Really Swell

This letter written from “Some Where in Italy” on 19 February 1944, was nearly enough to fool an unsuspecting archivist. I originally thought the letter was real and written by an unfortunate soldier who had been injured and captured by the Nazis during World War Two. However, on closer inspection the letter appears to be a piece of printed Nazi propaganda, produced to convince the English that their POWs were being treated fairly and respectfully.  It is stamped in red over all four pages “Truth about treatment of P.O.W.’s in regular German camps or hospitals.” Addressed to Mrs. Al Bradburn of Poutre Michigan U.S.A. the letter, written by ‘Jess’, includes many positive comments about prison life. “So far the Germans have used us like one of there [sic] own. They have really been swell. We are in a hospital with all wounded Germans. They feed us as they do the rest. It beats anything I’ve seen and its better than I expected... Don’t think I am saying this because I am forced to as I am not. Every German soldier I’ve come in contact with has been a real gentleman.” It is known that Germany generally treated POWs from France, America and the British Commonwealth in accordance with the Geneva Convention. Nonetheless, it is doubtful that the POW camps were as fun and entertaining as this piece of propaganda suggests.