Nazi Board Games For Auction
Saturday August 25, 2007
A series of board games for German children of the Nazi era are up for auction. The games, created in the 1940s when Germany and Britain were at war, are martial in theme and include one where children have to destroy the British towns of Birmingham and London. While interesting to collectors of board games, they have a value to social historians by showing the extent of Nazi propaganda and ideology, which focused considerable attention on children.
Comments
War Game for Nazi Children
Well, I had a similar type game bombing a generic city in Germany. Consisted of a card board bomb site. Looking through a mirror one lined up buildings on a painted dart board. Then one pushed a button to release a bomb (actually a dart which looked like a bomb.) Different buildings had different point values. I think there was a negative for hitting a hospital or a school. I recall my mother teaching it to me. Did I understand what I was doing? Yes and no. There was no sense I was killing people, but it was great fun, pretending to be a bombadier in a B-17. I wish I had that “toy” now. Probably be worth a fortune if it were new.
Robert, the Nazi board game actually sounds pretty tame compared to the first person shooter PC games marketed to children these days, usually pitting you in the role of American soldiers fighting Arabs. Much more efficient propaganda considering PC games have a greater emotional effect than board games (especially on children).
John, your description of how you saw your bombing game – as innocent fun not related to actual killing of people – corresponds surprisingly well with how my son (and myself) see the Medieval II: Total War game that he likes to play.
John,
I had the same game. I’ve searched all over the internet for even a picture of the board and the bombsite.
Wish I could remember the name of the game.
iampenned@yahoo.com
IF ANYONE has a picture or remembers the name of the American game, or are selling or know who/where is selling it, please e-mail me at:
iampenned@yahoo.com