World War II POWs Used Escape Maps Hidden In Monopoly Pieces

Posted by Queuebot in Odd News, Weapons & War on March 18, 2009 at 10:35 am

Last year, an archive of World War II maps was donated to the British Library Map Library. Some of these maps are now on display to the public, and they have fascinating story behind them!

Waddington PLC, the printing company best known for its games including Monopoly, was involved in a most unusual venture during the Second World War: printing maps on silk, rayon and tissue paper for military use and smuggling some of them to prisoners of war.

[...]

During WWII hundreds of thousands of maps were produced by the British on thin cloth and tissue paper. The idea was that a serviceman captured or shot down behind enemy lines should have a map to help him find his way to safety if he escaped or, better still, evade capture in the first place. A map like this could be concealed in a small place (a cigarette packet or the hollow heel of a flying boot), did not rustle suspiciously if the captive was searched and, in the case of maps on cloth or mulberry leaf paper, could survive wear and tear and even immersion in water. The scheme was soon extended to cover those who had already been captured, although a certain amount of ingenuity was required to get the maps into the POW camps.

Link – via holeinthedonut

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by baweibel.

 
Comment (4)    Permalink   Please share:  email this         

Neatorama Shop » Ambigram T-Shirts
Friend / Enemy Ambigram
See more Ambigram T-Shirts »

WWII German Infantry Weapons

Posted by Algonkin in Video Clips, Weapons & War on May 9, 2008 at 12:16 pm

This very interesting 14 minute video demonstrates the functionality as well as the effectiveness of Germany’s infantry weapons during WWII. Listed is a description of the Karabiner 98K, MP40 Machine Pistole, the famous Luger, the Stielhandgranate or better known as the Potato masher both MG34 and MG42 machine guns and more.

The video appears to be a vintage color film that was probably used for training purposes between 1939-1945 (unconfirmed)

Link: YouTube

 
Comment (1)    Permalink   Please share:  email this         


WWII Army Bag Is Found In Desert

Posted by Algonkin in Video Clips, Weapons & War on December 1, 2007 at 9:05 am

A bag belonging to a World War II soldier from Lancashire has been discovered in the Egyptian desert after lying there for more than 60 years. Alec Ross, from Burnley, lost the bag containing personal letters and photos, while serving with the 8th Army. Egyptian tour guide Kahled Makram found the bag in the Sahara desert and traced Mr Ross’s family through a BBC website on World War II. The bag is being sent to Burnley to Mr Ross’s sister, Irene Porter.

Video: LiveLeak – Via: BBC

 
Comment (2)    Permalink   Please share:  email this