Preparing the return of the Eric Wasmann scientific insect collection stolen from Holland by the Nazis in 1945, German c...

Preparing the return of the Eric Wasmann scientific insect collection stolen from Holland by the Nazis in 1945, German civilians pack the precious containers for the long truck trip back to Maastricht, Holland the collection's record and catalogues are checked by Major John W. Bailey (background) with the Institute's director, Dr. Hans Bisschof. Master Caption. In 1943 the Nazis stole Holland's famous Erich Wasmann scientific insect collection and ento; ological library. After an intensive earch by Major John W. Bailey of the Education Branch of Information and Education Div., commanded by Brig.Gen.P.Thompson, which led through museums of Bremen, Hamburg, Kiel, Munich, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Frankfurt, Wurzburg, Heidelberg and Darmstadt, the collection was finally located in the dust-filled lightless catacombs of the University of Agriculture in Berlin. Located in the Russian zone, the packing and loading was expedited by Russian scientists and quickly turned over to its rightful owners.