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.
The monuments men were attached to the division of Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives (MFAA) which was commanded by the U. S. Army's Civil Affairs and Military Government. As war ravaged around the globe, the Allies felt it was their responsibility to try and safeguard as many cultural treasures as possible, and return looted and stolen art. The group was made of art experts from museums and academia.
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.
Once Allied ground troops moved into Europe, men of MFAA would be attached to forward units to assess damage. Often they would shore up and temporarily repair structures until more permanent restoration work could be done. The teams would also interview local citizens to get information on missing artwork and try and determine locations of hiding places.
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 story of the monuments men is truly fascinating as it combines all the elements of good tale. Mystery, excitement, bravery and justice. The new focus on these efforts has spawned not only a Hollywood film, but a number of newly produced books and documentaries. The interest is a testament to the work of the brave men and women in the MFAA and their dedication to preservation of great art.
The monuments men were attached to the division of Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives (MFAA) which was commanded by the U. S. Army's Civil Affairs and Military Government. As war ravaged around the globe, the Allies felt it was their responsibility to try and safeguard as many cultural treasures as possible, and return looted and stolen art. The group was made of art experts from museums and academia.
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.
Once Allied ground troops moved into Europe, men of MFAA would be attached to forward units to assess damage. Often they would shore up and temporarily repair structures until more permanent restoration work could be done. The teams would also interview local citizens to get information on missing artwork and try and determine locations of hiding places.
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 story of the monuments men is truly fascinating as it combines all the elements of good tale. Mystery, excitement, bravery and justice. The new focus on these efforts has spawned not only a Hollywood film, but a number of newly produced books and documentaries. The interest is a testament to the work of the brave men and women in the MFAA and their dedication to preservation of great art.
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