POW editions of Monopoly from WWII included escape kits

Posted by Cory Doctorow, November 20, 2007 10:01 AM | permalink

A Wall Street Journal blogger describes how the UK manufacturer of Monopoly produced special "loaded" editions of the game for distribution to Allied POWs during WWII, complete with files, escape maps, and real money.

n 1941, the British Secret Service asked the game's British licensee John Waddington Ltd. to add secret extras to some sets, which had become standard elements of the aid packages that the Red Cross delivered to allied prisoners of war. Along with the usual dog, top hat and and thimble, the sets had a metal file, compass, and silk maps of safe houses (silk, because it folds into small spaces and unfolds silently). Even better, real French, German and Italian currency was hidden underneath the game's fake money. Departing allied soldiers and pilots were told that if they were captured they should look out for the special editions, identified by a red dot in the Free Parking space. Any sets remaining in the U.K. were destroyed after the war. Of the 35,000 prisoners of war who escaped German prison camps by the end of the war, "more than a few of those certainly owe their breakout to the classic board game," says Mr. McMahon.

http://www.boingboing.net/2007/11/20...s-of-mono.html

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

No way! This is excellent. Imagine you owned one of these in your militatia collection?!

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I would want one for sure!!! Sad to see it say that "Any sets remaining in the U.K. were destroyed after the war".

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

secret services.... I suppose they would not have wanted the German pows to use their tricks.

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LOL True. I wonder how many still exist?

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.

Get out your flashlights and search the attics of the UK! Who knows...grandparents may have them stashed away somewhere.

Reading that was definitely interesting. Escape-equipment hidden inside a board-game...

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WWII-era pen-advertisement
P-51 Mustang fighter-plane.
Parker '51' fountain pen.

That would be a great item for anyone's collection! The only thing I have been able to find are the silk maps that were sewed into pilots jacket lining.
Great find JCF!

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Scott

Thanks for the story JC, but I did go to the link and saw some comments postede there with which I found myself agreeing. They mentioned that the Secret Service set up their own phony charity to distribute these and not the Red Cross as otherwise it would have tainted the vital link of necessary supplies to prisoners.

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Regards, Michelle

Oliver Goldsmith, "I love everything that's old: old friends, old times, old manners, old books, old wines."

That would make alot of sense. I wonder how many of these fell into German hands without them knowing what was in them? LOL

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For the first time I have seen "History" at close quarters,and I know that its actual process is very different from what is presented to Posterity. - WWI General Max Hoffman.