Funny Nature & Travel Art & Stage Going Viral Science Greetings Inspirational

Edit Profile Recently Viewed Favorites

Main > Going Viral > Baba Recommends

How Monopoly Helped WWII Prisoners Escape...

Edited By: David B.

Add to Favorites In Favorites

Español

Font Size:

A+ A-

For over a century, Monopoly has been one of the most popular board games in the world. While it was invented to help friends and family members around the world spend quality time together, what nobody could have imagined is what a crucial role it would play in the Second World War. What role could a board game possibly have played in a war, you ask. Read on to find out.

How Monopoly Helped WWII Prisoners Escape...

Throughout WWII, thousands of British prisoners were held captive in camps with practically no hope of escape. However, the British intelligence forces realized one day that they actually had a single huge advantage.

This is because the Germans allowed British captives to receive care packages from humanitarian groups while they were in prison. Despite the knowledge that each care package would be thoroughly inspected before being passed on to the captives, the British intelligence forces still managed to find a way to get around this...

MI9, the British intelligence organization, devised a simple plan. Before sending troops off on a mission, they informed them to be on the lookout for Monopoly games in the event of their capture.

MI9 teamed up with Waddington's, Monopoly's manufacturer in Britain, to masterfully hide tiny maps, tools, magnetic compasses and other supplies inside the game itself to aid prisoners in their escape.

Clayton Hutton, the British intelligence officer who came up with this plan once said, 'My aim, right from the start of my association with the escape department, had always been to discover a foolproof system for introducing my ‘toys’ into the camps themselves.”

One of the tricks used was to get the maps printed on pieces of silk to prevent them from wearing out over time, as well as to make them waterproof. It was an absolutely ingenious decision.

During the war, it's estimated that nearly 35,000 British soldiers escaped from imprisonment, and around 20,000 of them claimed to have used supplies found within Monopoly games to give them a hand.

What's more, Monopoly wasn't the only game that helped British prisoners of war during WWII. In fact, messages, bank notes, and maps were also routinely added to packs of cards and chess sets, which all went right under the Germans' noses!

Who would have ever thought that such an ordinary board game could have been responsible for saving the lives of so many people? Talk about a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card!

If you enjoyed reading this article, then don't forget to share it with your friends and family, too.

Source

Related Articles:

11 Especially Original Uses for Box Games

Fascinating: The History of Chess!

Did You Ever Play These Ridiculously Odd Board Games?

Like Next Post Send Share WhatsApp

Copy Link

Did you mean:

Continue With: Facebook Google

By continuing, you agree to our T&C and Privacy Policy

Report copyright infringement

Print this content

You may also like:

Baba Recommends

13:08

The Epic Battle of Stalingrad Comes to Life

One of the most epic battles in history, and the biggest of WWII comes to life and explored in this in-depth video.

Art

5 Bold Works of Art Inspired by Revolution

The Revolutions That Sparked These 5 Famous Paintings

These 5 famous works of art were sparked by different revolutions and tell absolutely fascinating histories.

Baba Recommends

5 Historical Battles that Have Quite the Story to Tell

Read all about five of the most historically important battles to have ever graced this earth, many of which were fought and won by the underdogs.

Riddles & Quizzes

The Great European History Quiz: How Much Do You Know?

This quiz will test your knowledge of some of the most significant events to ever take place within Europe's long and bloody history.

Riddles & Quizzes

This Quiz Will Test Your Knowledge of Past Events

How well do you remember the events of the past? Give this quiz a shot and find out for yourself!

Travel

Discover Germany's Hidden Gems With This Travel Guide

Here are 10 of Germany's hidden gems that many Germans have probably never visited!

Science and Technology

34:33

Is China Number 1 in Global Technology?

In this video, we’ll take a closer look at the new developments hitting the market — and what they could mean for the future of transportation.

Computers & Internet

The Most Underrated New Browser You Haven’t Tried!

Forget Chrome—Zen Browser Is the Upgrade You Need

If you’re tired of slow load times, constant battery drain, or a cluttered interface, Zen might be the browser you’ve been waiting for.

Send Comment

Related Topics: history, war, rescue, baba recommends, board game, WWII, British, Escape, nazis, Germans, Monopoly

Quizzes

What Do You Know About Dinosaurs?

Let’s dig in and test your dinosaur smarts!

A Trivia Smorgasbord!

Ready to prove your mastery? Take a deep breath, sharpen your focus, and dive in!

What Your Associations Say About Your Success

Are you at the peak? Still climbing? Or perhaps you’ve stumbled upon success where you least expected it?

Most popular in Baba Recommends

3:54

When You Take Dominos to the Next Level...

Astounding Domino Sequences!

There is No Greater Blessing than Your Family

Beautiful Words: Having a family to care for is a blessing.

0:51

Have You Ever Seen Ducks With Jobs? You're About To!

Watch the day-to-day life of these incredible ducks, who just so happen to spend their lives on a wine farm...

9 Extraordinary Women Who Beat Men at Their Own Games

These 9 women are among the most important names in history, but do you know their names and inspiring stories.

4 Of the Strangest Unsolved Mysteries of All Time

Despite investigators' best efforts, these strange mysteries have remained unsolved...

When TV Became a Catalyst for Change - Game-Changing Shows

These Powerful TV Shows Helped Change the World

These television shows rewrote the rules and reshaped history.

These Photos of 1920s Criminals are Fascinating

Through archival snippets, we uncover tales of deception, ambition, and survival, painting a vivid tableau of a bygone time where lawlessness wove its complex tapestry.

A Few Things We Bet You Never Knew About the USA!

The USA is an enormous and diverse place, but when you look at it from a numerical point of view, things get even more curious. Take a look.

Don't Tell Anyone! These Secrets Are Only Known by 2 People

These secrets are so highly guarded that only two people in the world know about them.

There Are Plenty of Great Things in Store for Us This Year

2024 is Here! And This is Why You Should Be Excited for It

2024 is here! And this is why you should be excited for it.

15 Interesting Artistic Depictions of Ancient Roman Life

The Streets of Rome: 15 Illustrations of Daily Life

Here are 15 artistic depictions that offer a glimpse into what life was like in ancient Rome.

10 Battles in History Most People Don't Know About

The world would have been very different had it not been for these battles.

14 Rare and Obsolete Terms That Deserve to Be Used More

14 Obsolete English Terms We Wish Were Brought Back!

Over the centuries, so many eloquent and useful English words fell out of use. We wish these 14 clever (but sadly obsolete) terms were used more often.

Mesmerizing Vintage Pics That Transport You to Another Era

Here Are 18 Rare Photos You Won't Find In History Books

These are the RAREST vintage photos ever...

The 10 Most Powerful Regrets People Have at the End

What are the 10 biggest regrets people have at the end of their days? Find out the truth...

APRIL FOOL! The Greatest Hoaxes in History

April Fools: The Most Iconic Pranks in History!

It’s April Fool's Day! Let’s check out some of the most iconic pranks in history.

In Pictures: 15 Rarely Seen Images of Literary Legends

15 Rare Photos of Iconic Authors You've Never Seen

Your favorite iconic authors, as you've never seen them before.

Historic Photos From Days of Christmas' Past...

Christmas is said to be a time of love, cheer, and human compassion. These photos may be decades-old, but the stories they tell are not much different than the stories of today.

Here Are 18 Rare Photos from the Past You've Got to See

We’ve Got Hold of the Coolest Collection of Vintage Photos

We’ve got hold of some fascinating historical photos. Take a look.

Fascinating: The Historical Facts You Never Hear About!

I never knew this, but history was quite different than what I was told. So take a peek behind the curtain at the real face of history with some shocking and insightful facts of history.

15 Surprising Facts That’ll Enrich Your General Knowledge

These 15 Interesting Facts Really Surprised Me!

Our world is full of surprises, amazing stories, funny coincidences and events you've never heard of - so we've collected 16 of them to share with you ...

13 Sweet Inventions Designed FOR Animals

These Kind Inventions Were Made to Make Animals Happy

Every year humans build thousands of new roads, rails, airports and buildings. Many hurt the environment. But some kind people only build to help animals!

Shocking Photos of Life Inside North Korea

These Pictures Smuggled out of North Korea Will Shock You

Shocking photos that reveal what life really is like in North Korea.

These Books Will Spark Your Curiosity About the Past

10 Unmissable Historical Fiction Novels You Must Read

If you’re a fan of history, then these books have to be on your to-read list.

11 Legendary Military Rulers of the Ancient Past

The annals of history are rich with leaders who earned great renown for their courage and skill in battle. These illustrious kings and generals have won eternal renown due to their courage and brilliance.