Kriegsspielen

New, exotic, and serious business.

In a small and at first glance hostile shack, located in the western parts of the region of Bohemia, central Europe, a television is broadcasting the latest news.

''The economic question still requires our attention, but the initial direction in which we want to head is now clearly ahead of us. These are the words of our prime minister Žuška Gacík. He has said this after the regular meeting with the president on Sunday. They discussed the current income and outcome of the nation and how it affects the economy. They agreed that advanced trading with the UGNFR is harmful and should be limited as a result. Therefore, new restrictions and sanctions will be imposed to achieve this. Said measures will be announced on Friday this week, and those affected will have two weeks to change their transactions field in accordance to it without any repercussions.''

''That is all for now, but don't leave yet, as we will discuss tomorrow's football finale between SC Labourers Beroun and AC Carthage Prague match with a special guest in just a few minutes, after our prescheduled ad break.''

As promised, the broadcast ends, and the first ad initiates its rule over the television screen for the next couple of minutes.

It opened with footage of a rather unpleasant nature deep into winter. Accompanied by a deep, appealing, and modulated male voice, which described the scenery present on the screen in great detail.

''Grey and lonely Scottish lands are slowly awakening to yet another quiet day. Though winter has already given up its rule over nature, birds and other animals are still not fond of the idea of coming out of their well hid and cozy shelters. And so, you would only hear the cold wind howling between the trees if you happened to be here at such a time. That being if your ears wouldn't freeze, may I add.''

''Many of us would just stay home on such a repulsive day. Covered in blankets, sipping to some hot cocoa. But not these young men and their tutors. They are training relentlessly, not having time to worry about such frivolous things.''

The footage is suddenly cut, and replaced with footage of British infantry in action. Quickly changing between scenes, the soldiers can be seen charging into battle, assisting machine gun nests, ambushing enemy tank divisions, saluting their senior officers, receiving medals, or simply resting in the snow sharing tea. All that while smiling from ear to ear.

It is followed by a victorious, emotion-filled serenade celebrating the young men. It is supposed to evoke patriotism in whoever is watching and to make sure everything is nicely tied together so it is well received by the public. Just as propaganda should be.

Easily distracted individuals might be fooled by such a sight, but upon taking a closer look, one realizes that there is something sinister going on behind the cameras.

First of all, the men seen in the footage are young. Very young. Too young.

The updated military code from 1954 strictly prohibits men or women younger than 18 years to enlist into the armed forces of the United Kingdom. These must have been at least three years younger than that at best.

The explanation for this anomaly is simple, however. The soldiers captured on film are no soldiers. They are sportsmen.

The ''sport'' they are participating in is called Kriegsspielen.

The name comes from German, and can be translated basically as ''war games''.

During the Greater war, the nations involved were producing massive amounts of equipment as a part of the total war policy. And continued to do so until the peace conference in Lisabon, 17th of July to 2nd of August, 1951, which ultimately marked the end of the war.