1942-43 Monopoly game |
By Marilyn Turk
Beginning in 1940, many British and Canadian Airmen found
themselves in the unfavorable position of being German prisoners of war.
As a result, a special unit of the British secret service called MI-5 worked on ways to help these prisoners escape. One of the most important things the POWs needed were maps to show them how to find “safe houses” where they could go for food and shelter once they escaped.
But paper maps had some disadvantages. They made noise when opened, they wore out quickly, and if they got wet, they were ruined. Then someone had the ingenious idea to print the maps on silk. It was durable, could be folded into tiny pieces and was noiseless.
Only one British manufacturer, John Waddington Ltd., had perfected the technology of printing on silk. When contacted, the company was eager to contribute to the war effort.
By pure coincidence, the same company was also the United Kingdom’s licensee for the American board game Monopoly. Germany complied with the Geneva Convention by allowing humanitarian groups like the Red Cross to distribute care packages to the prisoners. One of the categories of items that could be included in those packages was “games and pastimes.”
As a result, a special unit of the British secret service called MI-5 worked on ways to help these prisoners escape. One of the most important things the POWs needed were maps to show them how to find “safe houses” where they could go for food and shelter once they escaped.
But paper maps had some disadvantages. They made noise when opened, they wore out quickly, and if they got wet, they were ruined. Then someone had the ingenious idea to print the maps on silk. It was durable, could be folded into tiny pieces and was noiseless.
Only one British manufacturer, John Waddington Ltd., had perfected the technology of printing on silk. When contacted, the company was eager to contribute to the war effort.
By pure coincidence, the same company was also the United Kingdom’s licensee for the American board game Monopoly. Germany complied with the Geneva Convention by allowing humanitarian groups like the Red Cross to distribute care packages to the prisoners. One of the categories of items that could be included in those packages was “games and pastimes.”
The maps were produced under extreme secrecy and were keyed
to each region of Germany, Italy, and France – where Allied POW camps were
located. These maps could be folded into such tiny dots that they would
actually fit inside a Monopoly playing piece.
Taking advantage of this
opportunity, the Red Cross unknowingly helped the prisoners escape by including
the Monopoly game which not only included a map, but several other important
items that were needed:
- * A playing token, containing a small magnetic compass
- * A two-part metal file that could easily be screwed together
- * Genuine high-denomination German, Italian, and French
currency, hidden within the piles of Monopoly money!
Before they took off, British and
American air crews were taught how to identify a 'rigged' Monopoly set by means
of a tiny red dot cleverly placed to look like an ordinary printing glitch that
was located in the corner of the Free Parking square. Once they obtained the
"playing pieces" within them, the soldiers were instructed to destroy
the games in order to keep the ruse a secret from the Axis.
Of the estimated 35,000 Allied POWs who
successfully escaped, an estimated one-third were aided in their flight by the special
Monopoly sets. Everyone who did so was sworn to secrecy indefinitely, since the
British Government might want to use this highly successful ruse in still
another, future war. The story
wasn't declassified until 2007, when the surviving craftsmen from the Waddington company,
as well as the firm itself, were finally honored in a public ceremony.
Next time you play Monopoly, remember how important a game
can be.
Leave a comment for a chance to win Marilyn's new release:
Lexie Smithfield thought she left danger behind her at Jekyll Island
when she moved to Manhattan to pursue a nursing career. But it’s 1942, and the
United States has entered the war. What will happen when Lexie crosses paths
with Nazi spies? Is her life in jeopardy? What is it about her new friend that
seems suspicious? And who will protect
her now that her fiancé has gone overseas?
Great post, Marilyn. I had never heard of this. I enjoy playing Monopoly, and knowing this will make it even more fun.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda,
DeleteThanks for reading my post!
This is amazing! I loved playing Monopoly as a child with my family. I was never able to get my husband into board games though. Thanks for the chance to win your book. It sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteDebbiewilder@comcast.net
Thanks for reading the post, Debbie. Good luck on winning the book.
DeleteLove it! I knew there were other things smuggled in as care packages that contained compasses and what not. The ability of manufacturers to create such lifesaving things on a tiny scale is amazing. Makes me wonder what we are using now with all our modern technology.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to read your novel. cindyhuff11(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Cindy, Isn't it amazing what "they" can do? I can't even imagine a map tiny enough to fit in a game piece. Good luck on winning the book.
DeleteHi Marilyn. This is so cool. I never knew this, but what a great ruse. We have to know God's hand was behind it from conception in someone's mind to execution.
ReplyDeleteDid your research show if the Nazis ever found out about it?
Henry, from what I've read, the "escape" version of the Monopoly game was so top secret, it wasn't revealed until 45 years later. Plus the prisoners were ordered to destroy the games as soon as possible.
DeleteThank you for sharing your interesting post. My grandchildren and I play Monopoly. I will have to relate the story to them. mauback55 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie,
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the post. I've always enjoy Monopoly too.
Fascinating! I have my parents' old game board like in the photo above. I love the game pieces; better than today's pieces. bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteCool, Bonnie. You have quite a treasure!
DeleteMarilyn, this is a great insight into history and in GOD'S providence ! Congratulations on your book!
ReplyDeletegailthompson@aol.com
Hi Gail, Glad you like this historical tidbit. And thank you.
DeleteWow - what a fantastic way to use a game that everyone was playing anyway! It's always fun to play Monopoly, but now I will think of this post when I play. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletebettimace at gmail dot com
Thanks for your comment, Betti.
DeleteThis is a fascinating part of history! I will never see a Monopoly game without thinking of this. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteConnie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Me either, Connie!
DeleteWow! I never knew about this! How ingenious! bcrug(at)twc(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Connie R.
DeleteThis was an awesome post and informative. I've enjoyed playing Monolopy through the years. Now there's so many versions of the game today. I'll never view Monopoly the same after learning this information.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading "Shadowed by a Spy" currently. Thus, if I won a copy it would go to a rural library in the area I live. Thank you for sharing and the giveaway, Marilyn.
marilynridgway78[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi Marilyn. Glad you liked the post which, by the way, is going to make its way into one of my books some day. I hope you like "Shadowed by a Spy."
DeleteThis is such a fascinating post, Marilyn! How amazing that they were able to do everything on such a minute scale....and using the Monopoly game! Ingenious!! Our family loves this game, and my husband is a huge history buff. I can't wait to share this post with him! :) Thanks for sharing and also for the chance to win your book, 'Shadowed by a Spy'. I love to read suspense books and it sounds so good! I like the cover! ~Alison Boss
ReplyDeletenj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Alison. I've always liked to play Monopoly too, but it does take some time to play. However, if a POW would have plenty of time, provided they weren't forced to do something else.
DeleteMarilyn, Thank you for sharing this fascinating post! Your book Shadowed by a Spy sounds like one I'll enjoy. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeletepsalm103and138atgmaildotcom
Hi Caryl,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.
Wow Marilyn, I had no idea this happened!
ReplyDeleteI love playing Monopoly with my grandson and family. Now whenever we play it I will think of this post.
Your books sounds intriguing.
Blessings, Tina
Thanks for your comment, Tina!
ReplyDelete