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Fred H. Taeger papers, 1943-1946, Date acquired: 08/21/2007

 

Summary

Creator:
Taeger, Fred H.
Extent:
1.5 Linear Feet 2 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Fred H. Taeger papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_07_0103.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection relates to Fred H. Taeger who entered active service in the US Army on March 10, 1943. Taeger was stationed at Camp Forrest, TN where he worked as a German interpreter with the intelligence section of the prisoner of war (POW) area and directed interrogations of the German POWs. During this time, Taeger collected 65 drawings and paintings completed by German POWs. In addition to the artwork, the collection includes personal photographs and Taeger's discharge papers.

Biographical / historical:

Fred H. Taeger was born on December 18, 1920, in Magdeburg, Germany. He emigrated to the United States through Canada in 1924. Taeger entered active service on March 10, 1943, as a German interpreter for POWs at Camp Forrest in Tennessee. Camp Forrest became a prisoner of war camp on May 12, 1942, and at the time of Taeger entering active service, Camp Forrest housed about 24,000 prisoners of war, most of which were German and Japanese. Over three years, Taeger collected 65 drawings and paintings from German POWs, though it is unknown if they were gifted or confiscated. The 65 drawings and paintings are of POWs, landscapes, interior and exterior shots of buildings, and drawings of signpost designs and food and drink logos. in 1945, the government installed an Intellectual Diversion Program into Camp Forrest to teach POWs about American life, with several of drawings represent. Taeger was honorably discharged on April 13, 1946, in McPherson, GA, the same year that Camp Forrest was declared surplus property due to the end of the war.

Acquisition information:

Fred T. Davis

Donation

Custodial history:

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open to all researchers.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Title of Item], [Date of Item], [Box and Folder number], Fred H. Taeger papers, Special Collections & Archives, Florida State University Libraries, Tallahassee, Florida. http://purl.fcla.edu/fsu/WWII_07_0103.

Location of this collection:
116 Honors Way
Tallahassee
FL
32306-2047
USA