World War II Newsmaps, 1942-1946

Overview of the Collection

Creator
United States. Army Service Forces. Army Information Branch.
Title
World War II Newsmaps
Dates
1942-1946 (inclusive)
Quantity
2 cubic feet, including 224 sheets, (5 map folders)
Collection Number
MAPS Newsmap
Summary
The World War II Newsmaps consist of poster-size newsmaps published weekly from 1942 until 1946 to inform and motivate American military personnel. The two-sided newsmaps include maps depicting the previous week's events in the war as well as brief news items, photographs, and motivational graphics. The newsmaps were published by the U.S. Army Information Branch.
Repository
Oregon State University Libraries, Special Collections and Archives Research Center
Special Collections and Archives Research Center
121 The Valley Library
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR
97331-4501
Telephone: 5417372075
Fax: 5417378674
scarc@oregonstate.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Beginning in 1942, the U.S. Army Information Branch published poster-size weekly newsmaps intended to inform and motivate American military personnel. The newsmaps included maps depicting the latest events in Europe, Africa, and Asia; brief news items and photographs; and exhortations. The posters were printed on both sides and were posted in every American military installation around the world. A large version was distributed in the United States; a smaller version was produced for distribution and posting at overseas field units in the theaters of conflict.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The World War II Newsmaps consist of poster-size newsmaps published weekly by the U.S. Army Information Branch from 1942 until 1946. Each newsmap includes maps depicting the previous week's advances and activities on the war-front in Europe, Africa, and Asia; brief news items and photographs; and exhortations. The newsmaps include both world maps and maps of local areas. Some of the newsmaps provided cues for recognizing tanks, ships, and planes; information about enemy organization, equipment, and uniform insignia; highlights of service achievement; or graphics intended to inspire and motivate military personnel. After mid-1945, the newsmaps became more like promotional posters.

Most of the newsmaps are 36 x 48 inches; the collection also includes 20 smaller maps (approximately 18 x 24 inches) published in 1943 as the overseas version.

The University of North Texas Digital Library provides online access to these materials through the World War Two Newsmaps digital collection.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Preferred Citation

World War II Newsmaps, Oregon State University Special Collections & Archives Research Center, Corvallis, Oregon.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Custodial History

Acquisition Information

The maps were received by the Oregon State College Library, as a depository library, at the time of publication; they were transferred to the Special Collections & Archives Research Center in 2013.

Related Materials

The Special Collections & Archives Research Center's holdings include many collections documenting the extensive role of Oregon State College in World War II. Of particular note are the records of the Army Specialized Training Program (RG 059), College of Science (RG 024), College of Engineering (RG 062), and the Oregon State College History of World War II Project (MSS OSCWW2); the Eugene Starr Papers; and the Oregon State Yank Collection. The Center's holdings also include collections documenting the wartime activities of individuals and organizations; these include the Alpha Lambda Delta Records, Delta Zeta Sorority Chi Chapter Scrapbook, and the Wesley Ross World War II Memoirs. Other World War II era posters are part of the Memorabilia Collection (MC-War Food Posters).

Finding aid prepared by Elizabeth Nielsen.
2013

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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