During World War II, photographer Raymond D’Addario was assigned to the Army Pictorial Service Headquarters in London. At the end of the war, the 26-year old native of Holyoke, MA traveled to Nuremberg, Germany to photograph the trial of the major Nazi war criminals. The Jackson Center has 19 of Ray’s photographs on permanent display.
Ray’s photographs tell a story of the trial in a way that words never could. The faces of the defendants and their counsel, the judges and prosecutorial teams, the spectators, reporters, and various court workers are captured by Ray’s camera. In addition to trial photos, Ray documented the aftermath of the destruction of the city of Nuremberg. The contrast between his images of German citizens rebuilding their lives after the war, and those of the Nazi leaders on trial before the world, is striking.
Ray’s photos, and those of his colleagues, were distributed freely to newspapers and magazines around the world during the trial and have been published in many history books. The Center was gifted 100 of Ray’s photos in 2003. Among the collection is the photograph of Robert H. Jackson at the podium during the trial. The photo was produced in both black and white and in color.
Ray D’Addario shot a great number of black and white photographs, color photographs, and movies of the trials. His coverage was outstanding, despite the Tribunal’s restrictions against the use of flashbulbs. He was the first photographer to have pictures of the IMT courtroom produced in full color, in the London “Illustrated,” September 1946.
“The newly renovated courtroom, a wide-angle shot of the proceeding. Judges on the left, in front, are the court reporters. In front of them are seated the defense counselors, the defendant Goering at the extreme right, with Dr. Alfred Thoma addressing the court. Notice the new lights for the cameramen. The reporters from all nations are seated in the rear while visitors are upstairs, next to the projection booth.” – Ray D’Addario
