Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Nazi era games for sale

Board games believed to have been played by youngsters during the Nazi era will go under the hammer in Ludlow.

The games, which include one where points are awarded for bombing British cities, will be auctioned on Thursday.

The unusual pastimes were created during the Second World War for youngsters to practice playing at being German leader Adolf Hitler.

Four games will be auctioned by Mullock’s Auctioneers at Ludlow Racecourse. They are all based on bombing British cities or blowing up shipping.

Richard Westwood-Brookes, historical documents expert, said: “Perhaps the most amazing of the group is ‘Bomber over England’ which dates from 1940 is a kind of table top ‘bagatelle’ - or pinball - style game featuring a map of the UK, northern France, Belgium and Holland, with part of Germany, and various holes in the board each assigned with a points total.

“You got 30 points for hitting Hull, 60 points for hitting Aberdeen, only 40 points for Liverpool, 50 points for Birmingham and of course 100 points for London.”

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