Man accused of racism after selling 'Nazi' board game (From Your Local Guardian)

eBay removes Escape from Colditz from sale because of Nazi swastika

8:50am Wednesday 21st January 2009 in News By Harry Miller

A Coulsdon man trying to sell classic children’s game Escape From Colditz on an auction site was accused of inciting racial hatred because the box lid contained a Nazi swastika.

Paul Ramsier, 46, had been selling a copy of the board game on the website eBay and less than a day to go it had already climbed above £20.

But, when legal representative Mr Ramsier logged on to his computer to check on its progress, he was surprised to discover the game had been withdrawn because of the Nazi logo emblazoned on the front of the box.

Mr Ramsier said: “It's a game that I have had for a long time. My brother and I used to play it when we were kids. I got it out again over Christmas when we saw a television show about old boys toys which Richard Hammond from Top Gear.

“Once I realised it was probably worth a bit of cash I decided to put it on eBay and see what I could get for it. Everything was going well until the final day when I was confronted by an email from Ebay telling me my listing had been removed as it incited racial hatred. I thought to myself, hang on here, I'm not a racist, it's just a game.”

The game, created by successful Colditz Castle escapee, Pat Reid, pitches allied prisoners of war against their German guards in a battle of wits and subterfuge. The castle was used during as a prison to house some of the most troublesome prisoner from German PoW camps.

In order to escape Castle Colditz prisoners must obtain an escape kit, comprising of food, a disguise, a compass and forged papers. The German guards player has security cards to assist with arresting prisoners or confiscating equipment.

Now considered 'vintage' the board game that once littered car boot and jumble sales has become highly sought after fetching up to £80 for a item in good condition.

A spokeswoman for Ebay said: “We will remove listings that bear the marks of organisations that promote hatred and racial intolerance and we are strict and unapologetic in adhering to this policy. "With 100 million listings globally we have to apply this rule to any item bearing such insignia, regardless of whether it is an innocent item like a board game.”

• What do you think? Let us know in the comments section below.