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Bernd Stevens (Steinitz) Collection

Overview

Abstract

Scope and Contents

Biographical Note

Administrative Information

Detailed Description

RG-42.01, Bernd Steinitz, personal and family history

RG-42.02, Bernd Steinitz, war period

RG-42.03, Bernd Steinitz, Judaica and US military awards and decorations

RG-42.04, Bernd Steinitz, postwar period


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Bernd Stevens (Steinitz) Collection, 1920-1960 | Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

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Collection Overview

Title: Bernd Stevens (Steinitz) Collection, 1920-1960Add to your cart.View associated digital content.

Predominant Dates:1939 -- 1950

ID: RG-42/RG-42

Primary Creator: Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)

Extent: 2.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Materials are arranged by subject/creator, then by identifier, as assigned by the processor.

Subjects: family histories, Immigration from Nazi Germany, integration in to American society, Jewish religious literature and texts, Jewish religious objects, Postwar adaptation, United States, Second World War, 1939 -- 1945, Secret military missions, 1939 -- 1945, Soldiers, US, Steinitz family history, US Military intelligence, Weimar Republic, 1918 -- 193

Forms of Material: Personal memoirs and recollections

Languages: German, English

Abstract

This Record Group contains collections and documents related to Bernd Stevens (originally Bernd Karl Steinitz) life-story. It begins in Weimar Republic and continues through the Nazi period, followed by emigration to the United States. A special chapter of Mr. Stevens biography belongs to his service in the US Army, specifically with the period of his secret missions entrusted him by the OSS (US intelligence service). Owing to his German-Jewish origin, the OSS parachuted him with a special group behind the enemy lines in Austria in 1945. He successfully completed his mission.

His postwar period is related to life in Hollywood, CA with the respective entertainment-related activities. Mr. Stevens authored several memoir publications related to his life-story.

Some of the documents and artifacts from this Record Group are on display in the museum exhibition.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This Record Group comprised four collections, namely of Steinitz family history in Munich and in other places in Bavaria. The second collections includes wartime documents, largely issued the US military agencies. The third collections contains personal family objects of Judaica. The third collection, primarily of photo-documents, reflects the postwar period in the United States. A Judaica collection of this record group comprised two sub-collection: the first  consists of Jewish religious texts and objects and the second one includes Nazi-German memorabilia acquired by Bernd Stevens in Germany and Austria while serving in the U.S. Army.

Collection Historical Note

Materials of this Record Group can be largely described as a documented story of a Jewish-German immigrant successfully integrated in to American society, who served to his new country in the battlefield of the Second World War. However the peculiarities of his military service makes these documents rather distinct. In short, a Jewish-German immigrant, a young man in his twenties, became elevated to an officer rank, entrusted a secret mission behind the enemy lines. He successfully fulfilled his duties. First and foremost, going by the name of Lieutenant Peter Hartley, Stevens negotiated a surrender of the German forces in Upper Carinthia, Austria, on the request of the Nazi Gauleiter of Upper Carinthia. After honorably being discharge from the Army, Stevens became attracted to the lifestyle of Hollywood. The photo-documents of the postwar period exemplify his party-going activities. Growing older Mr. Stevens reflected on the past. He was approached by journalists and filmmakers attempting to use his life-story for a Hollywood-style action film, however thisdid not materialize. He however authored several memoir publication in collaboration with a professional writer, though they remained unpublished.

Biographical Note

A collection of documents, artifacts and photographs in general related to the life-story of Karl Bernd Steinitz (Bernd Stevens). Karl Steinitz (also known as Bernd Karl Steinitz) was born in Munich, Germany in 1920. In September 1939 he obtained a German Travel Passport with a permission to leave for USA via Italy. This is reflected in his Passport by official authorization of emigration issued on October 11, 1939. He left Germany on October 12, 1939 by the means of a Tourist Agency “CIT”. On October 13, Bernd Karl Steinitz arrived in Monaco and his stay in Italy was officially authorized by a mark in his Passport. His departure from Italy is also marked in the Passport by October 20, 1939. Bernd Steinitz left Trieste, Italy on the ship to USA. His US entry visa was received one year earlier as marked in his Passport by October 3, 1938. It was issued by American Vice Consul at Stuttgart. Bern Steinitz was also granted an Immigrant Identification Card No. 1117095.

Upon arrival to the United States, Karl Steinitz changed his name to Bernd Stevens. He enlisted voluntarily in the U.S. Army. For the training he was sent to Texas. Soon the U.S. intelligence service (OSS) took interest in him and he was transferred to California for special training to act behind the enemy lines. The documents in this collection reflect one of his secret missions to southern Austria.

Bernd Stevens presently lives in Los Angeles, CA, USa

Subject/Index Terms

family histories
Immigration from Nazi Germany
integration in to American society
Jewish religious literature and texts
Jewish religious objects
Postwar adaptation, United States
Second World War, 1939 -- 1945
Secret military missions, 1939 -- 1945
Soldiers, US
Steinitz family history
US Military intelligence
Weimar Republic, 1918 -- 193

Administrative Information

Repository: Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions

Copyrighted materials, credits to and references to the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust are required

Digital copies might be available upon request

Use Restrictions: Copyrighted materials

Box and Folder Listing


Browse by Sub-Collection:

[Sub-Collection 1: RG-42.01, Bernd Steinitz, personal and family history, 1920 -- 1940],
[Sub-Collection 2: RG-42.02, Bernd Steinitz, war period, 1942 -- 1945],
[Sub-Collection 3: RG-42.03, Bernd Steinitz, Judaica and US military awards and decorations, 1860 -- 1945],
[Sub-Collection 4: RG-42.04, Bernd Steinitz, postwar period, 1945 -- 1960],
[All]

Sub-Collection 2: RG-42.02, Bernd Steinitz, war period, 1942 -- 1945Add to your cart.

This collection includes documents, photographs and artifacts related to Bernd Stevens military service in the US Army. Some document shed light on his service for the US military intelligence

The artifacts comprise the US military insignias, as well as the Nazi-German memorabilia.

Subject/Index Terms:
Military training, US Army
Military identification documents, US Army
Hollywood entertainment community and the war effort
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Unites States War Department (1944)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: RG-42.02.01, Bernd Steinitz address book, first page, circa 1939--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
The first page of Bernd Steinitz' address book. There are notes with addresses and names.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
address book
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: RG-42.02.02, Bernd Stevens (Steinitz) with another soldier in Italy 1944, 1944Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A photograph of Bernd Stevens with another soldier in Italy, 1944.
Subject/Index Terms:
US military soldier
Soldiers, US
Steinitz, Bernd
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: RG-42.02.03, Bernd Stevens (Steinitz), intelligence mission, a letter of support, May 8, 1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Bernd Stevens was a part of the intelligence mission, OG (Operations Group) which was one of the first missions sent by the OSS (Office of Strategic Services), responsible for sending spies to travel back to Austria and infiltrate enemy secrets. This letter is a travel order for Lt. Peter Hartley from the OSS.
Subject/Index Terms:
military travel orders
Secret military missions, 1939 -- 1945
Steinitz, Bernd
Creators:
Office of Strategic Services, US Military (1933--1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: RG-42.02.04, Bernd Steinitz, Two American soldiers, circa 1940-1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A photograph of two American soldiers.
Subject/Index Terms:
US military soldier
personal photographs with family and friends
Steinitz, Bernd
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: RG-42.02.05, Bernd Steinitz, United States wartime ration book, circa 1939--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A wartime ration book issued by the United States Government.
Subject/Index Terms:
US war rations book
Creators:
United States Government (1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 6: RG-42.02.06, Bernd Steinitz (Stevens) in US military uniform, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A photograph of Bernd Steinitz in a US military uniform.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Photographs
US military soldier
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 7: RG-42.02.07, Bernd Stevens (Steinitz) in Hollywood, circa 1940sAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
A photograph of Bernd Steinitz in Hollywood.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Hollywood entertainment community and the war effort
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 8: RG-42.02.08, Bernd Steinitz, enlisted man's temporary pass, 1944, February 19, 1944Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
An Enlisted Man's Temporary Pass issued by the US military. It is a pass to be absent from service for a day.
Subject/Index Terms:
Enlisted Man's Temporary Pass
Stevens, Bernd
Steinitz, Bernd
Creators:
US Military Command
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 9: RG-42.02.09, Bernd Steinitz, photograph in US military uniform, 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A photograph of Bernd Steinitz in a US military uniform.
Subject/Index Terms:
US military soldier
Steinitz, Bernd
personal photographs with family and friends
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 10: RG-42.02.10, Bernd Steinitz in military uniform, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Bernd Steinitz in a military uniform.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
US military soldier
Photographs, wartime, 1939 -- 1945
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 11: RG-42.02.11, Bernd Steinitz in uniform with another military serviceman, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Bernd Steinitz in uniform with another military serviceman. The photograph is in color.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
US military soldier
personal photographs with family and friends
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 12: RG-42.02.12, Bernd Steinitz in Los Angeles, circa 1939Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Bernd Steinitz doing the splits in Los Angeles.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Photographs
Los Angeles (Calif.)
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 13: RG-42.02.13, Bernd Steinitz, American military personnel with Hollywood actress, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
US military personnel posing with a Jewish comedian, Harpo Marx and his wife, Susan Fleming. Harpo Marx is a famous comedian of the 1940s, best known for his performance with Lucille Ball on the I Love Lucy show.
Subject/Index Terms:
Hollywood entertainment community and the war effort
US military soldier
US military personnel, officers
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 14: RG-42.02.14, Bernd Steinitz, An American soldier with Hollywood actress, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
An American soldier with a Hollywood actress, susan Fleming.
Subject/Index Terms:
US military soldier
Hollywood entertainment community and the war effort
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 15: RG-42.02.15, Article about Bernd Steinitz as tire inspector, Chattanooga Free Press, undated, circa 1940sAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.

An article in the Chattanooga Free Press about Bernd Steinitz as a tire inspector.

"Tired Tires- Beyond their usefulness are these grave-yard rubber tired, and some cars this summer are expected to be put up for a while as result of an impending critical condition. But Howard M. Smith, right, state tire examiner for OPA, believed with care the majority of cars will keep rolling. All grades of tires are becoming more difficult to purchase in Chattanooga, he says. Tire inspectors like Bernard Steinetz, center, and Edwin Oyler of the Johnson Tire Company, spend long hours grading tires for possible service A recent poll in Chattanooga verified that inspectors are doing a good job.”

Subject/Index Terms:
Stevens, Bernd
Steinitz, Bernd
Newspaper Article
Creators:
Chattanooga News-Free Press (1940s)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 16: RG-42.02.16, Bernd Steinitz, Certificate of Registrar for rations, May 1942, May 1942Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Certificate of Registrar for war rations.
Subject/Index Terms:
US war rations book
Creators:
US Office of Price Administration (1940--1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 17: RG-42.02.17, Bernd Steinitz, American soldiers with Hollywood actresses, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
American soldiers posing with a Hollywood actress.
Subject/Index Terms:
Hollywood entertainment community and the war effort
US military soldier
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 18: RG-42.02.18, Bernd Steinitz, Inspection slip form, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
An inspection slip for a parachute.
Subject/Index Terms:
Inspection slip
Military training, US Army
Creators:
US Military Command
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 19: RG-42.02.19, Los Angeles Examiner, 3 May 1945, Death of Hitler, May 3, 1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A Los Angeles Examiner article about the death of Hitler.The front page heading reads, "Hitler, Goebbels Kill Selves, Russ Report." It is dated for May 3, 1945, the day after Hitler's death.
Subject/Index Terms:
Los Angeles Examiner, newspaper, American
Hitler's suicide
Newspaper headlines
Creators:
Los Angeles Examiner, newspaper, American (1933 -- 1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 20: RG-42.02.20, Magazine clipping, a local map of a mountain region of Carinthia, Austria,, undatedAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
A magazine clipping of the local map of the mountain regions of Carinthia, Austria.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Austria (Europe)
Carinthia (Austria)
Creators:
Austrian magazine
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 21: RG-42.02.21, Bernd Steinitz, Red Cross life-saving and water safety completion, dated 21 June 1943, June 21, 1943Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
An American National Red Cross completion card for life-saving and water safety, certified to Bernd Steinitz.
Subject/Index Terms:
Red Cross papers
Steinitz, Bernd
Military training, US Army
Creators:
American Red Cross (1940--1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 22: RG-42.02.22, Hollywood actress quilting an American flag, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A Hollywood actress quilting an American flag.
Subject/Index Terms:
Hollywood entertainment community and the war effort
American flag
Creators:
US Military Personnel
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 23: RG-42.02.23, Certificate of Book Holder for War Ration Book, circa 1940--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Certificate of book holder for war rations book.
Subject/Index Terms:
US war rations book
Creators:
US Office of Price Administration (1940--1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 24: RG-42.02.24, Bernd Steinitz walking down the street with another young man, circa 1939--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Bernd Steinitz walking down the street with another young man in a uniform.
Subject/Index Terms:
Stevens, Bernd
Steinitz, Bernd
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 25: RG-42.02.25, Young Bernd Steinitz doing a split, circa 1939Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A young Bernd Steinitz does a split indoors.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 26: RG-42.02.26, Young Bernd Steinitz doing a split on the beach, circa 1939Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A young Bernd Steinitz does a splits on the beach.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 27: RG-42.02.27, Postcards to Carl Levy in LA, sent in 1939 from Munich, 1939Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Two postcards written to Carl Levy from Munich in 1939.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
postcards
Munich (Germany)
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 28: RG-42.02.28, Head of Gestapo, Salzburg HQ stationeryAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
Head of Gestapo, Salzburg HQ stationary.
Subject/Index Terms:
Gestapo (Nazi German Secret political police)
stationary
Creators:
Gestapo
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 29: RG-42.02.29, Bernd Steinitz, French poetryAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
A French poem.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Stevens, Bernd
French poetry
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 30: RG-42.02.30, Bernd Steinitz, US War Department Officer's Identification Card, circa 1939--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A United States War Department's Officers Idenitification card, no. 832380.
Subject/Index Terms:
Stevens, Bernd
Steinitz, Bernd
Military identification documents, US Army
Creators:
US War Department (1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 31: RG-42.02.31, Bernd Steinitz, Identification card for Corporal Steinitz, January 6, 1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
Bernd Steinitz ID card for Corporal Steinitz.
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Military identification documents, US Army
Creators:
Office of Strategic Services, US Military (1933--1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 32: RG-42.02.32, Bernd Steinitz, Ration coupons spare, circa 1939--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A sheet of spare rations coupons.
Subject/Index Terms:
US war rations book
Creators:
US Office of Price Administration (1940--1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 33: RG-42.02.33, Bernd Steinitz, two daggers, undatedAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
Two daggers.
Subject/Index Terms:
war weaponry
Creators:
Goverment of Nazi Germany (1933 -- 1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 34: RG-42.02.34, Bernd Steinitz, single dagger, circa 1933--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A Nazi-German issued dagger.
Subject/Index Terms:
Nazi party artifacts
war weaponry
swastika
Creators:
Goverment of Nazi Germany (1933 -- 1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 35: RG-42.02.35, Bernd Steinitz, US Air Force memorabilia, circa 1939--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
US Air Force memorabilia.
Subject/Index Terms:
Arial reconnaissance, US Air Force
US badges, awards, and memorabilia
Creators:
US Air Force,  The Second World War (1944 -1945)
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 36: RG-42.02.36, Bernd Steinitz, eagle pin, undatedAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
An eagle pin.
Subject/Index Terms:
United States Army Awards and Decorations
US badges, awards, and memorabilia
Creators:
US Military Command
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 37: RG-42.02.37, Bernd Steinitz, expert rifleman pin, undatedAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
An Expert Rifleman badge.
Subject/Index Terms:
United States Army Awards and Decorations
Steinitz, Bernd
Creators:
US Military Command
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 38: RG-42.02.38, Bernd Steinitz, parachute badge, undatedAdd to your cart.View associated digital content.
A parachute badge.
Subject/Index Terms:
United States Army Awards and Decorations
US badges, awards, and memorabilia
Creators:
US Military Command
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 39: RG-42.02.39, Bernd Steinitz, silver bracelet with parachute and wings, circa 1939--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A silver bracelet with a parachute and wing.
Subject/Index Terms:
US badges, awards, and memorabilia
Creators:
US Military Command
Document/Artifact of Item-Level 40: RG-42.02.40, Bernd Steinitz, silver bracelet with parachute and wings, reverse side, with inscription reading 'Bernd I Love You Rose', circa 1939--1945Add to your cart.View associated digital content.
A silver bracelet with parachute and wings, reverse side, with an inscription reading, "Bernd I love you Rose."
Subject/Index Terms:
Steinitz, Bernd
Stevens, Bernd
family artifacts
Creators:
Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)
US Military Command

Browse by Sub-Collection:

[Sub-Collection 1: RG-42.01, Bernd Steinitz, personal and family history, 1920 -- 1940],
[Sub-Collection 2: RG-42.02, Bernd Steinitz, war period, 1942 -- 1945],
[Sub-Collection 3: RG-42.03, Bernd Steinitz, Judaica and US military awards and decorations, 1860 -- 1945],
[Sub-Collection 4: RG-42.04, Bernd Steinitz, postwar period, 1945 -- 1960],
[All]

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