We Have Just Begun To Fight!

Lots more to do.

A US Soldier presses onward reminding us that, though we've been at war a while, there is still much to accomplish.  OWI Poster No. 62.  Additional copies may be obtained upon request from the Division of Public Inquiries, Office of War Information, Washington, DC.  US Government Printing Office 1943-O-527284.

Rumor: Kill It

Precious lies.

An ugly snake-looking thing hatches from an egg with swastikas on the shell.  Artist is Hoch.   Issued by the director of Public INformation, Under Authority of Hon. J.T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada.  AG.13 ES. It is a small poster, 13.5" x 9". It is a very ugly poster and the rumor looks a bit like Gollum.

If The Cap Fits, Wear It

Now we know how Men Without Hats got their  name.

Somewhere Canada Needs You on the War Front.  Hats and hands saluting show the many roles people can play to help Canada win the war.  The poster is signed in the upper left by ABUGOV.  Issued by National Film Board, Ottawa. Printed in Canada.  It is 36" x 24" and marked NFB-2E.  

If You Don't Need It . . . Don't Buy It

Well, maybe if it is on sale.

A 'white elephant' reminds people not to make wasteful purchases.  Issued by the director of Public INformation, Under Authority of Hon. J.T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada EC1

Don't Fall for Enemy Propaganda

If I spoke German or Japanese I'd be in trouble.

Against a bright yellow background a surprised man has a little green Hitler and Tojo whispering in his ears.  Text: Don't fall for enemy propaganda.  Against our Government / Against our Allies / Against Catholics, Jews or Protestants.  Remember - Hitler and the Japs are trying to get us fighting among ourselves.  Vetrans of foreign wars of the United States. The poster is 22" x 16".

Attack on All Fronts

Let's trade places!

This Canadian World War II poster shows a soldier with a machine gun, a worker with a rivet gun, and a woman with a hoe to encourage workers on the home front.

Says Mike: Its Got To Be Right To Win The Fight

That Mike is a real tool

A tool is anthropomorphisized (is that even a word?) to remind Canadian workers to be careful and prevent defects and waste.  This poster is framed and hanging and I can't determine the much more about it.

The Torch! Be yours to hold it high!

The light shines on.

This poster by R. Filopowski evokes the Canadian experience in WWI to encourage the population to victory WWII.  It depicts the Vimy Memorial, an important battle for Canada's national consciousness.  The poster quotes McCrae's "In Flnaders Fields" a famous poem remembering the dead of WWI.  This is a large poster, 36.5" x 24". 

Sealed Lips Will Save Our Ships

The Go-Go's took note of this message.

A sailor in the Royal Canadian Navy holds his finger to his lips reminding people to keep silent.  Issued by the director of Public Information, under authority of the Minister of National War Services, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada.  AGE-6. This is a small poster, measuring 12" x 9".

Get Your TEETH Into The Job

Timber!

Get your teeth into the job.  A beaver chews the trunk of a tree that Hitler has climbed hoping to escape.  The poster is 27" x 18" and was issued by the Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada.

BEWARE - The Walls Have Ears

Don't derail the war effort!

BEWARE - The Walls Have Ears.  Artwork by Jac Leonard.  At the top a train is exploding and and the pictures tell a story of how casual conversation overheard by the wrong person allowed the information to flow to saboteurs.  Issued by Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada.  Design, courtesy Walls Have Ears Organization.  AG-19.  This poster is 24.5" x 18.25".

There is too much loose talk

By the time you finish reading this, the war will be over.

This is one text - heavy poster. It is Essential that every man, woman and child take a part in the war effort.  There is too much Loose Talk about Navy, Army, Air Force and Production Matters.  To serve in silence s the duty of every citizen in or out of uniform.  Issuec by the director of Public INformation, Under Authority of Hon. J.T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada  AG-12R. The poster is 24" x 17".

The Merchant Service is Silent, Too

Even though I look Russian, I am Canadian.

The Merchant Service is Silent, Too.  Don't talk about cargos or ship salings.  A sailor in a pea coat and a bushy hat stares sternly out to sea.  The poster measures 24.5" x 18.25" and the photo is by Nicholas Morant, N.F.B.  Issued by wartime information board, Ottawa, printed in Canada.  W1B-3E.

A SPY doesn't look like this

We're on to you, Mister.

A SPY doesn't look like this A SPY may look like this.  Don't Talk about troop movements - ship sailings - war work - munitions shipments. This poster is 24.5" x 18.25".  A Canadian poster reminding people that spys may look like the man next door, not a sinister caricature.  Issued by War Information Board, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada - W1B-IE.

Somebody Talked - The Walls Have Ears

Spies are everywhere in Canada.

On a dark sea black smoke belches from a burning merchant ship.  Along the bottom:  Issued by Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada.  Design, courtesy of "Walls Have Ears" Organization  AG-20. This poster is 24.5" x 18.25".

Zip Those Lips!

And throw away the key

No text, just a photo of a man zipping his lips to remind people not to speak about sensitive topics. This is a small poster, only about 12" x 16". I guess it is to remind people not to speak about sensitive topics. Printed in Canada - Issued by the director of Public Information, Under Authority of the Hon. J.T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, Ottawa. Code AG-10E.

Women are Urgently needed to release men for active service

I got all my sisters and me.

This is a great, large poster.  It measures 30" x 40".  It shows the many different ways women can participate in the war effort, either in uniform, in industry, in civil service or in agriculture.  Women are encouraged to apply to the Selective Service Office for more information about how they can help.  Issued by Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada.  In the bottom right is a code: WR-IEL.  I can not find any information on line about this poster.

There's a job for YOU in the A.W.A.S.

Nice red background with a blue bottom encouraging women to join the A.W.A.S.  A stamp on the bottom right reads, 'Printed in Australia.' This poster is 19.5" x 25".

Czechoslovakia Will Live Again

Thanks for nothing, Neville.

Over a rich and deep blue background a hand waves a Czech flag.  In the background the word 'Appeasement' is crossed out in red.  In the upper right is the notation P with 42 as a subscript.  The publisher is the Czechoslovak Information Service (New York, N.Y.). The poster is 32" x 24".

CARELESS WORDS may cause DISASTER

Canadian sailor says, "Shhh . . ."

The telltale trail of torpedo bubbles heads toward ships in a convoy.  A sailor alongside the drawing of the unfolding disaster reminds Canadians that talk can have consequences.  Issued by The Director of Public Information, Under Authority of Hon. J.T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada AG-11EL.  There are two identical posters in this collection, each one is 24" x 17".

Shoptalk may be Sabotalk - THE WALLS HAVE EARS

Never put anything in your ear but your elbow.

A giant ear hovers over a factory, reminding Canadian citizens to be careful with their words.  The artist, noted on the lower right, is Morris. I like the design and color scheme of this poster very much.  Issued by the Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada.  Design, courtesy Walls Have Ears Organization. 24.5" x 18".

Danke Schon - "Thanks for the Tip-off"

A finderlohn for you!

A sinister looking, smiling German U-Boat captain leans over the side of his U-Boat's conning tower.  In the background, in silhouette, is a sinking ship.  The clear implication is that the Captain used information gathered by spies from people not careful about secrecy.  Issued by the Wartime Information Board - Produced by National Film Board, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada.  Code No. - 7E. 24.5" x 18".

Norway Fights!

A series of posters describing the actions of Norwegians with the Allies services and those Norwegians resisting Nazi occupation at home.

Norway Fights! On land - On Sea - In the Air

Sabotage in Norway Plagues the Nazis!

Norway Resists on the home front.

Norwegian Sailors on the Seven Seas

The U.S. Government published many posters reminding U.S. citizens of the valuable contributions our allies were making, even those with Governments in exile and with their home countries under German occupation.  All the posters are the same size, 22.5" x 17.5".

This is our Strength - Our Forests

The lumberjack is on a lunch break.

Poster of an axe in a tree stump reminding people of the importance of lumber and forest products to Canada's war effort.  Artist (noted in upper right) is Eneleigh. There is another image in the collection by this artist, but I can't find out any resources about him (or her) on-line.  Issued by Wartime Information Board, Produced by National Film Board, Ottawa.  W.I.B. - 10E.

This is our Strength - Electric Power

Always remember to wash your hands.

In this image you can almost feel the power of the water running through those fingers. The poster designed by artist Marian Scott.  It reminds Canadians of how important hydroelectric power is for the war effort and will continue to be to Canada after the war ends.  Issued by Wartime Information Board, Produced by National Film Board, Ottawa.  W.I.B. - 18E. Poster measures 36" x 24".

Your Health is Canada's Strength

See you at Tim Horton's, eh?

This fellow looks like he is straight from a Bob & Doug casting call for the most Canadian looking person on earth. Written across the bottom of this poster is, ;For free information on health and nutrition, write the Department of Pensions and National Health, Ottawa.  Issued by the National Film Board, Ottawa, Printed in Canada, NFB-1E.'

Come on CANADA!

After the war, this was reissued as a deodorant ad.

A soldier, machine gun in his right hand, urges his comrades to follow him.  By artist Hubert Rogers.  Issued by the Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada I-8E. This poster is 36" x 24".

LICK THEM over there!

One big step for Canada.

A canadian soldier stands astride the Atlantic, his right foot on Canada and his left stepping forward to a smoke spewing Europe.  In the smoke are swastikas.  He is pointing forward, as is his bayonet.  The island of England is portrayed as firing onto the continent.  Issued By The Director of Public Information, Under Authority of J.T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada UE - 5L. This poster is 36" x 24".

Let's Go . . . CANADA!

Let's Go . . . Canada!

A Canadian soldier, pointing bayonet forward in front of a Canadian flag.  Artist is Eneleigh.  Issued By The Director Of Public Information, Under The Authority of J.T. Thorson, Minister of National War Services, Ottawa.  Printed in Canada - UE-1L & UE-1S. The reason for the double numbering is that there are two of these posters in the collection, one large (36" x 24") and one small (18" x 12").

MEN of VALOR - They fight for you

The Merchant Navy

Lt.-Col. Merritt

Lt-Col. Dollard Menard

Ralph MacLaren Christie, RCAF

Sailors from the Oakville.

"Men of Valor - They fight for you."  This was a series of posters issued by the Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  These posters highlight the actions of Canadians that go above and beyond the call of duty, earning the individuals portrayed a DSO or a VC.  I am not sure how many there are in total, but there are five included in this collection.   The artist is Hubert Rogers, and all the posters were issued by the Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  Each poster is 36" x 24".

Attack Attack Attack

Over the top.

The artist commissioned for this work is Ferdinand Warren and the poster is from 1942.  There is a larger size available, but this one is 28” x 22”.  Office of Government Printing: 1942-O-497775.

It's Got To Fit . . . To Do Its Bit!

Grind those gears.

A Canadian poster issued by the Wartime Information Board for the Department of Munitions and Supply.  It was printed in Canada and is also marked with the notation “IE-7”.  There is no year or artist information about this poster that I can find. The poster is 36" x 24".

Give us the Ships, We'll Finish the Subs!

Depth charge away!

This Canadian poster is by Alex Colville. The notation by the signature indicates that it is from 1941.  It was issued by the Wartime Information Board in Ottawa.  It measures 36” x 24”.

I was a victim of CARELESS TALK

A ghostly image of a man above a sunken ship, broken in two, laying at the bottom of the sea.  The artist is Harry Mayerovitch a Montreal artist, architect, and author. It is one of a number of posters Mayerovitch produced during the Second World War, during which he also headed the Wartime Information Board's Graphic Arts Division.  It is published by the Wartime Information Board, Ottawa.  This particular item is quite small (10" x 8") and includes a thread on the top, as if it was designed to be hung on the wall or next to a door. The collection also contains a larger poster (24.5" x 18") of this identical image.

UNITED we are strong / UNITED we will win (2)

Another 21 Flag Salute

This is a duplicate of a poster depicted earlier in this blog.  Please refer to that entry for more information.  This particular copy is a different size (22" x 16") and has a wider white margin.

YOUR SCRAP . . . brought it down

Eject! Eject!

This poster urges people to collect and donate scrap metal for the war effort, and demonstrates how that scrap is used.  The artist is S. Broder.  U.S. Government Printing Office: 1942-O-486746. It is 28" x 20".  There is a very similar poster, with the same wording but with a different image and layout, also printed at about the same time.

Whatever your job may be FIGHT

Artist is Eric Aldwinkle.  Published by the Director of Public Information, Ottawa.  A soldier holds a gun behind a laborer holding a hammer.  A Canadan poster urging people to support the war effort. This poster is 31" x 21".

Doing all you can, brother?

By artist Robert Sloan.  Color poster shows a close-up of a soldier with a bandaged head and a blood-stained khaki uniform. He has light-colored hair and blue eyes. In the background, a barren field lies scattered with broken or abandoned machinery.  US Government Printing Office: 1943-O-502782, measures 28" x 22".

Deliver us from evil

Young girl, crying, a bit dirty and haggard, in front of a swastika, with the reminder to Buy War Bonds across the bottom.  Artist is Harriet Nadeau.  U.S. Government Printing Office: 1943-O-523825, and this poster is 28" x 22".

Every Canadian Must Fight

Standing a bit close, friend?

This Canadian World War 2 poster has a worker standing behind a Canadian soldier with the theme that he who stays home also fights if he works hard. This nice image was printed in Canada and issued by the Director of Public Information. It is 30" x 21.5". The artist is Philip Surrey .

a careless word . . . another cross

A stark white grave marker on brown dirt background with a GI helmet and ammo belt slung across it.  OWI Poster No. 23.  1943-O-501237.  Artist is John Atherton. Large poster, 40" x 28", in fine shape.  This is quite a famous image, and is even in the MoMa collection.

American Labor . . . Producing for Attack

It's off to work I go.

Unfortunately, this poster is torn at some of the fold marks.  However, the colors are still vibrant.  I guess the paper is old and of a different stock than the other posters, as it is noticeably aged and browned. Printing along the bottom is U.S. Government Printing Office 1943 O-541688.  In right lower corner is WFB Poster No. A-40. It is a large poster, measuring 40" x 28".

Still More Production

It looks like the owner of this arm is about to punch someone.

An hand rolls up a sleeve exposing the muscular forearm, as if to get to work.  The sleeve is in the style of the American Flag.  Printed along the bottom is War Production Board A-23.  U.S. Government Printing Office: 1942-O-491591.  The artist may be Peter Phillips, but that is not confirmed.  There is not a lot of information about this poster available. This particular copy is very small, 10" x 7".