During WWII the Germans stole practically every art treasure they could. Hitler got the first pick, Goering the second and so forth. Thousands or these treasures had to be transferred to Germany and were often stored in various places. There was a huge collection at Mad Ludwig’s castle in the Alps and two particularly large caches in salt mines. In one of these salt mines at Merkers was also stored practically the entire gold treasury of the Nazis. When the Allies captured that salt mine there was one trip down the shaft which held Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Eddy and Patton. Patton noted that if the line broke there would be a lot of promotions in the works. Eisenhower was not amused by the comment.

(Book – The Monuments Men – Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter)