During World War II, Allied POWs in German camps had a big challenge: escaping to safety. The British secret service came up with a clever plan. They used Monopoly games to send escape tools to these soldiers.
John Waddington Ltd., the official Monopoly maker outside the US, helped with this. They made special Monopoly sets. These sets had hidden maps, compasses, files, and real money to help the POWs escape.
These Monopoly escape kits were sent to prisoners through fake charities. This was allowed by the Geneva Convention for humanitarian groups. The goal was to give the POWs the tools they needed to escape and find their way to safety.
The story of the Monopoly escape kits shows the bravery and resourcefulness of the Allied forces. It’s a reminder of their strength during a very tough time in history.
Key Takeaways
- The British secret service devised a plan to smuggle escape tools to Allied POWs in German prison camps during World War II.
- Special edition Monopoly sets containing hidden maps, compasses, files, and currency were created to aid in escape attempts.
- John Waddington Ltd., the licensed Monopoly manufacturer outside the US, partnered with the secret service to produce these sets.
- The escape kits were sent to POWs through fake charities, taking advantage of the Geneva Convention’s allowance for care packages.
- The Monopoly escape kits symbolize the bravery and resourcefulness of Allied forces during a dark period in history.
The Ingenious Plan to Smuggle Escape Kits in Monopoly Boxes
During WWII, the British secret service came up with a smart plan. They wanted to help Allied prisoners of war escape from German camps. They turned to John Waddington Ltd., a British company that made Monopoly, to hide secret escape kits inside the game boxes.
Waddington set up a secret room in their factory. There, skilled workers made hidden compartments in the Monopoly boxes. These spots could hold maps, compasses, and files. The boxes looked just like regular Monopoly sets to avoid suspicion from German guards.
Using Monopoly was a clever idea because it was a common game. Waddington already made it, and it wouldn’t seem suspicious to the Germans. This way, the British secret service could give POWs the tools they needed to escape. It was like the Washington-Moscow hotline was for them.
The plan needed total secrecy and accuracy. Waddington’s team worked hard to make the special Monopoly boxes look normal. They picked certain games to have the secret kits and marked them for the British secret service and the right people.
This secret mission showed the British secret service’s creativity and will to help POWs in WWII. Using Monopoly boxes for escape kits proved the cleverness and courage of those fighting against Nazi Germany.
The Importance of Silk Maps for Successful Escapes
In World War II, Allied prisoners of war (POWs) in German camps used silk maps to escape. These maps were part of the Monopoly escape kits from the British secret service. They were crucial for escape and evasion missions.
Silk was chosen for the maps because it’s strong and doesn’t tear or dissolve in water. This made the maps durable for POWs escaping through tough terrain. They could also be hidden easily, like in cigarette packets or boots.
Silk maps were quiet when unfolded, unlike paper maps that made noise. This quietness helped POWs avoid being caught during escapes.
John Waddington Ltd., a British printing company, made these silk maps. They were experts in printing on silk before the war. This skill made them perfect for the secret service’s escape kit project. Their quality maps helped many POWs escape.
The use of silk maps showed the cleverness of the British secret service. These maps helped many Allied POWs escape, giving them the tools to find freedom. The story of these silk maps honors the bravery of those fighting against Nazi Germany.
Monopoly Escape Tools: The Contents of the Special Edition Sets
During World War II, special edition Monopoly sets were given to Allied prisoners of war. These sets were more than just games. They had hidden tools to help with escape attempts. Inside the Monopoly box were items that could be very useful for a POW wanting to escape.
A small magnetic compass was a key part of the escape kit. It looked like a regular Monopoly piece but helped prisoners find their way to freedom. This compass was vital for navigating and staying on track during their dangerous escape.
The metal file was another important tool. It could be used to cut through wire fences or bars, helping prisoners escape. This file was hidden in the Monopoly set, so it wouldn’t be found by guards during inspections.
The silk map was the most clever part of the kit. These maps showed safe places and the best route to freedom. They were made of silk because it’s strong, light, and can be folded small to hide in the Monopoly box.
To help prisoners blend in, the Monopoly sets also had real currency from countries like Germany, Italy, and France. This money was hidden under the fake Monopoly money. It could be used to bribe guards, buy supplies, or get transportation during an escape.
The escape kit contents were picked to increase the chances of a successful escape. With these tools and resources, Allied prisoners had a better chance to escape and join the fight against the Axis powers. These ordinary-looking board game boxes actually held the key to freedom and hope for the future.
Delivering the Escape Kits to POWs in German Prison Camps
The British secret service used the Geneva Convention to get Monopoly escape kits to Allied prisoners of war. They put the escape kits in care packages from the Red Cross. This way, the German guards thought the packages were just regular items, helping the prisoners stay busy and less likely to try to escape.
Waddington worked closely with the Red Cross to make sure the right Monopoly sets went to the right camps. This meant each set had the right escape maps for that region. Before going into combat, soldiers and pilots learned about the escape kits. They were told to look for a red dot in the “Free Parking” space to find the special sets.
Getting the escape kit Monopoly games to the German camps was a big operation. It needed the help of many people. Thanks to the Geneva Convention and the Red Cross, the British secret service could give POWs the tools to escape from prison.
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