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Kanaar, M.D. (Adrian C.) papers
Biomed.0106  
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Description
Dr. Kanaar was a British-born and -trained surgeon who served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War II, in France and Belgium up to the retreat at Dunkirk, in various battlefield locations after D-day, and in Berlin during the occupation. This collection focuses mostly on his non-medical writings, namely descriptions of his war experiences in Europe and of the conditions he observed there. Included are several typescripts of two unpublished books: 1. "War-time reflections by a British Army surgeon", which was based partly on a series of talks given by Capt. Kanaar during three months spent in the United States while on special leave; 2. "The Sign of the Hammer and Sickle " which is also partly based on wartime experiences; 3. typescripts of a number of published and unpublished essays, articles, and letters to newspapers. The bulk of the collection dates to 1940-1948.
Background
Adrian C. Kanaar, MD, MRCP (London), FRCS (Edinburgh) (1911-1993) qualified M.B. at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, in 1934, received a B.S. from London University in 1936, had surgical training at Edinburgh University, and was awarded the M.D. from the British Postgraduate Medical School in 1939. That year he was called to active service with the Royal Army Medical Corps and was active in France and Belgium through the retreat at Dunkirk; he returned to the Continent after D-Day and served in various stations, including occupied Berlin. On special leave in 1942 in the U.S., Captain Kanaar began a series of talks about his war experiences, wanting to foster Anglo-American cooperation and to clear up what he felt were misconceptions about the war and about the British. These talks evolved into some of the manuscript chapters included in this collection. His experiences in Germany after the war's end, and especially his impressions of the administration in the Russian zone, are described in the second major manuscript in this collection, and in many of the shorter pieces.
Extent
1 Linear Feet (2 boxes)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Availability
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in advance using the request button located on this page.