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.

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.

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.'

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”.

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".

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 .

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".

Give 'em the stuff to fight with . . .

Studios are hell,

A poster created from a black and white combat photograph by Valentino Sarra (1903 - 1982) showing an American soldier struggling to drag his wounded comrade back to friendly lines. 20" x 14".  GPO Jacket No. 461576.

it's plain horse sense act / think SAFETY

Answers Mr. Ed's question, "What did you do during the war, Daddy?"

This lighthearted poster is a winking horse on a bright yellow background reminding workers to think about safety and reduce accidents.  The seal on the poster reads, 'National Committee For Conservation of Man-Power in War Industries.'  Printed along the bottom is U.S. Government Printing Office: 1942-O-466159. It measures 20" x 14".  The artist is Ekman. I am not sure if it is the same person as Harry Ekman known for his drawings of 'pin up' girls.

Every day you take off -- gives the Axis a break

I hope this guy has a note from his doctor.

Little information is available about this poster. This copy is of the large size, 40" x 28". I must admit it is one of my favorites, and since not much is written about it, I'll add my own commentary. It certainly looks as if our friend is having a wonderful day. Leaning back in his chair, probably listening to the ball game on the radio as he enjoys a cold beer. This looks a lot more relaxing than work. But the cartoon Hitler at the bottom reminds us who the shirking really benefits. Good thing, too, or this poster would increase truancy by a significant amount.  U.S. Government Printing Office: 1943-O-519876.  Poster produced by the War Production Board A-19.

Bowl Them Over - More Production

Das raycess.

In this poster, bowling pins assuming the caricatures of Hitler, Tojo, and Mussolini are stuck by a bowling ball labeled 'more production.'  This is a very small poster, about the size of a piece of paper, 10" x 7".  Along the bottom right is U.S. Government Printing Office: 1942-O-469851.

Give it your best!

American flag and encouragement for American workers.

This is a very straightforward poster.  It is from 1942 and measures 20" x 28".  The main image is a 48 star flag. The lower right corner reads, "Office of War Information, Poster No. 9, Washington, D.C." And in small print beneath that, "U.S. Government Printing Office: 1942-0-488228."