---

A load of Nickels is readied for a Wellington X (photo: Norm Lord)

"Nickels" was the code word for propaganda leaflets that were dropped by aircraft of both the RAF and the USAAF over target areas in the hopes of encouraging the local population to put pressure on their leaders to give up and surrender. Sometimes a specific op was laid on to spread nickels in a specific area - usually a single aircraft was sent, At other times, aircraft were provided with a supply of nickels to be dropped along with the bombload or thrown down the flare chute by the wireless operator. The effectiveness of these pamphlets has never been actually documented, but they did supply toilet paper for occupied Europe for many years.

Here are both sides of a nickel dropped over Romania by an aircraft of 150 Squadron piloted by Max Thompson (RAAF).

 (leaflets: courtesy of Bill Baker)

The bottom of the first page contains advertising for the fact that this delivery was made by the British Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Force!

 Courtesy of Col. Patrick MacDonald's book Through Darkness to Night here is the translation of these pamphlets (p. 364):

THE OBVIOUS TRUTH

(first column)

In order to service the GERMANS decimated, exhausted demoralized.

They will continue their retreat.

They will scorch Romanian land.

They will transform Romanian, whose resources they use, making it a target for the bombers of the united Nations.

They will demand that the Romanian soldiers continue to die "for Europe"

(second column)

In order to survive as a nation ROMANIANS,

Harass

the Germans in their retreat

through your country,

Cut

the vital artery of supply to the Germans and destroy their resources

Prevent 

by any means the Germans using your resources against the united nations

Ask

Romanian Soldiers to live for Romania

HAVE YOU STILL NOT UNDERSTOOD?

The Germans, in this stage of their lost battle, can plan only the senseless destruction of your property.

You, Romanians, must plan wisely and lightheartedly (sic!) a new phase of your nation's existence,

"The Help" given by Germany to Romania in the end means the desertion of Romania.

The help given by Romania to Germany in the end means the devastation of Romania.

The breaking of the nefarious alliance with Germany is the only hope for Romania.

SILENCE AND PASSIVITY MEAN DISASTER!

(courtesy: Fred Hutton)

The Message is a bit hard to read - in Italian it says : "Berlino dice: 'L'Italia non accetera mai", which I think means - "Italians are not to receive mail".