Stamp: British propaganda forgeries

From: United Kingdom

Description: Original Operation Overlord British forgeries of German ration stamps dropped by RAF. Includes block of 4 of each (by type) Nahrmittel (25g, nutrients such as grain, beans or starch, x14), Kase (30g, cheese, x4), Fleisch (50g, meat, x8) and Brot (50g, bread, x12). Overlord ration coupons were prepared in sheets of 100. British Overlord forgeries are dated Feb 6, 1944 (virtually all known examples). Apparently, some German citizens did use the forged ration coupons. A Leaflet Operations publication reported: 'Reports continue to come in from Germany regarding the confusion caused by the dropping of fake ration cards. Two "war economy offenders" who had tried to use a fake card in a market were each sentenced to two years imprisonment at hard labor.' Stamps are all fresh, very fine or better and without gum, as created. These propaganda forgeries are rarely seen. From estate of St. Louis Post-Dispatch editor Irving Dilliard (1899-2002), who earned the rank of lieutenant colonel during WWII and served as a psychological warfare specialist on Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's staff, working closely with Operation Overlord and other special projects. Very nice bit of war memorabilia!