David Mark Olds World War II Collection
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
This collection contains photographs and documents relating to David Mark Olds' military service during World War II. The collection includes items related to the U.S. military (such as magazines, papers, and Olds' photographs) and the German military (such as propaganda and documents for German soldiers after the surrender).
Biographical note
David Mark Olds was born in New York, NY December 29, 1920. He served in the army from 1943 to 1946, first as a Radio Intelligence Officer (1st Lieutenant), then as a Radio Officer, Field (Captain).
As a Radio Intelligence Officer, Olds translated, decoded, and intercepted enemy traffic. He served in this capacity in England, France, and Germany.
As a Radio Officer, Field, Olds was responsible for all radio circuits and installations in Austria. Headquarters were located in Vienna.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three series.
Series I: Photographs, includes photographs from Olds' time in the military.
Series II: Documents, includes Olds' military papers, European souvenirs, and periodicals.
Series III: Nazi photographs and documents, includes Nazi propaganda and documents for German soldiers after the surrender.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains photographs, documents, and other materials related to World War II, both U.S. military and Nazi items.
The U.S. military items include Olds' photographs and documents as well as periodicals. The Nazi items Olds apparently acquired while deployed. These include Nazi propaganda as well as documents created for German soldiers after Germany's surrender (directions and a safe conduct pass). In addition, the collection contains non-military items from Europe including travel souvenirs and foreign currency.
Subjects
Access Restrictions
Materials in this collection may be stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff.
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282.
Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: https://www.nyhistory.org/about/rights-reproductions
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as: David Mark Olds World War II Collection, PR 287, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, The New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
Provenance
Donated to the New-York Historical Society by Sally Wendkos Olds in 2011.
About this Guide
Repository
Series I: Photographs
Arrangement note
Photographs have been arranged by country. Photographs with no location or an indecipherable location written on them can be found in the "Unknown location" folder.
Austria, undated
Scope and Content Note
Includes photographs from Vienna, Salzburg, the Brenner Pass, and other locations. Most photographs appear to be from Olds, except one 1916 photograph of "Members of the Radio Sub/Committee for Austria."
France, 1944, undated
Scope and Content Note
Includes photographs from Strasbourg, Reims, Camp Oklahoma City (near Reims), and other locations.
Germany, undated
Scope and Content Note
Contains photographs from Bavaria (including Munich, Berchtesgaden, and Rosenheim), and other locations. Includes photographs of German prisoners of war and U.S. soldiers sorting loot. Herrenchiemsee Palace is labeled as "King Ludwig's Palace/Castle."
Other European countries, 1944, undated
Scope and Content Note
Includes photographs from Belgium, England, Italy, and Switzerland. The Château de Chillon is located in Switzerland.
United States, 1943, undated
Scope and Content Note
Contains photographs from Fort Dix and Washington, D.C.
United States, 1943, 1947, undated
Scope and Content Note
Contains photographs from New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and possibly New York.
Unknown location, 1942, undated
Scope and Content Note
Includes photographs from various unknown locations, primarily of men in uniform or photographs of women (most signed).
Series II: Documents
Olds military papers, 1943, 1946, undated
Language of Materials
Scope and Content Note
Contains "Journal of the 3255 Signal Service Company in Europe 44/45," soldier orientation documents, military separation records, military course certificate, and presidential memorial certificate.
Letter from Olds to his family, published in Lines of Battle, Letters from American Servicement 1941-1945 (photocopy), 1945 July 12
U.S. Soldier's Handbook, 1941
Souvenirs, undated
Scope and Content Note
Includes postcards, a booklet about Berchtesgaden, and a handmade dictionary.
Money, 1920, 1923
Scope and Content Note
Contains German marks, German banknotes, and Czechoslovak koruna.
Periodicals, 1945-1978
Language of Materials
Scope and Content Note
Contains three issues ofYank magazine and a historical newspaper article about the Holocaust.
Photocopies of excerpts from a glossary, chapter, and map, undated
Language of Materials
Series III: Nazi photographs and documents
Documents for German soldiers after surrender, unknown
Scope and Contents
Contains directions for surrendering soldiers and a safe conduct pass.
Book by Heinrich Hoffmann, 1940
Scope and Content Note
Mit Hitler im Westen published in 1940.
Nazi propaganda and other documents, 1938-1943, undated
Language of Materials
Scope and Content Note
Includes miniature Hitler Propaganda booklets, miniature government-published song and folktale booklets, German army propaganda postcards, a Hitler postcard, and a map of troop movements.
Nazi documents, undated
Language of Materials
Scope and Content Note
Contains a blank certificate with the printed signature of Heinrich Himmler and a map of troop movements.