Yellow civilian Deutsche Wehrmacht armband acquired by a US soldier
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 4.250 inches (10.795 cm) | Width: 7.250 inches (18.415 cm)
Archival History
The armband was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2011 by Stephen K. Yasinow, the son of J. Benjamin and Rose Kaplan Yasinow and the nephew of Alexander Wurtz.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Stephen K. Yasinow
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Yellow civilian Deutsche Wehrmacht [German Army] armband presumably brought back from the war by Alexander Wurtz, a Jewish soldier in the US Army, 351st Infantry Regiment. On January 22, 1944, Alexander was drafted into the United States Army and entered active service on February 12. He joined the 351st Infantry Regiment and fought in the Italian campaign until the war ended in May 1945. He and his unit were then assigned to peace keeping duties in northern Italy. Alex was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1946 and returned to Philadelphia.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular, gold cloth armband with Deutsche Wehrmacht machine embroidered in Gothic script on the front in black thread. The short edges are hemmed and sewn together to form a loop and the edges have rolled hems. It appears unused.
front, embroidered, black thread : Deutsche / Wehrmacht [German / Armed forces]
Corporate Bodies
- Germany. Wehrmacht
- United States. Army. Infantry Division, 9th
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Germany--Equipment and supplies.
- Soldiers--United States.
- Jewish soldiers--United States.
- Civil defense--Germany--Insignia.
- Germany--Armed Forces--Insignia.
- Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States.
Genre
- Object
- Identifying Artifacts