Leaflet Dropping

This is around January 1918 from H.N. Wrigley, No.3 Sqn AFC;

"Further features of interest during January comprised the dropping of propaganda, and the attachment to the Squadron of Officers from various arms of the ground forces for the purposes of stimulating liason and giving them an oppurtunity of seeing how the Flying Corps worked, and also of seeing themselves what their own troops and positions looked like from the air. These attachments had excellent results and were continued throughout the period of active operations as and when oppurtunities occurred. The dropping of propaganda was undertaken with a view a view to causing unrest among the enemy's troops. By this time the food position of the Enemy Powers had become acute and even the fighting troops at the front had for some time been experiencing hardship as a result of short and inferior rations. It was therefore considered that, if illustrated pamphlets showing the liberal way in which enemy prisoners in internment camps in the United Kingdom were treated could be distributed among the enemy troops, it might cause unrest, and possibly desertion on the part of numbers of the enemy. Thus the practice was introduced of dropping supplies of these pamphlets on selected fronts rest and billeting area's behind the enemy lines. This was continued for some time but was discontinued on account of the hard treatment meted out by the enemy to officers of the Flying Corps who were so unfortunate as to be forced to land in enemy territory whilst engaged on this type of work."



cam

[rammjaeger]

>>This was continued for some time but was discontinued on account of the hard treatment meted out by the enemy to officers of the Flying Corps who were so unfortunate as to be forced to land in enemy territory whilst engaged on this type of work."<<

Yes, Cam - the leaflet droppers got especially hard treatment if the leaflets were directed against the person of the emperor "Willy" himself and those pilots could expect to be court martialed. we discussed such a case some years ago here.

[stephen]

German speakers, have at it. This is a copy of an American propoganda leaflet dropped by the US 11th Aero Squadron in October of '18. It was given to me by Capt. Charles Heater, who commanded the 11th. Charlie took over a month previous after Thornton Hooper was killed in action. Had it loosely translated once, but haven't read it in a while. A good, literal translation would be appreciated if you feel so moved.

[rammjaeger]

Somethin went wrong, can´t see the picture, Stephen!

G'day Cam,

1 AFC also dropped leaflets. They were in Turkish and various Arabic dialects. I know they have some at the Mitchell Library part of the NSW State Library. They have told me that they hold several examples but since the renovations I have not been able to view them. They are kept in a safe and you have to make an appointment to view them. I have asked if copies could be made, and basically got brushed.

Andrew.

[stephen]

So does anyone else see this big leaflet that I posted in German? I see it every time with no problem. Whazzup?

[Amy]

Stephen:

Nope, none of us can see it but you. I've just sent you an email on how to correct this.

Cheerio!
Amy

[Cigogne]

I can see it just fine. Do you want me to translate it?

[Amy]

Just got the image fixed. *Yes, please translate...

[rammjaeger]

Rough translation of the leaflet:

AUSTRIA STEPPED OUT OF THE WAR

The armistice, which was signed corresponding to the conditions of the Allieds, came into being on 3 o´clock on 4th November.

TURKEY HAS SURRENDERED and did let the Allied fleet go to the Dardanellas.

GERMANY IS ALONE.

Do you know, that your own papers are admitting that openly?
“Vorwärts” [The paper “Forward”] reported on 28th October on page 1:

“First of all the surrender of Austria means the isolation from important sources of raw material. WITHOUT THESE SOURCES IS NO LONGER-LASTING CONTINUATION OF THE WAR POSSIBLE. The surrender means not only we were losing our last Allied, it means also that this land will become an instrument of war in the hand of our enemies. The surrender means the last end of our ability to resist. A moment of passionate emotions will come and the cry for the last battle of despair will make some hidden strings of our feelings *moving. THEN WE HAVE TO SAY TO US: WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DIE BUT WE HAVE NOT THE RIGHT TO MAKE OTHERS DIE FOR US.”

THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS the war is kaput [correct: kaputt].
GERMAN SOLDIERS; WHY IS THAT [fact] HIDDEN TO YOU [means: by your leaders]?

Because old soldiers know very well the time to save themselves if the war is lost.
Come to our lines in the night in groups of two or three.
On the day stay in your shelter and surrender if you are seeing us.

THE AMERICANS



IMHO the quality of this leavelet is considerably higher than the primitive quality of other, especially eralier Allied leavelets in the war.