Anton Karl Papers, 1933-1944 | Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

By Staff

Printer-friendly |

Collection Overview

Title: Anton Karl Papers, 1933-1944

Predominant Dates:1939 -- 1944

ID: RG-59/RG-59

Primary Creator: Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944)

Extent: 4.0 Boxes

Subjects: Administrative and political maps, interwar, war-time and postwar period, Anton and Margarete Karl, photograph, Munich, 1920s, Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944, Anton Karl, photo-documents, Armed forces, German, 1918 -- 1933, Bietingen (Germany), Captain (Hauptmann) Anton Karl, fallen in action near Ternopil, 21 February 1944, Ukraine, Catholic Literature, published in Germany, Catholic rite and tradition, first communion, Catholic rite and traditions, Christian Literature published in Germany, City maps (street plans) of the interwar and wartime, Combat operations in Western Ukraine, 1944, Correspondence from front-lines, 1939 -- 1945, Die Wehrmacht (The German Army), Nazi periodicals, Documents in German language, Documents issued by the local and central authorities of Weimar Republic, 1919 -- 1933, Eastern Front, the German War against the USSR, 1941 -- 1945, family histories, Family History, Karl, family photographs, Family photographs, Karl Family, German literature, 19th -20th century, German military campaign in Poland, 1939, German military campaign in Western Europe, 1940, German military maps of the Russian regions, 1941, Germany (1918--1933), Germany (1933 -- 1945), Germany, history, Germany, middle class, 1933 -- 1939, Hohenfels (Germany), Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl, Memorial service for the fallen soldiers, German, Memorial service for the fallen soldiers, German, Captain Anton Karl, Military Comradeship, German Army, 1933 -- 1945, Military map of the Ternopil region in Ukraine, German, Military maps, German, Military maps, the Second World War, 1939-- 1945, military photographs, 1920 -- 1945, military photographs, German, 1920 -- 1945, Military photographs, German, 1920 -- 1945, Anton Karl, Military service in German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1945, Military service in Nazi-German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1944, Anton Karl, Military service in Nazi Germany, in Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1945, Military service in the German armed forces, Weimar Republic, Military service records, German, Military service records, German, Anton Karl, Narratives in German language, Nazi-German military campaign in the Eastern Front, 1941 -- 1944, Anton Karl, Nazi-German military campaign in the Eastern Front, 1941 -- 1945, Nazi-German military campaign in the Second World War, Anton Karl, Nazi-German military campaigns in the Second World War, 1939 -- 1945, Nazi Party, membership, Nazi Party, membership, Anton Karl, official correspondence, Official correspondence, German, Passports, German, Passports, German, Anton Karl, Periodicals, Nazi, Photographs, portrait, Anton Karl, Photographs, portrait, Margarete Karl, Photographs, portraits, Photographs of children, Photographs of children, Erich Karl, Photographs of children, two male children of Anton Karl, Photographs of family members, Photographs of family members, Anton Karl, Pocket calendars, wartime, Pocket calendars, wartime, Anton Karl, Political map of Europe, German, 1940, Political maps of Europe, Prayer books, Catholic, published in Germany, Publications, German, Reichswehr, army of the Weimar Republic, Second World War, 1939 -- 1945, Service in the Reichswehr, army of the Weimar Republic, Service in the Reichswehr, the army of the Weimar Republic, Anton Carl, Soviet-German battle for Ternopil, Ukraine, 1944, Sport contest certificates, German, 1931, Anton Karl, Sports contests, Sports contests certificates, German, Tarnopol (Poland), Tarnopol (Poland: Province), Ternopil (Ukraine), The Karl Family, a group photograph, 1920s, The USSR (1941--1945), Ukraine (1941-1945), Volkischer Beobachter, Nazi periodicals, Weimar Republic, 1919 -- 1933

Languages: German

Abstract

This record group comprises series of Nazi periodicals, personal library of Anton Karl, family and personal photo-albums and Anton Karl’s military documents, passports and other identification documents. A sub-collection of its own right is a full gear of his cavalry uniform kept in a special suitcase. This suitcase was sent back to his family in Germany, when lieutenant-colonel Anton Karl was killed near Ternopol in Western Ukraine in the Spring of 1944.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This Record Group comprises the following collections: RG-59.01, Volkischer Beobachter, People's Observer, Nazi-German periodical, Munich edition; RG-59.02, Die Wehrmacht, The Army, periodical; RG-59.03, Books, Narratives, Brochures; RG-59.04, Personal and official correspondence; RG-59.05, Miltary, politica; maps and city plans; RG-59.07, Personal papers; RG-59.06, Newspaper clippings; RG-59.08, Anton Karl Personal and Family Photographs; RG-59.09, Anton Karl, military and family photography

These documents and photographs, as well as periodicals and other publications reflect German military and public history through the prism of a middle class Wehrmacht officer, Captain Anton Karl.

Collection Historical Note

This record group is a multifaceted collection of personal, official and public documents. While some relate to the career of Captain Anton Karl, the corpus of the documents and artifacts as an entity is well-waratned representation of prewar and wartime History of Germany. Largely these documents relate to the military history, although the fate of the given German officer and his family is well represented.

Socila and military life of German society is represented by various periodicals, personal correspondences, official documents and wide array of photo-documents and personal possesions.

Subject/Index Terms

Administrative and political maps, interwar, war-time and postwar period
Anton and Margarete Karl, photograph, Munich, 1920s
Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944
Anton Karl, photo-documents
Armed forces, German, 1918 -- 1933
Bietingen (Germany)
Captain (Hauptmann) Anton Karl, fallen in action near Ternopil, 21 February 1944, Ukraine
Catholic Literature, published in Germany
Catholic rite and tradition, first communion
Catholic rite and traditions
Christian Literature published in Germany
City maps (street plans) of the interwar and wartime
Combat operations in Western Ukraine, 1944
Correspondence from front-lines, 1939 -- 1945
Die Wehrmacht (The German Army), Nazi periodicals
Documents in German language
Documents issued by the local and central authorities of Weimar Republic, 1919 -- 1933
Eastern Front, the German War against the USSR, 1941 -- 1945
family histories
Family History, Karl
family photographs
Family photographs, Karl Family
German literature, 19th -20th century
German military campaign in Poland, 1939
German military campaign in Western Europe, 1940
German military maps of the Russian regions, 1941
Germany (1918--1933)
Germany (1933 -- 1945)
Germany, history
Germany, middle class, 1933 -- 1939
Hohenfels (Germany)
Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl
Memorial service for the fallen soldiers, German
Memorial service for the fallen soldiers, German, Captain Anton Karl
Military Comradeship, German Army, 1933 -- 1945
Military map of the Ternopil region in Ukraine, German
Military maps, German
Military maps, the Second World War, 1939-- 1945
military photographs, 1920 -- 1945
military photographs, German, 1920 -- 1945
Military photographs, German, 1920 -- 1945, Anton Karl
Military service in German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1945
Military service in Nazi-German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1944, Anton Karl
Military service in Nazi Germany, in Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1945
Military service in the German armed forces, Weimar Republic
Military service records, German
Military service records, German, Anton Karl
Narratives in German language
Nazi-German military campaign in the Eastern Front, 1941 -- 1944, Anton Karl
Nazi-German military campaign in the Eastern Front, 1941 -- 1945
Nazi-German military campaign in the Second World War, Anton Karl
Nazi-German military campaigns in the Second World War, 1939 -- 1945
Nazi Party, membership
Nazi Party, membership, Anton Karl
official correspondence
Official correspondence, German
Passports, German
Passports, German, Anton Karl
Periodicals, Nazi
Photographs, portrait, Anton Karl
Photographs, portrait, Margarete Karl
Photographs, portraits
Photographs of children
Photographs of children, Erich Karl
Photographs of children, two male children of Anton Karl
Photographs of family members
Photographs of family members, Anton Karl
Pocket calendars, wartime
Pocket calendars, wartime, Anton Karl
Political map of Europe, German, 1940
Political maps of Europe
Prayer books, Catholic, published in Germany
Publications, German
Reichswehr, army of the Weimar Republic
Second World War, 1939 -- 1945
Service in the Reichswehr, army of the Weimar Republic
Service in the Reichswehr, the army of the Weimar Republic, Anton Carl
Soviet-German battle for Ternopil, Ukraine, 1944
Sport contest certificates, German, 1931, Anton Karl
Sports contests
Sports contests certificates, German
Tarnopol (Poland)
Tarnopol (Poland: Province)
Ternopil (Ukraine)
The Karl Family, a group photograph, 1920s
The USSR (1941--1945)
Ukraine (1941-1945)
Volkischer Beobachter, Nazi periodicals
Weimar Republic, 1919 -- 1933

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Sub-Collection:

[Sub-Collection 1: RG-59.01, Voelkischer Beobachter, People's Observer, 1935-1945],
[Sub-Collection 2: RG-59.02, Die Wehrmacht, The Army, periodical],
[Sub-Collection 3: RG-59.03, Books, Narratives, Brochures, 1930s -- 1940s],
[Sub-Collection 4: RG-59.04, Personal and official correspondence, 1933 -- 1944],
[Sub-Collection 5: RG-59.05, Military, political maps and city plans, 1920s -- 1944],
[Sub-Collection 6: RG-59.06, Newspaper clippings, collected by Anton Karl, 1933 -- 1944],
[Sub-Collection 7: RG-59.07, Personal papers of Anton Karl, 1920s -- 1940s],
[Sub-Collection 8: RG-59.08, Anton Karl Personal and Family Photographs, 1920s -- 1940s],
[Sub-Collection 9: RG-59.09, Anton Karl, military and family photography, 1920s -- 1940s],
[All]

Sub-Collection 4: RG-59.04, Personal and official correspondence, 1933 -- 1944

This collection comprises correspondences with regard to Captain (Hauptman) Anton Karl of the prewar period and in the course of the Second World War.

Subject/Index Terms:: Personal correspondence, Anton Karl; Personal correspondence; official correspondence; Official correspondence, German; Official correspondence with regard to Anton Karl; Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Erich Karl, son of Anton Karl; Hohenfels (Germany); family photographs; Family photographs, Karl Family; Family photographs, Anton Karl; Germany (1933 -- 1939); Germany (1939--1945); Narratives in German language; Documents in German language

Creators:: Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 1: RG-59.04.01, Anton Karl, card from Nazi comrades, 17 Dec 1940

A note to Anton Karl from his comrades in the Nazi-German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. The card explains that the comrades of the J. R. remember the herrenabend (or stag night) of December 17, 1940. There are over 20 signatures and an illustration of a tube where ordinary Germans enter on the left labeled Kriegsausbildungswerk (war training work) and come out as German soldiers on the right off to various places significant to the war, like the Western Front and Poland. This card is probably meant to celebrate some accomplishment or anniversary, significant to Anton Karl.

Subject/Index Terms:: Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; Nazi-German military campaign in the Second World War, Anton Karl; Nazi Party, membership, Anton Karl; Personal correspondence, Anton Karl; postcards; military comradeship, German Army, Anton Karl; military comradeship, German Army, postcard; Personal correspondence; German Armed Forces, Wehrmacht; Military service in German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1945; Military service in Nazi-German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1944, Anton Karl; Military service in Nazi Germany, in Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1945; Documents in German language; German, language; Military Comradeship, German Army, 1933 -- 1945; Soldiers, German; illustration in Nazi-German text; illustration in Nazi-German text, postcard; herrenabend (stag night); Kriegsausbildungswerk (war training establishment); The 61st Infantry Division (Wehrmacht)

Creators:: 61st Infantry Division (Wehrmacht) (1939-1945); Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944); Wehrmacht (German Army) (1939--1945)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 2: RG-59.04.02, Anton Karl, Letter from Margarete Karl dated 12 March 1944, 12 March 1944

A letter from Margarete Karl to Mr. Mayor Lentz, most likely a comrade of recently fallen soldier Anton Karl, Margarete’s husband. Margarete is writing in response to a letter previously sent by Mayor Lentz, perhaps breaking the news of her husband’s death, but reassuring her of his proper memorial service and financial handlings. <span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%;">Anton Karl died in battle in Ternopil, Ukraine on February 21, 1944. </span>Margarete thanks Mayor Lentz for his care and concern. The letter is dated March 12, 144, but was sent from Munich, Margarete’s hometown, until June 5, 1944 and went through the Feldpost, or field post, since Germany was still in a time of war and Margarete is communicating with the Wehrmacht army.

Subject/Index Terms:: Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Mayor Lentz; Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; Captain (Hauptmann) Anton Karl, fallen in action near Ternopil, 21 February 1944, Ukraine; Fallen soldiers, German, Captain (Hauptam) Anton Karl; German military campaign in Ukraine, Anton Karl; German military operations in the Ternopil region, Anton Karl; German military operations in Western Ukraine, Anton Karl; Military service in Nazi-German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1944, Anton Karl; Nazi-German military campaign in the Eastern Front, 1941 -- 1944, Anton Karl; Nazi-German military campaign in the Second World War, Anton Karl; Official correspondence with regard to Anton Karl; Fallen soldiers, German; Soldiers, German; German Armed Forces, Wehrmacht; Documents in German language; German, language; Narratives in German language; Munich (Germany); Official correspondence, German; Official correspondence, envelopes; official correspondence; Battle for Ternopil (Tarnopol), Western Ukraine, 1944, Anton Karl; Soviet-German battle for Ternopil, Ukraine, 1944; Germany (1939--1945); Feldpost (field post)

Creators:: Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 3: RG-59.04.03, Anton Karl, official letter notifying Margarete Karl of husband's death, 28 March 1944

A letter posted on March 28, 1944 from Commander Lieutenant General Beuttel of the Wehrmacht informing Margarete Karl that her husband Anton Karl has died in battle on February 21, 1944. He died in the Soviet-German battle of Ternopil, where his funeral was held. The letter explains that her husband died an honorable death and that his funeral was filled with emotions. The letter also includes the eulogy given at the funeral. Attached is a handwritten letter of response sent from Margarete and Erich (Anton’s son) Karl.

Subject/Index Terms:: Mayor Lentz; Munich (Germany); Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; Captain (Hauptmann) Anton Karl, fallen in action near Ternopil, 21 February 1944, Ukraine; Fallen soldiers, German, Captain (Hauptam) Anton Karl; German military campaign in Ukraine, Anton Karl; German military operations in the Ternopil region, Anton Karl; German military operations in Western Ukraine, Anton Karl; Military service in Nazi-German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1944, Anton Karl; Nazi-German military campaign in the Eastern Front, 1941 -- 1944, Anton Karl; Nazi-German military campaign in the Second World War, Anton Karl; Official correspondence with regard to Anton Karl; Fallen soldiers, German; Soldiers, German; German Armed Forces, Wehrmacht; Documents in German language; German, language; Narratives in German language; official correspondence; Official correspondence, German; Battle for Ternopil (Tarnopol), Western Ukraine, 1944, Anton Karl; Soviet-German battle for Ternopil, Ukraine, 1944; Germany (1939--1945); Erich Karl, son of Anton Karl; Commander Lieutenant General Beuttel

Creators:: Commander Lieutenant General Beuttel; Wehrmacht (German Army) (1939--1945); Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Erich Karl; Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 4: RG-59.04.04, Anton Karl, Death Notice to wife Margarete Karl, 18 May 1944

Anton Karl’s death notice given to Margarete Karl on May 18, 1944 in Munich, Germany. The notice was sent from the Wehrbezirkskommando (Military District Command) of the Wehrmacht to his wife explaining that Anton died on the field with honor.

Subject/Index Terms:: Wehrbezirkskommando (Nazi-German military district command), Munich; Munich (Germany); Germany (1939--1945); Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; German Armed Forces, Wehrmacht; Official Document; official correspondence; Official correspondence, German; Official correspondence with regard to Anton Karl; Military service in Nazi-German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1944, Anton Karl; Nazi-German military campaign in the Second World War, Anton Karl; Fallen soldiers, German, Captain (Hauptam) Anton Karl; Captain (Hauptmann) Anton Karl, fallen in action near Ternopil, 21 February 1944, Ukraine; Fallen soldiers, German; Death notices and obituaries; Hauptsturmführer (German Army Captain); Documents in German language; German, language; Narratives in German language

Creators:: Wehrbezirkskommando (Nazi-German military district command), Munich (1939-1945); Wehrmacht (German Army) (1939--1945); Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944); Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 5: RG-59.04.05, Anton Karl, Regensburg Cathedral postcard addressed to Erich Karl, 9 Sep 1952

A postcard of the Regensburg Cathedral in Germany dated September 9, 1952, from an unknown sender to Erich Karl, Anton Karl’s son.

Subject/Index Terms:: Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; Erich Karl, son of Anton Karl; Personal correspondence; postcards; Documents in German language; German, language; Narratives in German language; Regensburg (Germany); Regensburg Cathedral; cathedrals; cathedrals, Roman Catholic; Munich (Germany); Germany (1949--1990); photographs, churches and cathedrals, Germany; photographs, churches and cathedrals; postwar correspondence; postwar life in Europe; postwar Germany; Correspondence with friends and family members, postwar

Creators:: Erich Karl; Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 6: RG-59.04.06, Anton Karl, postcard of Brandenburg Gate sent to Margarete Karl, 29 Jan 1933, 29 January 1933

A postcard dated January 29, 1933 from Anton Karl to his wife Margarete saying that he has safely reached Munich and that he is sending this postcard as a keepsake. The postcard is a reminder of a day integral to the Nazi-German cause, the day Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Hindenburg, January 30, 1933. The postcard features an organized Nazi rally at the Brandenburg Gate with the date of Hitler’s ascension and small note reading “Germany, Germany above all!”, written in German. The postcard also features the Deutsches Reich stamp, featuring a portrait of Hitler, a small form of Nazi propaganda. It is clear that at this point, Anton Karl has joined the Nazi party and the Nazi cause.

Subject/Index Terms:: Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; Anton Karl, photo-documents; Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Nazi Party, membership, Anton Karl; Personal correspondence, Anton Karl; Fleischmann Family; postcards; Correspondence by postcards; Historic landmarks on postcards; Historic postcards, 20th century; illustration in Nazi-German text, postcard; Postcards, political images, German; Germany (1933 -- 1945); Government of Nazi Germany (1933-1945); Adolf Hitler, dictator and German Chancellor and President; German parliamentary elections of January 1933; Munich (Germany); Regensburg (Germany); Documents in German language; German, language; Narratives in German language; Personal correspondence; Brandenburg Gate, Berlin (Germany); Nazi Flag Bearing Procession; Nazi Gathering; Nazi party; Nazi Party, membership; Nazi Rally; Nazi rise to power; Reichspost; Reichspost, Deutsches Reich stamp; photo-document, German landmark; photo-document, German landmark, Brandenburg Gate; photo-document, Government of Nazi Germany (1933-1945); Machtergreifung, seizure of power by Nazi party in Germany, Jan 1933

Creators:: Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944); Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 7: RG-59.04.07, Anton Karl, postcard, view of Hohenfels, Germany, 1939-1945

A postcard of Hohenfels, Germany belonging to Anton Karl. This postcard was taken by the studio of Foto-Eltner, based in Regensburg, Germany. Anton Karl probably acquired the postcard while on tour with the Wehrmacht army during the Second World War. Many soldiers collected souvenirs as they traveled to Europe during various military campaigns.

Subject/Index Terms:: Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; Anton Karl, personal belongings; Anton Karl, photo-documents; Nazi-German military campaign in the Second World War, Anton Karl; Military service in Nazi-German Army, the Wehrmacht, 1939 -- 1944, Anton Karl; Hohenfels (Germany); Regensburg (Germany); postcards; Travel postcards, 20th century; Documents in German language; German, language; Souvenirs; souvenirs collected during military service; souvenirs collected during military service, Anton Karl; Foto-Eltner, Regensburg (Germany); Germany (1939--1945); Bavaria (Germany: Region)

Creators:: Foto-Eltner, Regensburg (Germany); Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944)

Document/Artifact of Item-Level 8: RG-59.04.08, Anton Karl, photograph of wife, Margarete Karl, 1933-1945

A photographic portrait of Margarete Karl, the wife of Wehrmacht army Captain Anton Karl. This photograph was taken at the Max Ketzler Foto-Atelier, or studio in Innsbruck, Austria most likely between 1933 and 1945, the years the Nazi party had government control in Germany and other parts of Europe. There is a short handwritten German message below her portrait, perhaps a message to her husband during his military service.

Subject/Index Terms:: Anton Karl, Captain (Hauptmann) of the German Army (Wehrmacht), 1902 -- 1944; Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Margarete Karl, photographs; Photographs, portrait, Margarete Karl; Anton Karl, personal belongings; Anton Karl, photo-documents; Anton Karl, photographs; Photographs; Photographs, family members; Photographs, portraits; Innsbruck (Austria); Austria (1933-1939); Austria (1939--1945); Germany (1933 -- 1945); Documents in German language; German, language; Max Ketzler Foto-Atelier, Innsbruck (Austria)

Creators:: Anton Karl, captain (Hauptmann) and battalion commander of German Army (Wehrmacht) (1902 -- 1944); Margarete Karl, wife of Anton Karl; Max Ketzler Foto-Atelier, Innsbruck (Austria)