‘Safe Conduct’ Second World War D-day Safe Conduct German re...

Hammer

£110

‘Safe Conduct’ Second World War D-day Safe Conduct German response ‘Safe Conduct’ leaflet, a rare leaflet dropped over allied troops in response to original safe conduct leaflets. The leaflet has been amended to read on front side ‘The German soldier who carries this safe conduct is using it as a sign of his genuine wish to go into captivity for the next ten years, to betray his fatherland, to return home a broken old man and very probably never to see his parents, wife and children again.’ The reverse reads; ‘DEAR FRIENDS: We are returning your age old dodge, after having made the necessary rectifications, with sincerest thanks. It was highly amusing, and we must commend you on your efforts. But please refrain from molesting us further in this direction. It should be obvious to you that the ideals for which 90 Million Germans have fought (according to Churchill) “like lions” for over five years cannot be so very rotten that we could be lured into surrender through mere ham and eggs. Hoping that we can rely on your sagacity to comprehend, we remain as of old, with Heil Hitler!’. Together with an original Safe-Conduct leaflet for comparison, stamped ‘RESTRICTED’ & ‘SAUF-CONDUIT’ to reverse. The Germans particularly hated the original leaflet, hence the response. 13cm x 21cm. (2)