MFAA by Sarah

Why was the battle fought and what were the strategic goals for each of the groups in the conflict?

esteban_pena — 2015-01-21 16:26:53 UTC

During the time of WWII, Hitler had been interested doing art, and in fact did his own pieces of art. But not only had he been interested in doing art, Hitler was very interested in collecting art, but only what he had deemed fit for Germany and from his point of view. Which is the main reason why he had ordered to steal beautiful portraits and years and years of history from Art museums such as "The Lourve", and for some of the work burn it and get rid of it, where as for other work, keep and collect. The United States couldn't just stand by and let decades of history and artwork be wiped out, thus the MFAA was born. The goal of these "monuments men" was to identify and protect museums and buildings from allied bombings. It consisted of scholars, architects, archivists, and art curators. But throughout the war, their mission changed to locating and recovering stolen works of art from the nazis.

Where was the battle and how did geography play a factor?

sarah_zidlicky — 2015-01-21 16:31:19 UTC

During WWII there were many major museums that were attacked, The Louvre in Paris, Many historical places in Italy and Rome, Royal Netherlands Embassy, the Dormition Cathedral of Russia and many other places. Some of the most famous works of art that were taken : Saint Justa and Saint Rufina, Painter on the Road to Tarascon, Portrait of Dr. Gachet, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, Foundation E.G. Bührle, Altarpiece of Veit Stoss, Place de la Concorde, The Astronomer, Amber Room, and Madonna of Bruges. Geography played a major factor because Germany hid many of the painting in astles, monasteries, military bunkers, and assorted buildings, but some of the largest repositories were inside mines. Having the mines protected the art from bombing, they were also cool, dark and dry. It kept the art protected and mostly together.

What strategies did each of the groups involved in the fighting use to try winning the battle?

lonninggar10 — 2015-01-22 16:12:02 UTC

Museums and archives usually had very little time to evacuate before the Nazis came. When they were alerted, staff and volunteers would work diligently and delicately around the clock to safely pack up paintings, statues, furniture, etc. Some works of art, like the Mona Lisa, had to have complete security and protection at all times because they were so valuable. After swiftly packing everything up into boxes and crates, they used tons of vehicles to drive the works of art to a "safe house" miles away from the Nazi invaded city. Some museum staff would stay with the priceless art pieces, while others would stay behind and take care of the museum itself. Though moving these incredible pieces was not easy, it was necessary and very imperative in winning Hitler's war against modern art.

(pictured below is museum staff at The Lourve carefully moving the famous statue, Winged Victory of Samothrace down long, rickety boards to safety)

esteban_pena — 2015-01-22 16:27:08 UTC

Link to The Rape of Europa

lonninggar10 — 2015-01-22 16:33:06 UTC

This website lets you get a closer look into this fascinating story and fight for art.

Who were the leaders and groups involved in the fighting?

2015-01-23 15:40:20 UTC

In WWII the biggest people protecting and identifying art in Europe were General Dwight D. Eisenhower and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Eisenhower had the task of facilitating and and administering all the activities of the MFAA. Roosevelt of course ordered the military to carry out operations in Europe. Also the Roberts Commission created by Supreme Court Justice Owen J. Roberts created and sent lists of art and monuments to the military in Europe. The CAMGSAA created by L. Bancel LaFarge to return stolen artworks to their rightful owners. The last major group was the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagles" who found more than 1,000 paintings and sculptures from Berchtesgaden, Germany. In Altausee, Austria more than 6,500 paintings were discovered by the U.S. Army. (Below: General Dwight D. Eisenhower).

esteban_pena — 2015-01-26 06:40:11 UTC

esteban_pena — 2015-01-26 06:45:47 UTC

esteban_pena — 2015-01-26 06:46:34 UTC

esteban_pena — 2015-01-26 06:46:36 UTC

Historic Archival WWII Wartime Art Theft

lonninggar10 — 2015-01-26 15:18:17 UTC

Footage of the tragic transfer and destruction of art done by the germans