Nazis Take Winnipeg
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With soldiers’ hands held high in the Nazi salute, what appears to be an invading German force rolls through the streets of downtown Winnipeg on February 19, 1942.
The military-style parade — which actually involved local volunteers dressed as Nazis — was held on If Day, a one-day simulated invasion and occupation of the Manitoba capital.
If Day was a fundraiser for Canada’s Second World War efforts. Its organizers believed that the fear created by the mock invasion would help to increase wartime donations.
The event also included a staged firefight, the mock arrest of prominent politicians, and a German takeover of a local newspaper.
The scare tactics seem to have worked — If Day inspired donations of around $3 million for the war effort.
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