German Foreign Office Propaganda and Press Monitoring Files (Irving File 13)

This file consists of memoranda, analytical reports, and internal correspondence documenting the German Foreign Office’s propaganda activities and systematic monitoring of foreign press reactions during the Second World War. Material includes:

• Press digests and intelligence summaries from abroad.
• Analysis of Allied propaganda campaigns and their perceived effects.
• Reports on German counter-propaganda initiatives and diplomatic messaging.
• Internal discussions of strategy for influencing opinion in foreign countries.
• Translations and commentaries on English-, French-, and Spanish-language newspapers and broadcasts.

The documents provide evidence of the Auswärtiges Amt’s role as an auxiliary propaganda apparatus parallel to the Reich Ministry of Propaganda, revealing how foreign perceptions were tracked, interpreted, and integrated into German policy.

Disclaimer:
This file originates from the propaganda and information apparatus of the German Foreign Office under the National Socialist regime (1933–1945). It contains material that is biased, manipulative, and politically motivated, reflecting the regime’s efforts to influence public opinion and distort historical reality. Researchers should approach the content critically and with awareness of its propagandistic intent. The presence of these documents in the archive does not imply endorsement of their views. They are preserved and made available solely for purposes of historical study, documentation, and scholarly analysis.

Condition Note:

Be aware that many of the original documents contained in this microfilm exhibit considerable damage and deterioration.
The file consists of wartime carbon copies and duplicated typescripts produced on thin, low-grade paper typical of the 1939–1945 period. Many pages show fading ink, uneven duplication, and occasional smudging, but overall text remains legible. Some sheets exhibit creasing, edge wear, and minor staining from handling. Marginalia and filing marks are present in places, consistent with active bureaucratic use. Paper is fragile but stable, requiring careful handling.

4 Page Sample- German Foreign Office Propaganda and Press Monitoring Files (Irving File 13)