There have been so many stories told about World War Two that most people assume there would be no more epics about this period of history. But there is a heroic tale about a group that came to be known as the monuments men. This group was tasked with helping to protect the cultural treasures in Europe and other war-ravished areas. It consisted of a about 400 military and civilians and their adventures are right out of a novel. In fact a feature film directed by George Clooney is being released soon.
Word of looting and destruction of culturally significant sites was heard in the U. S. Almost from the beginning of the Nazis campaign in Europe. In response, the U. S. Army's Civil Affairs and Military Government division created a special unit. The group was called the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archive (MFAA) division and it was populated with art and history experts from the top universities and museums in the country. Their goal was to safeguard and protect artwork and cultural sites in war theaters.
Before the United States entered the war in Europe, art and cultural leaders alerted the public and the government to the theft and destruction of art and sculpture. A Metropolitan Museum of Art director lead an effort to publicize Nazi looting. This lead FDR to create the American Commission for the Protection and Salvage of Historic Monuments in War Areas. This commission recommended a special division be created, and so the monuments men came into existence.
The group had a number of tasks to perform. As the Allies planned bombing raids, the men would alert the commanders of the locations of culturally significant buildings, sites and areas. This was so that bombing runs could be re-planned to avoid destroying these cultural icons. Ground troops were also alerted to key areas to avoid.
As troops moved into an area and liberated towns, MFAA men would assess the area. In some cases they would even make repairs to damaged structures to keep them safe for future restoration. Also part of their mission was to interview locals to find out if art had been plundered or if the citizens knew of hidden caches of art or treasure. This type of detective work helped uncover much of the stolen artwork.
The Nazis were systematic and prolific looters of cultural treasures and artwork of Europe. Unfortunately they also destroyed countless art and sculpture they found to be unacceptable by their standards. Part of the job the monuments men did was too determine what pieces survived and which had been destroyed.
The MFAA also discovered many hiding places that the Nazis used for their plunder. Some have called the work the greatest treasure hunt in history, as the team had to follow many leads and explore many difficult to reach locations. One such location was Berchtesgaden in the German Bavarian Alps where the U. S. Army located more than 1,000 paintings, sculptures and other treasures looted by Goring. Over 6,500 paintings where found in a salt mine in Austria.
The efforts of the monuments men is a true epic. The men and women of this team quite literally saved a significant part of Europe's cultural identity. Given the renewed interest in their efforts from the George Clooney film, many new books and documentaries will likely be produced. This is one story that fiction cannot top.
Word of looting and destruction of culturally significant sites was heard in the U. S. Almost from the beginning of the Nazis campaign in Europe. In response, the U. S. Army's Civil Affairs and Military Government division created a special unit. The group was called the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archive (MFAA) division and it was populated with art and history experts from the top universities and museums in the country. Their goal was to safeguard and protect artwork and cultural sites in war theaters.
Before the United States entered the war in Europe, art and cultural leaders alerted the public and the government to the theft and destruction of art and sculpture. A Metropolitan Museum of Art director lead an effort to publicize Nazi looting. This lead FDR to create the American Commission for the Protection and Salvage of Historic Monuments in War Areas. This commission recommended a special division be created, and so the monuments men came into existence.
The group had a number of tasks to perform. As the Allies planned bombing raids, the men would alert the commanders of the locations of culturally significant buildings, sites and areas. This was so that bombing runs could be re-planned to avoid destroying these cultural icons. Ground troops were also alerted to key areas to avoid.
As troops moved into an area and liberated towns, MFAA men would assess the area. In some cases they would even make repairs to damaged structures to keep them safe for future restoration. Also part of their mission was to interview locals to find out if art had been plundered or if the citizens knew of hidden caches of art or treasure. This type of detective work helped uncover much of the stolen artwork.
The Nazis were systematic and prolific looters of cultural treasures and artwork of Europe. Unfortunately they also destroyed countless art and sculpture they found to be unacceptable by their standards. Part of the job the monuments men did was too determine what pieces survived and which had been destroyed.
The MFAA also discovered many hiding places that the Nazis used for their plunder. Some have called the work the greatest treasure hunt in history, as the team had to follow many leads and explore many difficult to reach locations. One such location was Berchtesgaden in the German Bavarian Alps where the U. S. Army located more than 1,000 paintings, sculptures and other treasures looted by Goring. Over 6,500 paintings where found in a salt mine in Austria.
The efforts of the monuments men is a true epic. The men and women of this team quite literally saved a significant part of Europe's cultural identity. Given the renewed interest in their efforts from the George Clooney film, many new books and documentaries will likely be produced. This is one story that fiction cannot top.
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