Here is something that's cool from my collection and something that I still feel really lucky to own. Its also a bit of a long read, but I think its well worth it!
Its not a banknote per say, but just as cool. This is a fake German banknote from the "If day" event that occurred in February 19 1942, Winnipeg, Canada. While brave Canadians were fighting with the allies in Europe and across the world against the Axis powers. The Canadian government at home was fighting to keep people to continue to buy victory bonds to fund the war effort. "If day" was an idea to bring the simulation of war to people who were not directly affected by it in hopes to change the attitude of the population. The fundraising target for Manitoba from February 16 to March 9, 1942 was $45 million dollars( around $800 million today) with Winnipeg representing $24.5 million dollars(about $420,645,000 today). Approximately 3,500 people were involved in the event, including regular and reserve troops, as well as some civilian volunteers making it the biggest military exercise in Winnipeg at that point.
They rented Nazi uniforms from Hollywood, painted RCAF planes representing the Luftwaffe, coal dust and diamante were used to simulate explosions, and tanks were supplied with blanks to be fired. It was quite the event. The event started at 5:30 am with the start of the 'Nazi' patrols in the city. Canadian troops were amassed at 6:30am. At 7:00am air raid sirens were activated to alert to the incoming invasion of Winnipeg and a blackout was ordered. The main attack on the city started at 7:03am with the Canadian troops creating a perimeter surrounding the industrial and downtown area of Winnipeg(5 kilometers from city hall). At 7:45am the troops fell back to a line 3 kilometers from city hall. Tanks were set up at important intersections, anti aircraft cars were firing up above(blanks) at the planes, they were also assisted by anti air guns mounted on several buildings downtown. At 9:30 am the Canadian troops surrendered and fell back out of the city and the fake Nazis occupied the city.
The occupation was meant to be an accurate depiction of what life was like under Nazi rule. So during the occupation, politicians at city hall were immediately 'arrested', the name of the newspaper was changed to "Das Winnipeger Lügenblatt" ("The Winnipeg Lies-sheet"), fake German banknotes were introduced(like the example I have here), books were burned(these books were selected because they were out of date or damaged already, they would have been destroyed regardless of the event), The city of Winnipeg was renamed to "Himmlerstadt", and at one elementary school, the principal was 'arrested' and replaced by a fake 'Nazi' educator to teach the youth about the "Nazi truth". Streets were also renamed and 'Nazi' patrols were conducted throughout the city. At 5:30pm the city was liberated, and a parade was held with the prisoners being released carrying banners that said "IT MUST NOT HAPPEN HERE" with a banquet being held afterwards. Ambassador de Morgenstierne(Norwegian Ambassador for the US), who was at the city when it occurred said that this was an accurate depiction and representation of what life was like under Nazi rule. Winnipeg ultimately surpassed its $45 million dollar goal on February 24, it is estimated that as much as $3 million dollars in war bonds were raised that day(Feb 19). It's certainty one of the more interesting events to happen in Canada during the war and it would have been quite something to experience first hand.
**Another interesting thing I found out was that I had come into contact with someone who had the same type of note as me, however his example was in much better shape (PMG XF40). Why? Because it was tucked away in an old book from his grandfather! He was about to throw the book out, however he noticed the note and kept it. According to what he was told by his aunt, his grandfather was present when the event took place. What I find interesting about this story is that there is a mention that these very notes came from above from those very same RCAF planes that were painted to resemble the Luftwaffe! What a sight! Hundreds of these notes falling all over in the already chaotic city! Whether this is true or not I cannot say for certain, however its a fun thing to think about. Regardless of it all I am grateful that I own an item that represents an interesting part of Canadas war effort during WW2. I hope you enjoyed this read.
#canada #banknote #currency #numismatics Here is something that's cool from my collection and something that I still feel really lucky to own. Its also a bit of a long read, but I think its well worth it!
Its not a banknote per say, but just as cool. This is a fake German banknote from the "If day" event that occurred in February 19 1942, Winnipeg, Canada. While brave Canadians were fighting with the allies in Europe and across the world against the Axis powers. The Canadian government at home was fighting to keep people to continue to buy victory bonds to fund the war effort. "If day" was an idea to bring the simulation of war to people who were not directly affected by it in hopes to change the attitude of the population. The fundraising target for Manitoba from February 16 to March 9, 1942 was $45 million dollars( around $800 million today) with Winnipeg representing $24.5 million dollars(about $420,645,000 today). Approximately 3,500 people were involved in the event, including regular and reserve troops, as well as some civilian volunteers making it the biggest military exercise in Winnipeg at that point.
They rented Nazi uniforms from Hollywood, painted RCAF planes representing the Luftwaffe, coal dust and diamante were used to simulate explosions, and tanks were supplied with blanks to be fired. It was quite the event. The event started at 5:30 am with the start of the 'Nazi' patrols in the city. Canadian troops were amassed at 6:30am. At 7:00am air raid sirens were activated to alert to the incoming invasion of Winnipeg and a blackout was ordered. The main attack on the city started at 7:03am with the Canadian troops creating a perimeter surrounding the industrial and downtown area of Winnipeg(5 kilometers from city hall). At 7:45am the troops fell back to a line 3 kilometers from city hall. Tanks were set up at important intersections, anti aircraft cars were firing up above(blanks) at the planes, they were also assisted by anti air guns mounted on several buildings downtown. At 9:30 am the Canadian troops surrendered and fell back out of the city and the fake Nazis occupied the city.
The occupation was meant to be an accurate depiction of what life was like under Nazi rule. So during the occupation, politicians at city hall were immediately 'arrested', the name of the newspaper was changed to "Das Winnipeger Lügenblatt" ("The Winnipeg Lies-sheet"), fake German banknotes were introduced(like the example I have here), books were burned(these books were selected because they were out of date or damaged already, they would have been destroyed regardless of the event), The city of Winnipeg was renamed to "Himmlerstadt", and at one elementary school, the principal was 'arrested' and replaced by a fake 'Nazi' educator to teach the youth about the "Nazi truth". Streets were also renamed and 'Nazi' patrols were conducted throughout the city. At 5:30pm the city was liberated, and a parade was held with the prisoners being released carrying banners that said "IT MUST NOT HAPPEN HERE" with a banquet being held afterwards. Ambassador de Morgenstierne(Norwegian Ambassador for the US), who was at the city when it occurred said that this was an accurate depiction and representation of what life was like under Nazi rule. Winnipeg ultimately surpassed its $45 million dollar goal on February 24, it is estimated that as much as $3 million dollars in war bonds were raised that day(Feb 19). It's certainty one of the more interesting events to happen in Canada during the war and it would have been quite something to experience first hand.
**Another interesting thing I found out was that I had come into contact with someone who had the same type of note as me, however his example was in much better shape (PMG XF40). Why? Because it was tucked away in an old book from his grandfather! He was about to throw the book out, however he noticed the note and kept it. According to what he was told by his aunt, his grandfather was present when the event took place. What I find interesting about this story is that there is a mention that these very notes came from above from those very same RCAF planes that were painted to resemble the Luftwaffe! What a sight! Hundreds of these notes falling all over in the already chaotic city! Whether this is true or not I cannot say for certain, however its a fun thing to think about. Regardless of it all I am grateful that I own an item that represents an interesting part of Canadas war effort during WW2. I hope you enjoyed this read.
#canada #banknote #currency #numismatics