Razor blades issued to a US soldier while held as a POW in a German Stalag

Identifier
irn12019
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 1997.112.6 a-h
Dates
1 Jan 1945 - 31 Dec 1945
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • German
Source
EHRI Partner

Web Source

https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn12019

Extent and Medium

a: Height: 1.120 inches (2.845 cm) | Width: 1.880 inches (4.775 cm) | Depth: 0.250 inches (0.635 cm)

b: Height: 0.880 inches (2.235 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm)

c: Height: 0.880 inches (2.235 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm)

d: Height: 0.880 inches (2.235 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm)

e: Height: 0.880 inches (2.235 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm)

f: Height: 0.880 inches (2.235 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm)

g: Height: 0.880 inches (2.235 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm)

h: Height: 0.880 inches (2.235 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm)

Creator(s)

  • Rolland G. Pearce (Subject)

Archival History

The razor blades were donated to United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1997 by Rolland Pearce.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Rolland Pearce

Scope and Content

Razor blades issued to 23 year old Rolland Pearce, an US airman, while held as a prisoner of war by the Germans in Stalag Luft IV in Tychowo, Poland. On February 6, the camp was evacuated due to approaching Soviet forces. Rolland and the other prisoners were sent on a forced march that came to be known as the Black March, because of the brutal conditions and treatment. The march lasted 86 days, until early April, when they reached Fallingbostel, Germany, and Stalag 357, about forty miles away.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

a= box, brown cardboard, preprinted inscription on top and bottom, "Tuckmar/Rasierklingen/Starke 0.10 mm."; on both sides, "Das Stuck 6 Pfg." and on one side, "10 Klingen"; b-h= 7 razor blades wrapped in paper (contained in box).

Subjects

  • World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, German.
  • World War, 1939-1945--Peronal narratives, American.
  • Soldiers--United States--Biography.
  • Prisoners of war--United States--Biography.

Genre

  • Personal Equipment and Supplies
  • Object
This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.