BELIEF THAT COMMUNISTS ARE USING VON SCHILL POSTAGE STAMP IN PROPAGANDA EFFORT TO FOSTER GERMAN NATIONALISTIC FEELING AGAINST FRANCE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000500450135-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 18, 2004
• Sequence Number: 135
• Publication Date: April 12, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

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2. Ferdinand von 8chill vas commander of the "Achill Hussaren" during the
Napoleonic wars early in the 19th century. Hia exploits against the
French made German hiecory. However, he was long forgotten until Hitler's
historians dug back into the past and revived what could be called oTlr d -
memories." Anyhow, Hitler's aim was to revive German nationalism or caper
natiopelism by telling the German people what a glorious last they had.
Tt was Also designed to kindle the hatred of the French. Hitler succeeded,
and in 1937 every school textbook carried the Schill story. Books about
8chill appeared in the bookshops. He was again a hero. He victoriously
.&ought the French -- a great national hero in the eyes of the Nazi
propagandisti.
3. When Communist education "specialists" began, turning out new school text-
books for the East German suhoola, all roferenco to Germany's past was
deleted. Poems by Schiller, whose rationalism and so-called "love for
freedom" were contained in much of hi.c work, were taboo. Instead, the
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as a Stamp wit a orse ac picture o er nan
pt eta von c i . It was a large Stamp (Game as UL' special delivery),
magenta color, of GDR02O denomination. I was astonished to see this
particular design -- and I believe it is hishly significant in evrluating
preeen*, politlieel tactics by the Communist regime.
- ?-?- .L, ,o ncc co De transmitted overseas wlthoat the concurrence of the
originating otilce through the Assistant Dl rector of the G1P.,ce of Collection and Dissemination, CIA.
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Approved For Release 004/03/26 : CIA-RDP8 -00809A000500450135-0
CONFIDENTIAL
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
Zone)
Belief that Communists *.re Using von
Stamp in Propaganda Effort T,) Foster
Nationalistic Feeling against France
SEE LAST PA " 7 1:1, A P
(ARMY
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Approv d For Release 2004/03/26 : CIA-RDP80-00809A000500450135-0
 Approved For Release 2004/03/26 : CIA-RDP80-00809AO00500450135-0
CONFIDENPIAL
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C unists made an attempt to sell the Soviet Army and the "glorious" past
of COME n2Bm to the, Germans. This involved many strategies, Fuge .
pictures of Communist leaders and Soviet heroes decorated East German
cities which were so lit up by colorful red stars that many of them
looked like amusement parks. The Germans didn't go for that, and this
carnival-type display was made the eurject of many anti-Communist jokes.
4. It seems to me that the Communists now have resorted to another means of
"getting" the Germans. If this postage stamp is any indication, they are
using the old Hitler tactics -- namely, to revive the old nationalism.
5. This, in my opinion, is very serious. I believe these tactics ace designed
to stir up once more the hatred toward the French by making Schill an East
German patriot, thus a Communist patriot. If this present campaign is
intensified, it could vary well block France's participation i., ',EDC. I
believe that this is the real aam behind this strategy. The words at the
top of the stump Deutsche Patrioten -- indicate to me that she stamp
is only one of a series.
6. I don't think you could go wrong' in wa,chinu this situation. If this
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campaign continues, hard-hitting" commentaries over RIAS and the, Voice
might creak its back.
7. The 148 Encyclopedia Britannicla contains the following on vonlSchill:
SChILL, Ferdirand Baptista von (1776-1809), Prussian soldier, was born
in Saxony. Entering the Prussian cavalry at the age of 12, he was
still a subaltern of dragoons when he was wounded in the battle! of
Auerstadt. At Kolberg he played a very prominent part in the cele-
bratedsiege of 1807. After the peace of Tilsit he was given the
C PYR G H T nommand of a hussar regiment. In 1409 the political situation in
Europe appeared to'Schill to favor an attempt to liberate his country
fr' the French domination. Leading out his regiment from Berlin
under pretext of maneuvers, he raised the standard of revolt, and
marched for t..e Elbe. At Dodc.ndorf (5 May 1809) he had a brush with
the Magdeburg garrison, but was lsoon driven northwards where he, hoped
to find British support. With little more than his original force
Sohill was surrounded by five thousand Danish and Dutch troops in the
neighborhood of Wiener. He escaped by hard fighting action of
Damgertsn, 24 May)' to Stralsund! The Danes and Dutch soon hemmed
him in, and by sheer numbers overwhelmed the defenders (31 May).
was killed.7
himself
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