Captain Ralph Kopansky papers
Consists of photographs of Captain Ralph Kopansky's experiences in the United States military during World War II, including at the liberation of the Ohrdruf concentration camp. Also includes photographs and documents related to Captain Kopansky's post-war life.
- Date
-
inclusive:
1943-1945
- Language
-
English
- Genre/Form
-
Photographs.
- Extent
-
3 folders
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Dr. Terry Kopansky
-
Record last modified: 2023-02-24 13:39:01
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn47107
Also in Ralph M. Kopansky collection
The collection consists of a camera, camera accessories, tobacco pipes, silk maps, an armband, documents, and photographs relating to the experiences of Ralph Kopansky in the United States Army before, during, and after World War II, including the liberation of Ohrdruf concentration camp, where he carried his Leica camera.
Date: 1943-1963
Barling’s briar wood straight billiard pipe used by American soldier and liberator
Object
Barling’s pre-transition, Ye Olde Wood pipe used by Captain Ralph M. Kopansky during his service as a US soldier in Europe from 1944 - 1945. This line of pipes was made to be among the best smoking instruments in the world and carved from the company’s signature, highest quality briar wood, which was sourced, harvested, and seasoned under the direct control of the Barling family. On September 22, 1941, Ralph, an Army reservist, enlisted for active duty. Following Japan’s December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. In 1943, he received intelligence training and was assigned to the XIII Corps as an Assistant Intelligence Officer. In 1944, Ralph’s Corps was deployed to Europe. The Corps trained in England, and fought in France, before advancing into Germany, in January 1945. On April 4, the XIII Corps was with the 4th Armored and the 89th Infantry Divisions when they liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp. During an inspection tour of the camp, Ralph was photographed viewing the charred remains of the prisoners. The photograph, 74589, is part of the Museum’s collection. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered.
Briar wood bent Dublin pipe used by American soldier and liberator
Object
Bent briar wood pipe used by Captain Ralph M. Kopansky during his service as a US soldier in Europe from 1944 - 1945. This pipe was designed with the comfort of the smoker in mind: carved from high quality briar wood, the best material for pipes, and utilizing a bent stem design that allows it to hang comfortably from the mouth for hands free smoking. On September 22, 1941, Ralph, an Army reservist, enlisted for active duty. Following Japan’s December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. In 1943, he received intelligence training and was assigned to the XIII Corps as an Assistant Intelligence Officer. In 1944, Ralph’s Corps was deployed to Europe. The Corps trained in England, and fought in France, before advancing into Germany, in January 1945. On April 4, the XIII Corps was with the 4th Armored and the 89th Infantry Divisions when they liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp. During an inspection tour of the camp, Ralph was photographed viewing the charred remains of the prisoners. The photograph, 74589, is part of the Museum’s collection. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered.
Silk escape map of France owned by a US soldier
Object
British topographical silk escape map of France acquired by Captain Ralph M. Kopansky during his service as a US soldier in Europe from 1944 - 1945. Britain’s Military Intelligence Section, MI9, ran an escape and evasion program that issued this type of map to help soldiers find their way to safety if caught behind enemy lines. Silk maps were used because they were durable, made no noise, and were easy to conceal when carried by a soldier or smuggled into a prisoner of war camp in a board game or record. On September 22, 1941, Ralph, an Army reservist, enlisted for active duty. Following Japan’s December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. In 1943, he received intelligence training and was assigned to the XIII Corps as an Assistant Intelligence Officer. In 1944, Ralph’s Corps was deployed to Europe. The Corps trained in England, and fought in France, before advancing into Germany, in January 1945. On April 4, the XIII Corps was with the 4th Armored and the 89th Infantry Divisions when they liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp. During an inspection tour of the camp, Ralph was photographed viewing the charred remains of the prisoners. The photograph, 74589, is part of the Museum’s collection. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered.
Two-sided silk escape map of Western Europe owned by US soldier and liberator
Object
British, 43 Series topographical silk escape map of Western Europe acquired by Captain Ralph M. Kopansky during his service as a US soldier in Europe from 1944 - 1945. Britain’s Military Intelligence Section, MI9, ran an escape and evasion program that issued this type of map to help soldiers find their way to safety if caught behind enemy lines. Silk maps were used because they were durable, made no noise, and were easy to conceal when carried by a soldier or smuggled into a prisoner of war camp in a board game or record. On September 22, 1941, Ralph, an Army reservist, enlisted for active duty. Following Japan’s December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. In 1943, he received intelligence training and was assigned to the XIII Corps as an Assistant Intelligence Officer. In 1944, Ralph’s Corps was deployed to Europe. The Corps trained in England, and fought in France, before advancing into Germany, in January 1945. On April 4, the XIII Corps was with the 4th Armored and the 89th Infantry Divisions when they liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp. During an inspection tour of the camp, Ralph was photographed viewing the charred remains of the prisoners. The photograph, 74589, is part of the Museum’s collection. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered.
Red armband with swastika acquired by American soldier and liberator
Object
Nazi swastika armband acquired by Captain Ralph M. Kopansky during his service as a US soldier in Europe from 1944 - 1945. On September 22, 1941, Ralph, an Army reservist, enlisted for active duty. Following Japan’s December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. In 1943, he received intelligence training and was assigned to the XIII Corps as an Assistant Intelligence Officer. In 1944, Ralph’s Corps was deployed to Europe. The Corps trained in England, and fought in France, before advancing into Germany, in January 1945. On April 4, the XIII Corps was with the 4th Armored and the 89th Infantry Divisions when they liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp. During an inspection tour of the camp, Ralph was photographed viewing the charred remains of the prisoners. The photograph, 74589, is part of the Museum’s collection. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered.
Leica Standard model E camera used by US soldier and liberator
Object
Leica Standard model E camera used by Captain Ralph M. Kopansky during his service as a US soldier in Europe from 1944 – 1945. This rollfilm camera was designed as a basic, but high quality model upgrade from the earlier, very popular Leica I. On September 22, 1941, Ralph, an Army reservist, enlisted for active duty. Following Japan’s December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States entered World War II. In 1943, he received intelligence training and was assigned to the XIII Corps as an Assistant Intelligence Officer. In 1944, Ralph’s Corps was deployed to Europe. The Corps trained in England, and fought in France, before advancing into Germany, in January 1945. On April 4, the XIII Corps was with the 4th Armored and the 89th Infantry Divisions when they liberated Ohrdruf concentration camp. During an inspection tour of the camp, Ralph was photographed viewing the charred remains of the prisoners, a camera, likely this Leica, around his neck. The photograph, 74589, is part of the Museum’s collection. On May 7, 1945, Germany surrendered.
