1945 Psychological Warfare Branch Propaganda Leaflet, the Fall of Manila

An extraordinary example of psychological warfare operations in the closing days of World War II, this leaflet-map of East Asia was prepared c. March 1945 by the U.S. Army to flaunt the retaking of Manila and demoralize Japanese troops.

A Closer Look

The recto is a map of East Asia from southern Japan to Luzon. Arrows emanate from a circle at the bottom around Manila, with text on the arrows indicating the distance in Japanese ri between Manila and Saigon, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Tokyo, thus demonstrating the significance of the city's capture referred to in the title. The text on the verso is meant to impress upon the reader the mightiness of the U.S. military and the futility of resistance, chiding the Japanese military command for losing control of Manila after a month-long battle despite years of preparations (though the 'quick' battle was highly destructive, as discussed below). The last sentence promises that, with Manila seized, the U.S. military will continue its inexorable drive towards the Japanese home islands.

Wartime Devastation in Manila

Among the great forgotten tragedies of the Second World War, the Battle of Manila in February and early March 1945 was one of the last large land engagements of the war and a humanitarian disaster. Over 100,000 civilians were killed as both sides were indiscriminate with heavy weapons, while Japanese troops committed wholesale massacres of civilians before retreating. The participation of Filipinos, who had sided with either the Japanese or Americans and been engaged in a civil war during the Japanese occupation, added to the intensity of the battle. Over the course of the battle, the historic city was almost completely destroyed.

Publication History and Census

This leaflet was prepared by the U.S. Army's Psychological Warfare Branch in early 1945, most likely in March or April. The text at the bottom-left (24-J-1) was part of the branch's internal notation system. We are only aware of its being included in two institutional collections, Pacific University's Psychological Warfare Branch Scrapbook of American Propaganda Leaflets and a similar collection held by Williams College.