Nazi plunder
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nazi plunder refers to art theft and other items stolen as a result of the organized spoliation of European countries during the time of the Third Reich by agents acting on behalf of the ruling Nazi Party of Germany. Plundering occurred from the late 1930s until the end of World War II, although most plunder was acquired during the war. In addition to lucre, such as gold and currency, cultural items of great significance were stolen, including paintings, ceramics, books, and religious treasures. Whereas many of these items were recovered by the forces of the Allies immediately following the war, many items were lost. Currently, there is an international effort underway to identify Nazi plunder that still remains unaccounted for, with the aim of ultimately returning the items to the families of their rightful owners.
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[edit] The organization of looting
In 1940, an organization known as the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg für die Besetzten Gebiete (The Reichsleiter Rosenberg Institute for the Occupied Territories), or ERR, was formed, headed by Reichsleiter Alfred Rosenberg. Its original purpose was to collect Jewish and Freemasonic books and documents, either for destruction, or for removal to Germany for further "study". However, late in 1940, Hermann Göring issued an order that effectively changed the mission of the ERR, mandating it to seize "Jewish" art collections and other objects. Hitler subsequently ordered that all confiscated works of art were to be made directly available to him.
Hitler envisioned a "National Socialist art museum", to be built in his home city of Linz, Austria. Thousands of art treasures were stolen for this particular purpose. Some were stored in the salt mines near Linz to protect them from Allied bombing late in the war.
[edit] References
- OSS Report: Activity of the Einsatzstab Rosenberg in France, 15 August 1945
- Schwarz, Birgit: Hitlers Museum. Die Fotoalben Gemäldegalerie Linz, Wien, Böhlau Verlag, 2004 ISBN 3-205-77054-4
- Löhr, Hanns Christian: Das Braune Haus der Kunst: Hitler und der Sonderauftrag Linz, Akademie-Verlag, 2005 ISBN 3-05-004156-0
[edit] External links
- Nazi Plundering from Holocaust Survivors' Network --iSurvived.org
- The Central Registry of Information on Looted Cultural Property 1933-1945
- Washington Conference Principles On Nazi-Confiscated Art
- Nazi Gold and Art - Hitler's Third Reich in the News
- Project for the Documentation of Wartime Cultural Losses - Website of the Cultural Property Research Foundation, Inc.
- Article The DIA does the Right Thing
