Description:

CAMP RITCHIE 'RITCHIE BOYS' C.S.U. PHOTOGRAPH AND DOCUMENT GROUPING
AMERICANS PORTRAY GERMAN AND JAPANESE SOLDIERS A historic grouping of period photographs and a descriptive report issued from the Military Intelligence Training Center (MITC) at Fort Ritchie, Maryland, famous for the training of American intelligence agents and many of whom would come to be known as the 'Ritchie Boys'. 19,600 intelligence troops, including the Ritchie Boys and most with high fluency in multiple European languages, were trained for frontline interrogation, battle-field intelligence, investigation, counter-intelligence, and related work. About 2,200 of them were Jewish refugees born in Germany and Austria, and some graduates were later involved in the Nuremberg trials as prosecutors and translators. This incredible archive concerns itself solely with the Composite School Unit (C.S.U.) comprised of several hundred soldiers, volunteers and actors employed to impersonate enemy troops, civilians and leaders. Captured equipment from the Axis armies were on hand, ranging from uniforms to weapons such as machine guns, artillery, and vehicles, all employed in combat simulations, and identification, and interrogation instruction. Mock up simulations and drills were also held to prepare students for their deployment in Europe or Japan, including enemy bunkers, trenches, AA emplacements, booby traps, armor, and much more. This archive includes 17pp. of original typed text explaining the purpose and organization of the C.S.U., the various platoons, etc. of German and Japanese troops portrayed by American soldiers and actors (all in uniform and with genuine weapons), planned demonstrations by these troops, and various suggested 'field problems'. In addition, there are 87 unique 8 x 10 in. photographs included. A few include a map of the camp, officers involved in the program, etc. but the vast majority are simply incredible images of American soldiers, actors, etc. mimicking Hitler and Goring at a rally (!), German troops in full uniform in the field with an 88 AA cannon and other artillery, employing machine guns, making river crossings by raft, advancing using horses, bicycles, trucks and armored vehicles, being taken prisoner and subjected to interrogation, and so on. Images of 'Japanese' soldiers show them in 'spider holes', well-camouflaged bunkers, making a suicide 'banzai' charge, and much more. All of these items are contained within a period three-ring binder with hand-painted cover bearing the title: 'What is the C.S.U.' along with kanji lettering, a German national eagle, helmets, etc. Generally fine condition. Incredible content.

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November 13, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, 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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000