NAZI RADIO FANTASY IN ITALY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 191, 11 May 1944, Page 5

NAZI RADIO FANTASY IN ITALY

Directed To Allied Troops N.Z.E.F. Official News Service. BARI, May 8. From the time the enemy radio scornfully reported the departure from the Dominion of the “simple country lads,’’ the German propaganda has scored a melancholy "blob’’ against the New Zealanders, and the enemy news bulletins have been treated as an amusing fantasy. The enemy propaganda has, in many ways, mirrored the enemy’s fortunes. First there were floods of invective, and then wheedling attempts to split Allied sympathies. Now it appears to be aimed at persuading the world that the Germans are not such bad chaps after all, presumably hoping to pave the way toward post-armistice forgiveness anil forgetfulness. The New Zealanders and other Allied troops in Italy have directed toward them a radio programme called “Jerry’s Front,” which is apparently - broadcast from Rome. The appeal is slanted mainly to the Americans, the programmes assiduously featuring au Ameri-can-type radio serial sandwiched between jazz. The propaganda comes in with news flashes which are superimposed on the music and are always followed by a record the title of which makes some satirical commentary on the news. For instance, announcing King Victor Emmanuel’s decision to abdicate in due course, “Jerry's Front.” followed up with the tune “Please Don't Talk About Me When I’m Gone.” Similarly, every night is given » list of names of Allied soldiers taken prisoner, followed by a lusty version of “Hail, Hail, the Gang's' All Here.” The station also delights in criticizing high Allied officers with caustic two-minute commentaries complete With sound effects. But the enemy propaganda bureau still fails to grasp the mentality of the Eng-lish-speaking peoples.