ARTICLE 4

ARTICLE 3
Gas Masks - Propaganda and Politics

_____With the memory of W.W.I still fresh in mind, it was certain that chemical warfare was a possibility after the outbreak of W.W.II. Both the Axis and the Allies felt a need to promote chemical warfare awareness, readiness and education to both combatants and noncombatants. Europe in particular was vulnerable to air raids, and it was well known at the time that delivery of chemical agents via the sky was the best possible method. In the UK and Germany, chemical warfare awareness was taken seriously. Gas masks were manufactured in large numbers and issued to civilians everywhere. In other European countries, similar programs were initiated. In the US, the general feeling of security due to geographic isolation kept the thought of chemical attack at bay, but matters changed quickly after Japan's assault on Pearl Harbor. So now the nations needed an engine to educate the home front, prepare the military, denounce the enemy and occasionally poke fun at the possibility of chemical warfare. Advertisements, announcements, posters, articles and pamphlets were all part of this system of wartime chemical warfare propaganda.

Here is a famous example of a British poster intended to provoke fear and readiness in the minds of the civilian population. Like most wartime propaganda, it is quick and to the point. It depicts a man's hands holding a British civilian respirator, which makes the image of the respirator familiar and less strange. It also reminds the public of the enemy, bringing support for the war against Hitler into every home.
	Here is an interesting German poster intended to promote the proper use of the gas mask. It loosely translates to: "The correctly fitted mask protects your health" An ominous image of death wisps away in the background, while the protected soldier sits casually in the foreground. A design clearly meant to invoke fear of chemical weapons and respect for the gas mask.
This American drawing, pokes a bit of fun at gas masks and chemical warfare. Clearly, this image was meant to boost morale and put soldiers at ease about being prepared for chemical warfare and wearing their gas masks.
	A early American advertisement from Seiberling promotes the company and their efforts to aid the country during a time of uncertainty. It depicts two able looking soldiers wearing Navy diaphragm gas masks which were made from Seiberling rubber products. Obviously, the Seiberling company intended to promote themselves as a supportive American company, and thus gain support and business as a result. This tactic was commonly used by many major companies during wartime.
Here is an interesting anti-air raid poster from wartime Japan. The image was directed toward civilians in effort to promote the need for civilian duty personnel.
	This American poster was designed to get the civilian population involved in the war effort. During W.W.II raw materials such as rubber were in demand, and this advertisement gives reason to the need for rubber by presenting four uses for it, the first of which is a gas mask.
This fantastic Finnish poster promotes air raid precautions and warns the viewer of danger from the sky. The poster is interesting in that it depicts a figure in a gas mask shielding a woman and a child from a bomber plane overhead. The shield bears the Finnish symbol for gas defense.
	This Italian poster promotes the The National Association for Air-Raid Precaution (U.N.P.A. - Unione Nazionale Protezione Antiaerea). This type of poster was most likely hung publicly to encourage civilians to join and support U.N.P.A.
This fantastic wartime poster depicts a person protected by a gas mask while holding dead rodents. This poster was obviously designed to illustrate the effects of a chemical attack and the protectiveness of a gas mask. The poster may be of Estonian or Latvian origin.
	Another wartime British poster designed to promote the A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions). During W.W.II, Great Britain was subject to massive German aerial attacks, and there was no telling if or when chemical weapons would be used. This is subtly illustrated with the clock image in the eye piece of the gas mask.
In Russia, chemical defense promotion was used everywhere, including on stamps. This striking stamp translates in English to "DOBROKhIM", which is an abbreviation for the "Society of Friends of Chemical Defense and Chemical Industry". The purpose of the this group was to organize civil defense and prepare soldiers for the potential use of chemical weapons.
	Because the threat of air raids were taken so seriously in the UK, spreading information to help educate the public about safety was of utmost importance. To help facilitate this process, the Ministry of Home Security worked with the Imperial Tobacco Company to produce a line of A.R.P. (Air Raid Precautions) collectable trading cards that accompanied several brands of cigarettes. These cards depicted various themes, including how to wear gas masks, how to protect your home from air raids, and how to decontaminate after a chemical attack.
Another famous US wartime propaganda poster. This one obviously tries to invoke fear for the lives of children. A tactic commonly used to get the public's attention.
	Here is an excellent example of a typical leaflet that was issued to the public in the UK. This type of instructional information was disseminated to the public to be sure they knew how to properly use their respirators. Proof that homeland security was of high import, when compared to today's standards.
Another advertisement promoting the use of Hercules Cellulose Acetate. This form of advertisement helped the company promote the use of their products while showing that they support the war effort. A sure way to "score points" with the public.