Poison Candy or Poison Pen?

TomVrille · 10 June 2005, 10:23 AM

The following excerpts are from an article which appeared in the October 29, 1917 edition of the New York Times under the heading German Aviators Drop Poisoned Candy .

Proof that German aviators make a practice of dropping poisoned candies into the French villages near the western battle front is contained in a letter just received from T. B__, a member of the editorial staff of The New York Times, now driving an ambulance for the American Ambulance Corps in the region of Verdun. Mr. B__ writes:

"Here's evidence of the latest Boche atrocity- the ' lowest down ' thing they've yet pulled off. ... Tell the readers of The Times, as best you can, what brand of enemies they have at last chosen to fight."

The following is the literal translation of the notice posted by the Mayor of the village in which is stationed the unit of the American Ambulance Corps with which the writer is serving:

Province of Meuse
Division of Verdun
District of Souilly
Parish of Vadelaincourt
Republic of France

NOTICE TO THE INHABITANTS

The Mayor has been officially warned that poisoned candies have lately been dropped by German aviators in the neighborhood of St. Menehould. (Marne.) This information confirms the fears expressed by the Prefect in his circular of March 21, following similar actions by German aviators behind the English lines.
"It is reasonable to believe that the enemy will, at any moment, commit the same indescribable acts at certain points in the Province of Meuse. The population is, therefore, warned for the second time to guard against the danger which may result from this criminal action by our barbarous enemies."
Consequently, in accordance with instructions recently published, any candy found within the borders of the parish must be taken to the Mayor to be sent to the Prefecture, in order to have it analyzed at the military laboratory.
Vadelaincourt, March 30, 1917
THE MAYOR

.................................................. .................................................. ...

At first glance, this article appears to be blatant wartime propaganda, intended to demonize the enemy, and perhaps whip up a little fervor for a new rush of Army enlistments. It could also be that the Mayor merely had an irresistable sweet tooth. I think it unlikely that many German flyers would approve of such tactics, and surely not enough for them to become common practice.
What do the rest of you forumites think?

stephenl · 10 June 2005, 11:54 AM

That is the first I had ever heard of such a thing.
That would be considered an atrocity on top of an ongoing atrocity and if said incident happened it more than likely would have been better known.
But any how thanks for the story Tom!

Regards

StephenLawson · 12 June 2005, 07:59 AM

Poison Pen.

12 June 2005, 12:20 PM

"What a load of crap!"... Anything to sell newspapers (and benefit the propaganda department of a belligerent), eh?

If it didn't sound so far fetched and ludicrous, it might have proven to be insulting. "Oh... But wait"...

"This just in Folks"... "Hun aircraft have taken to dropping poisoned espresso beans on our gallant troops in the trenches"... "Extra... Extra... Get yur red hot BS here"... Extra"

"Story at eleven"...

"Prost!"

Michael · 12 June 2005, 03:36 PM

For a fascinating view of wartime propaganda, see Arthur Ponsonby's 1929 work:
Propaganda

It mentions the poisoned candy story, and says it had more currency in the U.S. than in England.

NeilE · 12 June 2005, 03:41 PM

Hi All;

Obvious propaganda.

Given that the Belgian nun stories etc etc were widely believed by civilians - though usually not by the average (Commonwealth at least) soldier, one wonders how much this story was accepted as fact at home. I wonder does anyone know if this one was run in Great Britain as well?

Regards

Neil

NeilE · 12 June 2005, 03:42 PM

Oh.

Thanks Michael. I must look Ponsonby up....

Regards

Neil

PS: Good link!

leo · 12 June 2005, 05:31 PM

What a load of unadulterated crap.

12 June 2005, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Proof that German aviators make a practice of dropping poisoned candies into the French villages near the western battle front is contained in a letter just received from T. B__, a member of the editorial staff of The New York Times, now driving an ambulance for the American Ambulance Corps in the region of Verdun. Mr. B__ writes:

I hope Mr. T. B. managed to finally kick that morphine habit that he nurtured during his stint driving ambulances... And I hope at least that he saved a little morphia for the seriously wounded! ("What would the editorial staff think?") "Seeing things, T.B. ?" (poison candies)... "Hearing things, T.B. ?" (Nothing but rumor and imagination)... Can you say... STONER?

"Prost!"

Michael · 13 June 2005, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VonReichel

I hope Mr. T. B. managed to finally kick that morphine habit that he nurtured during his stint driving ambulances... And I hope at least that he saved a little morphia for the seriously wounded! ("What would the editorial staff think?") "Seeing things, T.B. ?" (poison candies)... "Hearing things, T.B. ?" (Nothing but rumor and imagination)... Can you say... STONER?

"Prost!"

If you check out Ponsonby, above, you will see that in most cases the "source" either denied ever saying any such thing, or wasn't even in theatre.