Kurt Wittler Papers, 1944-1945

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Sub-Collection 1: RG-40.01, Bavarian Day, in German, newspaper published by US Military Government in Germany, 1945

Bavarian Day (Bayrischer Tag) embedded the Allies' concept of building up a new German society, free of National Socialist ideology. It delivered the truth of common for all German Nazi propaganda and attempted to purge the Nazi conceptions out of German collective memory.

Subject/Index Terms:

de-Nazification and de-Militarization in postwar Germany

Creation of the new German society that is free from the Nazi collective memories

Nazi crimes against humanity, peace, and war crimes

Allied discovery of Nazi war crimes

Creators:

Military Government of the US occupation zone in Germany (1944 -- 1952)

Wittler, Kurt (1944 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Bavarian Day, in German, newspaper published by US Military Gov't in Germany, 29 September 1945, 29 September 1945

A photocopy of a newspaper entitled Bayrischer Tag.  Bayrischer Tag was a newspaper published by the US Military Government in occupied Germany.  The front page article discusses Bavarian Day.  The article is written in German.

Subject/Index Terms:

Newspaper Article

German newspaper

US Occupation Zone in Germany; Germany

Bavaria (Germany)

Bavarian Day

Creators:

Military Government of the US occupation zone in Germany (1944 -- 1952)

Bayrischer Tag

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Kurt Wittler, editorial, military and civil affairs

A collection of leaflets, newspaper articles, and editorials concerning military and civilian affairs.

Leaflet Title: Der Totenkopf -- Das Abzeichen der Himmler-Clique (The Skull -- The Symbol of Himmler's Clique) Language: German The leaflet encourages German troops to surrender, claiming that Himmler and the Gestapo are more interested in themselves than in Germany.

Instructions for Surrender Language: German The notice describes to German soldiers what to say to American soldiers in order to surrender themselves and how they will be subsequently treated.

Leaflet Draft Language: German Addressed to Deutsche Offizieren (German officers), leaflet draft portrays a caricature of a distressed-looking Goebbels who is saying phrases used by the German leadership to cast defeats into a more favorable light.

Surrender Appeal Note Language: German Addressed to Deutsche Soldaten (German soldiers), this note encourages surrender and lists procedures to do so safely.

Flyer Title: Latest Reports of Leaflet Reactions No. 12 Issued by PWD -- SHAEF -- Leaflet Section -- 3/11/44 Describes reaction of the German leadership to leaflets dropped to German forces.

Clipping (picture with caption) Title: Prisoners from Siegfried Line Photo credits: War pool photo, not for use in British Isles or Western Hemisphere. Serviced by London OWI Picture shows a group of German soldiers being led to the rear by US infantrymen.

Clipping (picture with caption) Title: Nazi Surrender Banner Photo credits: War pool photo, not for use in British Isles or Western Hemisphere Serviced by London OWI Pictures shows two German soldiers holding up a red cross flag on a shovel, with two US soldiers in the background.  Near Metz.

Clipping (picture with caption) Title: Nazis Fly the White Flag Photo Credits: War pool photo, not for use in British Isles or Western Hemisphere Serviced by London OWI A group of German soldiers fly a white flag in a trench as US soldiers look on.  Picture taken in the Geilonkirchen area.

Clipping (picture with caption) Title: Psychological Warfare Leaflet Photo credits: War pool photo, not for use in the British Isles or Western Hemisphere Serviced by London OWI A 24-year-old Nazi paratrooper is shown giving his surrender pass to American Lieutenant W.F. Kinney of Chicago.

Four collected newspaper clippings Title (Two have no titles): US Civilian Directs Cherbourg Press Unit; Breger over Germany All four articles relate stories which show the effectiveness of the Psychological Warfare Department.

Confidential memo to: Major Lous Huot, PWO, Third US Army From: Kurt Wittler, T/4 Subject: Enemy documents Issued by Headquarters -- Third US Army -- APO 403 Dated 2 September 1944 The memo is sent along with five letters from the correspondence of two German non-commissioned officers in a regiment composed mainly of Russians (Kosaken-Regiment).  The sender states that certain portions of the letters are reflective of the general morale of Germany's civilian population.

Sheet of paper bearing the seal of the US Army The initials JS are written prominently in the middle of the page.

Memo to: Major Huot, PWB, Third US Army and Lt. Markham, Liaison Officer, 19th TAC From: Morris Wigler -- 1st Lt. S.C. Subject: Leafletting Issued by Headquarters Twelfth Army Group -- Publicity & Psychological Warfare -- APO 655 Dated 29 December 1944 The memo informs that General McClure, after talking with a PW cage, is very enthusiastic about the effectiveness of leaflets.

Memo to: Major Huot, PWO, Third US Army From: S/Sgt Kurt Wittler Subject: Interrogation of German Propaganda Man Issued by Headquarters -- Third US Army -- Psychological Warfare Branch -- APO 403 Dated 12 March 1945 The sender accoutns the interrogation of a German soldier involved in interrogation of PW's and also the counteraction of Allied Propaganda.  The soldier reported that Allied Propaganda was effective in persuading German soldiers to surrender.

Memo to: Major Louis Huot, PWO, Third US Army Title: Comments on latest SHAEF leaflets Issued 4 February 1945 Signed by Kurt Wittler S/Sgt -- PWB, Publications This memo details the structure and effectiveness of six propaganda leaflets created by SHAEF.  Several of the leaflets are described as outdated and the relevant corrections and updates are mentioned as being made.  The final portion of the memo urges SHAEF and Group Operations to send their leaflet samples sooner, since the copies received by PWB are often outdated and useless upon their arrival.

Memo to: Major Louis Huot, PWO, Third US Army Subject: Leaflet ZG-112K Issued by Headquarter, Third US Army, Psychological Warfare Brance, APO 403 Dated 19 February 1945 Signed by Kurt Wittler, S/Sgt, Publications -- PWB, Third US Army The memo concerns the leaflet identified as ZG-112K.  The sender calls into question the effectiveness of the leaflet, which uses a Germanized spelling for the phrase "I surrender".  The sender believes that this would not be useful as a means of demoralization and suggests a revision.

Memo to: Colonel C.R. Powell, P & PW Officer, 12 Army Group Subject: Special Edition of Army Group Newspapers Issued by Supreme Headquarters -- Allied Expeditionary Force -- Psychological Warfare Division Dated 8 June 1945 This memo conveys thanks to Col. Powell that a special edition of a newspaper containing the full text of the Four-Power Declaration was available the morning after the declaration had been signed.  The sender also notes that four million copies of other papers are being distributed throughout Germany.  The second section thanks the receiver's staff, especially Captain Habe, the chief of Press and Publications Section.

Memo to: S/Sgt Kurt Wittler Signed by: Oscar W. Koch – Colonel, GSC – AC of S, G-2 Issued by: Headquarters – Third US Army – Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2 APO 403 Dated 9 May 1945 The memo states that a large job is ahead and personnel changes are likely to occur. He sends his congratulations and thanks for the section’s service

General orders (Num. 70) to: The officers and men of the Third Army and the XIX Tactical Air Command From: G.S., Jr. – Lieut. General, US Army, Commanding Issued by: Headquarters – Third United States Army – APO 403 Dated 23 March 1945 Patton commends his men and officers on recent successes and lists the amount of territory seized and the number of killed and captured enemy. The crossing of the Rhine is mentioned toward the end of the text

Letter to: Major General Kobart R. Gay – Chief of Staff – Headquarters Third US Army – APO 403 – US Army From: G.S. Patton, Jr – Lieut. General, US Army, Commanding Issued by: Headquarters – Third US Army – Office of the Commanding General – APO 403 Dated 14 April 1945 Patton passes along the praise and thanks of General Eisenhower. The message is then forwarded to members of all sections, Headquarters Third US Army, APO 403 by Major General Gay

Letter to: Major Louis Huot, P.W. Officer – Third US Army – APO 403, US Army From: Robert A. McClure – Brigadier General, G.S.C. – Chief, Psychological Warfare Division Issued by: Supreme Headquarters – Allied Expeditionary Force – Psychological Warfare Division Dated 22 December 1944 McClure sends a letter of thanks to Major Huot and his men for making the department of Psychological Warfare effective and worthwhile

Letter from: H.L. Gasaway – Major, F.A To: To Whom It May Concern Issued by: Headquarters – Third US Army – Psychological Warfare Branch – APO 403 Dated 27 February 1945 The sender, who has worked with Wittler, states that Wittler has a trustworthy nature and impeccable character

Letter from: Louis Huot – Major, Inf – Psychological Warfare Officer To: Colonel CR Powell Subject: Recommendation for Commissions Dated 18 January 1945 Issued by: Headquarters – Third US Army – APO 403 The memo asks for three additional names to be added to the list of those who are being considered for commission. Another note says that Kurt Wittler is a capable officer who took over the job duties of three other men. It informs the receiver that Wittler’s educational background and Army record are attached

Piece of posted material Addressed to: Sgt. Kurt Wittler, 39574524 – G-2 Section HQ, Third US Army – APO 403, US Army Stamps from a censor (No. 11689) and the Czechoslovak Fieldpost are present

Christmas Prayer Card Signed by: G.S. Patton, JR. – Lieutenant General - Commanding, Third US Army Issued by: Headquarters – Third US Army This Christmas card includes a short prayer for safety and thanks for the service rendered by all the soldiers

Memo to: All officers and enlisted men of the Second Mobile Radio Broadcasting CO From: Arthur Jaffe – 1^st Lt., Inf Issued by: Headquarters – 2d Mobile Radio Broadcasting Company APO Dated Christmas 1944 The sender congratulates the section for their service and states that brotherhood can be strong even during a war

Letter to: Miss Thompson From: Sgt. Kurt Wittler, 39574521 – Psychological Warfare Branch – G-2 Sect., HQ, Third US Army – APO 403, c/o Postm, New York Dated 9 December 1944 A note of approval concerning Ms. Thompson’s idea that Austria could be made into a “world District of Columbia”

Letter to: Publishing House Saarlouis From: Chancellory of Adolf Hitler – Berlin W8 – Wilhelmstrasse 55 Language: German Dated 15-3-1934 This memo thanks the publishing house for a recently-received brochure on the history of the Saarland statutes by Dr. Groten

Secret Document Issued by: Psychological Warfare Branch – Headquarters Third US Army Dated 1 January 1945 Document shows the general structure of the Psychological Warfare Branch

Letter to: the “Gang” From: Arthur H. Jaffe – 1^st Lt., Inf. Issued by: Headquarters – 2d Mobile Radio Broadcasting Company – APO 655 Dated 29 December 1944 The sender conveys his thanks and congratulations to his men and lists several statistics of the company, such as number of miles driven by men in the unit and number of hours of recorded messages

Letter from: Louis Huot – Major, Inf – Psychological Warfare Branch To: Colonel C.R. Powell, P&PW Sec, Twelfth Army Group Subject: Promotion of Tec 4 Kurt Wittler, 39574521 Issued by: Headquarters – Third United States Army – APO 403 Dated November 1944 Major Huot recommends Tec 4 Kurt Wittler for promotion for Tec 3^rd grade and describes him as a capable and hard-working individual

Memo to: Commanding Officers, all Military Government Detachments; Ober- and Mittel-Franken From: Headquarters, Military Government Detachment E1B3 Date: 6 July 1945 Subject: News Content: Seeking information about Nazi Party members and public services that would be of general public interest

War Propaganda Poster Red Background, white and black text Created by the PWD.3. Poster proclaims leaflets are “Sapping the Nazi will to resist” and includes a quotation from Goebbels dated Sept. 1944 which emphasizes the effectiveness of leaflets as weapons

Paper Headings Various Dates One includes a heading of a paper by the Ministry of Economic Warfare dated 7^th December 1944

Clipping from unknown Document Title: For Soldiers: Ill-treatment of Prisoners Dated 28 November 1944 Issued by: PWE/OSS A short note describing “Front und Heimat” (Front and Homeland), which tells soldiers that the idea of German soldiers receiving good treatment at the hands of the Allies is false and spread only as propaganda

Newspaper Clipping Title: War and the Radio Refers to Radio Luxembourg as a propaganda tool and describes the station’s four fifteen-minute shows per day as being produced by a captain, six noncoms, and four civilians

Newspaper Article Title: Propaganda Bombs Written by: Ted Patrick – Advertising expert, formerly with OWI Article looks into effectiveness of leaflets and provides examples

Newspaper snippet from unknown paper Headline: Frontline Flashes The short article writes about an American soldier who taught the words “I surrender” to a couple of German soldiers he found studying English

Poster (Green, Black, White) Title: Leaflets Help Win Battles A German soldier is depicted presenting a surrender leaflet to an American soldier. The phrase “Ai Soerrenda” (phonetic spelling of “I Surrender”) appears. An excerpt from a 12^th Army Group Report emphasizes the effectiveness of the leaflets.

Subject/Index Terms:

Allied Administration, Propaganda

newspaper clippings

official correspondence

Personal correspondence

surrender of German military personnel

Creators:

Military Government of the US occupation zone in Germany (1944 -- 1952)

Kurt Wittler

Sub-Collection 2: RG-40.02, German anti-Semitic literature, 1941

This is an antisemitic pamphlet depicting over 100 photographs related to the political influence of the American Jewry onto the US and world politics. The album was compiled by Dr. Hans Diebow. He selected and edited the photographs in insulting and distorted manner with intentions of presenting the American Jews as world conspirators and the people who are only concerned in profit and lack the human values.

Subject/Index Terms:

Nazi anti-Jewish propaganda

anti-Jewish publications

Defamation of Jews

Creators:

Diebow, Hans (1941)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Jews in the USA - Selected Captions

This word document contains selected captions from the magazine Jews in the USA.

The captions deliver heavy propaganda, claiming that the US is completely controlled by the Jewish population.

Subject/Index Terms:

German Literature

Nazi Propaganda

Nazi anti-Jewish propaganda

Nazi war propaganda for the military and German people

Creators:

Dr. Hans Diebow

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Jews in the USA and translated captions, 1941

Die Juden in USA: Ueber Hundert Bilddokumente (The Jews in the USA: Over 100 pictures) By Dr. Hans Diebow Published by Zentralverlag der NSADP (Central Publishing for the NSDAP) -- Berlin, 1941 This book presents pictures of various prominent Americans of Jewish ancestry, often in embarrassing of unfavorable poses.  Accompanying the pictures are captions which clearly display an anti-Semitic bias.  The author alludes frequently to Jewish stereotypes prominent in Germany at the time of publishing, such as gluttony, excessive wealth, and a fondness of non-Jewish women.  A frequent target of the disparaging captions is New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, who is often shown eating or talking with other prominent US politicians, including President Roosevelt.  These pictures, along with several comments made at the end of the book, are intended to suggest that existence of a Jewish Bolshevik conspiracy whose goal is to appropriate all positions of power in the US to Jews.

Subject/Index Terms:

German Literature

Nazi anti-Jewish propaganda

Nazi war propaganda for the military and German people

Nazi war propaganda, US military

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Creators:

Dr. Hans Diebow

Central Publishing House of the NSDAP

Sub-Collection 3: RG-40.03, Kurt Wittler, army intelligence materials, 1944 -1945

This Collection comprises materials issued as directives, circularity and correspondence by the US military intelligence agencies and anti-Nazi propaganda offices. During the war, the attention was given to diminish the Wehrmacht resistance and persuasion of surrender. The other direction of these agencies' activity was to record and circulate the evidence of Nazi crimes against humanity, war-crimes and the annihilation of the European Jewry.

In the postwar period, the attention shifted to focusing on de-nazification, de-militarization, on the vetting process of German former military personnel and civil servants in order to prevent the former members of the Nazi party and the supporters of the Nazi regime from taking positions in the German civil administration.prises materials issued as directives, circularity and correspondence by the US military intelligence agencies and anti-Nazi propaganda offices.

Subject/Index Terms:

de-Nazification and de-Militarization in postwar Germany

surrender of German military personnel

preservation and circularity of the evidence of Nazi crimes against humanity

Vetting process to ensure de-nazification of German civil service

Creators:

Wittler, Kurt (1944 -- 1945)

US military intelligence agencies (1944 -- 1949)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Kurt Wittler, army intelligence correspondence, 1945

Army intelligence correspondences created by Kurt Wittler and Robert A. McClure.

Memo to: Major Louis Huot, PWO, Third US Army From: Kurt Wittler – S/Sgt – PWB, Publications Subject: CG of 256^th VG-Division answers leaflet PWB-48 Issued by: Headquarters – Third US Army – Psychological Warfare Branch – APO 403 Dated: February 1945 Wittler attaches a message found on members of the 256^th Volksgrenadier-Division. The note, from a German division commander, warning troops about the danger of leaflets and loud-speaker addresses. Wittler also includes a translation in English

Special Orders authorized by Richard Gaumond – Capt, AGD, - Adjutant Issued by: Twelfth Army Group – Headquarters 72D Publicity Serv BN – APO 655 Dated 3 January 1945 A number of men are promoted to different positions. Kurt Wittler is noted for having achieved the rank of S/Sgt

Informational Brief Title: Skorpion Informationsdienst (Scorpion Information Service) The brief reports on Stimmen zu den Fronten (Voices of the Front), mainly foreign news dispatches which intend to bolster morale of German forces by claiming that Allied leadership is discordant and volatile

Letter to: Lt. Col. Louis C. Huot, PW Officer – Headqrtrs, 3^rd US Army – APO 403 From: Robert A. McClure, Brigadier General, G.S.C., Chief, Psychological Warfare Div. Issued by: Supreme Headquarters – Allied Expeditonary Force – Psych. Warfare Div. Dated 10 May 1945 The sender sends his congratulations regarding the Psychological Warfare section under the command of the Lt. Col. The letter is followed by a memo from Lt. Col Huot to his inferiors in which he congratulates them for their service.

Subject/Index Terms:

official correspondence

American Military Government, Germany, US zone of occupation

Functions of US Military Government in postwar Germany

US Military intelligence

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Robert A. McClure

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Kurt Wittler, army intelligence materials, 1945

Memo to: Psychological Warfare Officer, Third US Army From: Kurt Wittler – S/Sgt – PWB, Third US Army Subject: Interrogation of German Civilian Issued by: Headquarters – Third US Army – Psychological Warfare Branch – APO 403 Dated 1 April 1945 An interrogation of civilian engineer Robert Raths revealed some details concerning the factories in unoccupied Germany, the state of their workers, and the general morale of the Volksturm group

Surrender Notice Language: German One side of the flyer states that further resistance is useless since the Allies have firm control over the German homeland. The reverse details the method of surrendering yourself to Allied troops

Note to: Sgt. Wittler – 2 Mobile Radio B’cast Co. – APO 655 US Army From: Lt. C. Lowenthal 01320245 – 2 Mobile Radio B’cast co. – APO 655 Dated 12 December (Year not stated) A private note of thanks to Wittler for his work on the leaflets.

Subject/Index Terms:

US Military Official Correspondence

official correspondence

surrender of German military personnel

Surrender of Germany

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Lt. C. Lowenthal

Military Government of the US occupation zone in Germany (1944 -- 1952)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: Kurt Wittler, intelligence discourse, 1944--1945

Intelligence discourse and documents of official correspondence by Kurt Wittler between him and his superiors.

Title: Germany Day by Day – Deutschlandspiegel – Selections from transmissions in German of the Schreibfunk, the Grossdeutscher Rundfunk and other stations broadcasting in German Issued by: BBC Monitoring Service Dated 28 November 1944 On the reverse, a transcript entitled “Kein Perpetuum Mobile” (No Infinite Mobiles) by Dr. Rudolf Semmer who insists that recent Allied successes are primarily due to unprecedented American industrial output whose pace cannot be maintained for a long period of time

Leaflet Draft Language: German and English The paper presents some of the phrases used by the German leadership to disguise defeats and retreats and encourages German soldiers to save their lives for the rebuilding of Germany. English translations attached

Public Address Broadcasts with attached note [Note] from: Kurt Wittler, editor of “Bayrischer Tag” [Note] Issued by: US Forces European Theater – Information Control Division – Publishing Operations Section – APO 757 [Broadcasts]: Range in dating (mainly late 1944) [Broadcasts] Language: German The Broadcasts provide updates of Allied progress in all areas of both the European and Pacific Theaters

Restricted Report Title: The Leaflet Propaganda Front – A Review of March Activities Dated 30 April, 1945 Reports on the production and distribution of various leaflets, both to soldiers and civilians. Testimony from various US Armies is attached

Memo to: Panzer-Division Abt. Ic From: Lieutenant General Witersheim Dated 18 October 1944 The sender references an Allied leaflet which brought up the lack of reinforcements, mail, and proper leadership in the German ranks. Witersheim then refutes these points and encourages his men

Memo to: not stated From: Kurt Wittler - T/4. PWB-Publications – Third US Army Dated 26^th October 1944 The sender’s commentary on a draft for a leaflet. Suggestions for revisions are mentioned and a translation of the original leaflet is attached

Letter to: Col. Clifford R. Powell – Psych. Warfare Officer – Headqrtrs. 12^th Army Group From: Robert A. McClure, Brigadier General, G.S.C., Chief, Psychological Warfare Div. Issued by: Supreme Headqrtrs. – Allied Expeditionary Force – Psych. Warfare Div. Dated 10 May 1945 The sender writes to congratulate the Psychological Warfare section under the command of the colonel and emphasizes the significant effect his section played on the moral deterioration of the enemy and the ultimate surrender of the Wehrmacht. Attached is a memo from Col. Powell to his inferiors congratulating them for their service and mentioning Brigadier General McClure’s approbation

Restricted Report Title: The Leaflet Propaganda Front – A Review of February Activities Dated 20 March, 1945 Reports on the production and distribution of various leaflets, both to soldiers and civilians. Testimony from various US Armies is attached

Restricted Report Title: The Leaflet Propaganda Front – A Review of January Activities Dated 12 March, 1945 Reports on the production and distribution of various leaflets, both to soldiers and civilians. Testimony from various US Armies is attached

Clippings of secret/confidential memos (1) Dates: November 24, 23, 27, 17, 1944

Clippings of secret/confidential memos (1), reverse sides Dates: November 24, 23, 27, 17, 1944

Clippings of secret/confidential memos (2) Dates: November 21, 25, 14, 15, 25 & December 6, 1944

Clippings of secret/confidential memos (2), reverse sides Dates: November 21, 25, 14, 15, 25 & December 6, 1944

Clipping of secret/confidential memo (3) Date: November 16, 1944

Subject/Index Terms:

American Military Government, Germany, US zone of occupation

US Military Official Correspondence

newspaper clippings

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Military Government of the US occupation zone in Germany (1944 -- 1952)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: Kurt Wittler, service communications, 1944

Service communications between Kurt Wittler and other officers.

Memo to: Asst G of S G-2 Iceberg From: Alfred B. Poch – Capt CE, OIG – Iceberg IPW#79 Subject: Special Interrogation Report #17 Dated 29 Oct. 1944 Issued by Iceberg IPW #79 The composition and strength of 361 Volks Gr. Div 953 Volks GR. Regt. 3 Co is detailed. Attached is a recounting of the story of an American soldier who escaped from a PW camp.

Newspaper Clipping By: Jimmy Cannon – Stars and Stripes Staff Writer Title: Act Draws Fire – Mortars Applaud The article recounts the story of Pvt. Paul Eisler of the 4^th Inf. Div. at the Siegfried Line and his propaganda loud-speaker. Addressing the German positions, he was met with a burst of mortar fire. Eisler tells the reporter that, “Mortars are my applause”.

Short Newspaper Clipping Presents the story of a pair of German soldiers who were forced to swim upriver in order to surrender

Newspaper Clipping Title: The Enemy – Please Refrain… Describes a German response to the dropping of Allied leaflets over German positions. Luftwaffe planes later dropped their own leaflets which mockingly say any German soldier carrying this note wishes to go into captivity, betray his fatherland, and never see his family again.

Subject/Index Terms:

official correspondence

US Military Official Correspondence

newspaper clippings

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Military Government of the US occupation zone in Germany (1944 -- 1952)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: Kurt Wittler, Surrender Notice

A copy of a surrender notice that would be given to US military soldiers by German soldiers to proclaim that they surrender of their own free will and that they should be treated well according to the provisions of the Geneva Convention.

The majority of the text is in German and translates: How does one surrender? As soon as you approach our position, one of our reconnaissance troops or our soldier:

1. hold your hands over the head, the palms forward 2. if possible, show this handbill or otherwise something white, in order to declare your intention 3. go in usual step, in a straight line, and unarmed 4. do not run, do not hide behind trees or shrubs in a way that would arouse suspicion; if heavily wounded or unable to remain in an upright position in a protected place, announce your intention as well as possible. 5. if in earshot, call "ei ssoerrender".  That means "I surrender". 6. show this handbill to the first Allied soldier that you find (a handbill is sufficient also for groups).

At the bottom, it includes an English paragraph for Allied soldiers that states:

This soldier surrenders of his own free will.  He is to be treated well, according to the provisions of the Geneva Convention, and removed to the rear as soon as possible.  If wounded, he should be given immediate medical care.

Subject/Index Terms:

surrender of German military personnel

Surrender Notice

American Military Government, Germany, US zone of occupation

Geneva Convention

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Military Government of the US occupation zone in Germany (1944 -- 1952)

Sub-Collection 4: RG-40.04, Materials related to Nazi crimes, 1944 -- 1945

This Collection comprises of narratives and photo-documents serving evidence for Nazi crimes against humanity, annihilation of European Jewry and war-crimes

Subject/Index Terms:

Liberation from German concentration camps

Allied discovery of Nazi war crimes

Evidences of Nazi-German crimes against humanity, peace and warcrimes

Nazi crimes against humanity, peace, and war crimes

Documenting the Nazi crimes in concentration camps

Creators:

Czechoslovak Jewish Committee

World Jewish Congress

London OVI

War Pool Photo, London

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Kurt Wittler, Czechoslovak Jewish Committee, May-June 1945

A short bulletin containing the names of Czechoslovakian Jewish women, as well as their date of birth, liberated from Bergen Belsen and information about various Terezin inmates.

Subject/Index Terms:

Czechoslovak Jewish Committee

World Jewish Congress

Liberation from German concentration camps

Jewish Liberation

Creators:

Czechoslovak Jewish Committee

World Jewish Congress

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Kurt Wittler, Nazi crimes in the camps

This document includes various photographs depicting Nazi war crimes against the Jews.  With each picture there is an explanation of what is happening in the picture as well as some historical context.

These photographs were all credited to War Pool Photo, and were not for use in British Isles, France, Belgium, or Western Hemisphere.  They were served by London OVI.

Subject/Index Terms:

Allied discovery of Nazi war crimes

Nazi crimes against humanity, peace, and war crimes

concentration camp photographs

Liberation of Nazi-German concentration camps, Germany

Documenting the Nazi crimes in concentration camps

Creators:

War Pool Photo, London

London OVI

Sub-Collection 5: RG-40.05, Allied Military Operations in Germany and the Pacific, 1943 -- 1945

This Collection presents the primary photo-documents reflecting the combat operations in the Pacific war-theater and in Europe

Subject/Index Terms:

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

Photographs

Photographs, postwar, 1945 -- 1988

Prisoners of War, Japan

US Military activity in the Pacific

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Australian soldiers landing on the Labuam-islands

A photograph of Australian soldiers landing on the Labuan islands off the coast of Borneo in East Malaysia.

Subject/Index Terms:

Labuan Islands

US Military activity in the Pacific

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Collision of an American troop transport with a freight train near Weingartens

A photograph of a collision of an American troop transport with a freight train near Weingartens.  Below, the caption states that the manager of the signal tower expects his sentencing.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs, postwar, 1945 -- 1988

American Military Government, Germany, US zone of occupation

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: A burning Japanese tank shows traces of heavy fighting on the Luzon islands

A photograph of a burning tank.  The photograph shows traces of heavy fighting on Luzon Island in the Phillippines.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs

Photographs, postwar, 1945 -- 1988

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

War in China and Japan

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: Japanese war prisoners are evacuated from Guam

A photograph of Japanese war prisoners that are being evacuated from Guam.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs

Photographs, postwar, 1945 -- 1988

Prisoners of War, Japan

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: A Japanese war prisoner gets medical treatment from a US paramedic

A photograph of a Japanese prisoner of war getting medical treatment from a US paramedic.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs

Prisoners of War, Japan

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 6: Japanese snipers are fought by American Navy soldiers with hand machine guns

A photograph of American Navy soldiers fighting Japanese snipers with hand machine guns.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

War in China and Japan

US Military activity in the Pacific

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 7: American Navy soldiers push forward against former Japanese barracks in Shuri, South Okinawa

A photograph of American Navy soldiers as they push forward against former Japanese barracks in Shuri, South Okinawa.

Subject/Index Terms:

War in China and Japan

Photographs

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

US Military activity in the Pacific

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 8: A floating dry dock is used by the American fleet to repair the warships used in the Pacific Ocean

A photograph of a floating dry dock that is being used by an American fleet to repair the warships used in the Pacific Ocean.

Subject/Index Terms:

War in China and Japan

Photographs

US Military activity in the Pacific

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 9: Commander of the American 3rd Army, General George S. Patton, after his return to the US, with his grandchildren

A photograph of Commander of the American Third Army, General George S. Patton, after his return to the US with his grandchildren.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs

Photographs, postwar, 1945 -- 1988

Patton, George S. (George Smith), 1885-1945, US General, senior military commander

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 10: American troops and American material is landing in Okinawa (Ryukyu)

A photograph of American troops and American material landing in Okinawa (Ryukyu).

Subject/Index Terms:

War in China and Japan

US Military activity in the Pacific

Okinawa, Japan

Photographs

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

wartime photographs

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 11: Condolence service honoring the American soldiers who died on the island (Pacific), 1944--1945

A photograph of a condolence service honoring the American soldiers who died on the island.  It is unknown which island, but the photograph was taken somewhere in the Pacific.

Subject/Index Terms:

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

US Military activity in the Pacific

Photographs

Condolence Service

wartime photographs

War in China and Japan

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 12: Japanese prisoners at their registration, 1944--1945

A photograph of Japanese prisoners of war lined up at their registration.

Subject/Index Terms:

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

Prisoners of War, Japan

US Military activity in the Pacific

Photographs

War in China and Japan

wartime photographs

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 13: American big fortresses during an attack on Japanese navy arsenals, 1944--1945

A photograph of big American fortresses during an attack on Japanese naval arsenals.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs

US Military activity in the Pacific

Naval War in the Pacific, United States and Japan

War in China and Japan

wartime photographs

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 14: Scottish troops at a parade in Graz, Austria

A photograph of Scottish troops marching in a parade in Graz, Austria.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs

Photographs, postwar, 1945 -- 1988

Graz, Austria

Scottish Troops

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 15: French generals who were imprisoned in Koenigsberg were liberated by the 9th US Army, 1945

A photograph of French generals who were imprisoned in Koenigsberg.  They were liberated by the 9th US Army.

Subject/Index Terms:

Photographs

Photographs, postwar, 1945 -- 1988

Liberation from German-occupation

Creators:

Kurt Wittler

Sub-Collection 6: RG-40.06, Kurt Wittler Family History, 1800 -- 1960

This Collection comprises documents related to the Wittler family history

Subject/Index Terms:

Wittler family

Wittler family pedigree

Family history documents

Creators:

Wittler, Kurt (1944 -- 1945)

Wittler Family (1800 -- 1960)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: Ancestry Certificate, 1 April 1940

An ancestry certificate for the Wittler family.  The document is written in German and lists the various members of the Wittler family.  The earliest listed relative was born 26 January 1801.

Subject/Index Terms:

Wittler family pedigree

Ancestry Certificate

family papers

Government Documents

Creators:

Wittler Family (1800 -- 1960)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: Letter to Dr. Siller v. Epenstein, 15 September 1915.

A letter to Dr. Siller v. Epenstein.  The letter is written in German.

Subject/Index Terms:

Personal correspondence

family papers