Lot 408

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Description:


Fine and extensive grouping of items from American Pfc. Chester Bowles, captured by German forces in North Africa in February, 1943. Included is: signed postcard photo of Bowles; Bowles's Sept. 23, 1941 Notice of Selection and two postcards classing him 1-A and ordering to report for a physical; telegram announcing his safe arrival in North Africa; a Mar. 9, 1943 War Dept. telegram advising that Bowles is missing in action; a May 4, 1943 telegram advising that Bowles is a 'prisoner of war of the German Government'; a benevolent German Red Cross radio transmission from Bowles: '…ARRIVED SAFE AND SOUND IN GERMANY…' with July 13 and June 30 Red Cross and War Department letters discussing the intercept; a June 30, 1943 intercept of a A.L.S. on official letterhead from an I.R.S. official (family friend) advising Bowles' family that determining the whereabouts of prisoners 'takes a long, long time'; a War Dept. letter returning a parcel to Bowles' mother and submitting a detailed list of the items allowed to be sent to P.O.W.s; Bowles' first notice of his liberation to his family, an Apr. 26, 1945 form filled out by him advising that he is 'safe in France'; a June 8, 1945 telegram advising that Bowles has 'been returned to military control'; ten other telegrams and letters from Bowles, pre-capture; nine candid and portrait photos in uniform; an Algerian bank note, and buttons from his trench coat or field jacket. Of special interest is a poignant July 16, 1946 letter sent to Bowles by the mother of T/Sgt. Laurence Reitz, radioman of the B-24 'Damfino' shot down over Ploesti and believed by the mother to be held at Stalag IIIB and then in Russia. Reitz's mother pens a desperate letter seeking news about her son, and includes a portrait photo with biographical and military details, a second candid photo in uniform; and various newspaper clippings. In actuality, 'Damfino' was shot down by enemy fighters, lost near the target with the entire crew of ten KIA. A fascinating archive.

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October 28, 2020 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000