Wehrmacht M1936 belt and embossed buckle acquired by US soldier
Extent and Medium
a: Height: 36.625 inches (93.028 cm) | Width: 1.750 inches (4.445 cm) | Depth: 0.500 inches (1.27 cm)
b: Height: 1.875 inches (4.763 cm) | Width: 5.125 inches (13.018 cm) | Depth: 0.625 inches (1.588 cm)
Creator(s)
- Bernard B. Cohen (Subject)
- Julius Kremp (Manufacturer)
Biographical History
Bernard Baruch Cohen was born on June 22, 1920, in Philadelphia, PA, to Simon and Sarah Cohen. His Yiddish speaking parents had immigrated to the United States from Imperial Russia. Bernard was the second of four children. After completing high school, he worked in a restaurant, and then at Sam Gerson’s apparel shop. In 1941, he married Estelle Elias (1922-2008.). In December 1941, the United States entered World War II (1939-1945.) Bernard enlisted in the US Army, Warrant Officers Branch, on February 11, 1943, and entered active service on February 18, He served with the Third Army under General Patton in combat across Europe from late October 1944 - mid-July 1945. Bernard was honorably discharged from the military on November 1, 1945. He returned to Philadelphia. Bernard and Estelle had a son and a daughter. They owned and operated two maternity and baby shops, Dorebel's Maternity and Baby Shops in South Philadelphia and Mayfair. They were members of Adath Shalom synagogue and active in the wider Jewish community. Bernard, 63, passed away on August 23, 1983, in Philadelphia. In 1986, Estelle received the Israel Freedom Award from the State of Israel Women's Division. Estelle, 86, passed away on August 26, 2008.
Archival History
The belt and buckle were donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1985 by Estelle Cohen, the wife of Bernard B. Cohen.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Estelle Cohen
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
Wehrmacht [German Armed Forces] M1936 belt with concealed tongue and removable buckle brought back from the war by Bernard B. Cohen, a soldier with the United States Third Army as it fought its way across Europe from fall 1944- through the end of the war in May 1945.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
a. Well used, smooth brown leather belt with a worn black finish. One end is looped over a once gray painted bracket with a curved tab. The other rounded end has, sewn to its back, an approximately 8 inch long leather tongue with 2 parallel rows of 7 worn, punched holes. This double layer tongue construction was used so only the smooth outer edges would display, enhancing the appearance in uniform. b. Worn, rusted, rectangular, silver colored metal buckle, smooth with a domed center embossed with a right facing, Wehrmacht eagle with outspread wings clutching a mobile swastika in its talons. Surrounding the eagle is a twisted rope circle, then a ridged band with German text and a banded oak leaf garland, and then another twisted rope circle. Attached to the back right is a 2 pronged metal frame and a pivoting rod which attaches on the left side. Looped around the rod is a short, brown leather tongue with a worn black finish; the rounded ends are stitched together. To attach to the belt, the curved belt tab would catch on the buckle frame; the prongs would align with the belt tongue holes to adjust the size.
Corporate Bodies
- Germany. Wehrmacht
Subjects
- Souvenirs (Keepsakes)--Soldiers--United States.
- World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Western Front.
- World War, 1939-1945--Uniforms.
- Soldiers--United States.
- Jewish soldiers--United States.
Genre
- Object
- Uniforms
- Dress Accessories