PROPAGANDA POSTCARDS
(1940)

This page was last updated
20-Feb-2025 07:13

OFFERING/SACRIFICE DAY
(20th/21st Jan 1940)

BACKGROUND: These postcards were issued to commemorate Offering Day/Sacrifice Day of the War Winterhilfswerk (W.H.W). The annual event had its roots in the early years of the First World War, when fundraising events would be held in many German towns and cities. The donations from the people were used to support the war effort as well as the German Red Cross and widows and orphans.

The first two postcards below feature an image of Markgraf Ludwig Wilhelm, the ruler of Baden-Baden and commander of the Imperial army in the early 1700's. He is most well known for his successful defeat of the Turkish armies and gained the title "Turkenlouis" or Turkish Louis, meaning 'Shield of the Empire' after his many victories.

SPECIAL CANCEL:

FRANCONIAN WAR RELIEF FUND
(20th/21st Jan 1940)

The card below left was issued to commemorate the Offering Day in Franconia on 20th/21st Jan 1940 and was published by J.M. Richter of Würzburg. The text below the image of Ludwig Wilhelm reads "Kampfesfroh und Opferbereit" - 'Be happy to fight and be ready to make sacrifices'.

The front of the postcard bears the special slogan cancel inscribed "Mainfrankischer | Opfertag | 20.-21.1.1940"

BADEN BORDER DISTRICT WAR RELIEF FUND
(24th/25th Feb 1940)

The second card was issued by the Border Gau of Baden 24th/25th and has an unknown publisher. The inscription below the figure of Ludwig Wilhelm wearing armour reads "Markgraf Ludwig Wilhelm | DER WÄCHTER AM OBERRHEIN" - 'Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm | THE GUARDIAN ON THE UPPER RHINE'.

The front if the card has the inscription "Grenzgau-Opfergau Kriegs-WHW 1939/40 | 24./25.Februar: Opfertag des Grenzgaues Baden" - 'Grenzgau victims Gau Kriegs-WHW 1939/40 | February 24/25: Day of sacrifices in the Baden border district'