March 2012 Auction Ends Wednesday, March 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/28/2012
Very large WWII lot, including original concentration camp photos taken by a U.S. soldier, Francis J. Owens, who helped free prisoners at the Mauthausen concentration camp, one of the largest Nazi concentration camps in Austria. Each photo includes a vivid, often harrowing handwritten description of the image on the verso. On 5 May 1945, soldiers of the 41st Recon Squad of the US 11th Armored Division approached Mauthausen and helped free hundreds of prisoners. Some, such as soldier Francis Owens, documented the grisly discoveries via photograph and personal observation. Lot includes: (1) a box of WWII relics, including military uniform pins, patches, dog tags and military portraits; (2) a photo album with roughly 10 photos of concentration camp prisoners. Captions read in part: ''...This picture is taken in the 'infamous Death Valley' Camp Mauthausen...There was in this period May 5-15 more than 200 persons a day dying. You can tell the Jews by them all having belts around their waists...This picture was taken in the area of a week after freed by 110 Div...This is a picture of the 'Morgue' which there was more than one in Mauthausen...you see how they were taking them in wheelbarrows...'' Images measure 5'' x 3.75'' with some depicting naked prisoners, gaunt with famine, many deceased; (3) three large color portraits of the soldier, Francis J. Owens; (4) ''Miraculous Medals'' official membership certificate; (5) a ''Kewpie #2'' camera; (6) the soldier's uniform jacket, size 34L; (7) a large 39'' x 8'' photo depicting hundreds of soldiers posing. Lot is in very good condition overall.
Huge WWII Soldier Lot Including Concentration Camp Photos Taken by a U.S. Soldier Who Helped Free Prisoners at the Nazi Mauthausen Concentration Camp
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