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Coal powered flat iron with a curled handle and engraved Star of David recovered postwar at a mass execution site 2010.443.40 closed

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Washington, United States

Coal powered flat iron with a Jewish star engraved inside the lid excavated ca. 2005 by Yahad-In Unum from a mass execution and grave site in Ukraine uncovered by their research into atrocities committed by Nazi Germany against the Jewish population during WWII. Hot coals are placed in the hollow base. In September 1939, following Germany's invasion of Poland, areas of eastern Poland, now in Ukraine, were occupied by the Soviet Union pursuant to the terms of the German-Soviet Pact. In late June 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, a surprise attack on Russia. The military assault was coordinated with killing squads whose goal was the Final Solution, the elimination of all Jews from the conquered territories. With the assistance of trained collaborators and the local populace, the goal was achieved through deportations to killing centers and mass executions throughout the region. The lack of adequate rail transport meant that many villages had killing fields where the Jews were shot and buried in huge ditches, along with the bullets and other evidence. Through interviews with the remaining eyewitnesses, Yahad-In Unum locates and documents these remains of a Holocaust by bullets and offers respectful remembrance for the fallen.

Coal powered flat iron with a Jewish star engraved inside the lid excavated ca. 2005 by Yahad-In Unum from a mass execution and grave site in Ukraine uncovered by their research into atrocities committed by Nazi Germany against the Jewish population during WWII. Hot coals are placed in the hollow base. In September 1939, following Germany's invasion of Poland, areas of eastern Poland, now in Ukraine, were occupied by the Soviet Union pursuant to the terms of the German-Soviet Pact. In late June 1941, Germany launched Operation Barbarossa, a surprise attack on Russia. The military assault was coordinated with killing squads whose goal was the Final Solution, the elimination of all Jews from the conquered territories. With the assistance of trained collaborators and the local populace, the goal was achieved through deportations to killing centers and mass executions throughout the region. The lack of adequate rail transport meant that many villages had killing fields where the Jews were shot and buried in huge ditches, along with the bullets and other evidence. Through interviews with the remaining eyewitnesses, Yahad-In Unum locates and documents these remains of a Holocaust by bullets and offers respectful remembrance for the fallen.

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  • Title: Coal powered flat iron with a curled handle and engraved Star of David recovered postwar at a mass execution site 2010.443.40 closed
  • Location: Ukraine--History--German occupation, 1941-1944., Ukraine--History--German occupation, 1941-1944.
  • Provenance: The iron was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2010 by Father Patrick Desbois on behalf of Yahad-in Unum., The iron was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2010 by Father Patrick Desbois on behalf of Yahad-in Unum.
  • Subject Keywords: Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Ukraine. Genocide--Ukraine. Jews--Persecutions--Ukraine. Mass murder--Ukraine. World War, 1939-1945--Atrocities--Ukraine., Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)--Ukraine. Genocide--Ukraine. Jews--Persecutions--Ukraine. Mass murder--Ukraine. World War, 1939-1945--Atrocities--Ukraine.
  • Type: Tools and Equipment, Tools and Equipment
  • Rights: Permanent Collection, Permanent Collection
  • External Link: See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, See the full record at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • Medium: Heavy cast iron triangular flat pressing iron with a hinged lid and hollow base. The hinge pin inserts into two tab extension in the underside of the lid; there is a rectangular indent that creates a gap between the lid and the base. Attached to the lid is an ornate handle with 2 curled extensions joined by a horizontal bar; the front extension has a hinged, rounded dragon head. On the flat, top circular section of each extension is a small drilled hole with a washer. The lid edge has downward pointing, rounded toothlike extensions that rest on the base. There is a circular hole near the front, vertex point which fits over a vertical, 1-inch, cylindrical bar on the base. On the lid interior are an engraved number 4, a 6 pointed Star of David, and illegible markings. The base has 10 circular venting holes on each side at the bottom. Screwed on the lower back side is a horizontal, thin, rectangular sheet with a small knob that covers a rectangular slit in the side plate. It is coated with rust overall., Heavy cast iron triangular flat pressing iron with a hinged lid and hollow base. The hinge pin inserts into two tab extension in the underside of the lid; there is a rectangular indent that creates a gap between the lid and the base. Attached to the lid is an ornate handle with 2 curled extensions joined by a horizontal bar; the front extension has a hinged, rounded dragon head. On the flat, top circular section of each extension is a small drilled hole with a washer. The lid edge has downward pointing, rounded toothlike extensions that rest on the base. There is a circular hole near the front, vertex point which fits over a vertical, 1-inch, cylindrical bar on the base. On the lid interior are an engraved number 4, a 6 pointed Star of David, and illegible markings. The base has 10 circular venting holes on each side at the bottom. Screwed on the lower back side is a horizontal, thin, rectangular sheet with a small knob that covers a rectangular slit in the side plate. It is coated with rust overall.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

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