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Connecticut Soldiers Collection, Carl Viggiani Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 2001-0089

Scope and Content

The collection includes a set of 17, possibly inspirational, broadsides issued as a series to Nazi officials, photographs of Dachau concentration camp (mostly of victims) and a brief fictionalized article about Viggiani's reaction to the photographs and his experiences at Dachau.

Dates

  • undated, 1938-1996

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

Biography

Carl Viggiani, Emeritus Professor of Romance Languages and Literature at Wesleyan University, was a member of a “Spearhead Military Government Team” attached to the 83rd Infantry Division during World War II. As the 83rd moved down toward the Elbe in April 1945, Viggiani's unit took over a Nazi official's home in Braunschweig for a night. The broadsides were found in the home. He identifies the photographs as follows:

“On or about 30 April 1945, his detachment was ordered to turn south and take over the Landkreis of Dachau, the site of the huge concentration camp which had just been liberated. Our Detachment was responsible initially for overall supervision of the camp; international groups soon took over that responsibility. In the meantime the men and officers of the Detachment became closely acquainted with the camp and some of its inmates. A group of inmates (I think calling themselves 'The Yugoslav Anti-Fascist Committee') photographed people and events in the camp when it was liberated and later, when things had quieted down. The packet of photographs is obviously incomplete.”

Viggiani left Dachau two months after its liberation and never returned, although the memories of what he saw there have remained with him, as demonstrated by the article published in the Haddam paper, also included in the collection.

Extent

0.15 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Carl Viggiani, Emeritus Professor of Romance Languages and Literature at Wesleyan University, was a member of a “Spearhead Military Government Team” attached to the 83rd Infantry Division during World War II.

Custodial History

The materials were donated to Archives and Special Collections in September 2001 by Dr. Viggiani.

Acquisition Information

The materials were donated to Archives & Special Collections in September 2001 by Dr. Viggiani.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to the experiences of Connecticut residents while in the military. For detailed information on these collections please contact the curator or ask at the Reading Room desk.

Title
Carl Viggiani Papers
Status
Published
Author
Archives & Special Collections staff
Date
2002 February
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library Repository

Contact:
University of Connecticut Library
405 Babbidge Road Unit 1205
Storrs Connecticut 06269-1205 USA US
860-486-2524