Stolen German paintings found

Federal investigators have recovered three paintings stolen from a German museum near the end of World War II, the FBI announced Tuesday.

The works, by 19th century artist Heinrich Burkel, were valued at approximately $125,000 and were among a group of about four-dozen paintings stolen on March 22, 1945, as Allied forces swept through Germany. They eventually were brought to the United States and were acquired by a New Jersey resident about 20 years after the war, federal officials said. They were found when the current owner put them up for auction two months ago.

The paintings belonged to the city museum in Pirmasens, in western Germany near the French border, and will be returned, the FBI said.