Safe Conduct Passes For Germans In Italy

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 4

Safe Conduct Passes For Germans In Italy

A safe conduct pass for Germans wishing to surrender to Allied forces, has been sent as a souvenir by Major W. J. Thompson, at present serving in Italy, to his wife in Whangarei. Printed on a piece of yellow-edged paper, the English text of the pass states: “The German soldier who car-x'ie-s this safc-conduct pass is using it as a sign of his genuine wish to give himself up. He is to be disarmed, to be well looked aftei', to l’eceive food and medical attention as required, and is to be removed from the dangerzone as soon as possible.” The statement is signed with a facsimile of the signature of the commander in chief of Allied armies in Italy (General (now Field Marshal) H. R. Alexander) .

Commenting on the passes, Major Thompson writes that they are dropped in hundreds by Allied planes. “They tell Jerry the latest news of the victorious advances of the Allied armies, and invite him to surrender,” he states. 1 “Hundreds come in displaying these, and they are treated well,” writes Major Thooson- On the reverse side of the pass is a text in German, outlining the advantages of immediate surrender.

Another souvenir sent from Italy by Major Thompson js a nropaaenda sheet nrinted in German, telling the enemy that it is now only a matter of time before they are once more utterly defeated. These sheets are dropped in containers from planes.