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This is an original World War II Tornisterschrift or “backpack booklet” published for the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht (OKW) Department of Domestic Maps in Berlin in 1941 by the Bibliographisches Institut AG in Leipzig. Booklet 47 for use inside the Wehrmacht or Armed Forces only.

The 5-3/4 x 8-1/4 inch, 16-page Tornisterschrift has information about the American continent, the American people and character, government and FDR, foreign policy as well as chapters called “the Land of Freedom”, “the Land of Limitless Opportunities”, and “the Legend of the Rich American Uncle”. The center page double spread is a map of North and South America (shown below).

The front cover is marked with the urgent suggestion not to keep this publication, but to pass it on to a fellow service member after digesting the information (Nicht sammeln, sondern weitergeben!).

Colin Ross (1885-1945), the author of the text in this 1941 OKW Tornisterschrift, was a well-known Austrian WWI war correspondent, author, travel writer and engineer who wrote extensively about his experiences on different continents. After his return from the USA, Ross settled in Munich and was close friends with Hitler Youth Leader Baldur von Schirach and his wife Henriette (daughter of Hitler’s photographer Heinrich Hoffmann). He died by suicide in 1945.

This 80+ year old Oberkommando der Wehrmacht publication about the USA is complete and in nice, used condition with two punch holes. No odor.