War Trophies and War Department Regulations

Hi All,

I have a question regarding the rules regulating war trophies. It is a well know story that Jack Mullin sent two Magnetophones back to the United States. My question is, did this violate the rules? I was reviewing the War Department circular 155 dated 28 May 1945 and in Section VI 3b (4) it states that "Radio and Radar equipment" is prohibited from being taken as a trophy. Wouldn't the Magnetophone, which was taken from a radio station be classified as "radio equipment"?

Here is a link to the circular: http://www.nfaoa.org/documents/WD_Cir_No_155_28_May_45.pdf
Here is a link to the magnetophone story: http://ethw.org/First-Hand:Bing_Crosby_and_the_Recording_Revolution

Thanks,
Matt