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This is a rare program for the June-July 1936 Deutsche Nordlandreise (German Northland Trip), a cultural cruise organized by the Nordische Gesellschaft (Nordic Society) and NS-Kulturgemeinde (National Socialist Culture Community). Both organizations focussed on Germanic / Nordic history and culture, as well as political cooperation with Scandinavian countries with large Nordic populations. Alfred Rosenberg was one of the founding members and on the board of directors.

Most Third Reich collectors and historians are familiar with the NS-Gemeinschaft Kraft durch Freude, (the Nazi Strength through Joy organization) headed by Dr. Robert Ley. Among its many ventures were organized, affordable holiday cruises for average Germans. The Deutsche Nordlandreise was a much different cruise adventure, which had little to do with either average or affordable!

 

Above, a reference photo of the Milwaukee and an original crew member cap tally. Built by Blohm & Voss as the sister ship of the St. Louis, she sailed out of Hamburg between 1935 and 1945 for Hamburg-America Line.

The brochure advertises the Nordlandreise to Iceland and Norway as a relaxing cruise which special focus on the cultural and personal connection with the “People of the North”. To strengthen that connection and awareness, leading personalities of Nordic countries as well as German art and economic leaders were participating in this cruise. Presentations, Nordic concerts and films, folklore dances, sports and games and community evenings were on the program to make time on board fun and varied. Land excursions with knowledgeable local guides were on the itinerary as well.

It looks like this original 88 year old program for the summer 1936 Deutsche Nordlandreise was carried around in the jacket pocket of a cruise passenger. It shows use of course, with a 1 inch horizontal tear to the right of the word Norwegian on the front cover, but it is complete and has no odor. While we have sold quite a few original Third Reich KdF cruise programs, passenger tickets and travel souvenirs, we have never seen another program for a Nordic cultural study cruise.

There is no doubt that some of the passengers on this cruise were German government and/or military agents sent to gather data that could be useful in the case Germany would ever need to occupy or defend any of the subject countries in the future. It is rare!

The rare printed program offered on this USMBOOKS web page was for the Nordlandreise starting in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg on 29 June and returning on 14 July 1936. The well-known Hamburg-Amerika Linie ship Milwaukee was the “home” for the trip that included guided tours of cities like Reykjavik and Bergen, as well as excursion to several historic and scenic fjords, passing the polar circle and several North Atlantic islands.

The 4-½ x 7 inch brochure folds open to 7 x 14-¼ inches, and the six panels have information about one to four passenger cabin options, prices (starting at 240 Reichsmarks!), the cruise ship Milwaukee, as well as where to sign up for this cultural study trip. Interested travelers could visit offices of the Nordische Gesellschaft or NS-Kulturgemeinde all over Nazi Germany as well as inquiring at travel agencies, get additional information and/or to sign up. Payments could be made in installments after signing up. Demand was large so people with an interest were urged to sign up in a timely manner so they would not miss out.