The Monuments Men: Saving Civilization's Greatest Treasures

The Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives program (MFAA) — the 'Monuments Men' — consisted of 345 men from 13 nations who recovered and returned more than 5 million artworks stolen by the Nazis. They found caches in salt mines, castles, and caves across Europe. The Merkers salt mine alone contained Reichsbank gold, stolen art masters, and the German national treasures — all hidden underground. Curator George Stout (the inspiration for the George Clooney character in the movie) personally cataloged thousands of pieces under artillery fire. Many of the Monuments Men had been professors, artists, and architects before the war.