Title and statement of responsibility area
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Photocopied [19-]; Microfilmed [19-], 1969, 1971; and translated [19-], 1985-1987 (originally created 1930-1975; predominant dates 1939-1945) (Creation)
Physical description area
Physical description
7.6 m of textual records
193 microfilm reels; 35 mm
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Alfred Gunther Steiger (1900-1972) worked as a civil servant in the Canadian Army Historical Section and made a unique contribution to the Canadian Army's official histories as an expert on German military documents. Born in Zurich, Switzerland, Steiger studied at the Universities of Berne and Zurich without taking a degree. He came to Canada in 1926 and enlisted in 1940 with the Victoria Rifles of Canada as a private. In 1944 he was transferred to the Canadian Intelligence Corps as a warrant officer and was commissioned later that year. He began work with the Historical Section of the general Staff in 1946, being promoted captain shortly afterwards. He was discharged from the army in 1947 but remained in the Historical Section as a civil servant. After his retirement in 1966 he continued to work with the new Directorate of History on a personal-contract basis until his death in 1972.
Custodial history
The material was collected and compiled by A.G. Steiger while he was employed with the Historical Section and the Directorate of History.
Scope and content
Collection consists of documents in the German language which originated in Germany during the Second World War. Many are translated into English. They also include: documents relating to research on specific aspects of the First World War; lists of documents held in other archives; and some secondary published material about German military history in general. In addition to individual files, there are also series of files with finding aids. These include:
I. Steiger Items and Sets of Notes (SGR I 196)
II. Developments and Employment of the German Anti-Aircraft Artillery and of the Air Defence Organization in the First World War (SGR II 140)
III. Erhard Milch Papers (SGR II 217)
IV. Operations Division, German Naval Staff War Diary (SGR II 261)
V. Air Ministry, Air Historical Branch Translations of German Historical Studies (SGR II 264)
VI. German Language Staff and Historical Studies on the Air War (1939-1945) (SGR II 265)
VII. The German Air Force in Defence and Defeat: The Western Theatre of Operations (SGR II 320)
VIII. German Naval Commands and Surface Vessels War Diaries and Other Documents (SGR II 340)
Notes area
Physical condition
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Arrangement
Language of material
- English
- German
Script of material
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Restrictions on access
SGR II 227 to SGR II 238 are Restricted. The remaining files are unclassified.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Finding aids
A copy of the finding aid is licated in the Reading Room at the Directorate of History and Heritage.
Associated materials
Related material can be found in the Kardex Collection under the heading “Steiger, Mr. A.G.”
There is an uncatalogued biographical file.
Associated material can also be found at the Library and Archives Canada. The title is the A.G. Steiger collection and the reference number is R10337-0-4-E.
Accruals
No further accruals are expected.
General note
SGR II 193 is stored in Oversize.