Kriegsmarine Allied Propaganda to Discourage U-Boat Volunteers

[Erik Krogh]

I have two interesting artifacts apparenty used by the Allies to discourage U-Boat enlistment. It would be appreciated if anyone has information as to how these were used.

The first is a "comic book" approach telling the sad story of 18-year-old G?nther Harthmuth's short career in the U-Bootwaffe.

[Erik Krogh]

Fold out.

[Erik Krogh]

Detail of left side.

[Erik Krogh]

Back cover.

[Erik Krogh]

Here is the second piece, a pull-out.

[Erik Krogh]

... the message...

[Erik Krogh]

Back side posing the questions.

[Erik Krogh]

And the answers...

[Guest Rick Research]

Interesting...

the covers give a "first glance" appearance that they are actual GERMAN publications... only upon opening or reading the text is the trcik revealed.

[Paul R]

I have never seen anything like this!! Is there a way to get a closeup of the comics?

Paul

[RichardT]

I have two interesting artifacts apparenty used by the Allies to discourage U-Boat enlistment.

Very nice Eric. I was going through a box of paper today and came across a photocopy of the same cartoon. I don't remember where I got it but it was probably 30 years ago. I have seen both items before but I don't know much else about them.

Richard

[Erik Krogh]

I have never seen anything like this!! Is there a way to get a closeup of the comics?

Paul

Here you go, Paul! Best resolution that would meet the 150k constraint. Hope that you can read the text.

Best,

Erik

[Erik Krogh]

Second strip

[Erik Krogh]

Third strip

[Paul R]

Great Stuff Erik!!! Thank you very much for the great scans. The pamphlet is a keeper!

[joetauchretter]

Hello,

Very nice propaganda items you have ! I own 2 of the pull down propaganda cards and I have them on display in my Tauchretter collection . I like them next to my tauchretters as a way of showing what can happen to a u-boat sailor if his boat is attacked and sunk , you may need your tauchretter as a life saver or drown ! This pull down card has some vivid graphics for the would be u-boat crewmen !

This is what info I have on this pull down propaganda card:

It was produced by the P.W.E. agency and was first dropped by British planes on the night of 05/06 April 1942 and the last time it was dropped by the RAF was on the night of 04/05 September 1942 and is approx. 10 cm x 20 cm .

The other u-boat propaganda comic book type I have been looking for since 1977 ! I first saw a small copy of this in the book THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by TERRY HUGHES and JOHN COSTELLO , 1977 and found on page 290 . If you ever want to sell this please let me know , I have a nice home for it between 2 more tauchretters ;-)

This 4 pager was also produced by the P.W.E. AGENCY A in 1942 and first dropped by the RAF on the night of 10/11 April 1942 and the last night drop by the RAF was on 02/03 1942 .

Very nive items and thank you for the close up detailed pictures ! Here is a shot of my 2 pull down cards .

[Erik Krogh]

Joe,

Nice Tauchretter display, including the two pull-down propaganda pieces!

Thank you very much for the information regarding the production and distribution of these pieces. I don't know anything about the P.W.E. agancy, but I'll begin my research.

Will most certainly keep you in mind if I decide to sell my "comic book".

Best Regards,

Erik

Hello,

Very nice propaganda items you have ! I own 2 of the pull down propaganda cards and I have them on display in my Tauchretter collection . I like them next to my tauchretters as a way of showing what can happen to a u-boat sailor if his boat is attacked and sunk , you may need your tauchretter as a life saver or drown ! This pull down card has some vivid graphics for the would be u-boat crewmen !

This is what info I have on this pull down propaganda card:

It was produced by the P.W.E. agency and was first dropped by British planes on the night of 05/06 April 1942 and the last time it was dropped by the RAF was on the night of 04/05 September 1942 and is approx. 10 cm x 20 cm .

The other u-boat propaganda comic book type I have been looking for since 1977 ! I first saw a small copy of this in the book THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by TERRY HUGHES and JOHN COSTELLO , 1977 and found on page 290 . If you ever want to sell this please let me know , I have a nice home for it between 2 more tauchretters ;-)

This 4 pager was also produced by the P.W.E. AGENCY A in 1942 and first dropped by the RAF on the night of 10/11 April 1942 and the last night drop by the RAF was on 02/03 1942 .

Very nive items and thank you for the close up detailed pictures ! Here is a shot of my 2 pull down cards .

Edited June 21, 2007 by Erik Krogh

[Monsun]

Hello Erik,

here are some other allied propaganda flyers from my collection.

Please note the text "LUFTPOST" (airmail).

Had someone more information about this flyers?

Best regards,

Monsun

[Monsun]

Rear

[Monsun]

Second flyer

[RichardT]

Great pieces Monsun.

Richard

[joetauchretter]

Hello Erik,

here are some other allied propaganda flyers from my collection.

Please note the text "LUFTPOST" (airmail).

Had someone more information about this flyers?

Best regards,

Monsun

Hello ,

This propaganda LUFTPOST EXTRABLATT was printed in England in 1943 . Here is some info on it :

Print date :1943

Production agency : P.W.E ( Political Warfare Executive )

Pages : 2

First dropped over Germany : Night of 09/10 July 1943

Last dropped over Germany : Night of 30/31 August 1943

[joetauchretter]

Second flyer

Hello ,

This propaganda flyer with the image of D?nitz was printed in England in 1942 . Here is some info on this leaflet :

Printed :1942

Pages:2

Production Agency : P.W.E.

First night drop over Germany : 06/07 October 1942

Last night drop : 21/22 December 1942

[Erik Krogh]

Monsun - thank you very much for posting your fliers! Great pieces!!

Richard - thanks for adding the production and distribution details. Greatly appreciated!

Best,

Erik