The Monuments Men — Germany
Aachen — the first German city captured by Allied forces, October 1944. The Monuments Men assess damage to Charlemagne's cathedral.
Aachen Cathedral, founded by Charlemagne in 796 AD, is the oldest cathedral in northern Europe. It was damaged but survived the fighting that reduced much of the city to rubble. The Monuments Men's assessment of Aachen set the template for documenting and protecting cultural heritage as Allied forces advanced into Germany.