1st July 1943
Mi.P311-312 Kohlenklau

FOR 'COAL THIEF' CARTOONS USED ON FELDPOST CLICK HERE

By 1942, the ongoing war effort and domestic demands made it increasingly difficult for the government to maintain its supply of a variety of resources, especially fuel, to homes and businesses. Coal posed a particular problem, as it was required to heat the furnaces and smelters of Germany’s industrial factories, as well as the majority of homes. The Propaganda Ministry had long used a number of subordinate offices to conduct public campaigns encouraging Germans to curb their use of a variety of consumer goods, and during the war these efforts intensified. More than merely calling on Germans to conserve coal at home or at work, this poster discouraged the private use of coal altogether. The 'Coal Thief' sent a clear message: misusing coal was tantamount to stealing from the war effort. The 'thief' (as a symbol for waste) was described in a nearly animalistic manner, suggesting 'His stomach growls, his sack is empty, and he sniffs around greedily,' waiting 'at the furnace, stove, window or door.' It from the urgency and paranoia of other propaganda to make a clear connection between coal’s misuse and traitorous behaviour. The campaign was largely unsuccessful, suggesting that by this time Germans believed they were already sacrificing to the greatest extent possible.

Source: germanhistorydocs.org (2025)

This game of propaganda was commissioned by the German government to encourage people to save raw materials for the war effort. 'Jagd auf Kohlenklau' is printed by Leptien-Schiffers for Werbeagentur (Advertising Agency) 'Arbeitsgemeinschaft Hohnhausen' in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1943-1944, with a print run of 5 million. On the blue squares a boy is saving energy, on the red squares we see 'Kohlenklau' and examples of wasting energy. The game was distributed free as part of a large campaign with the same slogan. A 'Kohlenklau' quartet game was also produced, probably for sale. One of the quartet cards says 'Ohne Kohlen kann kein Krieg geführt werden' ('without coal war is impossible'). Unusually for Nazi propaganda, the 'Kohlenklau' character does not have a Jewish appearance; at the time most Germans suffered food shortages, but 'Kohlenklau' clearly is overweight. At this period paper and ink were scarce; but the game is well printed in bright colours on board of reasonable quality. The game board was distributed folded, in an envelope, without dice or pieces. The rules are printed on the game. The game is not especially rare; it does not show swastikas or other nazi symbols, so probably many German families kept it to play after the war.

Source: Gejus van Diggele (May 2016)

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