War Cartoons and Satire

Cartoons depicting the surreal and ironic aspects of war, showcasing the contrast between imaginative and actual military scenarios from various historical periods.

A cartoon by Bruce Bairnsfather in which the imagined and actual usages of a sword in the First World War are juxtaposed. Date: 1915

A cartoon by Bruce Bairnsfather in which the imagined and actual usages of a sword in the First World War are juxtaposed. Date: 1915

Cartoon - You Can't Bring Down the Bird by Aiming at the Decoys. John Collins (1917-2007)

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). 'Una ayuda y otra' (One help and another). Engraving by Ramn Puyol about the international help belonging to the fist series of Drawings of the Civil War. Litography.

Cartoon - Lord High Executioner. John Collins (1917-2007)

Cartoon - Storming the Bastille-1944. John Collins (1917-2007)

Cartoon - Heartbreak Ridge. John Collins (1917-2007)

The Civil War, Life in Camp, Upset His Coffee, souvenir card showing the daily life of Union soldiers on the front, in the camp and on furlough, chromolithograph by Winslow Homer, circa 1864.

Cartoon - No Way to Load a Gun. John Collins (1917-2007)

Unrest in Russia. Isolation of the Tsar. Exploding official telling the Tsar that everything in Russia is quiet. On 15 September the government ordered 'any means' to be used to maintain public order. Cartoon from 'L'Assiette au Buerre', Paris, 29 September 1906.

The early 1900s caption reads; "Earl Svein fled away east.".

The charge of the Black Brigade' 'Black Horse Cavalry' under the leadership of 'Woodruff' wearing the red suit of the Devil, about to charge through a valley toward the 'People's Heavy Artillery' with the 'Taft National Battery' on one side and the 'Hughes State Battery' on the other side. Overlooking the scene is a cloud with the face of Theodore Roosevelt.

Cartoon - Drang Nach Osten-1945. John Collins (1917-2007)

Greetings from U.S. to U , Military personnel, Bombs, Airplanes, Emperors, Hirohito, Emperor of Japan, 1901-1989, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

Greetings from U.S. to U , Military personnel, Bombs, Airplanes, Emperors, Hirohito, Emperor of Japan, 1901-1989, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

Cartoon - Out of the Trenches by Christmas . John Collins (1917-2007)

030408-M-7262C-058. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)

Front cover design for La Baionnette, an issue focusing on Italy Our Sister. Showing an Italian soldier with a large black two-headed eagle representing Germany and Austro-Hungary. Date: 1916

Cartoon - The Pen Mightier than the Sword . John Collins (1917-2007)

Cartoon - NATO War Games. John Collins (1917-2007)

Cartoon - Fix Bayonets !. John Collins (1917-2007)

'On the gun-sites', 1940. Artist: Unknown.

Cartoon - The Watch on the Rhine. John Collins (1917-2007)

Satirical illustration depicting an allied soldier knocking on a door with Berlin written above it. The soldier's bag carries the sickle and hammer symbol. Signed Ghilrhik

Cartoon depicting a satirical Polish view of the German reservist army (or Landsturm) with makeshift weapons including pitchforks during the First World War. Date: September 1914

Alfred the Great (849 ñ 26 October 899) King of Wessex from 871 to 899. Alfred the Great is scolded by his subject, a neatherd's wife, for not turning the breads but readily eating them when they are baked in her cottage.

Cartoon - Another Battle of the Bulge. John Collins (1917-2007)

The Spanish Republic is governed by a legal and legitimate government. Spanish Civil war, anti-republican propaganda illustration by Carlos Sáenz de Tejada

Cartoon - The Arabian Knights. John Collins (1917-2007)

Cartoon, Epic song. A pretty French woman sits at a table, with four British soldiers hovering nearby. She says it's typically the soldier she likes the look of most who doesn't understand French. Date: 1916

Eagle Over Battleships, Daugherty, James H.

Cartoon - Bigger the Gun, Bigger the Kick. John Collins (1917-2007)

Cartoon, A Friend at Last. A German cavalryman says to a British 'slacker' who hasn't yet joined the armed forces: Thanks, mein friendt! Your neutrality in the war is most helpful to me. Date: September 1914

Heraus mit unseren Gefangenen! Volksbund zum Schutze der deutschen Kriegs- und Zivil-gefangenen - Release our prisoners! Association for the Protection of Prisoners of War. Poster shows a German prisoner of war holding a pick ax with a French guard and a barbed wire fence in the background.

We don't care if you did see it done in the circus, come out of there! , Artillery Weaponry, Military personnel, Military life, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

Cartoon - "Every Policeman Needs Handcuffs". John Collins (1917-2007)

Russian propaganda poster from the Second World War. Text reads, 'Ram attack - the weapon of heroes!' and 'For the glory of Stalin's falcons - the worst enemy of Fascist vultures.' The aim was to encourage Russian aviators to crash their planes directly into the German bombers.

An LST opens its jaws. This image depicts artwork of a tank and an ambulance heading to shore during an invasion in the Mediterranean, drawn by Coast Guard Combat Artist John S. Gretzer.

Cartoon - The New Volunteer in the U. N. Fire Department. John Collins (1917-2007)

Just a Good Afternoon's Work, Wartime Women

Elsevier photo collection. Sporpent of the British caricaturist KEM. Hitler and Stalin are jointly running with the "Eastern Frontier" with floured bens. In the distance derricks

Cartoon, Vae Victoribus, showing an invading German soldier on friendly terms with two local women near Vise, Belgium, during the early days of the First World War. Date: September 1914

Picture series German Army III, Bavarian infantryman, digitally restored reproduction of a collectors picture from c. 1900

A man of considerably advanced years stands proudly in a patriotic pose, while the caption of the picture reads 'Called Up', a comment perhaps on the continued stretching of upper age limits for joining up during World War One as the need for more troops continued. Illustration on a postcard by George Ranstead, amateur artist of the Great War who served in the Army Pay Corps. circa 1916

Cartoon, the Boche's dream. A hungry German soldier dreams of beer and sausages while asleep in the snow on the Western Front during WW1. Date: 1915

Caricature in L'Assiette du Beurre, 1906, depicting the French army in training

Cartoon - Discarding Everything But the Duce. John Collins (1917-2007)

Humorous drawing on a postcard by George Ranstead, an amateur artist of the Great War who served in the Army Pay Corps, of a strong man being rejected from a competition. Ranstead was one of many soldiers of WWI who took up drawing as a hobby. His subjects range from wartime humour to pictures of pretty girls and are clearly influenced by images in the illustrated magazines of the period. circa 1918

'Supra-Normal' 'Captain Mills-Bomme's temperature cracks the thermometer on seeing his recent daring exploits described as "On our right there is nothing to report"' A cartoon by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather in The Bystander A soldier, recovering from wounds in hospital is furious to discover the action he was involved in has been entirely omitted from the newspaper he is reading. 1916

The admiral wants to see the signal man , Military personnel, Signals, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

To help General Polovtsov to restore and support the revolutionary order in Petrograd, the Compromisers assigned two Social Revolutionaries -- Avksentiev and Gots. Caricature by Kukryniksy. Pyotr Polovtsov 1874 - , 1964); Russian military leader, military orientalist, lieutenant general , author of a number of military oriental studies.

'The Right Precedes the Force', French WWI postcard, 1914-1918. Artist: Unknown

Making up Bunks, Fort Devens, Mass. , Interiors, Barracks, Bunk beds, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

WW1 - A satirical cartoon illustrating the German gun personified as 'Big Bertha' attacking the city of Paris. As the city is underattack, the illustration also portrays the reactionand actions of various French departments in the underground bunkers. Date: 1918

These Are U.S. Defense Posters -- Inconceivable would be a war without posters. Like bands, parades, flags and patriotic speeches, they are designed to rouse peaceful citizens to deeds of daring and hard work. Since America's entry into World War II, posters are being hung in defense factories during workers to obey regulations work hard, keep their mouths shut, look out for fifth columnists and saboteurs. Creators of these new cartoon-posters are Cy Hungerford, famous cartoonist of the Pittsbu

A sudden awakening , Military personnel, Tents, Military life, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

Consecration of the Colors (Fahnenweihe) 1911 Moriz Jung Austrian. Consecration of the Colors (Fahnenweihe) 649895

C'mon kid, it's work if you don't make it , Military personnel, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

BACK THEM UP! (Fighters), Fighting Aircraft

Sketches of members of the American Army and Navy enjoying the comforts of the Eagle Hut in Aldwych, London. The YMCA supplied British servicemen away from home in the UK and overseas with a place to eat, drink, relax, and write letters home. As American troops arrived in large numbers, the organisation committed to supplying a home from home for them in Englands capital. Operating from mid-August 1917, the YMCAs Eagle Hut was officially opened on 3 September by US ambassador W.H. Page.The E

Cartoon - En Garde !. John Collins (1917-2007)

Black Cat Cigarettes, World war One, propaganda card showing: Europe tied to the machine of war as the new year approaches

Learn to be a pilot - hmm. Haw! , Haystacks, Military personnel, Donkeys, Military life, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

'L'Armee Britannique dans le Nord de la France; Sentinelle saluant un major', 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV. L'Illustration Tome CXLVII. La Guerre Janvier, Fevrier, Mars, Avril, Mai, Juin 1916".

Cartoon, Gathering laurels. An army cook tells a soldier that he also 'gathers laurels' -- not the kind won in battles, but the bay leaves used to flavour food. Date: 1917

030426-M-7262C-111. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Country: Unknown

We Need Him and You Too!, Uncle Sam

Bombarment of unending stream of heavy field guns and artillery being sent to Verdun, during World War One. Date: 1916

Shod I thought you said have him shot! , Military personnel, Rifles, Horses, Dead animals, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

The discarded civilian clothes of a "knut" as he marches off to fight for a higher cause during World War One. 1914

Indian Mutiny: Mutineers attacking magazine at Delhi 11 May 1857. On orders of Lieut Willoughby, who died of his wounds, defending garrison to exploded magazine denying rebels supplies of arms and ammunition. Colour-printed lithograph c1900

She's a fast worker, only 3 weeks ago she started with a private! , Military personnel, Barracks, Military life, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

Illustration by Loys Petillot celebrating the struggle for liberty in Alsace & Lorraine at the end of world war Two. French and American soldiers work to restore buildings in a war damaged town

Shod I thought you said have him shot! , Military personnel, Rifles, Horses, Dead animals, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

Don't spill this, soldier! But this place is dull without you! , Cats, Bars, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

U-Boat Commander: "Sorry, I thought you were a neutral vessel ..." Date: 22 June 1916

Am I supposed to live in that , Military personnel, Tents, Military life, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

World War I, Poster showing men loading crates onto a boxcar, text reads: 'Fill 'em up to the top, the nation is counting on you', poster by Ernest Hamlin Baker, 1917.

Artwork: "Civic Action," South Vietnam Artist: Alvin Pimsler. Country: Unknown

Immigration, 'Where the Blame Lies', Uncle Sam views new immigrants, including the German socialist, Russian anarchist and Italian brigand.

Show me something in a size 36' for Elmer , Military personnel, Military uniforms, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

How German air raiders are caught in the toils of British defence during the Second World War. The effect of the anti-aircraft barrage on raiding bombers, which are forced by British gunfire into vertical banks, overturned, or otherwise submitted to sudden and violent shock. Date: 1940

The courage that dares the shot and shell is infinitesimal compared to the bravery of the young man in mufti who in the restaurants dares the cutting contempt of the khaki-clad heroes and the wide and wondering eyes of their attendant Eves. Two men in civilian evening dress run the gauntlet of soldierly contempt in a restaurant during the First World War. Date: 1915

Cartoon - Put Your Money on Active Service. John Collins (1917-2007)

Fighting Sailor, USSR - Bolshevik & Soviet

Secrets of German aircraft revealed: the Messerschmitt ME109 and ME110, the Heinkel 111K and the Junkers 88-A1. Date: 1940

"Even The Walls Have Ears..." Warning Poster For Troops -- The new "Be Careful" poster due for issue in England. A telling is being issued in England warning troops against giving away their destination when moving. It follows up other posters warning troops and others against giving away in casual conversation items which might be use to an enemy. The new poster shows "Old Bill", Captain Bruce Bairnsfather's character symbolising the British Tommy of the great war, and old Bill's son, "Young Bert". Behind them is a wall with an ear, coupled by wires to a Swastika. November 01, 1939. (Photo by Associated Press Photo).

Brave Little Soldier, Storybook Kids

Gee, soldier - I certainly miss my male! , Correspondence, Letter carriers, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

The Japanese Invasion of French Indochina, also known as the Vietnam Expedition, was a move by the Empire of Japan in September 1940, during the Second Sino-Japanese War, to prevent China from importing arms and fuel through French Indochina, via the Sino-Vietnamese Railway from the port of Haiphong through Hanoi to Kunming in Yunnan. Japan occupied northern Indochina, which tightened the blockade of China, and made continuation of the drawn out Battle of South Guangxi unnecessary. In March 1945, Japan launched the Second French Indochina Campaign and ousted the Vichy French and formally installed Emperor Bảo Đại in the short-lived Empire of Vietnam. In August 1945, Japanese forces surrendered in Indochina at the end of World War II.

Mutineers attacking the magazine at Delhi, Indian Mutiny, 11 May 1857 (c1900). Artist: Unknown

First World War cartoon story, Escaping the War. A man looks forward to the weekend in the country, thinking he will escape all the war news. However, when he gets there every encounter is a reminder of the war, and he leaves early, running straight for the Recruiting Office. Date: September 1914

The Russo-Japanese War (8 February 1904 - 5 September 1905) was the first great war of the 20th century which grew out of the rival imperial ambitions of the Russian Empire and Japanese Empire over Manchuria and Korea. The major theatres of operations were Southern Manchuria, specifically the area around the Liaodong Peninsula and Mukden, the seas around Korea, Japan, and the Yellow Sea. The resulting campaigns, in which the Japanese military attained victory over the Russian forces arrayed against them, were unexpected by world observers. As time transpired, these victories would transform the balance of power in East Asia, resulting in a reassessment of Japan's recent entry onto the world stage. The embarrassing string of defeats inflamed the Russian people's dissatisfaction with their inefficient and corrupt Tsarist government, and proved a major cause of the Russian Revolution of 1905.

The Nerve Centre of War (French). 1942 - 1945. Office for Emergency Management. Office of War Information. Domestic Operations Branch. Bureau of Special Services. 3/9/1943-9/15/1945. World War II Foreign Posters

Cartoon from Punch, London, 28 July 1915, highlighting the threat of the German use of mustard gas as a weapon of war.

French illustration symbolising the Russo-Japanese war 1904

American Pilots sink Japanese Ship.

Coloured illustration of a soldier messenger walking by musicians. Illustrator is J. Pumost.

Canadian Pacific To Canada, Sailors

A woodcut engraving depicting a Butler going about his duties in the cellar. Dated 16th century

'Hmm! Maybe there is a tent-stretcher' , Military personnel, Tents, Military life, Military facilities, Tichnor Brothers Collection, postcards of the United States

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