German Reich stamps year 1942 – Hero Memorial Day
In 1942, the German Reich issued a series of postage stamps for “Heldengedenktag,” which translates to “Hero Memorial Day” or “Heroes’ Memorial Day.” This day, observed on March 15 (also known as “Heldengedenktag”), was a national holiday in Nazi Germany to commemorate the fallen soldiers of World War I and to honor the heroes of the Nazi Party.
The most notable stamp in this series featured a design by the Austrian artist Axel Leskoschek. The stamp depicted a fallen soldier being carried by a comrade, with the inscription “Und ihr habt doch gesiegt” (“And yet you have triumphed”). This design was meant to glorify the sacrifices made by German soldiers and to promote the Nazi ideology of heroism and self-sacrifice for the nation.
Other stamps in the series featured images related to the theme of heroism and sacrifice, such as a portrait of a soldier with the Iron Cross medal, symbolizing military bravery and honor.
These stamps were part of the Nazi propaganda efforts to rally support for the war effort and to perpetuate the cult of hero worship surrounding fallen soldiers and members of the Nazi Party. Hero Memorial Day, along with these stamps, served as a tool to promote nationalism, militarism, and the ideals of the Nazi regime during the Second World War.
