Second World War Propaganda – Eisenhower – Churchill – Roosevelt – Allied Military Government Proclamation for Occupied Germany (“Bekanntmachung”), ZG 66 – 1945 – Robert Hastings & Steve Forbes Provenance

Original German-language Allied military government and propaganda leaflet issued during the final collapse of Nazi Germany and the establishment of Allied control over occupied territory.

Printed under the authority of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), the leaflet is headed “Bekanntmachung” (Official Proclamation) and bears the printed signature of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force.

Unlike many wartime propaganda leaflets intended simply to undermine morale, this document occupies the crucial transitional moment between military victory and occupation. The front announces the establishment of Allied Military Government in occupied German territories, outlines its powers of administration and justice, and states the determination of the occupying authorities to dismantle the institutions of National Socialism. The text specifically addresses the removal of Nazi Party and SS personnel from positions of authority while assuring civilians that ordinary life and employment should continue wherever possible.

The reverse carries substantial extracts under the headings “Churchill über Deutschlands Zukunft” and “Roosevelt über Deutschlands Zukunft” (“Churchill on Germany’s Future” and “Roosevelt on Germany’s Future”). These statements explain Allied intentions towards post-war Germany, emphasising that unconditional surrender is directed against Nazism rather than the German people themselves. Together, Churchill, Roosevelt and Eisenhower present the political, diplomatic and military framework that would shape occupied Germany in 1945.

The leaflet is particularly significant because it combines the voices of the three most important Western Allied leaders associated with Germany’s defeat. It therefore functions simultaneously as propaganda, occupation policy, political communication and historical evidence of Allied planning for post-war reconstruction.

Institutional examples are recorded by the Deutsches Historisches Museum, which catalogues this leaflet as a wartime Allied leaflet containing an Eisenhower proclamation together with statements by Roosevelt and Churchill concerning Germany’s future.

This example possesses distinguished provenance, having formed part of the collection of Robert Hastings, noted Churchill scholar and collector, before entering The Churchill Collection of Steve Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine.

A scarce and historically important occupation-period document surviving from the closing months of the Second World War.

Condition: Near fine condition. Light age toning and minor handling wear. Clean and complete with strong, clear text throughout.

Date: 1945
Code: ZG 66
Publisher: Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF)
Size: 24 x 14.9 cm
Format: Single sheet printed on both sides
Language: German
Provenance: Robert Hastings, Churchill scholar and collector; subsequently The Churchill Collection of Steve Forbes

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