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World War II, or the Second World War was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all of the great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. The war involved the mobilization of over 100 million military personnel, making it the most widespread war in history. The start of the war is generally held to be September 1, 1939, with the German invasion of Poland and subsequent declarations of war on Germany by most of the countries in the British Empire and by France, and ending in 1945 in a victory for the Allies.
Consists of selected correspondence, manuscripts, and other material related to World War II. There are six items (1940-1942) from German General Erwin Rommel's correspondence file, including letters to Rommel from the chief adjutant in Berlin, a letter from Adolf Hitler, a letter from the Supreme Commander of the Fourth Army, and a certificate to Rommel from the Prussian Mining Academy, dated June 23, 1942. There is a group of papers and press releases related to "Operation Crossroads" and the Atom Bomb Tests at Bikini Lagoon on July 25, 1946. Thre is also material related to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), some labeled "Restricted," and its director William J. Donovan; there are communiqués from Donovan to the members of his group, directives, executive orders, and remarks at the farewell gathering of the OSS employees. Also included are photographs of Donovan, a map of Paris, and a printed booklet titled "Overseas Orders," the handbook for OSS Armed Forces personnel going overseas.
The collection is open for research.
Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under
The collection was formed as a result of a departmental practice of combining into one collection manuscript material of various accessions relating to a particular author.
Material of Erwin Rommel: Gift of Goerge A. Vondermhll in
Material related to the Atomic Bomb: Gift of Allen Hartley on
Material of William J. Donovan and the OSS: Gift of Mrs. John Bennett on
No appraisal information is available.
Identification of specific item; World War II Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Folder inventory added by Nicholas Williams '2015 in 2012.
Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) was a German dictator and author.
AM 21638
AM 21877
AM 21877
AM 13388