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World War II collection of the Kravitsky family

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-0010

Scope and Contents

This collection contains various documentation of Maurice Zwang’s service in WW2 as well as objects seized from a German infantry officer and Nazi standards removed from buildings.

Dates

  • Creation: 1930s-1940s

Conditions Governing Access

Some materials in this collection may be restricted due to the presence of confidential or sensitive content. Please contact Special Collections & University Archives for more details regarding access.

Conditions Governing Use

Towson University Special Collections and University Archives (SCUA) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections; however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with SCUA to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Biographical / Historical

Maurice Zwang was an American-Jewish soldier who served during World War Two as an amphibious truck driver. While he was overseas he seized a series of photographs and letters from a German infantry officer who had participated in the Nazi operations in Poland, France, and the Soviet Union.

Extent

1 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

German

English

Abstract

Maurice Zwang was an American-Jewish soldier who served during World War Two as an amphibious truck driver. This collection contains various documentation of Zwang’s service in World War II as well as objects seized from a German infantry officer and Nazi standards removed from buildings.

Arrangement

Series 1: Assorted Paperwork This series contains Maurice Zwang’s discharge paperwork as well as a certificate commemorating his service in WW2, forms for requesting disability compensation or pension, and notices of decoration or citation that Zwang received during his time in the army.

Series 2: German Correspondence This series contains German letters written in 1946.

Series 3: Photo Albums This series contains German photo albums, one of which is lacking photographs as they have either been removed or have fallen out.

Series 4: Photographs Subseries 1: Hitler Possible photographs of Adolf Hitler. Subseries 2: Goering Possible photographs of Hermann Goering. Subseries 3: Formal Portraits Formal portraits of members of the German military. Subseries 4: Formal Group Photos Formal group photos of members of the German military. Subseries 5: Military Assorted photographs of the German military and its personnel. Subseries 6: Planes Assorted photographs of planes, particularly old German biplanes which presumably date to WW1. Subseries 7: Horseback Riding Photographs featuring a member of the German military in a horseback riding competition. Subseries 8: Everyday Life Photographs of civilian life in Germany. Subseries 9: Anti-Nazi Propaganda Photographs of Russian Anti-Nazi propaganda. Subseries 10: Landscapes and Cityscapes Photographs of landscapes or cityscapes. Subseries 11: Postcards Postcards and other commercially available photographs. Subseries 12: Photographs from empty Photo Album Photographs confirmed to have come from the empty photo album.

Series 5: German Insignia This series contains assorted German insignia, including a standard issue belt buckle, an Iron Cross, and a button for the Nazi teacher’s union.

Series 6: Nazi Standards This series contains a Nazi banner and flag removed from buildings during WW2.

Related Materials

MSS0002 World War II Collection; MSS0008 Harold S. Griswold WWII Ephemera Collection; MSS0012 Paul Hawkins Gantt Nuremburg Trial Papers

Title
Guide to the World War II collection of the Kravitsky family
Status
Completed
Author
Sarah Keller, updated by John Esh
Date
Spring 2013, 2020
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Towson University Special Collections and University Archives Repository

Contact:
Albert S. Cook Library
8000 York Rd
Towson MD 21252 United States