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Why WWII language booklets were restricted.


Chap15
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My understanding is that the "language guides" were (or may have been) printed PRIOR to operating in the area of that Language. Therefore, restricting the knowledge that the War Department just printed a half a million "French Language Guides" (or scores of other language guides) would not tip off the Enemy that the Army had travel plans.

 

TH1

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Actually that is a myth about "tipping off the enemy". Restricted is a very light classification, simply meaning it wasn't suppose to be distributed to the public and is for military personnel only. Many field and technical manuals were Restricted as long with military periodicals, for example Naval Aviation News. Its a magazine for department wide distribution. Take a moment and look at any government printed publications, ,most always they are marked Restricted.

The reasoning behind the language and area guides was in response to some early issues with service personnel stationed abroad. Some incidences occurred in the Caribbean and in India that the locals weren't happy about. It was felt practical by a few influential individuals, liaisons in the area, all the way up to Roosevelt that something was needed to orientate service members to assimilate into local cultures. In fact, the US almost lost some footing in some areas of the Caribbean because of too many occurrences of drunkin rowdy service members terrorizing the townships and harassing women, local governors were not pleased. There were some 35 different language guides produced in the TM series (not counting the area guides), them classified as Restricted only meant they were not allowed to be sold to the public. The military's travel plans or where they were stationed was no secret. If you take a moment and think about it, the Germans already new the USA was allies with Britain ferrying supplies across the Atlantic even before declaration of war. Invasion of North Africa in November 1942, the start of mass build up of air forces in Europe in 1942. So, the Germans finding a French language guide I do not think would had been a major intelligence find nor a shocker. Guides of either type were printed for all the areas of the world where US services members operated. The guides were actually some what of an important strategic tool, many of the areas were precarious in the friendships. If service members continued to disrespect the locals and its government and act a fool, those relationships could deteriorate and lose their support. So it was important to educate those military members in the language and local culture to assure a positive repour.

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