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".

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". 

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".

Just by Keeping Well YOU can help WIN THIS WAR

An apple a day . . .

"Just by Keeping Well"  This is a poster encouraging Americans to eat healthy, exercise, and take care of themselves.  It lists five steps to a healthy lifestyle, while noting that many doctors are overseas with the Armed Services, so those left at home are very busy. The poster is 20" x 13.5".

We French workers warn you . . .

French workers with hands up indicating surrender.  Quelle surprise.

Another classic image by Ben Shahn.  Workers, with hands up, in front of a Vichy, France Decree.  This is also considered an iconic poster, and is in the MoMa collection.  28" x 40".  U.S. Government Printing Office 1942-O-491777.

This is Nazi brutality

A powerful reminder

A grim poster by Ben Shahn.  It relays the horror of Lidice.  Lidice was a Czech mining village that was obliterated by the Nazis in retaliation for the 1942 shooting of a Nazi official by two Czechs. All men of the village were killed in a 10-hour massacre; the women and children were sent to concentration camps. The destruction of Lidice became a symbol for the brutality of Nazi occupation during World War II. This poster is 38" x 28" and is one of the more famous propaganda posters from that period.

F.D.R. Quote

FDR was not afraid of a little rhetorical repetition.

There is not much to say about this poster.  It is a lovely, deep blue, and measures 14" x 20".  It is noted as OWI # 40 and is taken from FDR's message to Congress on 07JAN1943.