Michael Resin Papers, 1944-1945 | Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

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Collection Overview

Title: Michael Resin Papers, 1944-1945

Predominant Dates:1945 -- 1956

ID: RG-97/RG-97

Primary Creator: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984)

Other Creators: British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)

Extent: 3.0 Boxes

Arrangement: This is a personal collection compiled and preserved by the Creator, Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer during World War II.

Subjects: Aerial Attack, Second World War, Aerial Photograph, Aerial Warfare, Second World War, Aftermath of the liberation, Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, photo-documents, May 1945, Aftermath of the liberation on Nazi-German concentration camps, Bergen Belsen, May 1945, Allied attack on German-occupied Europe, 1944-45, Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945, Allied nations: USA, UK, France, the USSR, 1941 -- 1945, Armed Forces, Allied, Armed Forces, British, Bavaria (Germany), Belgium (Europe), Bergen (Germany), Bergen-Belsen (Germany: Concentration Camp), British air offensive against Germany, British armed forces, 1939 -- 1939, Caen (France), Canada's role among the allies, Canada, 1939--1945, Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar, Courtrai, or Kortrijk (Belgium), Coutances (France), Dora Lawadzka, female Polish prisoner liberated from Bergen-Belsen, Emigration from Europe to Palestine, 1945 -- 1948, English-Canadian relations, 1939--1945, Falaise (France), Family correspondence, postwar, France (Europe), German-occupied Belgium, German-occupied France, Germany (Europe), Ghent (Belgium), International correspondence, 1939 -- 1950, Interwar Europe, historic photographs, 1933 -- 1939, Interwar Germany (1919 -- 1939), Le Mans (France), Mass graves at the liberated Nazi-German concentration camps, photo-documents, Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II, Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945, military photographs, 1920 -- 1945, Montreal (Canada), Netherlands (1940 -- 1945), New York (New York, United States), Palestine, British Mandate Territory (1918--1948), Photographs, concentration camp prisoners, Photographs, wartime, 1939 -- 1945, Poland (Europe), Polish female prisoners, Bergen-Belsen, postwar correspondence, Prisoners, Polish, Rehovot (Palestine), Royal Air Force, Sabos Fischer, female Polish prisoner liberated from Bergen-Belsen, Scholarly works in the Holocaust Studies, Soesterberg (Netherlands), Steffa Goldstein, female Polish prisoner liberated from Bergen-Belsen, Tel-Aviv (Palestine, 1939-1945)

Languages: English

Abstract

This record group contains material related to Michael M. Resin, a Canadian military photographer during World War II. All included collections pertain to materials related to the Allied effort in Europe during the concluding stages of World War II, including British Royal Air Force aerial military photographs, liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp photographs, and correspondence between survivors and family members of survivors in the post-war period.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This is Michael M. Resin's personal collection of documents that are divided into three sub-collections.

The three sub-collections are divided as such:

RG-97.01 -- Photographs taken by Michael M. Resin during the British liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April 1945. Besides taking photographs, Resin is seen in some of the photographs speaking with female Polish Jews. Resin collected the addresses of these women's family members, to notify the family that they have been liberated from Bergen-Belsen. (April 1945)

RG-97.02 -- Written correspondence to and from Michael M. Resin from aforementioned family members of liberated prisoners from Bergen-Belsen camp. At the conclusion of World War II, Resin received letters from family members of liberated prisoners, as well as letters from liberated prisoners themselves, thanking Mr. Resin for his effort in contacting family members of liberated prisoners. Additional letters of gratitude come from Holocaust memorial centers, thanking Mr. Resin for loaning his collection. (September 1945 -- May 1984)

RG-97.03 -- This sub-collection includes a selection of aerial military photographs taken during the British Royal Air Force strategic bombing of Nazi German military strongholds established throughout France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. British RAF photographs of strategic bombings of railyards, communication hubs, and military bunkers occupied by the Nazis throughout Nazi-occupied Europe. Pre- and post-Allied invasion of France, (March 1944 -- July 1944)

Collection Historical Note

This record group is a unique collection of liberation photographs (Bergen-Belsen), aerial military photographs (British R.A.F. raids on Nazi strategic strongholds throughout occupied France and Belgium), and postwar written correspondence between himself and liberated prisoners and their family members (liberated from Bergen-Belsen).

Biographical Note

Canadian military photographer part of Allied liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April 1945.

Subject/Index Terms

Aerial Attack, Second World War
Aerial Photograph
Aerial Warfare, Second World War
Aftermath of the liberation, Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, photo-documents, May 1945
Aftermath of the liberation on Nazi-German concentration camps, Bergen Belsen, May 1945
Allied attack on German-occupied Europe, 1944-45
Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945
Allied nations: USA, UK, France, the USSR, 1941 -- 1945
Armed Forces, Allied
Armed Forces, British
Bavaria (Germany)
Belgium (Europe)
Bergen (Germany)
Bergen-Belsen (Germany: Concentration Camp)
British air offensive against Germany
British armed forces, 1939 -- 1939
Caen (France)
Canada's role among the allies
Canada, 1939--1945
Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar
Courtrai, or Kortrijk (Belgium)
Coutances (France)
Dora Lawadzka, female Polish prisoner liberated from Bergen-Belsen
Emigration from Europe to Palestine, 1945 -- 1948
English-Canadian relations, 1939--1945
Falaise (France)
Family correspondence, postwar
France (Europe)
German-occupied Belgium
German-occupied France
Germany (Europe)
Ghent (Belgium)
International correspondence, 1939 -- 1950
Interwar Europe, historic photographs, 1933 -- 1939
Interwar Germany (1919 -- 1939)
Le Mans (France)
Mass graves at the liberated Nazi-German concentration camps, photo-documents
Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II
Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945
military photographs, 1920 -- 1945
Montreal (Canada)
Netherlands (1940 -- 1945)
New York (New York, United States)
Palestine, British Mandate Territory (1918--1948)
Photographs, concentration camp prisoners
Photographs, wartime, 1939 -- 1945
Poland (Europe)
Polish female prisoners, Bergen-Belsen
postwar correspondence
Prisoners, Polish
Rehovot (Palestine)
Royal Air Force
Sabos Fischer, female Polish prisoner liberated from Bergen-Belsen
Scholarly works in the Holocaust Studies
Soesterberg (Netherlands)
Steffa Goldstein, female Polish prisoner liberated from Bergen-Belsen
Tel-Aviv (Palestine, 1939-1945)

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Collection of Folder-Level:

[Collection of Folder-Level 1: RG-97.01, Aftermath of the Liberation of Bergen-Belsen by Allied Forces, photo-documents, April 1945, April 1945],
[Collection of Folder-Level 2: RG-97.02, Written Correspondence to Michael Resin, postwar, 1945 -- 1984],
[Collection of Folder-Level 3: RG-97.03, Aerial Warfare photographs, Military Reconnaissance, March-August 1944, March -- August, 1944],
[All]

Collection of Folder-Level 2: RG-97.02, Written Correspondence to Michael Resin, postwar, 1945 -- 1984

This sub-collection includes written correspondence to Michael Resin, from family members of prisoners inquiring about the well-being of their imprisoned/liberated family members detained in Bergen-Belsen.

Also included are letters of thanks from various Holocaust remembrance institutions for the temporary loan of Michael Resin's personal collection.

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: RG-97.02.01, Written correspondence, inquiring about Mrs. Obodowska, from Major Hurst to Michael Resin. 24 September 1945, 24 September, 1945

This letter is from the collection of postwar letters received and collected by Canadian military photographer, Michael Resin. Resin documented the Allied liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, and made a concentrated effort to contact the family members of liberated prisoners.

This letter, written by Major Hurst to Michael Resin, is an inquiry regarding the well-being of a Mrs. Obodowska. Presumably, Mrs. Obodowska was one of the prisoners whose family was contacted by Resin during Bergen-Belsen liberation in April-May 1945.

According to the letter, Mrs. Obodowska was in Malmo (Sweden) at the time in a displaced persons camp. "She was very ill with typhus and pneumonia, but is now recovered."

Major Hurst discusses his wanting to be demobilized after six years in the Army (four in the Middle East).

Dated: 24 September, 1945

Subject/Index Terms:: Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; International correspondence, 1939 -- 1950; Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar; postwar correspondence; Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; Mrs. Obodowska; Major L.P. Hurst, British Armed Forces; Malmö (Sweden); Sweden (1945 -- present); England (Europe); Displaced person camps, documents; DP camp, Malmo (Sweden); Reports about Displaced Persons; North African Campaign, 10 June 1940 -- 13 May 1943; Canada, 1939--1945; Canada's role among the allies; Armed Forces, British; British armed forces, 1939 -- 1939; Allied nations: USA, UK, France, the USSR, 1941 -- 1945; Armed Forces, Allied; Health problems, postwar; postwar letters

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: RG-97.02.02, Written correspondence inquiring about missing brother, from Isaac Jacobwitz in Recife, to Michael Resin. 12 October, 1945, 12 October, 1945

This letter originates from Mr. Isaac Jacobwitz in Recife (Brazil) to Michael Resin at his home residence in Montreal (Canada). In this letter, Mr. Jacobwitz is inquiring about his missing brother-in-law, David Moszberg.

Dated: 12 October, 1945

Subject/Index Terms:: Recife (Brazil); Entry of Brazil into the Second World War; Brazil (Southamerica); Brazil (1939 -- 1945); Emigration from Nazi Germany to Brazil; Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; postwar correspondence; Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar; Correspondence with friends and family members, postwar; Isaac Jacobwitz; David Moszberg, missing person, postwar; missing persons--postwar; Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; Canada's role among the allies; Canada, 1939--1945; Montreal (Canada); International correspondence, 1939 -- 1950; Armed Forces, British; British armed forces, 1939 -- 1939; Armed Forces, Allied; postwar letters; Bergen-Belsen (Germany: Concentration Camp); Bergen Belsen (Germany: Displaced Person Camp)

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: RG-97.02.03, Written correspondence inquiring about missing niece, from Simon Arenstein in Tel-Aviv, to Michael Resin. 14 June, 1945, 14 June, 1945

This specific letter was sent by Mr. Simon Arenstein from Tel-Aviv (Palestine) to Michael Resin at his home residence in Montreal (Canada). The letter is Arenstein's inquiry regarding the status of his missing niece, Fisher Arenstein.

Mr. Arenstein discusses his frustration in that letters from Germany are not being received in Palestine.

Dated: 14 June, 1945

Subject/Index Terms:: Simon Arenstein, Tel-Aviv; Fisher Arenstein, missing person; Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; Tel Aviv (Palestine); Palestine, British Mandate Territory (1918--1948); British mandate authority of Palestine, 1920 -- 1948; Germany (1945--1949); missing persons--postwar; Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; Canada's role among the allies; Canada, 1939--1945; Armed Forces, British; British armed forces, 1939 -- 1939; postwar correspondence; Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar; Correspondence with friends and family members, postwar; Armed Forces, Allied; Montreal (Canada); International correspondence, 1939 -- 1950; Reports about Displaced Persons

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: RG-97.02.04, Written correspondence inquiring about missing family member, from Ally Hirth in Tel-Aviv, to Michael Resin. 18 June, 1945, 18 June, 1945

This letter is from Ally Hirth in Tel-Aviv (Palestine) to Michael Resin at his home residence in Montreal (Canada). Ally Hirth writes to Mr. Resin inquiring about a missing family member.

Dated: 18 June, 1945

Subject/Index Terms:: Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; Tel Aviv (Palestine); postwar correspondence; Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar; Correspondence with friends and family members, postwar; Documents in German language; Ally Hirth, Tel-Aviv (Palestine); Montreal (Canada); Canada, 1939--1945; Canada's role among the allies; British mandate authority of Palestine, 1920 -- 1948; Palestine, British Mandate Territory (1918--1948)

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: RG-97.02.05, Written correspondence inquiring about missing sister in Poland, from Dr. Reichert in Rehovot, to Michael Resin. 1 July, 1945, 1 July, 1945

This letter is from a Dr. Reichert in Rehovot (Palestine) inquiring about his missing sister in Poland, received by Canadian military photographer Michael Resin at his residence in Montreal (Canada). Dr. Reichert reveals that he believes his sister may be the only survivor in his family of 50 members, and has tried to contact Red Cross and Jewish Agency for information regarding her exact address.

1 July, 1945

Subject/Index Terms:: The Jewish Agency for Palestine; Red Cross, International, 1933 -- 1946; Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; Canada's role among the allies; Canada, 1939--1945; Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar; Correspondence with friends and family members, postwar; Montreal (Canada); postwar correspondence; missing persons--postwar; Rehovot (Palestine); British mandate authority of Palestine, 1920 -- 1948; Palestine, British Mandate Territory (1918--1948); Poland (Europe); Armed Forces, British; British armed forces, 1939 -- 1939; Armed Forces, Allied

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 6: RG-97.02.06, Written correspondence inquiring about niece Lola, from Mr. Flakowicz in Tel-Aviv, to Michael Resin. 11 June, 1945, 11 June 1945

This letter is from Mr. S. Flakowicz in Tel-Aviv (Palestine) to Michael Resin at his home address in Montreal (Canada). Mr. Flakowicz sends this letter of gratitude for Resin's contacting Mr. Flakowicz regarding the status of good health of Lola, a liberated Bergen-Belsen prisoner.

11 June, 1945

Subject/Index Terms:: Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; Armed Forces, British; British armed forces, 1939 -- 1939; Palestine, British Mandate Territory (1918--1948); British mandate authority of Palestine, 1920 -- 1948; Bergen-Belsen (Germany: Concentration Camp); Aftermath of the liberation on Nazi-German concentration camps, Bergen Belsen, May 1945; postwar correspondence; Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar; Correspondence with friends and family members, postwar; Canada's role among the allies; Canada, 1939--1945; Montreal (Canada); Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; Tel Aviv (Palestine)

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 7: RG-97.02.07, Word of thanks from Bergen-Belsen survivor Dora Lawadzka in Tel-Aviv, to Michael Resin. 22 March, 1948, 22 March, 1948

This letter is from Dora Lawadzka in Tel-Aviv, sent and delivered to the Montreal residence of Canadian military photographer Michael Resin. Resin documented the Allied liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, and made a personal effort to contact the families of liberated prisoners.

Dora Lawadzka was one of the prisoners liberated from Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, and her letter to Resin gives thanks for contacting her uncle during liberation.

Lawadzka discusses the path she took following liberation: After a year in Cyprus (DP/internment camp), she made it to Tel-Aviv, Palestine.

22 March, 1948

Subject/Index Terms:: Cyprus (Europe); internment camp, Cyprus, postwar; Bergen-Belsen (Germany: Concentration Camp); Bergen (Germany); postwar correspondence; Correspondence between family members and friends, postwar; Correspondence with friends and family members, postwar; Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; British control over the Jewish emigration to Palestine, 1945 -- 1948; British actions and measures against Jewish emigration to Palestine, 1945 -- 1948; British internment camps for Jewish immigrants to Palestine, 1945 -- 1948; Canada's role among the allies; Canada, 1939--1945; Tel Aviv (Palestine); British mandate authority of Palestine, 1920 -- 1948; Palestine, British Mandate Territory (1918--1948); Montreal (Canada); Aftermath of the liberation on Nazi-German concentration camps, Bergen Belsen, May 1945; Armed Forces, British; British armed forces, 1939 -- 1939; Female prisoners of the German concentration camps; Content of the letters of the concentration camps' prisoners; Dora Lawadzka, female Polish prisoner liberated from Bergen-Belsen

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 8: RG-97.02.08, Word of thanks from Krisha Starker, Director of Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre, to Michael Resin. 5 March, 1984, 5 March, 1984

This is a letter of thanks from Krisha Starker, Director of Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre, to Michael Resin, for the loan of photo-documents from Michael Resin's personal collection during military service in the European war theater (WWII).

Resin documented the Allied liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in April-May 1945.

Dated: 5 March, 1984

Subject/Index Terms:: Montreal (Canada); Canada's role among the allies; Canada, 1939--1945; Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Scholarly works in the Holocaust Studies; Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; Allied soldiers, liberation of Nazi-German concentration camps, photo-documents; Aftermath of the liberation, Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, photo-documents, May 1945; Aftermath of the liberation on Nazi-German concentration camps, Bergen Belsen, May 1945; Bergen-Belsen (Germany: Concentration Camp); postwar correspondence

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 9: RG-97.02.09, Word of thanks from Stuart S. Elenko, Director of Holocaust Studies Center in Bronx, New York, to Michael Resin. 16 May, 1984, 16 May, 1984

This letter is a word of thanks from Stuart S. Elenko, Director of Holocaust Studies Center in Bronx, New York, sent and delivered to Michael Resin's home address in Montreal (Canada). Elenko thanks Resin for a loan of Resin's personal photograph collection from his service in the European war theater of WWII.

Resin documented the Allied liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Dated: 16 May, 1984

Subject/Index Terms:: Michael M. Resin, Canadian military photographer, World War II; Allied Military Photographers, 1939-1945; Military photographers, 1939 -- 1945; Montreal (Canada); Canada's role among the allies; Canada, 1939--1945; Scholarly works in the Holocaust Studies; Allied soldiers, liberation of Nazi-German concentration camps, photo-documents; Aftermath of the liberation, Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, photo-documents, May 1945; Aftermath of the liberation on Nazi-German concentration camps, Bergen Belsen, May 1945; Bergen-Belsen (Germany: Concentration Camp); postwar correspondence; Bronx, New York (USA); New York (New York, United States); Holocaust Studies Center, The Bronx High School of Science

Creators:: Michael Resin, Canadian Military photographer (1944 -- 1984); British military authorities (1944 -- 1945)