GOEBBELS MACHINE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 October 1940, Page 8

GOEBBELS MACHINE

GAINS & LOSSES BY LYING NAZI THOROUGHNESS IN RADIO PROPAGANDA. ATTEMPT TO SOW DISSENSION. (By “Know-turner.”) Superhuman Nazi thoroughness is the keynote of one vital section of the German propaganda. This idea has been spread vigorously and until the war had been in progress for some time the doctrine gained wide acceptance. In every sphere of activity the Nazi was presented as so inhumanly efficient that resistance was useless. For a long time this was an effective weapon in spreading terror, especially among the smaller European nations, but the propaganda machine operated by Dr Goebbels over-reached itself in its statements but also belief in Nazi efficiency. The machine is still marvellously industrious; but it is no longer believed. The doctor’s aim was to sow dissension, doubt and terror through radio broadcasts. In countries where the populations were disunited any or all of these aims were achieved and the path of the invader was made easier. But among the peoples of the British Commonwealth of Nations the sound democratic basis made the field unprofitable. Among them and among the people of the United States, too, a strongly developed sense of humour and a nose for the truth brought about the downfall.

They noted German radio contradictions, persistent absurdities, the clumsy technique, and they have come to acclaim Dr Goebbels one of the world’s leading radio comedians. To spread uncertainty and anxiety among the relatives of sailors in the British Navy, the German stations continued their sinking of the Ark Royal and other vessels in broadcasts in English. Some American listeners were caught, but when the United States naval attache and a host of neutral' journalists had lunch on the vessel, the persistent sinking of the aircraft carrier lost its flavour. When she appeared at Capetown and later at Rio de Janeiro, German veracity and Nazi intelligence received a severe blow.

The joke was completed later when the Rome radio began to sink her in the Mediterranean. Dr Goebbels’s radio has sunk all the British Navy and a little more. Evidently names have been taken from an old Navy list because warships long withdrawn from service have figured among the doctor’s victims. Those who believed in Nazi thoroughness were surprised by these mistakes, but were shocked when the German wireless announced that a Nazi submarine had torpedoed and sunk H.M.S. Vernon — the Royal Navy’s School of Mines — which stands on dry land. The recent bombing of “Random,” a suburb of London, was another bright effort. An appalling blunder in technique was the “discovery” of documents in the United States Embassy in Warsaw, proving that President Roosevelt was actually responsible for the outbreak of war. American reaction was first anger and then unrestrained hilarity. However, the enormity of this howler was not fully realised until a little time after when the Nazis broadcast the discovery in a Norwegian railway' station of documents conveniently left there by a junior officer, proving that Britain intended to invade Norway. Not satisfied with this, Dr Goebbels announced a similarly useful discovery in Holland. In Britain and in the United States the news of these striking events was received with immoderate laughter. Nazi thoroughness! Dr Goebbels does not mind exposing his own lies. Two distinct sets of contradictions were sent out from Berlin on the same day. August 16: 1. (a) “More than 2,000 German bombers and German fighter squadrons in unprecedented numbers have been for many hours over London and the Thames Esutary.” (German Cable Service). (b) “The German Official News Agency denies the British statement that 1,000 German planes were used in raids over Britain today. It is affirmed that only 200 bombers and 320 Messerschmidts took part in the daylong battle over Britain.” (Edward Hartrich broadcasting from Berlin). 2. (a) “I have seen with my own eyes that German fighters can fly over London for half-an-hour without challenge from British fighters. I have seen nothing like it since the big attack on the aerodromes round Paris.” (Official German News Agency). (b) “Like mosquitoes from a marsh, British fighters appeared in the sky. Hurricanes and Spitfires everywhere. Our Messerschmidts are fighting a numerically superior enemy.” (German Official News Agency). It would be'unwise to dismiss all Nazi radio propaganda as harmless because of these mistakes. Some of it is cunningly devised and may cause anxiety to those who hear it without being acquainted with more of the work by the industrious doctor's crews. Actually the antidote is the Daventry official news. After having been criticised severely for being undramatic, even chilly, and too deliberate, the British radio service has built a reputation for accuracy in presenting news, good or ill. In neutral countries the reliability of the 8.8. C. is recognised, and the frank reporting of the damage to London under the German air attack has enhanced its good repute. After one day in New Zealand, the Rev Lionel B. Fletcher, returned to Auckland from Louden said: “The fact is the people of Britain are irritated by what they consider the ultraconservative way in which the news is given. It is literally true and it also | shows our weaknesses as well as our I strength. In the eyes of the Continental nations we are fools to toll them so much, and many Americans have said the same thing.” In "Here Lies Goebbels,” a noted American journalist declared that the British policy had won in the Near East. Arabs listened to the Italian service foi- entertainment, but preferred the 8.8. C. nows broadcasts because they believed them. Often they used receiving sets given them by the energetic Nazi propaganda machine. Accuracy has won in the broadcast of news. The British radio service is believed. Dr Goebbels has had some part in this. By the recklessness with which German radio stations have put over the doctor's lies, the absurd ones and the clever ones, he has provided a I contrast to increase the influence of British sobriety and he has illuminated the truth of 8.8. C. radio news. It is even possible that the doctor believes the 8.8. C. himself. Nazi “thoroughness" is a wonderful ' thing!