Showing 19–27 of 244 resultsSorted by latest
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Original WWII Allied Propaganda – 30,000 Tanks Made! – For Occupied France – Rare
$35.00WWII propaganda leaflet/poster in French, almost certainly produced by the Allies (British or Free French), aimed at spreading awareness of Allied industrial power and discouraging Axis resistance. Text (Original French): L’Angleterre est en train de construire 30.000 tanks — dit Lord Beaverbrook, Ministre des Armements “England is building 30,000 tanks” — said Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Armaments Context: Lord Beaverbrook (Max Aitken) was Britain’s Minister of Aircraft Production early in the war and later in charge of war production/armaments. This leaflet highlights the enormous industrial capacity of Britain, meant to demoralize German troops and collaborators in occupied France by showing that German defeat was inevitable. By putting the message in French, it targeted both occupied civilians (to give hope) and enemy forces (to sap morale). The figure of 30,000 tanks was a staggering number at the time, meant to show that the Allies had overwhelming resources.
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Original WWII Allied Propaganda Leaflet – Fully Translated – Allied psychological warfare – Germany 1945 – Rare
$45.00This is a WWII Allied propaganda leaflet written in German, aimed at weakening the will of the Wehrmacht and German civilians to continue fighting in 1945. It stresses that the war is already lost, the Nazis have ruined Germany, and only self-help and surrender will allow Germans to rebuild their homeland. REPORT FROM WEST GERMANY Every day, more parts of Germany come under the administration of the military government. With every kilometer that the Allied armies advance, the shadow of war is lifted from a strip of Germany — and the hard work of rebuilding the homeland begins. In the occupied areas the war is finally over. The terror regime of the SS and Gestapo has disappeared. The positions cleansed of National Socialists are gradually being taken over by responsible Germans. The bombing war is over, life goes on — it is not an easy life, because there is much to be done: First, rubble and debris caused by bombs and useless resistance must be cleared away. Gradually, and with hard work, normal conditions are being restored. Self-help is bringing community life back into motion — today in the occupied western areas, tomorrow throughout all of Germany. SELF-HELP — THAT MEANS: THE RECONSTRUCTION OF GERMANY WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY GERMANS. The longer the lost war is continued, the more destruction is caused by useless resistance in German cities, the harder the work of rebuilding will be. The more men of fighting age perish now, the heavier the burden of rebuilding will fall on the survivors, and the longer it will take to restore normal conditions. The more vital factories are destroyed by Party fanatics, the more food supplies they steal away, the more the population itself will have to go hungry. Self-help will rebuild Germany. Therefore self-help must begin now, to save what can still be saved.
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Original WWII Allied Propaganda for German Soldiers – The True Enemy – DEFENDING THE PARTY MEANS: DESTROYING THE HOMELAND – Rare
$45.00This is a WWII Allied propaganda leaflet written in German, aimed at Wehrmacht soldiers in the final phase of the war (1944–45). Front Side (Page 1) Title: DER WAHRE FEIND… (The True Enemy…) Who longs for peace? – The German soldier, who has endured five useless years of war. He hates the war: Because he knows that even the blood sacrifice of the Wehrmacht cannot save the homeland. He has only one thought: To survive the last weeks of the war, return to his workplace, and go back to his family. Right column (Nazi leaders & SS): Who trembles at peace? The Party bosses and the men of the SS who unleashed this war. They need the war: Because they know that only the German army stands between them and destruction. They have only one thought: To prolong the war, because every extra day of war means one more day of power and survival for them. Bottom line in red: “The Party and the SS are ready to sacrifice the last German soldiers—yes, even the last schoolboys who can barely carry a rifle.” Bold statement: AND THEY CALL THIS THE DEFENSE OF GERMANY – THESE PEOPLE ARE THE TRUE ENEMY! Back Side: DEFENDING THE PARTY MEANS: DESTROYING THE HOMELAND
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Original WWII US Army Propaganda for German Soldiers – March 7th 1945 – “One week: 100,000 give up!” – Rare
$55.00This is a WWII propaganda leaflet styled as a newspaper called “Feldpost” (Field Mail). It was issued by the American Army in Western Europe in March 1945, shortly before the collapse of Nazi Germany. (March 7, 1945 – Nr. 30 / 12 HG) Headline: “Eine Woche: 100,000 machen Schluß!” (“One week: 100,000 give up!”) Reports on the collapse of German resistance in the Saar and Rhineland Palatinate (Rheinpfalz). States that between March 14–21, 100,000 German soldiers surrendered in the Saar region. Says German troops are being split into small encirclements (“Kessel”) and destroyed systematically. Lists U.S. Army advances: capturing Saarbrücken, Zweibrücken, Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens, Homburg, Landau, Worms, Mainz. Mentions U.S. troops pushing into Ludwigshafen and Neustadt. Notes the bridgehead at Remagen was expanded. Includes a map showing the U.S. advance across the Saar, Palatinate, and toward the Rhine. Side column news (“Verbotene Welle”): Rundstedt dismissed as German OB-West (commander in the West), replaced by Kesselring. Scotland Yard hunts war criminals. Queen Wilhelmina returns to liberated Holland. Roosevelt announces 8.5 million American soldiers overseas. Gestapo HQ in Copenhagen bombed by RAF, completely destroyed. Page 2 (March Nr. 7 – Feldpost) Bombing statistics: Shows two maps with bombing weight: Jan–Feb 1944: 104 million kg. Jan–Feb 1945: 214 million kg. Emphasizes that Germany is being crushed by massive Allied bombing. Articles: Neue Sowjet-Offensive: Reports new Soviet offensives near Stettin (now Szczecin, Poland) and around Danzig (Gdańsk) and Königsberg (Kaliningrad). Notes heavy German losses (45,000 captured). Claims Germans are retreating in the Sudeten mountains. Von der Kompanie: Features sarcastic reports about German officers making excuses, showing the hopelessness of Wehrmacht leadership. Highlights that German soldiers themselves doubt new miracle weapons or Luftwaffe effectiveness. Worüber spricht die Truppe? (What the troops talk about): Discusses German soldiers’ skepticism and complaints about propaganda promises. Notes soldiers question where the Luftwaffe is, why German planes are not stopping Allied bombers. Bottom propaganda box – “Ei surrender!”: Shows cartoons teaching Germans how to surrender in English: “I surrender!” Phonetic German pronunciation guides (“Ei sörender”). Emphasizes that 110,000 German soldiers surrendered in the West in one week. Message: Surrender is safe and common — urging German soldiers to give up. Purpose of this leaflet/newspaper: This was psychological warfare, meant to: Demoralize German troops by showing huge surrenders and unstoppable Allied progress. Undermine faith in Nazi leadership (dismissal of Rundstedt, Gestapo bombed, Luftwaffe absent). Highlight Soviet advances to create despair on both fronts. Encourage surrender by showing it’s safe, common, and even providing English phrases to use.
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Original WWII German Propaganda for US Soldiers – FAKE New York Herald Tribune – German psychological warfare – Rare
$65.00This is a WWII propaganda leaflet aimed at American soldiers, printed by the Germans in 1944 THE SPECTRE OF THE 22 MILLIONS – Europe or Far East? (Special Article, New York Herald Tribune, 9-25-44 – “Special reprint for the A.E.F.”) Content summary: The leaflet is presented as a reprint from an American newspaper, supposedly the New York Herald Tribune, authored by “John W. Robertson, War Correspondent.” It argues that the U.S. is wasting its strength in Europe where there are “no real American interests” compared to the Far East. It stresses that 22 million unemployed Americans will have to be dealt with after the war, and that the war in Europe is draining resources that should instead be directed toward Asia, particularly against Japan. Claims that: Europe is ruined and will not be able to buy American goods. Supporting Britain may have been justifiable at first, but it has become a “great blunder.” The belief that Germany would collapse easily was naive — the Germans are still strong despite setbacks (mentions the July 20 plot against Hitler as proof). The war in Europe is costly, will drag on, and risks new German weapons. Propaganda purpose: This is a German black propaganda leaflet — made to look like a legitimate U.S. newspaper article. Intended to demoralize American GIs by: Suggesting they are fighting in the wrong theater of war. Arguing that Japan, not Germany, is the “real enemy.” Emphasizing high costs, long duration, and lack of U.S. interests in Europe. Planting doubt about the wisdom of their commanders and political leaders. The “22 million unemployed” figure refers to the U.S. Great Depression, evoking fear of a return to economic chaos after the war. The style — citing American press, pretending to be neutral journalism — was common in German psychological warfare against Allied troops.
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Original WWII German Propaganda – For Soviet Soldiers – Bayonets into the ground – Fully Translated – Rare
$75.00WWII German propaganda leaflet written in Russian, aimed at Soviet soldiers. It was dropped on the Eastern Front to encourage Red Army troops to surrender and assure them of “good treatment” if captured. Front side translation: Soldiers and commanders of the Red Army! Bayonets into the ground! And quickly to the Germans or home. Your further participation in the war is meaningless! Think about your future fate and about your families?! (Image shows a Soviet soldier climbing out of the trenches with explosions behind him — meant to symbolize surrender.) Back side translation: 8 points that every future Soviet prisoner should know: What the Germans require from a Soviet prisoner: If you fall into captivity, don’t be afraid. No one will harm you. The Germans treat prisoners in accordance with international agreements. During interrogation you must state: surname, year of birth, profession, and unit. The surnames of prisoners are published only by their own wish. You must observe perfect cleanliness regarding your and the Germans’ entrusted belongings. Your body must always be clean. Your behavior must be disciplined and military-like. You must salute your Soviet officers and the German military command. In work, maintain cleanliness and diligence. The tools entrusted to you must be in the best condition and order. We demand accuracy. Your behavior will determine how you are treated. Any injustice or shortcomings must be reported immediately. For good behavior and work you will receive a special reward. Millions of Russian prisoners have already been released into civilian life for good conduct. They now work in private enterprises of their own free will. Remember! Germany is fighting not against the Russian people, but against your Jewish-Communist government, which has brought you much grief and misfortune.
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Original WWII US Propaganda for German Soldiers – German 1945 – GI Joe Jones – Rare
$55.00Here we have a rare US Army Propaganda Flyer dropped on German Positions in Germany in 1945. Translation The Americans have not changed The Americans are approaching your cities.Since your leaders have driven you into this criminal war, your armed forces will be destroyed and Germany will be occupied. The older among you may still remember the Americans from the last war. But it is also in your interest to learn about the Americans in time. This is what you must know: The Americans demand peace and order, and they will mercilessly crush disorder. The Americans will not tolerate war criminals and war prolongers. The Americans will exterminate fanatics and Nazi swindlers. Whoever understands this can get along with the Americans. Whoever does not want to must remember: As you make your bed, so must you lie in it. My name is Joe Jones I am an American soldier. I come from Steubenville in the state of Ohio. My comrades and I have made a long journey to get here. Our people have provided us with the best and most effective war material of all the armies in the world. We do not believe in miracles. We believe in airplanes, cannons, grenades, tanks, and machines. In a few months we have overrun and destroyed the German armies in the West. Whatever we set out to do, we carry through. We want peace, calm, and order. And not just for 25 years. I am Joe Jones, an American soldier. Personally, I demand nothing from the Germans and am used to respecting the rights of my fellow men. I wage war as a soldier. I enjoy life and also respect the lives of others. But whoever attacks me must know that Joe Jones can act differently. Whoever wants to be my enemy will quickly find out that I can also be a tough and merciless enemy. So tough and merciless that my enemies never forget me. Which Joe Jones do you want to get to know?
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Original KPD 1932 Elections Propaganda – Ernst Thälmann – Red United Front – 4 Pages – Very Rare
$175.00German communist propaganda leaflet/newspaper from the early 1930s (Weimar Republic period, pre-Nazi takeover). It appears to have been printed by or for the KPD (Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands – Communist Party of Germany), and it is aimed at mobilizing workers against the rise of fascism (Hitler, Hindenburg, etc.) and against imperialist war preparations. Page 1 – Large headline: “Krieg” (War). References to 26 February edition of “BZ am Mittag”, describing Japanese militarism in China and imperialist wars. Sections: “Der Krieg ist da!” (The war is here!) “Jetzt höchster Alarm” (Now highest alert) – warning workers about war danger. “Die Sowjetunion ist die einzige Macht, die aktiv für den Frieden eintritt” (The Soviet Union is the only power that actively stands for peace). A photograph of a man (likely a Soviet or German communist leader). Page 2 Headline: “In der roten Einheitsfront” (In the Red United Front). Big slogan: “Die Wahl von Ernst Thälmann ist das Millionenbekenntnis der roten Einheitsfront” (The election of Ernst Thälmann is the declaration of millions for the Red United Front). Thälmann was the leader of the KPD and ran against Hitler and Hindenburg. Calls for unity of workers (Communists, Social Democrats, Christian workers, etc.) against Hitler, Duesterberg, Hindenburg, Groener, Brüning, Severing (political opponents). Bottom has: Membership application form for the Communist Party. Subscription form for the party newspaper “Tribüne”. Portrait of Ernst Thälmann with a cap. Page 3 Denounces the “Hitler–Duesterberg–Hindenburg front.” Calls to action: “Proletarier, Augen auf!” (Proletarians, open your eyes!) “Die Kommunistische Partei ruft” (The Communist Party calls). Cartoon caricatures of Hitler, Hindenburg, and another conservative politician (likely Groener). Slogan: “Noch ist es Zeit, den Kriegstreibern in den Arm zu fallen!” (There is still time to stop the warmongers!). Page 4 Headline: “Sturm im Land” (Storm in the country). Strong calls for workers’ unity against imperialist war and for defense of the Soviet Union. Specific calls to: Metalworkers, chemical workers, railway workers, seamen, dock workers, transport workers, chauffeurs. Cartoon of capitalist/bourgeois men sitting at a table drinking and eating while workers suffer. Another drawing shows dockworkers handling heavy machinery and war materials (criticizing war profiteering). Final slogans: “Frieden und Freiheit, Brot und Arbeit” (Peace and Freedom, Bread and Work). Demands for fighting capitalism, militarism, and for solidarity with the Soviet Union and revolutionary workers in China. Final Comments Communist propaganda from the KPD, around the 1932 German elections, when Ernst Thälmann ran for president against Hitler and Hindenburg. It appeals to workers to unite under the Communist Party to fight against war, militarism, and capitalism. It glorifies the Soviet Union as the only force for peace. It denounces Hitler, Hindenburg, and other right-wing/centrist leaders as “warmongers” serving big capital.
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Original USA Pre-1942 WWII Lucky Strike Packet Cover
$45.00Lucky Strike packs with the green background were used before 1942. In 1942, during WWII, the company switched to the now-familiar white background — officially claiming it saved copper for the war effort, though many historians suggest it was also a clever rebranding/marketing move.
