Karl Baur Papers

This collection contains correspondence, newspaper clippings, military records, identification cards, photographs, maps, and three-dimensional materials that were either created and/or collected by Karl Baur during his life, and career at Messerschmitt. The Karl Baur Papers are housed in sixteen boxes of various sizes, totaling 15.5 linear ft.

The collection arrived in good condition and well organized. The collection was reprocessed to conform to the new content management system. The archivist identified six series, with the first series being the Personal Life Series, which is further organized into four subseries: 1. Personal Documentation, 2. United States Intelligence Background, 3. Identification Documents, and 4. Arrival in the United States.

Subseries 1. consists of Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Stuttgart, certificates from German glider schools, blueprints and engineering calculations for creation of D-Fledermaus, medical certification for a pilot's license, and university notebooks from classes in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, mathematics, and jet engines.

Subseries 2. contains letter requesting Karl Baur's background check information, copies of the background checks done by U.S. Army Intelligence during 1953-55, and the Chief of Naval Intelligence 1946-1948, correspondence between Baur and various military personnel regarding per diem payment 1945-1946, per diem expense filings, travel orders as per Operation Paperclip, physical, and personnel records.

Subseries 3. includes of certificates from glider school, pilot licenses from German flying clubs, letter, telegram, and certificate related to awarding of German Crosses 1st and 2nd class, identification documents from Germany, including Deutsches Reich, the United States, and school-related grade reports.

Subseries 4. comprises a D-Fledermaus barogram, calendar with notes, papers related to immigration and early stay in the United States.

The second series is the Pre-World War II Employment Series, which is organized in three subseries: 1. Log Books, 2. Notebook, and 3. Japan Trip.

Subseries 1. consists of five pilot logbooks, some of which cover Baur’s test flights for the Messerschmitt Company during World War II.

Subseries 2. includes a hand-written notebook on test flights.

Subseries 3. is made up of newspaper clippings, schedule, and diary of his Japan trip.

The third series is the Messerschmitt Series, which is further organized in four subseries: 1. Newspaper Clippings, 2. Maps, 3. World War II Plane Photographs, and 4. Directories.

Subseries 1. consists of clippings describing glider developments, competitions, air shows participated in or seen by Baur.

Subseries 2. contains flight maps of Germany, West Europe, Le Havre, and Ostasien/East Asia.

Subseries 3. consists of cigarette card photo prints of Messerschmitt aircraft, and personnel in North Africa operating and maintaining aircraft.

Subseries 4. contains directories Jahrbuch der Luftfahrt 1952-1953 and receipt for bill of sale, Taschenbuch für die Luftfahrt-Press 1961 with business card of Peter Raabe, as well as Fédération Aéronautique Internationale Code General Sportif Ausgabe 1950.

The fourth series is the Publications Series, which is further organized in four subseries: 1. Personal Photographs, 2. Japan Photos, 3. Messerschmitt Flight Reports, and 4. Watson's Whizzers.

Subseries 1. consists of personal photographs from flying club events, air shows, Fledermaus, Klemm 25, Hanna Reitsch, group photo, and engineering classroom photo.

Subseries 2. consists of photos from the 1935 trip, Mt. Asama, students in Japan, Japanese Embassy in Berlin.

Subseries 3. contains photos from his time with Messerschmitt picturing planes (ME 109, ME 109D, ME 163A, ME 163B, ME 210 V1, ME 261,ME 261 V, ME 261 V3, ME 262, ME 262 B2A, ME 262 V, ME 264 VI, ME 309, and ME 321), people (Karl Baur, Willy Messerschmitt, Hermann Graf, Fritz Wendel, Adolf Galland, Lukas Schmid, Hanna Reistch, Alexander Lippisch, Heini Dittmar, Hermann Göring, Hans-Joachim Marseille, and Tesch), photocopies of blue print drawings for Bf 109, ME 163, ME 264, ME 309. Flight reports are included for sheet metals testing, alterations in configuration of aircraft, and test flights.

Subseries 4. photos of Watson's Whizzers who were brought to the U.S. by Air Technical Intelligence Colonel Harold E. Watson to be debriefed on the Luftwaffe's capabilities and plans. Includes: Karl Baur, other World War II Pilots, and Harold E. Watson. Drawing of Baur while a POW at Chateau du Grand Chemay (and of the Chateau), and aerial photo of Wright Field in Ohio, circa 1945 from a magazine.

The fifth series is the Music series consisting of 78 RPM shellac records made by popular recording artists of the 1930s through the 1950s, including Lucien Boyer, Mirita Casamiro, Jean Vaissade, Lys Gauty, Michay Jary, Eva Busch, W. Kleine, Rosita Serrano, Willy Berking, Xavier Cugat, Emile Carrara, King Cole Trio, Bill Gale, Morton Downey, Georges Boulanger, Mitch Miller, Deprince, Zuidzee Trio, and Mandarin and Japanese artists.

The sixth series the Memorabilia series consisting of: three Messerschmitt models meant to be part of a desktop display, Deutschlandflug plaques from Breslau in 1935 and Reisa in 1937, city of Gmünd air show plaque. A collection of pins and medallions commemorating various Deutschlandflug events, the 1936 XI. Berlin Olympiade, "Aero-Club Von Deutschland," Wettbewerb-Rhon-Segelflug-1934; two Nazi Maltese Crosses; a slide rule, wristwatches, pocket knife, parachute knife, German military uniform decorations, winter flying jacket, pants, boots, and dress boots.