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Secrets of
Crewe House
The Story of a Famous Campaign
by
Sir Campbell Stuart, K. B. E.
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This is
the 1920 First Edition
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Front cover and spine
Further images of this book are
shown below
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Publisher and place of
publication
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Dimensions in inches (to
the nearest quarter-inch)
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London: Hodder and Stoughton
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4¾ inches wide x 7½ inches tall
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Edition
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1920 First Edition
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[xiii] + 240 pages
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Condition of covers
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Internal condition
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Original red cloth blocked in black. The
covers are rubbed, a little faded in places (particularly around the edges)
and with some old stains, which are most apparent on the front cover. The spine, however, has faded
significantly with virtually complete loss of original colour.
The spine ends and corners are bumped and slightly frayed.
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There is a gift inscription in ink on the
front end-paper: "C. R. N. Routh - 17.ix.20 - d.d. [dono dedit ]
- F. H. C. B." and the end-papers are browned and discoloured. The
Half-Title page and final page of the Index are badly browned and
discoloured. There is play in the inner hinges and separation between the
inner gatherings. The text is clean throughout on tanned paper, with some
scattered foxing. Additionally, there is toning and foxing to those pages
adjacent to the photographic plates. The illustrations have acquired a yellowish
tinge. The edge of the text block is grubby,
dust-stained and foxed.
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Dust-jacket present?
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Other
comments
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No
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This First Edition is generally clean
internally, with some foxing, and
in slightly stained covers with a significantly faded spine.
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Illustrations,
maps, etc
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Contents
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Please see below for details
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Please see below for details
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Post & shipping
information
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Payment options
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The packed weight is approximately
600 grams.
Full shipping/postage information is
provided in a panel
at the end of this listing.
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Payment options
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UK buyers: cheque (in
GBP), debit card, credit card (Visa, MasterCard but
not Amex), PayPal
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International buyers: credit card
(Visa, MasterCard but not Amex), PayPal
Full payment information is provided in a
panel at the end of this listing.
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Secrets of Crewe House
Contents
Chapter I
Propaganda : Its Uses and Abuses
Chapter II
Crewe House : Its Organisation and Personnel
Chapter III
Operations Against Austria-Hungary : Propaganda's
Most Striking Success
Chapter IV
Operations Against Germany
Chapter V
Tributes from the Enemy
Chapter VI
Operations Against Bulgaria and Other Activities
Chapter VII
Inter-Allied Co-Operation
Chapter VIII
From War Propaganda to Peace Propaganda
Chapter IX
Vale!
Appendix
Index
List of Illustrations
Viscount Northcliffe Frontispiece
Crewe House
Rear-Admiral Sir Reginald Hall, K.C.M.G., C.B., M.P
Lieutenant-General Sir George Macdonogh, K.C.M.G., C.B
The Rt. Hon. Lord Beaverbrook
Mr. H. VVickham Steed
Dr. R. W. Seton- Watson
News of Allied successes on Western Front for Jugo-Slav soldiers in
the Austrian Armies
A manifesto from Dr. Trumbitch distributed from aeroplanes among
Jugo-Slav troops in the Austrian Army
Mr. H. G. Wells
Leaflet — probably the first — distributed by British aeroplanes
among German troops in October, 1914. It announced a Russian victory
in East Prussia
Mr. Hamilton Fyfe
Aeroplane distribution of copies of an early leaflet prepared for
the German soldier
Brigadier-General G. K. Cockerill, C.B.
A typical news-sheet for German soldiers
Captain Chalmers Mitchell
" Reporting Progress " — Leaflet which gave particulars of Allied
progress against the Germans
Diagrammatic representation of the growth of the American Army in
the Field
Map-leaflet showing the breaking of the Hindenburg line
News for German soldiers of the
destruction of the Turkish Army in Palestine
Some pointed quotations for German soldiers culled from German
sources
A medallion struck by the Germans in " dis-honour " of Lord
Northcliffe
Leaflet with particulars of the fate of 150 German submarine
commanders, which created great depression in German naval ports
Leaflet warning the Germans that such places as Berlin and Hamburg
had been brought within range of aerial attack and could be bombed
if the war were prolonged
A German dream and the result. A leaflet illustrating the collapse
of the Mittel-Europa ambition of German militarism
Front page of a " Trench Newspaper," issued by Crewe House for
German troops
The late Sir Charles Nicholson, Bart., M.P.
Sir Roderick Jones, K.B.E
Illustrated leaflet portraying contentment of German prisoners in
British hands
Colonel the Earl of Denbigh, C.V.O.
Leaflet showing how the Allies had shattered the great Berlin-Bagdad
plan
Mr. Robert Donald
Manifesto to Magyar Troops
" Drifting down in white showers" : Leaflets, from Italian aeroplane
squadron, dropping on Vienna
Manifesto, signed by Professor (now President) Masaryk, to Czecho-Slovak
soldiers
Sir Sidney Low
Rapidly-distributed leaflets for German troops telling of Allied
successes in the Balkans and in Syria
Mr. James O'Grady, M.P
Inflating the balloons and attaching the truth-telling leaflet
Registering the direction and velocity of the wind, in order to
judge where the leaflets would fall
How leaflets were attached to the balloons
Dispatching the balloons
Testing the lifting power of balloons used for propaganda purposes
List of Maps
Ethnographic map of Austria-Hungary
The partition of Austria -Hungary : Showing the boundaries as
defined in the Peace Treaties
Germany's new boundaries as fixed by the Treaty of Peace
Bulgaria as delimited by the Peace treaty
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Secrets of Crewe House
Foreword
Some courage is required to add to the
already too swollen list of war books, of the making of which there
seems to be no end. The justification for the present volume, which
tells the remarkable story of British propaganda in enemy countries
during 1918, lies in the fact that it records historic activities,
some of which were of a pioneer character.
Necessarily its publication had to be postponed until the main
principles of the Peace had been decided. The nature of the
documents quoted precluded earlier publication, which might have
embarrassed the Allied Governments. No such embarrassment will be
caused at this late stage. The march of events has removed the need,
which existed during the War and during the peace-making, for
withholding from public knowledge particulars of the organisation
and work directed with such effect from Crewe House.
Much that was interesting, and even dramatic, can never be divulged.
Otherwise, many who did valuable and dangerous service might, by a
breach of faith, be exposed to reprisals.
The activities of Crewe House will stand the test of judgment by
results. German comments on Viscount Northcliffe's department leave
no room for doubt as to the verdict of enemy countries.
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Secrets of Crewe House
Excerpt:
. . . The task of distribution
of propaganda literature by air would have been simpler but for an
extraordinary military decision. When this work was started by the
military authorities the leaflets were dropped from aeroplanes. This
method had the widest limits, and, at the same time, was the best
means of carrying a large bulk and of distributing with accuracy.
Perturbed by the success attained, the Ger- mans threatened to
inflict severe penalties upon airmen captured when performing such
duties, and, on capturing two British airmen, followed their threats
by action. Instead of instituting immediate reprisals, the British
authorities tamely submitted and gave instructions for the
discontinuance of the use of aeroplanes for the purpose.
In consequence of this weak action, experiments had to be undertaken
to find a substitute for the aeroplane. There were a number of
possible, although inferior, methods. Hand and rifle grenades were
devised to burst and shower leaflets over a limited area among enemy
troops. Trench mortars would serve a similar purpose. But thanks to
the progress of military meteorological science during the war and
to several months' patient experimenting with various devices, it
was found possible to utilise specially adapted balloons. The Air
Inventions Committee, the Munitions Inventions Department, the
Inspectorate of H. M. Stores, Woolwich, Army Intelligence officers
experienced in the use of silk balloons for other military purposes,
and the manufacturers, all assisted the War Office in arriving at a
result which proved to be effective and as nearly as possible "
fool-proof." Designs and apparatus were tested in the workshop and
laboratory, at experimental stations near London, and on Salisbury
Plain. They were taken out to France and tried under the actual
conditions of war, and gradually each difficulty was overcome and
each detail reduced to its simplest form.
In its standard form in which it was being manufactured at the rate
of nearly 2,000 a week the propaganda balloon was made of paper, cut
in 10 longitudinal panels, with a neck of oiled silk about 12 inches
long. The circumference was about 20 feet and the height, when
inflated, over eight feet. The absolute capacity was approximately
100 cubic feet, but the balloons were liberated when not quite taut,
containing 90 to 95 cubic feet of hydrogen. Hydrogen readily passes
through paper, and the part of the experimental work that caused
most trouble was the discovery of a suitable varnish, or " dope," to
make the paper gas-tight. After many disappointments, a formula was
arrived at, the application of which prevented appreciable
evaporation of the gas for two or three hours, and which left a
balloon with some lifting capacity after thirty-six hours.
The lifting power of a balloon is the difference between the weight
of the hydrogen and the weight of the same bulk of air, less the
weight of the balloon itself. The weight of the paper balloon was
just over one pound ; the available lifting power varied with the
degree of tautness to which the balloon was filled, the height of
the barometer and the temperature, but on the average, at ground
level, the balloon as inflated would just support five and a half
pounds. After a good deal of experiment the load of propaganda and
releasing apparatus was fixed at four pounds and a few ounces, this
allowing from 500 to 1,000 leaflets, according to their size, to be
carried by each balloon, the balance of lifting power being
sufficient to take the balloon sharply into the air to a height of
five or six thousand feet. As a balloon rises the pressure of the
air decreases and the contained hydrogen expands. In the earlier
experiments the neck of the balloon was tied after inflation, and,
to allow for expansion, the balloon was filled only to a little over
two-thirds of its capacity. This was unsatisfactory ; it reduced the
load of propaganda and led to many failures from bursting and to
great uncertainty as to where the load would fall. It was found more
satisfactory to inflate the balloon nearly to its full capacity and
to liberate it with the neck open, or with a large slit cut at the
base of the neck, to allow the gas to escape as it expanded. At a
height of, on the average, from 4,000 to 6,000 feet the escape of
gas had reduced the free lift to a negative quantity, and the
balloon would begin to drop slowly, but for the liberation of
ballast.
After several ingenious mechanical devices had been tested, a method
of releasing leaflets by the burning of a fuse was adopted. A
suitable length of prepared cotton wick, similar to that used in
flint pipe-lighters, and burning evenly at the rate of five minutes
to the inch, was securely threaded to a wire by which it was
attached to the neck of the balloon. Several inches of the upper end
were left free, and the load of leaflets was strung in small packets
by cotton threads along the length of the fuse. As soon as a balloon
was inflated and the loaded release attached, the free end of the
fuse was cut to the required length, so as to burn for five, ten, or
so many minutes, before the first packet was reached, the cut end
was lighted, usually from the pipe or cigarette the soldier was
smoking, and the balloon sent off on its journey. The release of
each packet acted as a discharge of ballast, and the balloon,
although continually losing gas, kept in the air until the end of
its course. The arrangement used most frequently was designed for
liberating the balloons a few miles behind the front lines and for
distributing the leaflets from the enemy lines to a few miles
behind them. The total length of fuse was twelve inches, giving an
hour's run. The first six inches were left free to be cut before
lighting according to the position of the station and the strength
of the wind ; the load of propaganda was arranged over the second
half-hour at intervals of two and a half minutes. Much longer fuses,
with the load distributed at greater intervals, were used for longer
runs. Experiment showed that the lateral scattering of the leaflets,
dropped from a height of 4,000 feet and upwards, was considerable.
The length of the track varied with the strength of the wind.
The unit for distribution consisted of two motor lorries, which took
the men, the cylinders of hydrogen, and the propaganda loaded on
releases to a sheltered position selected in the morning by the
officer in charge after consultation with the meteorological
experts. The vans were drawn up end to end, separated by a distance
of about ten feet, and a curtain of canvas was then stretched on the
windward side between the vans, thus forming a three-sided chamber.
The balloon was laid on the ground, rapidly filled, the release
attached and lighted, and the balloon liberated, the whole operation
taking only a few minutes.
The load of the balloons was chosen according to the direction of
the wind. If it was blowing towards Belgium, copies of the Courrier
de l'Air were attached ; if towards Germany, propaganda leaflets for
enemy troops. The experimental improvement of the " dope " with
which the paper was treated in order to prevent loss of gas by
diffusion, and the manufacture of balloons of double the standard
capacity, had placed runs of upwards of 150 miles well within the
capacity of the method before the Armistice suspended opera- tions,
but the bulk of the propaganda was distributed over an area of from
10 to 50 miles behind the enemy lines. Fortunately, during the late
summer and autumn of 1918 the wind was blowing almost consistently
favourable for their dispatch.
When Lord Northcliffe took office in February, 1918, Austria-
Hungary was the most urgent field for his operations, as has been
explained. While Crewe House was concentrating upon that work he
desired the War Office to continue on his behalf the admirable and
assiduous work carried on since 1916. Early in May, 1918, Mr. H. G.
Wells accepted Lord Northcliffe's invitation to direct the
preparation of propaganda literature against Germany, with the co-
operation of Dr. J. W. Headlam-Morley. The first need was felt to be
the definition of a policy to be followed against Germany, in order
to prevent dissipation of energy and diversity of treatment. It was
obvious that this propaganda policy must be in accord with the
general policy of the Allies. In some points it followed the
declared aims of the Allies ; in others, it preceded the general
policy as a pathmaker and pacemaker. Mr. Wells undertook to prepare
a memorandum on the position of Germany at that time from the point
of view of propaganda. This was submitted by Mr. Wells to the
Enemy Propaganda Committee and fully discussed. A preface was pre-
pared and upon the two statements was based a letter to the
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, as in the case of the
propaganda policy against Austria-Hungary, asking for the assent of
the British Government to the policy therein contained.
Mr. Wells's memorandum was of the highest interest as a contemporary
study of Germany, by a master of psychology, at that juncture when
Germany was making her great (and, fortunately, her final) bid for
world-mastery. The document possesses no little historical value ;
much that was prophetic has been forged into history by the rapid
march of events ; and the non-fulfilment of much of what has not
attained to its consummation is due to lack of political wisdom in
the chancelleries . . .
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Please note: to avoid opening the book out, with the
risk of damaging the spine, some of the pages were slightly raised on the
inner edge when being scanned, which has resulted in some blurring to the
text and a
shadow on the inside edge of the final images. Colour reproduction is shown
as accurately as possible but please be aware that some colours
are difficult to scan and may result in a slight variation from
the colour shown below to the actual colour.
In line with eBay guidelines on picture sizes, some of the illustrations may
be shown enlarged for greater detail and clarity.
There is
a gift inscription in ink on the front end-paper: "C. R.
N. Routh - 17.ix.20 - d.d. [dono dedit ] -
F. H. C. B." and the end-papers are browned and
discoloured.
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U.K. buyers:
To estimate the
“packed
weight” each book is first weighed and then
an additional amount of 150 grams is added to allow for the packaging
material (all
books are securely wrapped and posted in a cardboard book-mailer).
The weight of the book and packaging is then rounded up to the
nearest hundred grams to arrive at the postage figure. I make no charge for packaging materials and
do not seek to profit
from postage and packaging. Postage can be combined for multiple purchases.
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Packed weight of this item : approximately 600 grams
Postage and payment options to U.K. addresses:
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the “Postage and payments ” option at the head of this
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card (Visa or MasterCard, but not Amex ), cheque (payable to
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Finally, this should be an
enjoyable experience for both the buyer and seller and I hope
you will find me very easy to deal with. If you have a question
or query about any aspect (postage, payment, delivery options
and so on), please do not hesitate to contact me.
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International
buyers:
To estimate the
“packed
weight” each book is first weighed and then
an additional amount of 150 grams is added to allow for the packaging
material (all
books are securely wrapped and posted in a cardboard book-mailer).
The weight of the book and packaging is then rounded up to the
nearest hundred grams to arrive at the shipping figure.
I make no charge for packaging materials and do not
seek to profit
from shipping and handling.
Shipping can
usually be combined for multiple purchases
(to a
maximum
of 5 kilograms in any one parcel with the exception of Canada, where
the limit is 2 kilograms).
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Packed weight of this item : approximately 600 grams
International Shipping options:
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Details of the postage options
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Payment can be made by: credit card (Visa
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Please contact me with your name and address and payment details within
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cancel the sale and re-list the item.
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Finally, this should be an enjoyable experience for
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with. If you have a question or query about any aspect (shipping,
payment, delivery options and so on), please do not hesitate to contact
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(please note that the
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listing)
Book dimensions are given in
inches, to the nearest quarter-inch, in the format width x height.
Please
note that, to differentiate them from soft-covers and paperbacks, modern
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Fine Books for Fine Minds
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I value your custom (and my
feedback rating) but I am also a bibliophile : I want books to arrive in the
same condition in which they were dispatched. For this reason, all books are
securely wrapped in tissue and a protective covering and are
then posted in a cardboard container. If any book is
significantly not as
described, I will offer a full refund. Unless the
size of the book precludes this, hardback books with a dust-jacket are
usually provided with a clear film protective cover, while
hardback books without a dust-jacket are usually provided with a rigid clear cover.
The Royal Mail, in my experience, offers an excellent service, but things
can occasionally go wrong.
However, I believe it is my responsibility to guarantee delivery.
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Thank you for looking.
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