Art Preservation

Art preservation was a relatively new idea in the 1940s. Not many people knew what it was or why it was important. However, as the war began to unfold in Africa, Italy, and France, soldiers and military leaders began to recognize the damage being done to ancient landmarks. This led to the formation of a group of soldiers whose sole purpose was the preservation, protection, and discovery of art and monuments.

Europe is full of priceless works of art. During the war, Hitler had his soldiers steal a great number of these works. The works were then hidden in hopes of one day using them in a cultural center in Austria. The Monuments Men found a great many of these works, working to keep them safe as they are moved. If not for these men, the great arts would have been lost or damaged. For this reason...