" For you, the war is over "

[Douglas J Schrack]

In the current issue of the 8th Air Force News the question was asked why so many captured downed airman were told "for you the war is over", just that way, by so many, in so many different places. Was it a popular phrase or an official approved procedure. Good question ?

Doug

[TWP]

That is an interesting question. Perhaps simply a case of one guy saying it and everyone following it, specially since it is easy to memorise in English?

Removed by moderator - off topic and wrong forum.

[Bobwirtz]

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[scotty1418]

I'd agree. Are there testimonial examples of germans saying this to a lot of people?

[Douglas J Schrack]

" The Mighty Eighth"

Apparently they have "hundreds " of apprehended airmen accounts and that is why they are asking specifically for German veterans who might shed some light on this.

Doug


TH AF News
Volume 06 Number 2, June 2006

[Ken S]

I've been reading numerous allied POW escape books (many written right after the war), and in most of them I read accounts of the phrase being used. In P. R. Reid's book, The Colditz Story, he even commented that this was a topic of discussion among the prisoners while still in confinement in 1941. He indicated the POWs thought it was a humorous routine greeting.

I also found a book, privately printed in 1948 by ex-POW Gordon Horner called, "For you the war is over".