Pilsen Liberation Photographs collection

Pilsen liberation photographs consist of black-and-white photographs of the liberation of Pilsen (Plzeň), Czechoslovakia and the arrival of the United States Army to the city. Pilsen was liberated on May 6, 1945 by the 16th Armored Division of General Patton's 3rd Army as well as by elements of the 97th and 2nd Infantry Divisions supported by the Polish Holy Cross Mountains Brigade. Elements of the 3rd Army, as well as units from the 1st Army, remained in Plzeň until late November 1945. Images depict parades, memorials, Czech president Edvard Beneš, General George Patton, war damage, soldiers in uniform, and Czechoslovakians in traditional dress. The collection also includes two copies of a portrait of Oscar Lowy (1915-1992, donor’s father), who fought in the Czech brigade from Pilsen of the British Army, and a 1990 clipping describing a memorial event. In addition, the collection includes an empty box of Gevaert photography paper.