Words that express friendship - WW2 Anti-Japanese Poster

It's very long time after which I am posting some article. Life has been busy-busy ;-) I had a pleasant trip back home (India) and just returned refreshed (new items bought over the trip)!

Below is one rare WW2 Anti-Japanese poster issued by National War Front in India. The poster is in Gujarati language.

The English translation of text is as follows:

First line : Mitratabharya bol mean "Words that express friendship" 
Second line : "Dusht Karmo" mean "Evil deeds" 

Last line : "Japanio saame rashtriya yudh morcho ubho karo" means "(Lets)Start a national war campaign against the Japanese"

It basically warns Indian public of what Japanese speak versus do. A very interesting and colorful poster. It also has a numbering S.53 at right bottom. I am not sure what that coding means. The poster is also of unusually large size measuring 19.5 x 29 inch.

I am sure you will like the poster. Let me know if anyone has any more information on background of this poster.

Support to Blind People - WW2 Pamphlet (India)

Today's post is on one of the advertisement pamphlet issued by Government of India during WW2 to assist blind soldiers. I don't have much historical background on it i.e. in which year it was issued or was it really a government agency publication/distribution or some private party. My guess is it was indeed some governmental organization publishing but the pamphlet doesn't give any concrete proof.

Since the text of the pamphlet is in Hindi hence I have translated them in English for consumption of my readers.

Support to Blind people

Government of India has accepted the proposal to educate Blind soldiers in Lahore's Blind School and Bombay's Victoria Memorial School.

The blind soldiers will be able to learn variety of useful craftsmanship in these schools. They will be able to develop skills which will help them spend their time working. If they wish then they can earn extra money besides their pension.

Relevant skills and quality will be:

Education Related

Read, write and be able to do calculations using specially designed books.

Craftsmanship Related

Making wooden basket, weaving clothes and placing bent tree sticks to form chairs.

These schools will teach education and craftsmanship related skills. Blind soldiers will be given following perks while they get trained in these schools:
a) Free Food and Shelter
b) 6 Rupees monthly allowance besides their pension or any income they would have earned through their skills.
c) Blind soldier and if needed his assistance will be paid for return rail transportation charges from his house or barrack where he is under treatment to school.

The duration of training will be around 9 months.

Whoever (blind soldier) would like to get admission in these schools shall place his request to his district collector.

----------------------------
Delhi Printing Works, Delhi

Indian Red Cross & St. John War Organization WW2 Pamphlet

Today's post is going to be a very interesting one :-) It's one of my philatelic adventure in recent times bearing fruit of all that patience over years. I will definitely show you the materials I got as reward as part of this post. So, let's start!

It was a Friday 7th May evening time and I was strolling with my colleagues outside our office on the way to nearby eatery for some snacks when I received a call from one of my known philatelic dealer inviting me to come to Numismatic Exhibition happening in Bangalore. I first tried to politely ignore by saying yes I would definitely try to come but I was busy even on weekends since my parents were leaving for my native place so it would be difficult. But, he kept on saying that they were documents available with some dealer for my eyes only ;-) Since this was first time I heard someone had something for my taste in Exhibition, so I dutifully marked it.

Still, I wasn't sure whether I would be able to make it at least on last day (Sunday) of Exhibition. I was very busy whole Saturday as my parents were leaving and feeling some fever etc but never revealed to my parents. Next came the Sunday, I went for doctor checkup as I suspected something was wrong with my body. It definitely was. Anyway, after checkup was done, I decided to have a look of exhibition even though I could feel fever and weakness.

I reached where Google Earth showed me was supposed to be Exhibition. But, I couldn't locate the venue. Went ahead couple of kilometers more and finally, someone told me it was way back. I did a full circle and some how located the place. It was right before the Bangalore City Railway Station while Google showed it after station.

Anyway, I reached the venue. First impression about exhibition was it was huge, well attended by both dealers and collectors. There were lots of stalls on coins and some on philatelic materials.

Since I was suffering from fever and not keeping up my health so I wanted to quickly locate that dealer's booth who had something for me. I started making a quick round trying to have glimpse of every both amid crowd. I had almost done with round and was feeling disappointed not to find anything when I saw the dealer's booth who had given me call the other day. Before I could reach him my eyes suddenly caught some recognizable pattern ;-) on booth before his.

To my goodness, I found "Indian States Information" equivalent to "Indian Information" magazine issued by British Indian Government on Princely States. The editions were from 1942 and 1943. I just couldn't control my happiness finding editions covering WW2. I decided to buy all the damn editions at any cost.

I stopped at that booth itself and asked the booth owner price of each. I was told XYZ/- per edition but she said her husband could tell me correct price and he had stepped out. My heart sunk for a moment hearing the price as I knew I had bought such materials from US in XY/- each. I waited.. waited and waited. She advised me to complete the round and return but I didn't want to leave them there ;-) fearing someone may also find. Even though, I knew only a few people waste money like me on these literature.

Finally the elderly person came. He asked me which one I wanted to buy. I said I would take all of them. He was surprised, he asked me to have a look once. I said I just wanted all of them. He was impressed and the price automatically came down to YY/- per edition and I finally settled them at XY/- each.

In between another gentleman came. He was known to him and perhaps a big collector from Delhi. He started paying more attention to him and asked me to wait for a while so he would try to find more war related materials for me. The gentleman was numismatic and he saw couple of files covering money tenders, cheques issued during British Raj by Princely States. The dealer had all sort of documents on his booth.

As part of that, he showed him one file which was supposed to cover Red Cross. When dealer was offering red cross file to gentleman then my eyes again caught some pattern in it ;-) The gentleman had many files piled up making him slow down checking every file. I sensed an opportunity and decided to glance the Red Cross file in between. I picked it up and turned over some of pages only to find some other fascinating materials of end of war. I saw what I wanted but dutifully kept it since it was offered to gentleman earlier.

The gentleman in between found something he was looking for. He selected that file and told dealer he will be back in 1 hr. That file was for him. That's it. I sighed a big relief. I then quickly picked up red cross file and asked dealer if I could selectively purchase some items from that file. He declined saying the file would be of no use if I took out materials from it.

So, I finally decided to buy complete file. The price would have been same even if I would have bought the 5 items I wanted from file. So, I took the deal since it came with hell lot of other documents. I know you would like to know what were those 5 items. Well, it was Indian Red Cross + St. John War Organization created leaflets/pamphlets in Urdu, Hindi and English. A kind of pamphlet telling war service Indian Red Cross had done in WW2 and they still needed Indian people's generous help etc.

It may not be sounding as exciting as I mention it here but frankly speaking I have never seen such Indian Red Cross pamphlets of WW2 :-)

I felt this was the best exhibition I ever had during 11 years of stay in Bangalore. Then, I finally moved to next booth and duly acknowledged the dealer who had given me call to come to exhibition. It was just because of him that I could get hands on such materials. He also told me I should have asked him once before settling the amount, he would have helped reducing it. I thanked him for the offer and said I was so happy that I could forget some money I could have saved otherwise.

A good relationship built over decade with a dealer came real handy :-)

Now coming to the main item of this post. I will be showing 3 pamphlets issued by Indian Red Cross and St. John (St. John's Ambulance) War Organization in Urdu, Hindi and English. All three of them carry same design and content.

The front side shows a wounded soldier lying on hospital bed reading some newspaper with a slogan behind it "The thanks of a GRATEFUL PUBLIC". We can also see Red Cross and St. John War Organization symbols at bottom left side.

The reverse side then had different paragraphs highlighting main objective of Indian Red Cross & St. John War Organization and work they had done and doing during this war (WW2). The leaflet reads:

WHEREVER THE INDIAN SOLDIER GOES...

Although peace has been brought to a suffering world, the work of the Indian Red Cross and St. John for the sick and wounded soldier cannot end with the war. Those who have fought to bring us victory still deserve our help, a help which it is our privilege and duty to provide.

What this help is, and how it has been provided by a private humanitarian body is explained in this brief leaflet.

The Indian Red Cross & St. John War Organization is a private humanitarian body devoted to the service of the sick and wounded and of Indian prisoners of war. Its work stretches half across the world from Japan to Occupied China, Malaya, India, Iraq, Iran, the Middle East. Wherever the Indian soldier is to be found, there lies the work of the Indian Red Cross & St. John.

SUPPLIES TO HOSPITALS

The Indian Red Cross and St. John supplies over 500 items to hospitals for the sick and wounded . These supplies include clothing, tobacco, sweets, soap, toothbrushes, games, gramophones and gramophone records; even pictures for the walls of the recreation rooms in hospitals. Everything that can be envisaged to keep the sick and wounded men comfortable is made available.

There are over 750 Workparties in India making clothes, manufacturing special bandages and other hospitals stores. These items pour into the great Central Depots of the Indian Red Cross & St. John in hundreds of thousands.

FOOD PARCELS

Before the victory in Europe, every Indian prisoner of war was send a weekly food parcel through the Indian Comforts Fund in London, paid for by the Indian Red Cross and St. John, and altogether it dispatched 1,672,579 parcels to these men. Such parcels were sent in addition to clothing, games, medical supplies and other amenities. This great humanitarian body even created facilities to help Indian prisoners of war to enter for examination to prepare them for peacetime occupations.

POSTAL AND CABLE MESSAGES

The Indian Red Cross & St. John War Organization operates a postal and cable message service enabling persons in India (not being prisoners of war or internees.) to write to their loved ones in enemy occupied territories. During 1944, over 16,000 cable messages and postal messages were received and dispatched as a part of this anxiety relieving service.

THE JAPANESE ATTITUDE

Although the Japanese Government did not fully co-operate with the Indian Red Cross or any other Red Cross Society on the Allied side, the Indian Red Cross & St. John has been able to send bulk supplies of food and clothing in hundreds of tons to Indian prisoners of war in the Far East, by repatriation ships whenever the Japanese Government allow them to sail. Prisoners of war are now being released for Prisoners of War camps in the Far East, are provided by Red Cross with gift bags, containing toilet articles, sweets, cigarettes and other items of their comfort.

DIVERSIONAL THERAPY

The Indian Red Cross Welfare Service employs the services of over 400 ladies of all denominations in various hospitals for the care of the sick and wounded. This work entails Diversional Therapy, a work based scientifically on the knowledge that convalescence can be considerably helped by taking mens' minds off their infirmities. It also involves library supervision, (books are provided in tens of thousands for hospitals by the Red Cross) writing letters to relatives of the wounded, tracing missing soldiers and handling inquiries from relatives regarding them, and may other activities which cannot be enumerated in detail in so short a review as this.

A GREAT CAUSE

The scope of this private humanitarian body will thus be seen to be immense, and funds to carry on this work in hospitals must be found on a scale commensurate with it. Only by remaining a private organization supported by voluntary subscriptions can the Indian Red Cross & St. John retain its capacity for working internationally. An official body attempting the same task would be severely handicapped. Give this great cause your help. Please send your donations to your local Provincial or State War Fund, clearly ear-marked "Indian Red Cross".

*

Give Generously to our SICK & WOUNDED SOLDIERS

Let me know if you have seen such pamphlets or any other varieties of these kind.

Save For Victory - WW2 Pamphlet

Today's post will be very short. It is about two almost similar pamphlet issued in India during WW2 persuading people to invest in various savings and war bond schemes.

There is an interesting history behind these schemes. During the first world war (WWI 1914 to 1918) the British Government needed to both reduce borrowing and to raise funds for the war effort. Consequently, the National Savings Movement was established in 1916 to encourage the British people to 'save and prosper'. The same was extended to all the British Colonies also.

The National Savings Movement grew from volunteers who were organised into Local Savings Committees, which in turn, were supported by national committees and civil servants. Savings products were sold directly to the public and the funds were sent to the government. The range of products included, saving stamps, certificates, and bonds, which were provided not only by the Post Office Savings Bank, but by other banks and financial institutions, such as building societies. The Movement was a large scale scheme to promote saving in all its forms and the local volunteers were recognised for their dedication by the issuing of 'long service awards', which were simply named 'National Savings'.

To support world war II (1939-1945) the War Savings Campaign was set up by the War Office in November 1939 and Regional Savings Committees were reorganised. War savings were not only limited to the purchase of certificates and bonds, but also used local collections to raise money for aeroplanes, tanks and any items which were urgently needed for the war effort. From 1940 onwards, local savings weeks became regular events with poster campaigns used to support the cause.

Just like WW1, the same schemes were rolled out in all the British Colonies including India during WW2. With all the Indian Princes contributing hefty amount to these, it became a huge success. More and more such schemes were rolled out in India encouraging everyone (general public) to invest in these.

Shown below is first of such single sided Indian pamphlet. It is printed in red color with text.

SAVE FOR VICTORY.

British War Savings Movement
BUY ---

NATIONAL SAVINGS CERTIFICATES
NATIONAL DEFENCE BONDS
2-1/2% NATIONAL WAR BONDS 1946-48
3% SAVINGS BONDS 1955-56
REGULARLY

ASK YOUR BANKER FOR AN APPLICATION FORM
OR P. O. BOX 625, CALCUTTA.

Another one is almost similar to above one. It is printed in blue color with a bit different text.

SAVE FOR VICTORY.

British War Savings Movement
BUY ---

SAVINGS CERTIFICATES
DEFENCE BONDS
INTEREST FREE BONDS
-- STERLING OR RUPEE --
REGULARLY

ASK YOUR BANKER FOR AN APPLICATION FORM
OR P. O. BOX 625, CALCUTTA.

Surprisingly, there is no more "NATIONAL" keyword in later pamphlet for any of those BONDS/Schemes. And to encourage people, looks like scheme was offered in either Sterling or Rupee.

The success of the scheme enabled it to thrive in times of peace as well as war, and National Savings were still available until the 1960s. These were the foundation of Indian Saving Bonds issued by the Post Office even today.

Madras District War Committee - War Fund Advertisement

It's going to be very short post since I have literally no information on it. I tried doing Google but no information at all.

This appears to be an advertisement cum brochure for defence exhibitions and demonstrations organized by Madras District War Committee in 1942. The brochure mentions that there were two programs planned on 27th and 29th January, 1942.

Shown above is one side of the advertisement pamphlet in English. It mentions:

MADRAS DISTRICT WAR COMMITTEE

The Defence Services Exhibition Train
On Show at the MADRAS CENTRAL STATION
27th January 1942 and 29th January 1942

Six Coaches containing various Exhibits and
photographs, Models of Warships and Aeroplanes,
tanks, shells, ammunition, Weapons, clothing, Wireless
sets, telephone exchanges, bombs, Battle of Keren-
4 inches Naval Gun, Fuselage of an aeroplane etc.

Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-30 p.m.to 6 p.m. - Open to all.
3 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Ladies only.

Rate of Admission: 27th January ... 4 Annas
29th January ... 2 Annas
-------------------

MILITARY DEMONSTRATIONS
AT S.I.A.A. GROUNDS

Demonstrations of guns in action, removal of mines
and other Military displays will be shown at the
S.I.A.A. Grounds (People's Park, Madras) on the
27th and 29th January 1942.

TWO DEMONSTRATIONS DAILY
12 noon to 1-30 p.m. and 4-30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
CINEMA SHOW (War Films) at 6-30 p.m.

Rate of Admission: 27th January ... 4 Annas
29th January ... 2 Annas
-------------------

Inauguration by SIR GEORGE BOAG, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., I.C.S.,
First Adviser to His Excellency the Governor of Madras
at 12 noon on the 27th January 1942

-------------------

PROCEEDS GO TO THE GOVERNOR'S WAR FUND

ALBERT JESUDASAN
Secretary, Propaganda Sub-Committee.

-----------------------
Govt Press, Madras

Shown above is other side of brochure with same content printed in Tamil.

A Call To The Nation - WWII Pamphlet

Today's post is a WW2 pamphlet asking people of India to buy defence loans. British Government had issued similar war defence loan schemes in most of the colonies during WWII. Thus, I assume the slogan "A Call To The Nation" used was very common. Though, the slogan was published with an Indian bugle man in India. This was common design for such advertisement since I also have an edition of Indian Information publication by Govt. of British India which has same front cover design.

Shown above is front side of pamphlet. While reverse side carries the need for such scheme and how can one make investment in that.

The text in English reads:

MODERN war means mechanised armies, tanks, aeroplanes - thousands of them - and guns, in addition to men and munitions, and to equip and maintain a modern army for defending our homes will cost very large sums of money. Every patriotic Indian can help to make India strong and thus protect his home and family by saving as much as possible and lending his savings to Government. The Government of India have issued Defence Loans to suit the convenience of different classes of people. The object of these Defence Loans is to raise money to expand and equip our army, navy and air force for the defence of our country. By subscribing to these loans you will be paying the best insurance for your freedom and happiness.

(I) 10-Year Defence Savings Certificates

These certificates are a very safe and convenient method of investment. The minimum value of certificates is only Rs. 10. They are, however, issued in larger amounts also - Rs. 50, Rs. 100, Rs. 500, and Rs. 1,000. A ten rupee certificate carries interest at the rate if five annas for each complete year, except the first year. In addition to interest, a certificate holder is entitled to a bonus of four annas at the end of the fifth year and eight annas at the end of the tenth year. The interest is income-tax free. Thus, at the end of ten years, the certificate is valued at Rs. 13-9-0, having earned Rs. 3-9-0. This works out at the rate of 3-1/8 per cent. compound interest. The certificate can be bought at any post office, but no person can buy more than Rs. 5,000 (face value). Unlike other securities, fluctuations in the market cannot diminish their value. For if a holder wishes to get his money back before 10 years, he has only to apply to the Post Office from which he bought the certificate and he will get back his deposit of Rs. 10 plus the interest and bonus that has accured on it.

WW2 Pamphlet V for Victory Bugle Man - India

Today's item is on pamphlet issued in 1946 during Delhi Victory Week which was official local celebration of victory by the Allies over Germany and Japan.

The Delhi Victory Week was celebrated on March 3rd to 9th, 1946 in New Delhi, India. The Victory Week saw more than 100,000 visitors. Highlight of the week was the parade on 7th March, in which 10,000 men and women, horses, mules, camels, mechanized equipment, bands and airplanes took part. The Viceroy of India, Lord Wavell; the Supreme Commander of Southeast Asia, Lord Louis Mountbatten; the Commander-in-Chief in India, Sir Claude Auchinleck; and the U.S. Acting India-Burma Theater Commander, Maj. Gen. Vernon Evans, were on hand to witness the event.

Most of the literature printed during Victory Week had same design as shown below in the pamphlet.

The pamphlet shows a large V of Victory sign with a Bugle Man. The pamphlet is of size W 6.2" X H 9.6".

Continuing on the celebration events, the parade was led by units of the Armored Corps. Artillery, and Engineers of the British and Indian Armies with their equipment. It was followed by massed pipe bands and massed flags of formations. A crack detachment of 200 American troops, led by Capt. Donald McCullough, headed the marching columns.

The parade also showcased detachments from Nepal, West Africa, East Africa, Burma, the Royal Indian Navy, the Royal Indian Artillery, the Royal Indian Engineers, British Infantry, Indian State Force Infantry, Special Detachments, Royal Indian Army Service Corps, Indian Army Medical Corps, Indian Army Veterinary Corps, Indian Army Ordnance Corps, Army Remount Department, Indian Pioneer Corps, Indian Army Corps of Clerks, the Royal Air Force, and Royal Indian Air Force.

It was followed by massed provincial banners, Boys Detachments from most of the units of the Indian Army, Boys Detachments representing Indian State Forces, a Boys Detachment from the Royal Indian Army Service Corps, Women's Services, and Delhi Police Band and Delhi Police Department.

Another highlight and huge crowd puller was the fly-past by planes of the Royal Air Force and Royal Indian Air Force which concluded the parade. They included three Cornells, five Harvards, three Dakotas, six Hurricanes, 36 Spitfires and six Lancasters.

The week's events got underway on 4th March morning with a "Remembrance" Ceremony at Memorial Arch. Two thousand troops, representing all arms of the Indian, Nepalese and Burma Services, joined in exercises dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War II.

A military "tatoo" was given on 4th March evening at Irwin Stadium and repeated on 6th, 8th and 9th March, in which various exhibitions of marching, bagpipe playing and mechanized equipment were given, and the sky was lit brightly with fireworks.

War Advertisement India

Today's article is one of different type. It's an advertisement published during war days. This is unlike advertisements printed in newspaper or magazines but rather a pamphlet/leaflet. I love collecting such original leaflets/pamphlets. While, one can easily see and get War posters, advertisement of US, UK or other allied countries. I have found it extremely difficult to get an Indian one.

None of the websites or dealers (with whom I have interacted) claim to have one to offer. Though, I have seen war advertisements in princely states gazettes or Indian Information periodicals and they also serve as more original than private advertisements printed in private magazines. But, there is nothing comparable to original pamphlet/leaflet.

The above advertisement was printed by the Eagle Lithographing Co., Ltd, Calcutta, and published by Provincial & State Committees for War Savings. The advertisement talks about importance of savings and how can one contribute by doing so. It definitely has immediate visual impact because it shows how each saving however small it is helps India defend its people and territory in war.

The text on advertisement reads:

WAR WEAPONS and THEIR COST

Here are a few war weapons - from Bullet to Battleship - with the approximate cost of each of them.

So when you have contributed Rs. 100 - possibly by buying DEFENCE SAVINGS CERTIFICATES - you have provided the cost of a Rifle, or two Pistols or a hundredth part of a Barrage Balloon.

Money for the war, whether by the purchase of DEFENCE SAVINGS CERTIFICATES or otherwise, means help to India's Fighting Troops. The money will pay for the Bullets they shoot from Pistol, Rifle and Machine Gun; or the Barrage Balloon and Anti-Aircraft Gun that may protect them. It helps to provide the Aeroplanes that Indian Pilots fly; and the Destroyers, Cruisers and Battleships that are protecting India, its Troops and its Trade.

YOU can also SERVE by SAVING.

BUY DEFENCE SAVING CERTIFICATES from the POST OFFICE.

If any of my readers have such original Indian war advertisements or posters in terms of pamphlets/leaflets and willing to sell then please contact me. I am more that willing to buy those.

War Propaganda Poster - British India

Here is first entry for August. Some people may hate this post as I am not going to put any research material with item. Frankly speaking, I was not in mood today to put some item which shall be accompanied with some text. So here it is, a simple but very interesting item to share (which doesn't require any text as it is self-explanatory :P).

Well, I tried publishing it like this but I couldn't as it would have belied my profession. So, here is some information on the war propaganda done by British India during those days.

Most of these creative work was done by artists/scholars of Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art at Bombay. I always used to wonder who were the genius behind such work. You will be surprised to learn that British Government threatened to close such creative place to save expenditure which in turn produced some of magnificent piece of work later. Some can argue that the pressure from British Govt. produced it. Whatever be the case, kudos to brains behind them. Here is small history behind these artworks.

The Institute of Applied Art history first began with the founding of its sister school, the Sir J. J. School of Art. The school opened through the help of a donation by Jamsetji Jeejeebhai in 1857 and that's the reason it was named Sir J. J. School of Art.

During the Second World War the school was threatened with closure. At the time the school was run by the British Bombay government and its funding came directly from the government. In preparation for the looming war many committees were set up to review excess government expenditure, and divert money instead to defense needs. The close scrutiny of one such "Thomas Committee" fell on the Sir J. J. School of Art. The committee recommended that the school of art be shut down, claiming that it only contributed to furthering personal talents of artists, and was of no use to society in general.

The director of the J. J. School of Art set out to rectify the situation. In 1935 Mr. Soloman was the dean of JJ. In 1946, J. J. School of Art started a new department, called the Commercial Art Section, or CAS. The objective of this division was to impart all of the necessary training in art to its students, but with an eye on students being able to exploit this training for commercial purposes. A direct contribution of this section was to aid the war preparations of the government by designing propaganda and public awareness posters. This exercise was a huge success. Therefore, the government decided not to shut down the Sir J. J. School of Art.

The students trained at the CAS soon found that they were in considerable demand from the commercial industries of Mumbai (then Bombay), to design publicity material for selling their products and services. Also, the fledgling advertising industry lapped up talent from the CAS, creating a set of people who would end up being counted among the fathers of Indian advertising.

We all know that it is one of the most prestigious institution in India now with history of providing half of country's creative work force.