Today’s post will be a little different than most of my typical photographically-centered material. Various government offices and departments printed these for a multitude of reasons. Some were printed by the Red Cross, others were aimed at health and hygiene, some were distributed by the Stars and Stripes to help wounded soldiers feel a bond with their Division or branch of the Army, while others were directed towards tourism and cultural sensitivity. All the scans in today’s post are from my collection and have been picked up over the years for a few dollars each. Some are very common, while others are scarce. The most popular amongst collectors are the divisional histories printed and put out by the Stars and Stripes. Some can fetch upwards of $100 US.
Many of the artists and writers for these publications are unknown and lost to history. In a few cases I’ve been able to track down the names of the original illustrators. Here are a few that I’ve researched for this website:
And here are some illustrated booklets which were printed in order to direct US service members stationed or visiting foreign countries:
A Pocket Guide to Luxembourg “Do you know Luxembourg?”
Pocket Guide to the Dutch East Indies
Welcome to Australia
How to See Paris “For the Soldiers of the Allied Armies”
Pocket Guide to the Cities of the Netherlands
Pocket Guide to Paris and Cities of Northern France
Pocket Guide to Egypt
Pocket Guide to France
A Short Guide to Iraq
Pocket Guide to Australia
And here’s an obscure language guide specifically printed for US soldiers, marines and airmen in Iceland.
TM 30-313 Language Guide to Icelandic
This one was given out by Coca-Cola as a notebook and calendar:
WWII Coca-Cola Notebook
These two booklets were aimed at keeping sailors from catching venereal diseases while away on shore leave:
Shore Convoy for Merchant Seamen
Hull Down – Guide to Venereal Diseases in Japan
This rare booklet was a pro-socialist publication”
Victory Through Unionism
Here are some example of divisional histories put out at the end of the war:
Terrify and Destroy – Story of the 10th Armored Division
The 45th Division
“Right to be Proud” – 65th Division Unit History
And these were focused on specific service branches:
American Red Cross Nurses
The Special Service Division
Coastal Artillery Corps – “We Keep ’em Falling!”
Combat Engineers
And some are tough to categorize:
Field Fortifications Guide
Australian Booklet
Ellington Field
How to Hatch a Nest Egg – War Department Pamphlet No. 21-19
29 Gripes About the Filipinos
Portraits of War 