Anti-AEF late in war German leaflet propaganda

[John Gilinsky]

Discovered this today at an antique show. The original consists of approximately an 8 inch high by 5 inch wide printed in black ink on browning paper English language propaganda clearly directed against American soldiers in France especially. Based on the provenance (the American soldier whose papers this comes from enlisted in the United States in the middle of May 1918) and German fears of the massive build up of the AEF which reaced a crescendo in the summer of 1918 along with their aggresive offensive spirit (aka Pershiing!) it would appear this document dates from the late summer of 1918 onwards.

"Never say die!

Don't die till you have to!

What business have you to die for France, for Alsace-Lorraine, or for England in France?

Isn't it better anyhow to live than to die, no matter

for how "glorious" a cause? Isn't it better to live and

come back to the old folks at home, than to rot in the

shell holes and trenches of France?

You have had to hear many high falutin words about

"liberty," "humanity" and "making the world safe for

democracy" but honest now, aren't these catch words

merely sugar coating to the bitter pill of making you spend

wretched months far from home? Do you really believe

those German soldier boys in their faded grey uniforms on

the other side of "No Man's Land" are hot on the trail

of your liberties?

Just like you, they want the war to end with honor

so they can go back to their home folks. All they want

is a chance to live and let live.

And so, if it should happen to you to fall into their

hands you will find that they will treat you fair enough

on the principle of "live and let live."

Why run any more chances than you have to,

you might as well be a free boarder in Germany till

the war is over. You don't want to die till you have to!

This one side pamphlet is I believe blank on the verso and is unsigned and unattributed.

During World War Two there many types of this type of Nazi German propaganda directed against Allied forces with amongst other demoralizing intentions, driving a wedge between the Allies themselves.

Any thoughts or questions on the above?

Has anyone seen any examples of German created propaganda specifically directed against other Allied forces in the field say the Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans or Canadians (CEF) during the last few months of the war?