“Loose tweets destroy fleets.” That’s the slogan of the United States Air Force’s latest operations security (OPSEC) campaign, and if the phrase sounds familiar, don’t be surprised. We collected 50 propaganda posters from World War II that show an age when keeping military secrets was a matter of life or death.
In the 1940s, operations security meant avoiding talking or writing openly about military actions, in order to keep critical information from reaching the ears of adversaries. In the social media age, things have become bit more complicated, as the USAF Central Command explains:
Keeping quiet about operational information is vital to ensure military members stay safe on a daily basis. Social media can be a useful tool to stay connected to friends, family, and quick entertainment. However, there is sometimes a fine line between letting your friends see what you’re up to and providing an adversary critical information about your connection to the military and its mission.
During World War II, the Office of War Information issued dozens of propaganda posters designed by well-known artists at the time, to persuade Americans–civilians and military personnel both– to support the war effort by keeping quiet about what they might know about.
The following 50 are our favorite posters:
Keep it to yourself buddy, 1943. Designed by Russell Kraus (St. Louis, Missouri).
Source: Library of Congress
Keep mum, Loose talk costs lives, 1943. Artist: William B. Finley.
Source: Library of Congress
Keep mum chum, 1943. Designed by William B. Finley.
Source: Library of Congress
Let me do the talking! Serve in silence. 1943. Designed by Homer Ansley.
Source: Library of Congress
Careless talk costs lives, 1943. Al Doria.
Source: Library of Congress
This happens when you talk to others about ship sailings, 1943. Artist: John McCrady.
Source: Library of Congress
Keep mum – the world has ears, c1941. Artist: Edward T. Grigware.
Source: Library of Congress
I pledge allegiance and silence about the war, 1943. Designer: Thomas A. Byrne.
Source: Library of Congress
“Censored” Let’s censor our conversation about the war, 1943.
Source: Library of Congress
Someone Talked, 1942. Designed by Frederick Siebel.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Loose lips might sink ships, 1943.
Source: National Archives
Silence means security, 1941-1945.
Source: National Archives
Award for careless talk: don’t discuss troop movements, ship sailings, war equipment, 1944. Artist: Stevan Dohanos.
Source: Northwestern University
I’m counting on you! 1943. Artist: Leon Helguera.
Source: Northwestern University
Less dangerous than careless talk. 1944. Artist: Albert Dorne.
Source: Northwestern University
Don’t tell him what you know about .... troop concentrations, departures .... arrivals, 1941. Artist: Russell W. Kraus.
Source: Library of Congress
Who wants to know? Silence means security, 1943.
Source: Northwestern University
A careless word... a needless loss, 1943. Artist: Anton Otto Fischer.
Source: Northwestern University
A careless word... a needless sinking, 1942. Artist: Anton Otto Fischer.
Source: Northwestern University
A careless word ...another cross, 1943. Artist: John Atherton.
Source: Northwestern University
Because somebody talked! 1944. Artist: Wesley.
Source: Northwestern University
Wanted! For murder. Her careless talk costs lives, 1944. Creator: Victor Keppler.
Source: Northwestern University
Careless talk... got there first, 1944. Artist: Herbert Morton Stoops.
Source: Northwestern University
If you talk too much, this man may die, 1942. Artist: Valentino Sarra.
Source: Northwestern University
Bits of careless talk are pieced together by the enemy, 1943. Artist: Stevan Dohanos.
Source: Northwestern University
Somebody blabbed, button your lip! 1942. Artist: Albert Dorne.
Source: Northwestern University
If you tell where he’s going... He may never get there! 1943. Artist: John Philip Falter.
Source: Northwestern University
Somebody blabbed, button your lip! 1942. Artist: Albert Dorne.
Source: Northwestern University
He’s watching you, 1942. Artist: Glenn Ernest Grohe.
Source: Northwestern University
Careless talk got there first, 1944. Artist: Ray Prohaska.
Source: Northwestern University
Don’t be a sucker! Keep your mouth shut. 1943
Source: Library of Congress
Watch yourself pal! Be careful what you say or write! 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Some birds talk too much. 1942
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Beware. 1942
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Protect his future ...watch your tongue. 1942
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Sh-h-h silence means security, 1942
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Please don’t gamble with your life! 1942
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Keep your [mouse] shut! 1941
Source: UNT
Quiet! Loose talk can cost lives, 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Someone talked! 1942
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Silence means security, 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Allure or a lure? 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
The M-1 does my talking! 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Loose talk can cost lives, 1942. Artist: Stevan Dohanos.
Source: X-Ray Delta One
Enemy ears are listening, 1942. Artist: Ralph Illigan.
Source: UNT
Loose talk costs lives. Back up our battleskies! 1942
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Loose talk can cause this, 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Loose talk can cost lives, 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Loose talk can cost lives, 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives
Don’t kill her daddy with careless talk, 1941
Source: Wikimedia Commons/National Archives