Germany's Nazi government was so angry about a dog trained to imitate Hitler that it started a campaign against its Finnish owner.
Newly released documents reveal that officials in Berlin ordered its diplomats in Nazi-friendly Finland to gather evidence against the dog.
And they even came up with plans to destroy the pharmaceutical wholesale company of the dog's owner.
The dog, Jackie, was owned by Tor Borg whose wife had dubbed the dog Hitler because of the strange way it raised its paw high in the air.
In one exchange, German Vice Consul Willy Erkelenz in Helsinki wrote that "a witness, who does not want to be named, said he saw and heard how Borg's dog reacted to the command 'Hitler' by raising its paw".
Mr Borg was called into the German embassy for questioning, where he admitted that his wife Josephine - a known anti-Nazi German - had called the dog Hitler, but denied being involved in anything "that could be seen as an insult against the German Reich".
The embassy, however, thought otherwise, telling officials in Berlin: "Borg, even though he claims otherwise, is not telling the truth."
The Foreign Office spent three months investigating ways of bringing Mr Borg to trial for insulting Hitler, but no witnesses would come forward, the newspaper reports.
But in March 1941, the Chancellory decided that "considering that the circumstances could not be solved completely, it is not necessary to press charges".
Klaus Hillenbrand, an expert who has written several books on the Nazis, described the episode as "completely bizarre".
Source: orange news
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Government to borrow GH¢200bn in 2025; fixed income market to bounce back strongly
1 hour -
West Ham confirm Graham Potter as new manager
2 hours -
The nation’s greatest enemy is gone – Kumchacha says of Akufo-Addo
2 hours -
Ghana is 2nd most indebted African country to IMF in terms of Concessional Lending
2 hours -
Today’s Front pages :Thursday, January 9,2025
2 hours -
Traders at Kumasi’s Race Course Market grapple with rising armed attacks
2 hours -
NPP Electoral Area Coordinators call for suspension of Kpando Constituency Executives
2 hours -
Kpando MP, Sebastian Deh calls for collective efforts toward developing the constituency
2 hours -
Musah Superior: We will hold Mahama to his campaign promises
2 hours -
Ghana’s First Female Vice President: A Trailblazer in Leadership and Inspiration
3 hours -
Mahama will appoint new MMDCEs in 14 days – Ashie Moore discloses
3 hours -
Joe Biden says he could have defeated Donald Trump
3 hours -
“This is Your Moment in History, My Dear Friend’s Wife” Part 3
3 hours -
The Days of My Years Here on Earth: Three Score and Ten (Naabe @ Seventy)
4 hours -
Over 30 heads of states, prime ministers graced Mahama’s inauguration
4 hours