British Propaganda Leaflet to Italian Forces in East Africa (No. 29)

British Propaganda Leaflet to Italian Forces in East Africa (No. 29)

This leaflet was also likely dropped on Italian forces garrisoned at Massawa or another location in Eritrea. It mentions the loss of Kismayo and Mogadishu which was taken by the 11th and 12th African division during February 1941. The content of the leaflet talks of the threat to Italian women and children from continued fighting and would seem to imply one of their colonial strongholds where this would be the case.

English translation of leaflet text:

"To the Italians of East Africa

Wishing to avoid unnecessary bloodshed, we invite you to lower your weapons.

You are now entirely isolated.

Your ships in Kismayo and Mogadishu have been taken.
You are stuck in the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
The activity of the Abyssinian patriots rapidly spreads to every mile of the advance of our troops.

Consider our words carefully, we address you for reasons of humanity.

If you continue the desperate struggle you will do nothing but waste useful lives and at the same time expose your women and children to the deprivations and dangers inseparable from war operations."

Purchased from The War Store in Johannesburg, South Africa

Likely early April 1941