author George M. Taber: Patton & Nazi Gold

Monday April 20th 7:00 p.m.

Chasing Gold: The Incredible Story of How the Nazis Stole Europe’s Bullion describes the greatest robbery in world history. During World War II, the German Nazi government robbed more than 600 tons of European gold. That bullion was vitally important for financing the German army’s wars of conquest that started with the invasion of Austria in 1938. At that time, the gold was worth $600 million, but at today’s price for bullion it would be worth $22 billion. Nazi gold reserves were running out in 1940, when the Germans got their biggest haul during the invasion of Western Europe, seizing 205 tons from Belgium and 137 tons of Dutch gold. This financed the invasion of the Soviet Union a year later. In February 1945 with the war clearly coming to an end, Berlin officials sent two trainloads of gold and precious art works to a salt mine in Merkers, a village in central Germany. Two months later, U.S. troops stumbled upon that treasure.

Learn how General George Patton’s Third Army rescued the stolen gold when author George Taber comes to Crowell Public Library Monday, April 20th at 7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.