---
title: And if our lines should form, then break (a U.S. Marine)
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/and-if-our-lines-should-form-then-break-general-cable-1941/
description: Painted scene of a bandaged Marine firing a pistol from cover in a burning jungle, with a prose message over it.
section: Collection
---

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3. And if our lines should form, then break (a U.S. Marine)

[![And if our lines should form, then break, 1941 US poster: Painted scene of a bandaged Marine firing a pistol from cover](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/and-if-our-lines-should-form-then-break-general-cable-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/and-if-our-lines-should-form-then-break-general-cable-1941.jpg)

# And if our lines should form, then break (a U.S. Marine)

Painted scene of a bandaged Marine firing a pistol from cover in a burning jungle, with a prose message over it. The text, signed 'a U.S. Marine', asks whether producers will 'take the blame' for supplies that never came. The technique is testimonial, an unnamed fighting man addressing workers, with an implied accusation of blame.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Testimonial](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/testimonial/) [Fear appeal](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/fear-appeal/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
AND IF OUR LINES SHOULD FORM, THEN BREAK
BECAUSE OF THINGS YOU FAILED TO MAKE
THE EXTRA TANK, OR SHIP, OR PLANE
FOR WHICH WE WAITED ALL IN VAIN
AND THE SUPPLIES WHICH NEVER CAME
WILL YOU THEN COME AND TAKE THE BLAME
FOR WE, NOT YOU, WILL PAY THE COST
OF BATTLES YOU, NOT WE, HAVE LOST
a U.S. Marine
[signature:] [illegible]
[imprint:] © GENERAL CABLE CORPORATION
```

[← And if our lines should form and break](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/and-if-our-lines-should-form-and-break-think-american-1941/) [Another American naval victory! Don't slow up the ship! →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/another-american-naval-victory-1941/)

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