Jocko
Off With The Pixies
As some members will know, I have an interest in propaganda photography. A while ago, in another thread, I mentioned a unique case where cameras themselves became propaganda: the English-language "advertisements" for Leica, Contax and Voigtlander RFs which appeared in "Der Adler" a Nazi publication circulated in POW camps housing allied aircrew.
"Der Adler" was a "Picture Post"-style photo magazine, devoted to photo-features on exotic locations, denunciations of the Soviets, girlie pictures and much material on photography. The latter - of a very high standard indeed - was obviously aimed at a technically literate readership to whom, whatever their present circumstances, "German cameras" were undeniably the best. The same could not be said of the terrible cartoons. The purpose of such material was to subtly win "hearts and minds", which it failed to do. Yet it remains of considerable historical interest.
Several members have asked me to post some of these advertisements - in this case from "Der Adler" in November 1942. As they contain no offensive material I see no reason why not: at the very least they remind us of the sheer cunning with which unscrupulous powers seek to manipulate opinion.
Cheers, Ian
"Der Adler" was a "Picture Post"-style photo magazine, devoted to photo-features on exotic locations, denunciations of the Soviets, girlie pictures and much material on photography. The latter - of a very high standard indeed - was obviously aimed at a technically literate readership to whom, whatever their present circumstances, "German cameras" were undeniably the best. The same could not be said of the terrible cartoons. The purpose of such material was to subtly win "hearts and minds", which it failed to do. Yet it remains of considerable historical interest.
Several members have asked me to post some of these advertisements - in this case from "Der Adler" in November 1942. As they contain no offensive material I see no reason why not: at the very least they remind us of the sheer cunning with which unscrupulous powers seek to manipulate opinion.
Cheers, Ian
