Overview
- Brief Narrative
- Large, liquid filled, model AK 39 German wrist compass found by David F. Busch, a US soldier fighting in Germany during World War II. It was manufactured by Kadlec and designed to be worn on Luftwaffe pilot or crewman’s right wrist. An additional strap allows the compass to be secured over the sleeve of a flight suit or on to a rescue vest. In June 1943, David was drafted into the US Army and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division. In October 1943, he was deployed and fought in Central Europe and Germany. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered.
- Date
-
manufacture:
1939
- Geography
-
found:
Germany
manufacture: Prague (Czech Republic)
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Tara Barenok
- Markings
- overall : face, center, printed in a circle : KADLEC-INSTRUMENTENFABRIK-PRAG [Kadlec Instrument Factory Prague]
overall : bottom, engraved : Armbandkompaß / Bauart: kadlec. / Baumuster: AK 39. / Werk Nr.: 10140564 / Anforderz.: FI 23235 [wrist compass / design type: Kadlec / model: AK 39 / plant number: 10140564 / requisition number: flying 23235 - Contributor
-
Subject:
David F. Busch
Manufacturer: Kadlec
- Biography
-
David F. Busch was born on May 25, 1910, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the third of three children born to John and Margaret Busch. His parents were both born in Germany and married in 1901. John worked as a metal temperer at a factory. When David was young, his father, John, died. In the late 1920s, David completed high school and became a deliveryman. Soon after the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. On June 18, 1943, David was drafted into the US Army and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division. In October, he was deployed to the European Theater of Operations, where he fought in Central Europe and Germany. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered. Following his discharge from the military, David returned to Ohio. David, 69, died on October 6, 1979, in Cleveland.
Physical Details
- Language
- German
- Classification
-
Tools and Equipment
- Category
-
Measuring instruments
- Object Type
-
Compasses (direction indicators) (aat)
- Physical Description
- Large, liquid-filled, wrist compass with a 2 part, circular housing: the upper half is a clear, rotating, plastic bezel with a smooth center and ridged sides and the lower half is black painted metal. On the interior, floating in kerosene, is a flat, black painted metal disc, or compass card, with painted, offwhite Arabic numerals, 3 to 33, and lines for degrees, 30 to 330. A red N replaces the 0/36/360 position. Cardinal directions are indicated by a dot of radioluminescent paint above the N and numbers 9, 18, and 27. A radioluminescent painted arrow points at the N. A small, red painted circle is engraved on top of the bezel, above a radioluminescent lubber line across the underside. There are 2 metal brackets attached to protruding lugs on the top and bottom of the lower housing. It has 3 attached black leather straps: 2 loop around the brackets, one (6.250”) with 10 punched holes, the other (2.875”) with a buckle, and the third (6.125”) is 4 hole extension buckled to the longer strap.
- Dimensions
- overall: Height: 3.375 inches (8.573 cm) | Width: 2.500 inches (6.35 cm) | Depth: 1.000 inches (2.54 cm) | Diameter: 2.500 inches (6.35 cm)
- Materials
- overall : plastic, metal, leather, kerosene, paint, radium paint, thread
Rights & Restrictions
- Conditions on Access
- No restrictions on access
- Conditions on Use
- No restrictions on use
Keywords & Subjects
Administrative Notes
- Legal Status
- Permanent Collection
- Provenance
- The compass was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2014 by Tara Barenok, the great-niece of David F. Busch.
- Funding Note
- The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
- Record last modified:
- 2023-06-13 16:18:27
- This page:
- https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn157317
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Also in David F. Busch collection
The collection consists of artifacts, including United States and German military clothing, equipment, and insignia, scrip, currency, pins, correspondence, documents, and publications relating to the experiences of David F. Busch in the US Army in Europe during World War II.
Date: approximately 1939-approximately 1945
Administrative badge, Kriegsmarine.
Object
The badge was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Book
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German propaganda leaflet
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Czechoslovakian flag
Object
The flag, possibly from the liberation of Plzen, was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Luftwaffe insignia from sports shirt
Object
The insignia was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Belgium, ten centime coin
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Book
Object
French language guide, in English, acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe. The guide was published by the U.S. Government Printing Office.
German Iron Cross ribbon with pin acquired by an American soldier
Object
Ribbon for Iron Cross with pin acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe. The object originally attached to the pin is missing; only the mount remains.
German identification tag with cord
Object
Identification tag retrieved by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Pamphlet
Object
Pamphlet retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.Front page detached. Date unknown. English language.
Christmas card, 8th Infantry division, 1944
Object
The card was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Leaflet
Object
The leaflet was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Poem and accompanying envelope
Object
The poem, torn from a larger page in a publication, was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII. Also includes a blank envelope.
Instructions for Allied Prisoners of War and Displaced Persons
Object
The leaflet, in English, French, German and Czech, was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Safe conduct pass
Object
The safe conduct pass, in English and German, was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Hitler youth award for proficiency
Object
The award was retrieved by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Bernhard Ramcke clipping
Document
Contains a clipping of a photograph of Bernhard Ramcke, and the envelope in which it was contained, which were retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Photograph of a man, Plzen
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Luftwaffe trade badge with cord
Object
The Direction Finder Operator badge with cord from Schirmmutze was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Chain
Object
The chain was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Nazi Party pin for Labor Day 1935 found by David F. Busch
Object
Nazi Party Labor Day (Tag der Arbeit) 1935 pin acquired by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII (1939-1945). Labor Day (also known as May Day) takes place on May 1 to celebrate laborers and the working classes. In April 1933, after the Nazi party took control of the German government, May 1 was appropriated as the “Day of National Work,” with all celebrations organized by the government. On May 2, the Nazi party banned all independent trade-unions, bringing them under state control of the German Labor Front. This style of mass-produced, die-struck metal pin is often referred to colloquially as a tinnie.
Commemorative medallion
Object
The commemorative medallion was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Leipzig-Dresden railway, April 24, 1937.
May Day pin
Object
The pin was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
May Day pin
Object
The pin was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
National Party Day pin
Object
The pin was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Stickpin with a painted glass heart acquired by a US soldier
Object
Stickpin with a painted heart retrieved by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during World War II.
Box containing German chocolate for the Wehrmacht
Object
The chocolate box was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Czech paper Flag
Object
The flag was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII. The flag is possibly from the liberation of Plzen in 1945.
Camillus TL-29 Signal Corps pocket knife
Object
The pocket knife was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII. Camillus pocket knife, TL-29 Signal Corps knife. US.
Solingen pocket knife
Object
The knife was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII. The knife is a German Sollingen pocket knife.
German rank insignia, Obergefreiter
Object
The insignia was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII. Insignia is Kriegsmarine, likely coastal artillery.
German rank insignia
Object
The insignia was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German eagle emblem, Kriegsmarine
Object
The emblem was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Luftwaffe trade badge, Direction Finder Operator
Object
The badge was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Fork with Luftwaffe eagle
Object
Fork acquired by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Nazi Party pin for Labor Day 1934 found by David F. Busch
Object
Nazi Party Labor Day (Tag der Arbeit) 1934 pin retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during World War II (1939-1945). Labor Day (also known as May Day) takes place on May 1 to celebrate laborers and the working classes. In April 1933, after the Nazi party took control of the German government, May 1 was appropriated as the “Day of National Work,” with all celebrations organized by the government. On May 2, the Nazi party banned all independent trade-unions, bringing them under state control of the German Labor Front. This style of mass-produced, die stamped pin is often referred to colloquially as a tinnie.
Schirmmutze eagle badge, Wehrmacht
Object
The badge was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Schirmmutze cockade, Luftwaffe acquired by a US soldier
Object
Luftwaffe cockade, a hat ornament signifying rank or affiliation, acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Hitler Youth badge acquired by an American soldier
Object
Hitler Youth badge with swastika retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII. Worn for placing in sports competitions.
Luftwaffe gull wing rank pin
Object
The pin was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Green pendant
Object
The pendant, probably glass, was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Slide rule with case
Object
The ruler and case were retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Slide rule with case
Object
The ruler and case were retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Mechanical pencil acquired by a US soldier
Object
Mechanical pencil acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Mechanical pencil acquired by a US soldier
Object
Mechanical pencil acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Emblem from Luftwaffe belt buckle
Object
The belt buckle emblem was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
1937 May Day pin with the Nazi eagle insignia acquired by a US soldier
Object
May Day pin dated 1937 retrieved by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during World War II.
1938 May Day pin acquired by a US soldier
Object
May Day pin retrieved by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during World War II.
WWI Touring Club of France fundraising medal
Object
Medal with ribbon fragment acquired by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII. The medal, from the Touring Club of France, was sold during World War I to raise funds for the war effort.
Schirmmutze cockade, Luftwaffe
Object
Luftwaffe cockade, a hat ornament signifying rank or affiliation, acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German Wehrmacht belt buckle
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German belt buckle
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German belt buckle
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German Wehrmacht belt buckle
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German Wehrmacht belt buckle
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German mess kit folding fork and spoon
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German mess kit folding fork and spoon
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Dark gray shoulder board with gold piping acquired by US soldier
Object
German military shoulder board acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Olive shoulder board with gold piping acquired by US soldier
Object
German shoulder board acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Dark gray shoulder board with gold piping acquired by US soldier
Object
German shoulder board acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Wehrmacht medic shoulder board with navy piping acquired by US soldier
Object
Wehrmacht medic epaulet acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Olive shoulder board with gold crossed swords acquired by US soldier
Object
Shoulder board acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Glass piece depicting the Holsten gate in Lubeck
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Kriegsmarine uniform button
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Kriegsmarine uniform button
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Uniform button
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
American uniform button
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German signal whistle
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
German signal whistle
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
US Army signal whistle
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Luftwaffe eagle emblem
Object
The emblem was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Packaging from Pilsner Urquelle beer bottle opener, Pilsen, Czechoslovakia
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Booklet
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Psychological warfare leaflet in German
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Psychological warfare leaflet in German
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Postcard of Plzen
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Postcard of Plzen
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Postcard of Tremosna u Plzne (Plzen)
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Postcard of Plzen
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Postcard with multiple images of Plzen
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Postcard of the State Theater of Plzen
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Postcard of the Pilsner Brewery in Plzen
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Postcard of the Pilsner Brewery in Plzen
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Fifty Kronen scrip
Object
The bank note was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
1000 Kronen scrip
Object
The piece of scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Twenty Kronen scrip
Object
The piece of scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Twenty Kronen scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Twenty Kronen scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French five francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Belgian ten francs scrip
Object
The bank note was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Belgian ten francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Belgian ten francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German one mark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Belgian five francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Ukrainian Five Karbowanez scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German One Rentenmark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German One Rentenmark scrip
Object
The bank note was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German One Rentenmark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French two Francs scrip
Object
The bank note was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French two Francs scrip
Object
The bank note was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French two Francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French two Francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French two Francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French five francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French five francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French five francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
French five francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German one mark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German one mark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German one mark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German one mark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German one mark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German one mark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German one mark scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
ten kronen scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
ten kronen scrip
Object
The scrip was retrieved by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Belgian five francs scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
ten kronen scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
ten kronen scrip
Object
The scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
ten kronen scrip
Object
The piece of scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German ten Reichsmark Reischsbanknote
Object
The bank note was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German five Reichsmark Reichsbanknote
Object
The bank note was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
ten kronen scrip
Object
The piece of scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Czech twenty kronen scrip
Object
The piece of scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
ten kronen scrip
Object
The piece of scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
German 50000 mark scrip
Object
The piece of scrip was retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Map, "Germany the Beautiful Travel Country"
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Map of Leipzig and surrounding area
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Map of Western Germany, in French.
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Deutsches Reich postage stamps
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Deutsches Reich postage stamps
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Deutsches Reich postage stamp
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Deutsches Reich postage stamp
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Deutsches Reich postage stamp
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Deutsches Reich postage stamp
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
United States four cent postage stamp
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Booklet
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
Schlosshotel Kassel page
Document
Page torn from book featuring the Schlosshotel in Kassel. In German. Date unknown. Artifact retreived by PFC David F. Busch (donor's great uncle), an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Deustches Reich postage stamps
Object
The stamps were retreived by PFC David F. Busch, an American soldier who was stationed in Europe during WWII.
Deutsche Feldpost stamps
Object
Acquired by PFC David F. Busch, while serving as a soldier in the United States Army in Europe.
