79 In March 1939, World War II began, with Germany taking over one country after another: Czechoslovakia, Albania, Poland, Belgium and Netherlands. By June 1940, Germany had occupied Paris, capital of France, which was an ally to the British in the war. Panic started to spread as Germany looked like it was taking over the world. In Sharjah, everyone was following up the news of the war from a radio Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr had placed in a window on the upper story of the Sharjah Fort. The people used to gather in the front yard of the Fort to listen to the news. Naturally, among them there were those who supported Germany, and others Britain. The walls of the town of Sharjah was also covered with writing for and against one party of the war or another. There were also insults exchanged and signs hung in the market place carrying slogans such as: “Down with Britain, Long Live Germany” or “Down with Germany” or “Long Live Britain” or “Down with Hitler” or “Long Live Hitler”. Some young poets of Sharjah also made up poems which were recited in various gatherings. Abdulaziz bin Saif al-Madfa’, the son of the Sharjah Judge, was against the Germans. In one of his poems he said:1 Truthful news comes from the Allies, 1 India Office Records (I.O.R.). Bushire Records (Registres de Bouchehr) (R) /15/2/694, pp.8−13.
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