William R. Auld papers

Collection — Box: 00.0646 - Box 1

Identifier: 00.0646

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The William R. Auld papers include over 800 photographs taken by Major William R. Auld who served with the 31st Photo Reconnaissance Squadron of the Ninth Army Air Force following General George S. Patton throughout the United States, England, France, and Germany. The William R. Auld papers also include various sketches done by one of his comrades, a promotion notice, and two poems.

Dates

created: 1943-1945
Other: Date acquired: 07/12/2000

Creator

Auld, William R., 1914-1969 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to all researchers.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to quote, publish, broadcast or otherwise reproduce from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Associate Dean for Special Collections & Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Florida State University Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Biographical or Historical Information

Major William R. Auld was born on October 5, 1914, and lived in Flint, Michigan as an inspector for the Buick Motor Car Company. Auld enlisted in June 1941 and attended Officer Candidate School in Miami Beach, Florida. He trained in Paris, Texas; Patterson Field in Colorado Springs, and WIll Rogers Field in Oklahoma. Auld was sent overseas in March of 1944 to England, France and, Germany with the 31st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron of the Ninth Air Force.

Prior to D-Day, Auld surveyed the invasion sites, along with other members of the XIX Tactical Air Command. While in Germany, Auld visited concentration camp sites and kept the photographs that were collected to be put on display depicting the atrocities that occurred. Auld's photographs illustrate what military life was like for the Ninth Air Force when they were working, relaxing, visiting other countries, meeting civilians, and other various activities during World War II. Auld also collected photographic evidence of atrocities that occurred at concentration camps in Germany that were put on display for American soldiers to witness. After the war, Auld returned to his wife Meta Bond in Illinois. Auld passed away on September 9, 1969.