World War II collection of the Kravitsky family
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.
Cultural context
Genre / Form
Temporal
Topical
- 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