An airborne leaflet issued by Fascist Italy and dropped by aircrafts during the bombing of the Haifa oil refineries. [1940]. Arabic.
In June 1940, Italy embarked on a big campaign to seize the Mediterranean Sea (Mare Nostrum – "Our Sea" in Fascist terminology). Haifa, which was one of the largest providers of petrol to the British Army, was a central target of the campaign and during the months of June-September 1940 was bombed four times by the Italian Airforce (dozens of civilians were killed in the bombings, houses were destroyed and a Muslim mosque and cemetery were hit).
The present leaflet, printed on thin paper and written in faulty Arabic, was scattered by Italian aircrafts during one of the attacks. It was meant to draw a false picture of an Italian victory in the Middle East and present a false intention of liberating the Arabs from the British (with the true purpose of the attack – the expansion of the Italian Empire – kept a secret).
Approx. 15.5X19 cm. Good condition. Fold lines, creases and stains. Minute holes and small tears to margins.