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Extremely rare British Indian Government propaganda relating to Nazi German designs on oil in Asia to fuel its military machine, and the implicit threat to the Royal Navy. Original printed wraps 13x18cm. Printed by GIPS (Government of India Press, Simla). 6pp. Very good except for a single puncture to the left hand edge for tying papers together (touching the edge of the text without loss), closed tear to spine head, tanned. India provided over 2 million troops during WW2 making it one of the largest Allied forces, with several million others contributing to the effort at home. This paper by an unnamed author was issued as part of the propaganda effort to keep the local population onside, reporting on the War and tying it up with the fate of India, praising Indian contributions, and countering Axis propaganda. Operating from Simla out of premises such as Dalziel House and the Railway Board Building, materials were disseminated via employers, trusted village headmen, narrow gauge railway coaches (with displays, literature, loud speakers, lecturer etc), and Talking Points for radio broadcasts and classrooms. This paper, dated 11/11/42 from the printer's code, was issued while "the fate of Stalingrad hangs in the balance": "The German General in charge of these operations with an army of a million men attempts to conquer this 'town of steel', seemingly unaffected by the staggering losses he suffers, for the German military machine has long been thirsty for oil". It presents a description of the Caucasus, and explains the growing importance of oil. It concludes that even if Germany were to conquer the Caucasus, it would not be able to obtain sufficient supplies immediately: "Her oil position at present is serious. In a few months hence it will become desperate and that would mark the beginning of the end". The printer's code states 8000 copies were printed. However, very few of these propaganda materials survived, and this one is not recorded on Worldcat, Library Hub or in online searches. Seller Inventory # 4962
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