Life, 1918-09-19 · page 27 of 34
Life — September 19, 1918 — page 27: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page mocks German military propaganda and post-WWI profiteering. The "Berlin Communiqués" section parodies official German army bulletins from 1918, using euphemistic language to describe military defeats as strategic "withdrawals" and "rearward advances." Phrases like the Crown Prince's army "retiring to prepared positions" actually describe retreat; describing the Rhine as a destination masks fleeing toward Germany's border. The accompanying illustration titled "Profiteers" depicts scavengers looting corpses and wreckage on a battlefield—a darker commentary on those profiting from war's carnage while soldiers die. The final paragraph mocks Wilhelm II (the Kaiser) being exiled to St. Helena, comparing his departure to Napoleon's. The magazine's satirical intent: expose how military establishments distort language to hide military failure, and criticize war profiteers who exploit human suffering for gain.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Berlin Communiqués July = Crown Prince's army, having ieved its objectives south of the . has withdrawn to the Ourcq ithout heing observed by the fleeing my Iugust Having inflicted merciless punish- nent upon the desperate enemy, the urmy of the Crown Prince has retired (6 prepared positions on the Aisne, Septe With characteristic consideration for the welfare of our brave troops, the General Staff, finding the valley of the Aisne unhealthful, has established new and more sanitary Tines in the valley of the Meuse. October further loot in Belgium and the Imperial There being no northern France and nothing left to destroy forces have executed a rearward ad- vance to the Rhine. THE FIRST OF THE MONTH WHEN THE FIGHTERS ARE HOME November Falling deeper into General von Lu- lendorfi's strategical trap, the French, E sh and American forces have oc- cupied Berlin December Having gloriously compelled our mercenary enemies to request that we sheathe the sword of war, we have PROFITEERS, AGALN them the peace William s ex-Kaiser, consented to grant which they so sorely need. Hohenzollern, our victor d for St. Helena for a well- has dep carned rest. He is accompanied by his son, lately the Crown Prince ANY a man who marries for looks finds he is simply the annex to a beauty parlor. comicbooks.com