, the most massive art heist of all times, the looting and plundering of
German treasures has drawn scant, if any, media attention.
While there was no general authorization of the Allied Control Council to carry off German cultural property as a means
of reparation or compensation, the Soviets openly ignored international law and regarded the vast amount of treasure and
artwork pilfered from Germany as 'compensation'.
of reparation or compensation, the Soviets openly ignored international law and regarded the vast amount of treasure and
artwork pilfered from Germany as 'compensation'.
Carrying off cultural property was only to be legally permitted for the purpose of "guarding against wartime dangers", but
this was the disingenuous excuse used by the Soviet Union for its massive looting operations. As early as 1942, the
Soviet Union, art lovers that they were, had begun a deliberate plan of collecting art from Germany. In 1945, as the Red
Army advanced into Germany, special "trophy brigades" went out to collect the slated works in German museums and
ship them back to Moscow. From 1945 to 1949, more than two and a half million works of art were carried off from
Germany, mostly to the metropolises of the Soviet Union where many of them are kept in secret storage even today.
this was the disingenuous excuse used by the Soviet Union for its massive looting operations. As early as 1942, the
Soviet Union, art lovers that they were, had begun a deliberate plan of collecting art from Germany. In 1945, as the Red
Army advanced into Germany, special "trophy brigades" went out to collect the slated works in German museums and
ship them back to Moscow. From 1945 to 1949, more than two and a half million works of art were carried off from
Germany, mostly to the metropolises of the Soviet Union where many of them are kept in secret storage even today.
Joseph Stalin's minions emptied nearly all museums, collections, archives, and sheltering depots in his zone of occupation
and for over four decades his successors hid many of these objects from the world, treasures representing the entire
German history. In 1955, Soviet officials publicly staged a return of some major works, including Raphael's Sistine
Madonna, stolen from the Dresden Picture Gallery, distracting from the fact that they still had thousands more works.
A1990 treaty concluded with the Soviet Union stipulated the return of cultural property that had been moved due to the
war. However, Russia reneged and decided that German cultural property was "legally transferred".
and for over four decades his successors hid many of these objects from the world, treasures representing the entire
German history. In 1955, Soviet officials publicly staged a return of some major works, including Raphael's Sistine
Madonna, stolen from the Dresden Picture Gallery, distracting from the fact that they still had thousands more works.
A1990 treaty concluded with the Soviet Union stipulated the return of cultural property that had been moved due to the
war. However, Russia reneged and decided that German cultural property was "legally transferred".
In 1941, the Red Army stole Schliemann's golden Troy collection from its safe keeping space in a
concrete bunker at the destroyed Berlin Zoo and it was not until 1993 that they even acknowledged
that the treasure was in Russia. In the towns and villages of East Germany, stained glass window
were ripped out of churches and sent to the Soviet Union, bronze monuments were dissolved for
their face value and documents dating from centuries past were destroyed or scattered.
concrete bunker at the destroyed Berlin Zoo and it was not until 1993 that they even acknowledged
that the treasure was in Russia. In the towns and villages of East Germany, stained glass window
were ripped out of churches and sent to the Soviet Union, bronze monuments were dissolved for
their face value and documents dating from centuries past were destroyed or scattered.
The Saxon State Library began in Dresden 440 years ago first under the auspices of Saxony's ruling
nobility and then to administrators and scholars who carefully selected and purchased the collection.
Since Saxony had become one of the most powerful territorial states in German by the mid-16th
century, many books were collected by Elector Augustus, 1553- 1585, and included manuscripts
from the middle ages and also those pertaining to local industry and the professional trades, many of
which were uniformly bound by Dresden bookbinders in 1556. By the end of World War II, the
Saxon State Library had 2,384 surviving incunabula. Today more than half of these are in Russia.
nobility and then to administrators and scholars who carefully selected and purchased the collection.
Since Saxony had become one of the most powerful territorial states in German by the mid-16th
century, many books were collected by Elector Augustus, 1553- 1585, and included manuscripts
from the middle ages and also those pertaining to local industry and the professional trades, many of
which were uniformly bound by Dresden bookbinders in 1556. By the end of World War II, the
Saxon State Library had 2,384 surviving incunabula. Today more than half of these are in Russia.
In 2007, European gold jewellery from between the 5th and 8th centuries A.D. went
on show in Moscow for the first time since it was seized by the Red Army from a
Berlin museum in 1945. In May and June, 1945, Red Army soldiers plundered three
boxes with 1,538 artifacts of jewellery and other objects from the Merovingian era
that a Berlin museum had hidden for safety in a bunker in Berlin to protect them
from bombing. These are objects from the era of Germanic kings from 482 to 714,
an era that has yielded fewer artifacts than any other in European history: one item
was a German 7th-century iron sword sheath from Sigmaringen-Gutenstein, left
on show in Moscow for the first time since it was seized by the Red Army from a
Berlin museum in 1945. In May and June, 1945, Red Army soldiers plundered three
boxes with 1,538 artifacts of jewellery and other objects from the Merovingian era
that a Berlin museum had hidden for safety in a bunker in Berlin to protect them
from bombing. These are objects from the era of Germanic kings from 482 to 714,
an era that has yielded fewer artifacts than any other in European history: one item
was a German 7th-century iron sword sheath from Sigmaringen-Gutenstein, left
700 items of the 1,300 which emerged from their dingy hiding place to be displayed were stolen from
Germany. Russia calls the looted trophy art "art stored in conditions of war". What was modern
Germany's reaction? At the same time the Russian officials were crudely reiterating their official
refusal to return cultural loot to Germany, the German Culture Minister attended the official opening
and said the exhibition marks "a special event in German-Russian cultural relations" and loaned more
than 200 objects to complement the show whose exhibition catalogue was printed in Germany!
Germany. Russia calls the looted trophy art "art stored in conditions of war". What was modern
Germany's reaction? At the same time the Russian officials were crudely reiterating their official
refusal to return cultural loot to Germany, the German Culture Minister attended the official opening
and said the exhibition marks "a special event in German-Russian cultural relations" and loaned more
than 200 objects to complement the show whose exhibition catalogue was printed in Germany!
Immediately after World War II, throughout West and East Germany, priceless art, religious and secular treasures, were
violently torn from church-altars, wretched from museum walls or even stolen from private collections and homes by
Allied soldiers as well. While officially America and Britain were rigorous in not "seizing" any artwork as war booty,
whole squads of Allied thieves were also “liberating” rare books, illuminated manuscripts, gold and silver religious
objects, sculpture and paintings as well as intimidating German civilians into forking over what valuables they had left.
violently torn from church-altars, wretched from museum walls or even stolen from private collections and homes by
Allied soldiers as well. While officially America and Britain were rigorous in not "seizing" any artwork as war booty,
whole squads of Allied thieves were also “liberating” rare books, illuminated manuscripts, gold and silver religious
objects, sculpture and paintings as well as intimidating German civilians into forking over what valuables they had left.
The "Salzburg of the Kapuzinerberg," a 1565 woodcut, was one the oldest portraits of Salzburg.
During the bombings, it was hidden for safety in a salt mine nearby. In 1945, soldiers of the US
Forces in Austria (USFA) overtook the guarding and restitution of art, and during their watch
countless valuables were stolen, including this priceless work of art. It has never been recovered.
During the bombings, it was hidden for safety in a salt mine nearby. In 1945, soldiers of the US
Forces in Austria (USFA) overtook the guarding and restitution of art, and during their watch
countless valuables were stolen, including this priceless work of art. It has never been recovered.
In the same manner by which panels painted by Albrecht Dürer ended up in Brooklyn and a manuscript of Friedrich the
Great's was brought to the USA by an American G.I., millions of rare books, artworks and other treasures were pilfered,
some by means other than theft. The thousands of cameras, antique swords, knives and guns which German civilians were
required to surrender at war's end ended up in the states, usually with a bogus provenance. On internet auction sites
today, there are pages and pages of "souvenirs" lifted or extorted from pitiful victims of the war by Allied soldiers, even
toys, family bibles and photographs.
Great's was brought to the USA by an American G.I., millions of rare books, artworks and other treasures were pilfered,
some by means other than theft. The thousands of cameras, antique swords, knives and guns which German civilians were
required to surrender at war's end ended up in the states, usually with a bogus provenance. On internet auction sites
today, there are pages and pages of "souvenirs" lifted or extorted from pitiful victims of the war by Allied soldiers, even
toys, family bibles and photographs.
Saxon king Heinrich I and his successors had long ago given various treasures to the church at
Quedlinburg. These treasures included an intricately carved ivory comb, two manuscripts in jeweled
covers, one of which was written entirely in gold ink, and small rock crystal and gold relics
embedded with bits of cloth and wood said to be from the Virgin’s robe and the true Cross. Pilgrims
from all over Germany once visited the church to view them. The treasures were hidden for
safekeeping during World War Two in a cave near the town.
Quedlinburg. These treasures included an intricately carved ivory comb, two manuscripts in jeweled
covers, one of which was written entirely in gold ink, and small rock crystal and gold relics
embedded with bits of cloth and wood said to be from the Virgin’s robe and the true Cross. Pilgrims
from all over Germany once visited the church to view them. The treasures were hidden for
safekeeping during World War Two in a cave near the town.
It is fitting to begin with a story of rape. By the
time of Tarquin the Proud's tyrannical reign as
the last monarch of Rome, Romans were eager
to explore a new form of government: the
republic. The Rape of Lucretia was a popular
tale which detailed the downfall of Tarquinius.
As it goes, the Roman soldiers away at war
decided to return and surprise their wives.
time of Tarquin the Proud's tyrannical reign as
the last monarch of Rome, Romans were eager
to explore a new form of government: the
republic. The Rape of Lucretia was a popular
tale which detailed the downfall of Tarquinius.
As it goes, the Roman soldiers away at war
decided to return and surprise their wives.
Only Lucretia, wife to Collatinus, had been loyal and chaste while her husband was gone. Aroused
when hearing of this, Tarquin's son, Sextus, returned and raped Lucretia. She told her husband what
had happened, then took her own life. The incident sparked a revolt led by Lucius Junius Brutus and
Collatinus, resulting in Tarquin's expulsion from Rome. The Tarquin and Lucretia above was
painted by Peter Paul Rubens between 1609 and 1612 and shows the rape of Lucretia. One of the
Ruben's finest early works, Friedrich the Great bought it in 1765 for his collection and it hung in his
palace at Sans Souci. It vanished in the Soviet Union after being stolen by the Red Army in 1945. It
was cut from its frame, folded and rolled up, stored improperly and badly damaged. It ended up in a
communist officer's home and was later sold for pennies. Enter the Russian Mafia.
when hearing of this, Tarquin's son, Sextus, returned and raped Lucretia. She told her husband what
had happened, then took her own life. The incident sparked a revolt led by Lucius Junius Brutus and
Collatinus, resulting in Tarquin's expulsion from Rome. The Tarquin and Lucretia above was
painted by Peter Paul Rubens between 1609 and 1612 and shows the rape of Lucretia. One of the
Ruben's finest early works, Friedrich the Great bought it in 1765 for his collection and it hung in his
palace at Sans Souci. It vanished in the Soviet Union after being stolen by the Red Army in 1945. It
was cut from its frame, folded and rolled up, stored improperly and badly damaged. It ended up in a
communist officer's home and was later sold for pennies. Enter the Russian Mafia.
Among German state treasure stolen by the Red Army was the Treasure of Priamus, an important
collection of Etruscan sculptures, vases, terra cotta and other items dating back to ancient Greece. In
1992, after the Soviet Union disintegrated, the German and Russian governments made another
agreement of cultural cooperation, but after Germany cooperated fully, the Russians again reneged
on most of the agreement. In 1997, an alliance of nationalists and Communists in the Duma, or
Russian Parliament, passed legislation indefinitely banning the return of Germany's art to Germany!
collection of Etruscan sculptures, vases, terra cotta and other items dating back to ancient Greece. In
1992, after the Soviet Union disintegrated, the German and Russian governments made another
agreement of cultural cooperation, but after Germany cooperated fully, the Russians again reneged
on most of the agreement. In 1997, an alliance of nationalists and Communists in the Duma, or
Russian Parliament, passed legislation indefinitely banning the return of Germany's art to Germany!
7,314 paintings belonging to the German bureau that administered the former Hohenzollern estates in Prussia were
catalogued in 1939. Today, over 3,000 are still missing. This doesn't even touch upon the sculpture, porcelain, musical
instruments, clocks, silver, furniture, prints and drawings and millions of rare books plundered by Allies and the Red
Army alike. Using foresight during the Allied bombing of Germany, museum personal bravely attempted to safeguard the
masterpieces in their charge by shifting collections from various depots in salt mines, churches, cellars and estates to save
the objects from destruction. As Berlin was falling, art treasures from the old Prussian castles were hidden in safe places
in the countryside. Almost all of the 3,000 missing paintings not destroyed by bombing were taken by the Russians. From
the time they conquered Potsdam in April 1945, where many collections had ended up, until 1946, everything that could
be moved was carted off to Moscow. A Musical Snatching
catalogued in 1939. Today, over 3,000 are still missing. This doesn't even touch upon the sculpture, porcelain, musical
instruments, clocks, silver, furniture, prints and drawings and millions of rare books plundered by Allies and the Red
Army alike. Using foresight during the Allied bombing of Germany, museum personal bravely attempted to safeguard the
masterpieces in their charge by shifting collections from various depots in salt mines, churches, cellars and estates to save
the objects from destruction. As Berlin was falling, art treasures from the old Prussian castles were hidden in safe places
in the countryside. Almost all of the 3,000 missing paintings not destroyed by bombing were taken by the Russians. From
the time they conquered Potsdam in April 1945, where many collections had ended up, until 1946, everything that could
be moved was carted off to Moscow. A Musical Snatching
The illuminated Das Hildebrandslied is the oldest heroic poem in German literature and the only
surviving example in German of its genre. The codex itself was written in the first quarter of the 9th
century. The codex was looted by a US army officer in 1945 and sold to a book dealer. It was
discovered in California and returned to Germany in 1955, but in greatly damaged condition. The
first sheet, which had been cut out and disfigured to avoid identification, wasn't found until 1972 in
Philadelphia. The manuscript is now home, in the Murhardsche Bibliothek in Kassel.
surviving example in German of its genre. The codex itself was written in the first quarter of the 9th
century. The codex was looted by a US army officer in 1945 and sold to a book dealer. It was
discovered in California and returned to Germany in 1955, but in greatly damaged condition. The
first sheet, which had been cut out and disfigured to avoid identification, wasn't found until 1972 in
Philadelphia. The manuscript is now home, in the Murhardsche Bibliothek in Kassel.
In some areas of eastern Europe where ethnic German property was stolen, there have been some attempts to
compensate: In Romania, 90 percent of 128,000 attempts at claiming back confiscated property have failed to produce
results so far, but there is progress Chivalry is not dead. In Bulgaria, former monarch Simeon Saxe-Coburg, who fled
his homeland as a child in 1946 after communists took over, returned from exile to his home. He became prime minister
from 2001 to 2005. Bulgarian law now allows restitution of nationalized royal property. In 1991, Hungary became the
first post-communist country in the region to pass laws on partial compensation for expropriated property. There were
817,811 claims submitted for compensation of property taken away during communism by 2005. In the Czech Republic,
having German blood makes it nearly impossible to reclaim one's rightful property, and it has only very rarely taken place.
Poland is the only post-communist country in the region that has not passed a restitution or compensation law.
compensate: In Romania, 90 percent of 128,000 attempts at claiming back confiscated property have failed to produce
results so far, but there is progress Chivalry is not dead. In Bulgaria, former monarch Simeon Saxe-Coburg, who fled
his homeland as a child in 1946 after communists took over, returned from exile to his home. He became prime minister
from 2001 to 2005. Bulgarian law now allows restitution of nationalized royal property. In 1991, Hungary became the
first post-communist country in the region to pass laws on partial compensation for expropriated property. There were
817,811 claims submitted for compensation of property taken away during communism by 2005. In the Czech Republic,
having German blood makes it nearly impossible to reclaim one's rightful property, and it has only very rarely taken place.
Poland is the only post-communist country in the region that has not passed a restitution or compensation law.
On a tip that 7 miniature 16th-century paintings stolen from Germany by American GIs at the end of the War were resold
in the USA, the German government asked for their return. The new "owner" refused and instead engaged Germany in a
protracted legal battle. He was a museum curator who claims he bought them "thinking they were reproductions".
in the USA, the German government asked for their return. The new "owner" refused and instead engaged Germany in a
protracted legal battle. He was a museum curator who claims he bought them "thinking they were reproductions".
Lastly, at this point in time, many individuals whose families had willingly sold art work even before the war and were
paid for that work are today suing for art supposedly looted by Nazis, claiming that their families must have been "under
duress". It has evolved into nothing more than a lucrative racket for some, and is emptying German and Austrian museums
of what precious little art they have left. To make matters worse, Germany has paid dearly in compensation for art
actually pilfered by the Soviets or destroyed by the Allies in bombing runs.
paid for that work are today suing for art supposedly looted by Nazis, claiming that their families must have been "under
duress". It has evolved into nothing more than a lucrative racket for some, and is emptying German and Austrian museums
of what precious little art they have left. To make matters worse, Germany has paid dearly in compensation for art
actually pilfered by the Soviets or destroyed by the Allies in bombing runs.
In the "confusion" of the last days of the War, as forces of the 66th U.S. Infantry Reserve and the
71st U.S. Infantry Divisions occupied bombed out Pirmasens, 50 paintings belonging to the town
which had been stored in the air-raid shelter during the war were stolen sometime in March of 1945,
while the townspeople were burying their dead. In the year 2003, through the American FBI’s Art
Theft Program, three of the paintings by the German painter Heinrich Bürkel were recovered and
have since been returned to their rightful owner, the Pirmasens City Museum. But this is rare.
71st U.S. Infantry Divisions occupied bombed out Pirmasens, 50 paintings belonging to the town
which had been stored in the air-raid shelter during the war were stolen sometime in March of 1945,
while the townspeople were burying their dead. In the year 2003, through the American FBI’s Art
Theft Program, three of the paintings by the German painter Heinrich Bürkel were recovered and
have since been returned to their rightful owner, the Pirmasens City Museum. But this is rare.
In the Rhineland, Rimburg Castle's furniture and art work was scattered, broken and thrown into the
moat, and the locked rooms broken into and rifled. There were slashed pictures, and cases of books
from the Aachen library broken open and their contents strewn about by souvenir hunters.
See: The American Protectors At Augustusburg in Bruehl Allied troops bivouacked in the bomb
damaged castle and caused even more destruction. Police had no authority over ( or incentive ) to
control US soldiers who continued to go in and out, looting as they pleased.
moat, and the locked rooms broken into and rifled. There were slashed pictures, and cases of books
from the Aachen library broken open and their contents strewn about by souvenir hunters.
See: The American Protectors At Augustusburg in Bruehl Allied troops bivouacked in the bomb
damaged castle and caused even more destruction. Police had no authority over ( or incentive ) to
control US soldiers who continued to go in and out, looting as they pleased.
450,000 freight-train wagon loads were received in Moscow in 1945 alone, along with ancient
printing presses, antique musical instruments, pianos and wine. There were also air cargo planes for
valuable loot such as the Troy gold from Berlin and a Gutenberg Bible from Leipzig's Book
Museum. The “trophy brigades"also stole, among the manuscripts, incunabula, Oriental manuscripts
and films and folklore recordings from German collections, German medieval Hanseatic archives
from Bremen, Hamburg, and Lübeck which were then scattered haphazardly throughout the USSR.
printing presses, antique musical instruments, pianos and wine. There were also air cargo planes for
valuable loot such as the Troy gold from Berlin and a Gutenberg Bible from Leipzig's Book
Museum. The “trophy brigades"also stole, among the manuscripts, incunabula, Oriental manuscripts
and films and folklore recordings from German collections, German medieval Hanseatic archives
from Bremen, Hamburg, and Lübeck which were then scattered haphazardly throughout the USSR.
In 1990, it was revealed that millions of antiquarian German books ranging from aeronautic designs to files on military
operations during the Napoleonic wars had been left to rot under pigeon droppings in an abandoned church outside of
Moscow. Displaced archival fragments of cultural heritage, so meticulously organized through the ages in Germany, were
scattered so widely they will likely never all be found and identified, if they survived the abysmal storage conditions.
operations during the Napoleonic wars had been left to rot under pigeon droppings in an abandoned church outside of
Moscow. Displaced archival fragments of cultural heritage, so meticulously organized through the ages in Germany, were
scattered so widely they will likely never all be found and identified, if they survived the abysmal storage conditions.
In the summer of 1999, over 5,100 predominantly manuscript music scores, including a major part of the Bach family
archive stolen by a Ukrainian trophy brigade from the Sing-Akademie in Berlin were located in Kyiv. A cantata by Carl
Philip Emanuel Bach which not been heard in 225 years since its initial premiere in 1785 was among them. Rare printed
books and correspondence files from the collection are still missing, and as yet no trace of them have been found.
archive stolen by a Ukrainian trophy brigade from the Sing-Akademie in Berlin were located in Kyiv. A cantata by Carl
Philip Emanuel Bach which not been heard in 225 years since its initial premiere in 1785 was among them. Rare printed
books and correspondence files from the collection are still missing, and as yet no trace of them have been found.
One of Friedrich the Great's snuff
boxes at The Hermitage
boxes at The Hermitage
The massive undertaking named the Almanach de Gotha was a directory of Europe's nobility first published in 1763 at
the Ducal court of Friedrich III of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, which included the city of Gotha. The purpose of the Almanach
was to record the ruling houses of Europe and their branches, and those they had ennobled. It was the primary source
book for royal reference. The Almanach recorded all births, and until 1918, an aristocrat wishing to marry and have their
progeny carry their title had to marry a woman of similar rank. It is even now referred to, and is a fascinating archive of
great historical importance. However, when the Soviets occupied Gotha in 1945, they made a public spectacle of
destroying all archives of the Almanach to protest against all the Almanach de Gotha stood for. Fortunately, sufficient
copies had been retained that at least the Almanach's records remain. From 1945, the Almanach was not published.
Those tracing the ancestry of German nobility have used a substitute. European aristocrats trying to reclaim property
stolen by communist regimes can consult a new Almanach de Gotha, published in London, which might help them in their
claims and thus restore their ancestral estates, but that result is unlikely.
the Ducal court of Friedrich III of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, which included the city of Gotha. The purpose of the Almanach
was to record the ruling houses of Europe and their branches, and those they had ennobled. It was the primary source
book for royal reference. The Almanach recorded all births, and until 1918, an aristocrat wishing to marry and have their
progeny carry their title had to marry a woman of similar rank. It is even now referred to, and is a fascinating archive of
great historical importance. However, when the Soviets occupied Gotha in 1945, they made a public spectacle of
destroying all archives of the Almanach to protest against all the Almanach de Gotha stood for. Fortunately, sufficient
copies had been retained that at least the Almanach's records remain. From 1945, the Almanach was not published.
Those tracing the ancestry of German nobility have used a substitute. European aristocrats trying to reclaim property
stolen by communist regimes can consult a new Almanach de Gotha, published in London, which might help them in their
claims and thus restore their ancestral estates, but that result is unlikely.
The beautiful Baroque castle Schloss Moritzburg was built from
1542-1546 as a hunting lodge for Duke Moritz of Saxony and later
remodelled as a pleasure seat with formal park for August the Strong by
the architects Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and Longeloune. When Soviet
troops were closing in in the last days of World War Two, the royal family
hid some treasures to prevent them from being looted by Soviet troops. Part
of the Moritzburg treasure remained hidden for more than half a century until
a German postman found some of it with a metal detector.
1542-1546 as a hunting lodge for Duke Moritz of Saxony and later
remodelled as a pleasure seat with formal park for August the Strong by
the architects Matthäus Daniel Pöppelmann and Longeloune. When Soviet
troops were closing in in the last days of World War Two, the royal family
hid some treasures to prevent them from being looted by Soviet troops. Part
of the Moritzburg treasure remained hidden for more than half a century until
a German postman found some of it with a metal detector.
It was reclaimed by the royal family who later sold a good part of the lot at auction, including a gold and silver gilt jewel
casket made in 1701 for Augustus the Strong. The family treasures were only a fraction of the collection of the royal
house of Saxony, as most of the buried collection was found by the Soviet authorities after the estate forester was forced
to reveal where it had been hidden. Only three crates were buried elsewhere and escaped detection, these objects being
part of them. The proceeds of the sale were used to finance the family's return to new communist-free Saxony.
casket made in 1701 for Augustus the Strong. The family treasures were only a fraction of the collection of the royal
house of Saxony, as most of the buried collection was found by the Soviet authorities after the estate forester was forced
to reveal where it had been hidden. Only three crates were buried elsewhere and escaped detection, these objects being
part of them. The proceeds of the sale were used to finance the family's return to new communist-free Saxony.
German cultural institutions recently issued a catalogue (2008) detailing thousands of objects of art
that disappeared from Berlin at the end of the war in the hope that foreign governments will return
the stolen art to them. Over 180,000 items disappeared from itemized and inventoried German
collections alone along with thousands of other cultural treasures which have never been recovered.
Most are still being held in secret depots in Russia and Poland. In a shocking moral and legal
travesty, the Russian government has responded to the catalogue and Germany's small successes of
retrieving its lost treasures by proposing to draw up completely new inventories, which would make it
impossible to prove the provenance of the treasures and probably block their return forever!
that disappeared from Berlin at the end of the war in the hope that foreign governments will return
the stolen art to them. Over 180,000 items disappeared from itemized and inventoried German
collections alone along with thousands of other cultural treasures which have never been recovered.
Most are still being held in secret depots in Russia and Poland. In a shocking moral and legal
travesty, the Russian government has responded to the catalogue and Germany's small successes of
retrieving its lost treasures by proposing to draw up completely new inventories, which would make it
impossible to prove the provenance of the treasures and probably block their return forever!
A lovely Baroque ivory figure crafted by Balthasar Permoser in 1700 depicting Omphale and her slave and lover,
Hercules was last seen on a train-load of art works heading for "safekeeping" in Kassel in March 1945. It turned up in
2006 at Sotheby's auctions in New York, via a collector in California. After proving its provenance, it was returned to
Berlin's Museum of Decorative Arts.
Hercules was last seen on a train-load of art works heading for "safekeeping" in Kassel in March 1945. It turned up in
2006 at Sotheby's auctions in New York, via a collector in California. After proving its provenance, it was returned to
Berlin's Museum of Decorative Arts.
One of the harshest "de-Nazification" law was Military Government Law No. 8 which prohibited any former Nazi party
member (which applied to millions of intelligent, educated German professionals) to work at any vocation except common
laborer. "Ex-Nazis" who owned businesses usually were forced to surrender their businesses to military authorities, and
thousands of such businesses were seized by the military in late 1945 and 1946 and their inventories were seized.
member (which applied to millions of intelligent, educated German professionals) to work at any vocation except common
laborer. "Ex-Nazis" who owned businesses usually were forced to surrender their businesses to military authorities, and
thousands of such businesses were seized by the military in late 1945 and 1946 and their inventories were seized.