Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting original U.S. WWII propaganda leaflet produced for distribution over Japan in an effort to undermine Japanese military morale and encourage soldiers to surrender rather than continue fighting.

The front illustration depicts two Japanese soldiers remaining behind at a machine gun position while two officers board an aircraft and leave. The message is clear: enlisted soldiers are being asked to continue fighting and dying while their leadership preserves itself.

The leaflet is numbered:

112

The reverse contains Japanese language text expanding on the illustration and attempting to convince Japanese soldiers that continued resistance would only lead to their deaths while senior officers escaped the consequences.

Leaflets such as this formed part of the extensive psychological warfare campaign conducted by U.S. forces against Japan during the later stages of WWII. Aircraft dropped millions of leaflets over Japanese held territory and the home islands, using news, surrender appeals, warnings, and attacks on military leadership in an effort to weaken morale and persuade soldiers and civilians that continued resistance was futile.

The artwork on this example is particularly effective because it focuses on a simple and easily understood message of unequal sacrifice. Rather than relying solely on written argument, it contrasts the soldiers remaining at their weapon with officers visibly departing by aircraft.

The leaflet measures approximately 7 3/4 x 10 inches and remains a strong example of U.S. psychological warfare material directed at Japanese forces during WWII.

Its numbered series format, dramatic illustration, and surviving Japanese text make it an especially interesting piece for a collection focused on Pacific Theater propaganda, psychological warfare, or the final campaigns against Japan.