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PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE GARDELEGEN MASSACRE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:140.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 400.00 USD
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE GARDELEGEN MASSACRE
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE GARDELEGEN MASSACRE
The Gardelegen massacre was perpetrated by Waffen-SS and Luftwaffe troops during World War II on April 13, 1945 near the northern German town of Gardelegen The troops forced 1,016 slave laborers who were part of a transport evacuated from the Mittelbau-Dora labor camp into a large barn which was then lit on fire. Most of the prisoners were burned alive; some were shot trying to escape. The crime was discovered two days later by American soldiers. Lot of 16 photographs of the horrific scene of the massacre, taken only days after the scene was discovered and before the unburied and disinterred were given the proper burial demanded by the American authorities. The images, each 3 1/4" x 2 1/2" b/w, are signed and sometimes identified on the verso by American G.I. "H. B. Nester" whom we believe may have been an M.P. Images include exterior views of the burned barn, an interior view of the barn which Nester calls an "Execution Chamber", and multiple images of the dead arranged in lines ready for burial, some of the bodies hideously charred. Nestor, whose other photos are also offered here, made a habit of "liberating" other photos as well. Found with this group is a 4" x 2 3/4" photo of Luftaffe officers celebrating, along with a small photo of a German guard and four images of Sgt. Nester. A chilling grouping.