Warehouses in South Tyrol Overflowing with Supplies on May 19, 1945
In the immediate aftermath of World War II, the South Tyrol and Pustertal regions, located in northern Italy near the Alps, became sites of significant discovery. These areas, which saw the retreat or surrender of various German military units, including Waffen-SS divisions, were found to be rich in war booty.
During this chaotic post-war period, it was common for war booty to include captured military equipment, weapons, and valuables taken or left behind by retreating forces or during the fighting. Such spoils often held both practical value (arms, supplies) and symbolic significance, representing the tangible remnants of conflict and influencing post-war military and civilian control in these areas.
The South Tyrol and Pustertal regions' mountainous terrain and strategic location made them a significant point of retreat and surrender for German units such as the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen," which surrendered north of Kufstein near this region in May 1945.
In the Pustertal, large quantities of gasoline, oil, automobile and tank parts, and radio equipment were discovered in 25 supply depots. This discovery, along with the numerous well-stocked warehouses found in South Tyrol post-war, underscores the vastness of the war booty in these regions.
A new finding, not mentioned in earlier bullet points, is the discovery of ammunition in the fortress of Franzensfeste. This ammunition was not among the items stolen from wholesale warehouses or discovered in cellars, caverns, and simple houses, nor was it among the luxury items, gold, art objects, furniture, jewelry, military materials, food, silk stockings, radios, or gasoline found in these locations.
The 339th Infantry Regiment of the 85th Division, 5th US Army, inspected the ammunition found in Franzensfeste. By the end of May, 80 truckloads of confiscated material were transported to Cornuda and Verona to the 5th US Army's warehouses from the Pustertal. However, the ammunition found in Franzensfeste was not among the confiscated material transported during this time.
The nature and significance of these discoveries lie in their military utility, economic impact, and historical record. Recovered weapons and equipment could equip local forces or resistance groups. Looted valuables and supplies could assist civilian populations struggling with wartime devastation. The presence of such booty can provide insights into military movements and engagements in the region.
For precise details on specific booty found and its post-war handling in South Tyrol and Pustertal, specialized historical texts or archival materials would need to be consulted.
The historical records of the South Tyrol and Pustertal regions echo with the echoes of war-and-conflicts, as they served as significant sites for military retreats and surrenders, especially for the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen." The discoveries of war booty in these regions, ranging from military equipment, ammunition, to valuables and luxury items, have profoundly shaped post-war politics, general-news, and the historical narrative.
