Comarades! British Soldiers!
- Title:
- Comarades! British Soldiers!
- Alternate Title:
- Comarades! British Soldiers!
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Unknown
- Date:
- 1940
- Posted Date:
- 2017-04-14
- ID Number:
- 2217.01
- Collection Number:
- 8548
- File Name:
- PJM_2217_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1940 - 1959
- Subject:
- World War II
Not So Persuasive
Unusual Graphics/Text - Measurement:
- 20 x 13 sheet (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- Famous leaflet used by the Germans in their effort to persuade allied troops to surrender at Dunkirk. Note that the message in French ("The war is over for you! Your leaders are fleeing by air") differs from the one in English. Because the sea is shaded in almost the same way as the area captured by the Germans, the white space occupied by the allies appears to be completely surrounded, an impression enhanced by the arrows advancing from all directions. Speier 1941, 328. The resulting image "proves . . . that propaganda maps . . . can be used as a means of undermining the morale of fighting soldiers." Ibid
In fact, the Dunkirk leaflets may have backfired. "Most men treated the leaflets as a joke and a useful supply of toilet paper." Lord 1982, 76. Others thought it a sign of German desperation. Most importantly, troops were "encouraged" by the map because it clearly showed the Dunkirk beachhead at a time when "they hadn't realized there was still a route open to the sea so near at hand." Ibid.
This copy said to have been found recently in the WWII kit bag of an English soldier.
For further information on the Collector’s Notes and a Feedback/Contact Link, see https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/about-collection-personal-statement and https://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/content/feedback-and-contact - Cite As:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography, #8548. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
- Repository:
- Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
- Archival Collection:
- P.J. Mode collection of persuasive cartography
- Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.