German Wartime Posters

[Jim O]

I've always been a fan of posters. Here are some German wartime posters that I thought interesting.



This poster was released in summer 1940. German morale reports found that it was effective. The text translates as: "Smash the Enemies of Greater Germany!" A literal translation would be: "Into Dust with All Enemies of Greater Germany."



This poster dates to early in the war. A farmer smashes the blockade. The Allied blockade of Germany during World War I had seriously hurt the war effort. The poster claims that Germany's food supply is secure in the new war. The text: "Farmer! You are a soldier in the battle of production."



This is an SS recruiting poster. It says one can join at 18, and sign up for shorter or longer periods of service. It gives the address of the recruiting office in Munich.



The caption of this 1940 poster translates: "Victory is with our Flags." 650,000 copies were distributed.

Source: Calvin College

[Jim O]

Some more:



This poster is probably from the early early war years.The soldier in the forefront is wearing the Knights Cross with Oak Leaves. The text translates as: "Infantry: The Queen of the Services."



This is another WWII production poster from the winter of 1940-1941.. The text translates as: "You are the front!"



This poster was issued around May 1942. The text translates as: "This is how we fight. You, too, must work for victory."



A Mjölnir poster is also from around May 1942. The caption: "One battle, one will, one goal: Victory at any cost!" The poster is by "Mjölnir," Goebbels' artist from Berlin, whose real name was Hans Schweitzer (1901-1980), and the theme is a takeoff on one of his pre-1933 posters. Hans Schweitzer survived the war and had a successful career as a graphic artist after 1945, though I doubt he used his pen name.

Source: Calvin College

[Jim O]

More:



This is another common World War II poster. The caption: "Adolf Hitler is victory!" It was withdrawn from circulation after the defeat at Stalingrad.



30 January 1943 was the 10th anniversary of the Nazi seizure of power. This poster suggests that the 1943 battle against the world is the continuation of the battle that led to Nazi victory in 1933. The caption: "30 January 1933-1943. One Battle! One Victory!" The theme is a takeoff on one of Mjölnir's pre-1933 posters. This poster was withdrawn after Stalingrad.



A poster to recruit air raid wardens.



The Germans worked to gather as much old material for the war effort as possible. This poster is for a 1943 clothing drive. The text translates as: "Get rid of old cloth and shoes!

Source: Calvin College

[Jim O]

More:



This 1943 poster promotes a paper drive.



This poster is from 1943. It was issued by the Reichsarbeitsgemeinschaft Schadenverhütung, an organization that promoted safety. The caption: "Protect the harvest. It ensures victory!" A careless farmer ignites a fire that, without the prompt intervention of a second person, could have led to disaster.



This poster was distributed in occupied Europe and satellite countries from 1942 onwards. It was part of the Nazi attempt to persuade occupied Europe that it was part of a common European crusade against Bolshevism.



This poster was issued during the summer of 1943. The text translates as: "Build Weapons for the Front."

Source: Calvin College

[Jim O]

Still more:



This looks to be a late-war recruiting poster for the SS, a time at which the Nazis were recruiting younger and younger soldiers. The caption doesn't translate directly, but means: "Enlist now!" A literal translation would be: "Especially you!"



This poster comes from the World War II period. The text translates as: "Labor Comrade. You work with us. Keep up your strength!"



The text reads: "Unshakable, determined to fight, certain of victory!"



This poster dates from 1942-1943. Allied bombing of German cities had increased to the level that children in cities were being sent to the countryside for safety. The German term Kinderlandverschickung translates as "sending children to the countryside." The poster encourages parents to register their children aged 3-14 for the program, which was not compulsory.

Source: Calvin College

[Jim O]

Yet even more:



This poster is from later in the war when Allied bombers were constantly over Germany. The text translates as: "The enemy sees your light! Black out!"



This one, aimed at a foreign audience, recalls the Russian massacre of Polish officers in Katyn Forest. It translates as: "The forest of the dead at Katyn."



An SS recruiting poster used in Norway. The translation: "Come with us north" at the top, and "The Norwegian Skihunter Batallion" at the bottom.



This fall 1944 poster is by Mjölnir. The Volksturm was the Nazi attempt to call on the last reserves. Those too young or too old for regular military service were called into service. The caption translates as "For freedom and life."

Source: Calvin College

[Jim O]

Last group of two, for now:



This poster, in Ukrainian, translates as: "Stand up to fight Bolshevism in the ranks of the Galicia division." This is a recruiting poster for an SS division of Ukrainian nationals.



An SS recruiting poster used in the Netherlands. Translation: "For your honor and conscience! Against Bolshevism. The Waffen-SS calls you!"

source: Calvin College

[Commander Waffle]

Wow...I actually understood some of that. Thanks Jim!

[lufttiger]

Where did you get all of these?

[Jim O]

Where did you get all of these?

Nazi Propaganda (1933-1945) is a site is devoted to all Nazi propaganda. It covers the whole Nazi era. Some is war related, much is not.