Issue of the Berliner Lokal-Anzeiger ("Berlin Local Newspaper") newspaper dated April 10, 1938, its headline "Tag der historischen Wahl - Unser Ja dem Führer" - "The historic day of elections - Yes to our leader" - The celebratory issue calling on the Austrian citizens to vote "yes" to annexation (in a sham referendum to the leader), after Hitler had effectively taken control over Austria. Title page design: large geographical map of the neighboring German and Austrian territories, with a hand emerging from Austria and shaking the German hand. Rare.
Celebratory issue concluding the events of the "Anschluss" - the annexation of Austria to Germany on the eve of World War II. The entire issue is full of enthusiastic articles expressing loyalty to the Führer in the spirit of Austria's unconditional accession to the German Reich. On page 2 under the headline: "Now the people are going to the Ballot box ", it describes how the German crowds are going to vote "yes" to Adolf Hitler, "yes" to the annexation of Austria: "Even if the weather was capricious and rained indifferently, the millions still marched proudly with their leader and the enthusiasm of the Viennese... This is the exciting moment of Adolf Hitler's life work... "Now is the time!... We are coming to fulfill our duty. This single thought flows in our hearts... The German people are aiming towards a single goal - the magnificent unification!... The paragraphs written against annexation became lifeless empty paper, and the March revolution and its outcomes will receive the sacred legitimacy, the people as a whole will put the final stamp on the historic turning point with a "yes"... We are now called to approve the unification of Austria with the Reich. The Führer himself has already said everything that needed to be said about it...".
Another article titled: "Adolf Hitler called us all from the Ostmark" - quotes Hitler's speech annexing Austria delivered in Vienna. Another article titled: "The great ceremony at Vienna City Hall" describes the Viennese going out to meet the Germans and the Austrians' joy over the great unification, proclaiming: "Hitler has taken control of the old capital of Ostmark for the good of the whole nation" , and more.
Hitler sent his army into Austria on March 11 and the Anschluss - annexation of Austria into the "Third German Reich" - was declared two days later. Most of the Austrian population welcomed the annexation willingly and even enthusiastically. The annexation was accompanied by prolonged antisemitic outbursts and humiliation of Jews by Austrian citizens, under German auspices. Contrary to prior planning, after about a month, Hitler held a referendum among the Austrian people regarding the unification of the two countries, a referendum that Hitler directly influenced through propaganda and terror, and won almost unanimous support for unification. Austria was annexed to Germany without bloodshed on either side. The issue before us was effectively the final declaration of annexation as it calls on the Austrian masses to vote "yes" to the Führer as part of the coerced referendum.
Complete issue. [4] pages. 48 cm. Reinforcements with paper pastings along the inner fold lines. Minor tears. Good condition.
