Allied looting in World War II : thefts of art, manuscripts, stamps, and jewelry in Europe

Looting has long been recognized as one of the crimes committed by the Third Reich during World War II, a crime which stripped economic wealth and artistic treasures from the populations the Nazis terrorized. This historical text reveals the shocking extent of looting by Allied forces, exploring their thievery against the Germans and others. It follows the journey of the Hungarian Crown Treasure from a muddy oil drum in Austria to Fort Knox and back to Hungary, and discusses numerous lost treasures ranging from priceless art works to rare manuscripts, including the earliest known printing by the Gutenberg press. Acknowledgments 7 Table of Contents 8 Foreword 12 Introduction 14 Part I: Stealing a Trove of Stamps 16 1. The 273rd Infantry Regiment 18 2. The Looting of Anton Wiede 24 3. The Investigation 30 II: A Passion for Lucas Cranach Paintings 42 4. Donovan Senter’s Early Days 44 5. The Counter Intelligence Corps 51 6. The Quest for Lucas Cranach Paintings 58 7. The Charade Continues 70 8. Unanswered Questions 82 III: Plundering Priceless Manuscripts 88 9. The Capture of Bad Wildungen 90 10. Lieutenant Bud Berman 96 11. The Rare Book Dealer 102 12. The Papal Countess 107 13. Other Bad Wildungen Robberies 113 IV: The Schwarzburg Castle 118 14. The Robbery 120 15. A Break in the Case 128 16. Churchill “Chuck” Jones Brazelton 133 17. The Nun and the Poster 146 Part V: Vignettes of Looting 150 18. The Gravediggers Pillage Reutti, Germany 152 19. The U.N. Red Cross Robbery 157 20. The Rabbi’s Egyptian Ring 160 21. Frederick the Great’s Handwritten Manuscript 164 22. Berlin Central Archives 168 23. The Golden Book of Saarbrücken 173 24. The Priceless Mainz Psalter 177 25. Raphael’s Portrait of a Young Man 181 26. Clara Elisabeth Hertling 191 Part VI: Looting from Hungary in World War II 198 27. Hungary 200 28. The Hungarian National Bank’s Gold and Silver Reserves 202 29. The Acquisition of the Hungarian Crown Treasure 212 30 The Gold Treasure of Kremsmünster 222 31. Cardinal Mindszenty 225 32. The Return of Saint Stephen’s Crown 232 33. The Hungarian Gold Train 238 34. The American Army Takes Custody 243 35. The General’s Kingdom 246 36. The End of the Gold Train Property 250 Appendix A 256 Appendix B 259 Appendix C 262 Appendix D 265 Chapter Notes 270 Bibliography 280 Index 282 This Text Addresses The Often-overlooked Practice Of Allied Looting. This Book Follows The Journey Of The Hungarian Crown Treasure From Muddy Oil Drum In Austria To Fort Knox And Back To Austria. Numerous Lost Treasures Are Discussed, Including Raphael's Portrait Of A Young Man, And Lost Manuscripts, Including The Earliest Known Printing By The Gutenberg Press-- Stealing A Trove Of Stamps -- A Passion For Lucas Cranach Paintings -- Plundering Priceless Manuscripts -- The Schwarzburg Castle -- Vignettes Of Looting -- Looting From Hungary In World War Ii. Kenneth D. Alford ; Foreword By Sidney D. Kirkpatrick. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 269-270) And Index. "This text addresses the often-overlooked practice of Allied looting. This book follows the journey of the Hungarian Crown Treasure from muddy oil drum in Austria to Fort Knox and back to Austria. Numerous lost treasures are discussed, including Raphael's Portrait of a Young Man, and lost manuscripts, including the earliest known printing by the Gutenberg press"--Provided by publisher.