Has the art of lying fallen from the sky?
During the Second World War, in the face of German propaganda and censorship, the Resistance clandestinely issued a number of publications denouncing the lies and cover-ups of the occupying forces. But counter-propaganda also came from outside: from the Allies and the government in London.
The Art of Lying is one of the brochures published by the "Anglo-American Information Bureau", which were dropped by British or American aircraft in German-occupied areas, in this case probably in 1944.
In particular, the publication quotes extracts from Mein Kampf, showing that Hitler advocates lying as a useful instrument of Nazi power. For example:
"A colossal lie carries with it a force that drives doubt away. Crowds are more easily impressed by big lies than by small ones (...) unable to state an untruth of monumental proportions without blushing. It therefore does not occur to them that others might have the nerve to disfigure the truth to the point of making it unrecognizable."
The (anonymous) authors of The Art of Lying go on to denounce the most egregious misrepresentations by Hitler and Goebbels, illustrated by Rowland Emett, a well-known British cartoonist. These statements were well known at the time, since most of them were the subject of articles or editorials in numerous newspapers. For example:
"In every country where German troops fought, they respected the universality of European culture and protected artistic treasures."
(GERMAN RADIO AT THE ANGLEТERRE, APRIL 27, 1942)
Or:
"In Germany there is no censorship."
(GERMAN RADIO TO BELGIUM, SEPTEMBER 24, 1942)
A. Hitler and J. Goebbels, The Art of Lying. A small manual for all those who practice the delicate art of lying, illustrated with selected examples from the pen of the "Masters of the World".
