Issue of the Nazi newspaper Illustrierter Beobachter dated March 15, 1940, pointing an accusatory finger at the Jews who “control France” as part of the psychological preparation for the planned German invasion. Accompanied by the special addition – a large folded color anti-Semitic poster titled “France’s Fault”, with three maps on its reverse side: the Middle East, Europe, and France with marked borders. All complete.
The issue extensively surveys, across several pages and with black-and-white maps, France’s imperial expansion dating back to the Middle Ages, continuing through Napoleon’s conquests, aiming to depict French expansionism and dominance as an inherent trait of the French character. Additionally, it includes various photographs showing French soldiers allegedly threatening innocent civilians in the 1920s, intended to illustrate the supposed immorality of the French military.
Further, the issue dedicates several consecutive pages to numerous photographs of Jews described as “influencing France’s war policies, ” each accompanied by defamatory commentary. For example, a photo of Alfred Dreyfus is included, accusing him of dividing France during his trial. Photos of members of the Rothschild family are displayed side by side, accusing them of funneling large sums of money for France’s benefit. Rabbi David Kahn, described as “the Chief Rabbi of Paris who threatened the police with Jewish power, ” is pictured. Additionally, there are images of prominent Jewish bankers in France with hateful remarks about their “dark dealings, ” a photo of the “Jewish Minister of Education” accused of admiring “degenerate art, ” and more. The issue also presents photos of impoverished French citizens, falsely portraying the French government as neglecting its unfortunate population, alongside articles and photos condemning notable French figures, labeling them as corrupt thieves preying on the weak.
The issue includes the anti-Semitic poster “France’s Fault”, depicting a distorted-faced black soldier (symbolizing North Africa, large parts of which were under French control) alongside an aristocratic Jew holding a copy of Havas [the leading French news agency at the time]. The soldier holds a flag emblazoned with the values enshrined in the French canon since the French Revolution: LIBERTE – EGALITE – FRATERNITE (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), with the anti-Semitic inscription in German: Frankreichs Schuld – “France’s Fault.” The implication being that France itself is to blame for what is to come under Nazi occupation.
48 pages. Complete issue. Fold marks on the issue and the poster. Slight tears along the folds of the poster. Overall good condition.
