Original Item: Only One Available. Guns, tanks, and bombs were the principal weapons of World War II, but there were other, more subtle forms of warfare as well. Words, posters, and films waged a constant battle for the hearts and minds of the American citizenry just as surely as military weapons engaged the enemy. Persuading the American public became a wartime industry, almost as important as the manufacturing of bullets and planes. The Government launched an aggressive propaganda campaign with clearly articulated goals and strategies to galvanize public support, and it recruited some of the nation's foremost intellectuals, artists, and filmmakers to wage the war on that front.

The War Production Board (WPB) was an agency of the United States government that supervised war production during World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt established it in January 1942, with Executive Order 9024. The WPB replaced the Supply Priorities and Allocations Board and the Office of Production Management.

The WPB directed conversion of companies engaged in activities relevant to war from peacetime work to war needs, allocated scarce materials, established priorities in the distribution of materials and services, and prohibited nonessential production. It rationed such commodities as gasoline, heating oil, metals, rubber, paper, and plastics. It was dissolved shortly after the defeat of Japan in 1945 and was replaced by the Civilian Production Administration in late 1945.

In 1942–1945, WPB supervised the production of $183 billion (equivalent to $2.12 trillion in 2020) worth of weapons and supplies, about 40 percent of the world output of munitions. The UK, the USSR, and other allies produced an additional 30 percent, while the Axis produced only 30 percent. One fourth of the US output was warplanes; one fourth was warships. Meanwhile, the civilian standard of living was about level.

This lovely 28 ¼” x 40” poster bears a simple large message in the center:

WHEN YOU'RE
A.W.O.L.
YOU'RE WORKING
FOR
THE AXIS

While "AWOL" or "Absent with out leave" is originally a military term, in this case it was applied to the factory workers, urging them to not take unplanned or unexcused days off work. This poster would have been seen hanging up in the various factories all across CONUS, especially in their common areas to motivate the employees and remind of how what they do is important, and that not working hard only would serve the enemy. The bottom right bears the WPB logo, and in the center is the GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1941 - O - 469855 designation.

The condition is very displayable but does have minor tearing present on the edges and some minor fold separation. The fold marks present on the poster were made to make the shipping and distribution process easier.

A lovely example ready for display.