Black canvas shoes given to a US soldier by a recently liberated inmate
Extent and Medium
a: Height: 2.875 inches (7.303 cm) | Width: 3.500 inches (8.89 cm) | Depth: 11.125 inches (28.258 cm)
b: Height: 2.875 inches (7.303 cm) | Width: 3.500 inches (8.89 cm) | Depth: 11.125 inches (28.258 cm)
Creator(s)
- Harvey J. Poppe (Subject)
Biographical History
Harvey John Frederick Poppe was born on January 30, 1924, in Chickasaw County, Iowa, to Hugo Henry Poppe and Minnie T. Lutzke. He attended high school and worked as a sales clerk. Harvey enlisted in the United States Army on May 11, 1943. He served with the 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, Company B. His unit arrived at the Dachau concentration camp in Dachau, Germany, on April 28, 1945. The camp was liberated on April 29, 1945. The unit helped distribute food and issued clean clothes. On May 1, 1945, prisoners able to work were given slipper shoes from a large warehouse stockpile which also stored a large pile of tin cups. One of the inmates gave Harvey a pair of the shoes. Harvey spent most of his time guarding street intersections and the camp gate. His unit left in mid to late May 1945. Harvey died on March 22, 2008, at age 84.
Archival History
The shoes were donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004 by Harvey J. Poppe.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Harvey J. Poppe
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
Pair of black canvas slip-on shoes given to Harvey J. Poppe, a US Army soldier, by an inmate at the recently liberated Dachau concentration camp. On May 1, 1945, former prisoners able to work were given slipper shoes from a large warehouse stockpile. One of the inmates gave a pair to Harvey. Harvey arrived in Dachau on April 28, 1945, with his unit, the 79th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, Company B. The camp was liberated the next day. The unit distributed food, clothes, and shoes. Harvey wore the pair given to him around his apartment in the former SS [Schutzstaffel] living quarters. The unit left at the end of May.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
a. Black canvas slipon shoe with a flat rope coil sole, tapered in the center, with a stitched cardboard insole. The upper section is double stitched with light brown thread across the center and along the back. There is a very frayed brown cloth tie on either side at the quarter. Signs of wear suggest this is the right shoe. The cloth upper has dirt smudges and the toe end of the sole is stained. b. Black canvas slipon shoe with a flat rope coil sole, tapered in the center, with a stitched cardboard insole. The upper section is double stitched with light brown thread across the center and along the back. There is frayed brown cloth tie on either side at the quarter. Signs of wear suggest this is the left shoe. The cloth upper has dirt smudges and the toe end of the sole is stained.
Corporate Bodies
- United States. Army. Infantry Division, 45th
- United States. Army. Army, 7th
- Dachau (Concentration camp)
Subjects
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.
- Soldiers--United States--Biography.
- World War, 1939-1945--Concentration camps--Liberation--Germany--Dachau.
Genre
- Object
- Dress Accessories