GERMANS USE “V” SIGN

Grey River Argus, 22 July 1941, Page 5

GERMANS USE “V” SIGN

Dr. Goebbel’s Ruse TO TRIM CAMPAIGN TO GERMAN USE. (Rec. 7.15). LONDON, June 20. On Saturday, German officialswhen leaving Rotterdam for Germany, were “V” insignias. This is part of efforts which Doctor Goehbles is making to convert “V” campaign to the advantage of Germany. Doctor Goebbels ordered that ‘ V symbols should be posted on buildings and on public vehicles, ano dropped' from aeroplanes. On Sunday night it was revealed in London that one day towards the end of January, Berlin listeners picked up from London the suggestion that the chalk mark, V, could be quickly scribbled, and that it stood for victory. The idea spread like wildfire throughout Europe, and the Gestapo did its best to suppress it. In Paris alone, there have been 6.200 police prosecutions. Doctor Goebbels, it is presumed, is now congratulating himself on his somewhat belated “inspiration”' ot telling the world that wherever the V sign is to be seen, it indicates belief in German victory. A Zeesen Germap broadcast, after announcing that the sign is to be seen everywhere on buildings, vehicles, in' cinemas and in shops, claims triumphantly that “in Paris a gigantic V appeared on the Eiffel Tower,” the same V for which people were ruthlessly prosecuted. Nazi uneasiness over the sign must be intense for them to imagine that the world will be deceived by such a manoeuvre, or that the peoples of the occupied countries will refrain from using it, if told that it is now regarded as a Nazi symbol. It is more likely that they will redouble their energy in making the V sign, as it is impossible for the Nazis now to take any action against them. Such a spontaneous expression of contempt for the Nazi new order is evidence of the underlying feeling regarding Hitler a’nd his gang throughout the countries they fondly hoped to reorganise. PRO-GERMAN “V-S.”? (Rec. 7.25). LONDON. July 20. A Bulgarian radio announcer solemnly proclaimed that the “V” sign l is recognised in Europe as the sign of a united struggle against Bolshevism and Plutocracy. He added that the sign, several yards high, is painted in the street's of Prague, Brussels, and Oslo.