Skip to main content

William R. Auld papers

 Collection — Box: 00.0646 - Box 1
Identifier: 00.0646

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

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.

Extent

1 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

Transferred from the Institute on World War II and the Human Experience to FSU Libraries Special Collections & Archives in July 2022.

Source of Acquisition

Meta Bond

Method of Acquisition

Donated.

Title
William R. Auld papers
Author
Julianna Witt
Date
03/25/2018
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the FSU Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
116 Honors Way
PO Box 3062047
Tallahassee FL 32306-2047 US
850-644-3271