James Romberger papers

Consists of material related to James Romberger's experiences as a member of the United States Third Army and as a liberator of Buchenwald. Includes a wartime photograph of Mr. Romberger, a map of Paris issued to the occupied forces, a booklet of notable buildings in Brussels, a menu for a July 4, 1944 commemoration, a Christmas 1944 menu, a Christmas 1944 prayer card issued to the Third Army by General George Patton, the original and a transcript of a letter Romberger wrote describing his impressions of the Buchenwald concentration camp, and a letter written to his wife after the end of the war. Also includes photographic negatives which Romberger sent home in October 1944.

Deutsche Arbeitsfront fringed sash with swastika and cog wheel acquired by a US soldier

Object

Die Deutsche Arbeitsfront [German Labor Front] red fringed sash acquired by 23 year old James Romberger, an American soldier, in Germany in spring 1945. The sash would be displayed hanging vertically over a pole so that both topside ends were visible. After the government abolished trade unions in 1933, the DAF was the only trade union allowed in Nazi Germany. Romberger was a military policeman with the Third Army under General George S. Patton. He was deployed in Europe by July 1944 and fought with his unit through France and Germany. He participated in the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp on April 11, 1945.

Deutscher Volkssturm Wehrmacht armband with an Imperial eagle taken by a US soldier

Object

Deutscher Volkssturm Wehrmacht [German People’s Militia] brassard taken by 23 year old James Romberger, an American soldier, from a German officer in 1945. This militia was not part of the army, but was organized late in the war by the Nazi Party per Hitler's orders of September 25, 1944. It was composed of males who had been exempted from home guard and military service because of age or health. Romberger was a military policeman with the Third Army under General George S. Patton. He was deployed in Europe by July 1944 and fought with his unit through France and Germany. He participated in the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp on April 11, 1945.

US Third Army report poster for May 1945 received by a unit soldier

Object

Third Army Final Report poster received by 23 year old James Romberger, an American soldier, illustrating the combat location of the Corps and Divisions of the US Third Army in Germany in May 1945. Romberger was a military policeman with the Third Army under General George S. Patton. He was deployed in Europe by July 1944 and fought with his unit through France and Germany. He participated in the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp on April 11, 1945.