Bernd Stevens (Steinitz) Collection, 1920-1960 | Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

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Collection Overview

Title: Bernd Stevens (Steinitz) Collection, 1920-1960

Predominant Dates:1939 -- 1950

ID: RG-42/RG-42

Primary Creator: Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)

Extent: 2.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Materials are arranged by subject/creator, then by identifier, as assigned by the processor.

Subjects: family histories, Immigration from Nazi Germany, integration in to American society, Jewish religious literature and texts, Jewish religious objects, Postwar adaptation, United States, Second World War, 1939 -- 1945, Secret military missions, 1939 -- 1945, Soldiers, US, Steinitz family history, US Military intelligence, Weimar Republic, 1918 -- 193

Forms of Material: Personal memoirs and recollections

Languages: German, English

Abstract

This Record Group contains collections and documents related to Bernd Stevens (originally Bernd Karl Steinitz) life-story. It begins in Weimar Republic and continues through the Nazi period, followed by emigration to the United States. A special chapter of Mr. Stevens biography belongs to his service in the US Army, specifically with the period of his secret missions entrusted him by the OSS (US intelligence service). Owing to his German-Jewish origin, the OSS parachuted him with a special group behind the enemy lines in Austria in 1945. He successfully completed his mission.

His postwar period is related to life in Hollywood, CA with the respective entertainment-related activities. Mr. Stevens authored several memoir publications related to his life-story.

Some of the documents and artifacts from this Record Group are on display in the museum exhibition.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This Record Group comprised four collections, namely of Steinitz family history in Munich and in other places in Bavaria. The second collections includes wartime documents, largely issued the US military agencies. The third collections contains personal family objects of Judaica. The third collection, primarily of photo-documents, reflects the postwar period in the United States. A Judaica collection of this record group comprised two sub-collection: the first consists of Jewish religious texts and objects and the second one includes Nazi-German memorabilia acquired by Bernd Stevens in Germany and Austria while serving in the U.S. Army.

Collection Historical Note

Materials of this Record Group can be largely described as a documented story of a Jewish-German immigrant successfully integrated in to American society, who served to his new country in the battlefield of the Second World War. However the peculiarities of his military service makes these documents rather distinct. In short, a Jewish-German immigrant, a young man in his twenties, became elevated to an officer rank, entrusted a secret mission behind the enemy lines. He successfully fulfilled his duties. First and foremost, going by the name of Lieutenant Peter Hartley, Stevens negotiated a surrender of the German forces in Upper Carinthia, Austria, on the request of the Nazi Gauleiter of Upper Carinthia. After honorably being discharge from the Army, Stevens became attracted to the lifestyle of Hollywood. The photo-documents of the postwar period exemplify his party-going activities. Growing older Mr. Stevens reflected on the past. He was approached by journalists and filmmakers attempting to use his life-story for a Hollywood-style action film, however thisdid not materialize. He however authored several memoir publication in collaboration with a professional writer, though they remained unpublished.

Biographical Note

A collection of documents, artifacts and photographs in general related to the life-story of Karl Bernd Steinitz (Bernd Stevens). Karl Steinitz (also known as Bernd Karl Steinitz) was born in Munich, Germany in 1920. In September 1939 he obtained a German Travel Passport with a permission to leave for USA via Italy. This is reflected in his Passport by official authorization of emigration issued on October 11, 1939. He left Germany on October 12, 1939 by the means of a Tourist Agency “CIT”. On October 13, Bernd Karl Steinitz arrived in Monaco and his stay in Italy was officially authorized by a mark in his Passport. His departure from Italy is also marked in the Passport by October 20, 1939. Bernd Steinitz left Trieste, Italy on the ship to USA. His US entry visa was received one year earlier as marked in his Passport by October 3, 1938. It was issued by American Vice Consul at Stuttgart. Bern Steinitz was also granted an Immigrant Identification Card No. 1117095.

Upon arrival to the United States, Karl Steinitz changed his name to Bernd Stevens. He enlisted voluntarily in the U.S. Army. For the training he was sent to Texas. Soon the U.S. intelligence service (OSS) took interest in him and he was transferred to California for special training to act behind the enemy lines. The documents in this collection reflect one of his secret missions to southern Austria.

Bernd Stevens presently lives in Los Angeles, CA, USa

Subject/Index Terms

family histories
Immigration from Nazi Germany
integration in to American society
Jewish religious literature and texts
Jewish religious objects
Postwar adaptation, United States
Second World War, 1939 -- 1945
Secret military missions, 1939 -- 1945
Soldiers, US
Steinitz family history
US Military intelligence
Weimar Republic, 1918 -- 193

Administrative Information

Repository: Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions

Copyrighted materials, credits to and references to the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust are required

Digital copies might be available upon request

Use Restrictions: Copyrighted materials

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Sub-Collection:

[Sub-Collection 1: RG-42.01, Bernd Steinitz, personal and family history, 1920 -- 1940],
[Sub-Collection 2: RG-42.02, Bernd Steinitz, war period, 1942 -- 1945],
[Sub-Collection 3: RG-42.03, Bernd Steinitz, Judaica and US military awards and decorations, 1860 -- 1945],
[Sub-Collection 4: RG-42.04, Bernd Steinitz, postwar period, 1945 -- 1960],
[All]

Sub-Collection 3: RG-42.03, Bernd Steinitz, Judaica and US military awards and decorations, 1860 -- 1945

This collections contains family religious texts and objects. There are also the items of Jewish decorative art and US medals.

Subject/Index Terms:: Jewish religious literature and texts; Jewish religious objects; Jewish religious decorative art; United States Army Awards and Decorations; Bronze Star, US Army medal; Purple Heart, United States military decoration

Creators:: Steinitz Family (1860 -- 1960); United States Army

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: RG-42.03.01, Bernd Steinitz, Siddur, closed, undated

A closed siddur booklet.

Subject/Index Terms:: Judaica; Jewish prayer books, siddurim; Steinitz, Bernd

Creators:: Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: RG-42.03.02, Bernd Steinitz, Siddur, open, undated

The cover of an open Siddur.

Subject/Index Terms:: Jewish prayer books, siddurim; Judaica; Steinitz, Bernd

Creators:: Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: RG-42.03.03, Bernd Steinitz, Torah scroll, undated

A Torah scroll.

Subject/Index Terms:: Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses, Torah; Judaica; Steinitz, Bernd

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: RG-42.03.04, Bernd Steinitz, wooden box with medals, closed, undated

A wooden box with framed medals on the cover. A bronze star and a purple heart.

Subject/Index Terms:: United States Army Awards and Decorations

Creators:: US Military Command; United States Government (1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: RG-42.03.05, Bernd Steinitz, wooden box containing dagger, Siddur, Torah scroll, necklace, and insignia, open, undated

A wooden box containing a dagger, Siddur, Torah scroll, necklace, American flag pin, awards, and insignia inside. The box is left open to show the contents inside.

Subject/Index Terms:: Stevens, Bernd; Steinitz, Bernd; United States Army Awards and Decorations; Judaica; Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses, Torah; Jewish prayer books, siddurim

Creators:: Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 6: RG-42.03.06, Bernd Steinitz, gold necklace with three pendants, undated

A gold necklace with three pendants.

Subject/Index Terms:: Judaica; Jewish yellow stars of David, Jewish badges and patches

Creators:: Jewish religious community

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 7: RG-42.03.07, Bernd Steinitz, gold necklace, close-up of star, undated

Gold star close-up necklace.

Subject/Index Terms:: Steinitz, Bernd; Jewish yellow stars of David, Jewish badges and patches; Yellow Stars; Judaica

Creators:: Jewish religious community; Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 8: RG-42.03.08, Bernd Steinitz, gold necklace, close-up of rectangular pendant with Hebrew letter, undated

Close-up of rectangular pendant with Hebrew letter.

Subject/Index Terms:: Judaica; Hebrew language; Steinitz, Bernd

Creators:: Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present); Jewish religious community

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 9: RG-42.03.09, Bernd Steinitz, gold necklace, close-up of sterling silver pendant with star and Torah scroll, undated

Close-up of a sterling silver pendant with a star and Torah scroll.

Subject/Index Terms:: Steinitz, Bernd; Stevens, Bernd; Pentateuch or Five Books of Moses, Torah; Jewish yellow stars of David, Jewish badges and patches

Creators:: Jewish religious community; Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 10: RG-42.03.10, Bernd Steinitz, gold necklace, close-up of pendant with Hebrew letters and tablets, undated

Close-up of pendant with Hebrew letters and Torah scroll.

Subject/Index Terms:: Steinitz, Bernd; Stevens, Bernd; Hebrew language

Creators:: Stevens, Bernd (1920 -- present); Jewish religious community