"We're Counting on You!" (letter from Flying Officer Alan Bell, R.C.A.F., to war-plant workers)
A reproduced typed letter dated June 24th, 1943, on Royal Canadian Air Force letterhead, sits over bomber silhouettes beside a portrait of Flying Officer Alan Bell. A named serviceman tells war-plant workers that men overseas depend on their output, and a panel recounts his wounding and capture, so his personal story vouches for the request (testimonial).
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1943
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- Department of Munitions and Supply, Canada (letter on Royal Canadian Air Force letterhead)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- Canada
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- State
- Regime
- Mackenzie King Government
- Leader
- William Lyon Mackenzie King
- Audience
- Domestic public
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Themes
- Home front, Labor
- Event
- World War II
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Foreign Posters, retrieved October 3, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (Canadian Crown copyright, 50 years from publication, expired; no URAA restoration)
Department of Munitions and Supply, Canada / Royal Canadian Air Force, 1943. U.S. National Archives, RG 44.
Text on the object
"WE'RE COUNTING ON YOU!" ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE OUR FILE REF. YOUR DATED June 24th., 1943 Our Friends in the War Plants: It has been my privilege to visit a number of war plants where you people are making ammunition, guns and aircraft parts. I have spoken to hundreds of you, and have seen you at work. You knew what I meant when I told you that the fellows over there are depending on you for their very lives, and that good material, lots of it, will make the difference whether they'll be coming back to you or staying over there for keeps. I can honestly say, that I believe you're doing a swell job. It makes me feel proud to walk among you, and see how hard you were working, day in and day out. The boys over there would feel mighty good too if they could see you turning out the material that they are waiting for. Be sure we'll make good use of it -- if you turn it out. Keep up the good work and thanks for everything. A. F. Bell F/O (A. F. Bell) Flying Officer. FLYING OFFICER ALAN BELL When controls and engines were shot away in his Beaufort, this R.C.A.F. Officer was forced down behind enemy lines in Tunisia. His badly wounded leg was amputated. While being transferred to a German prison camp, a Royal Navy ship intervened and he was taken back to Casablanca where he witnessed the invasion tactics. R.C.A.F. G. 32 3500M–8-42 (2491) H.Q. 885-G-32 This message is issued by the Department of Munitions and Supply for Canada
