---
title: If you can't go across... come across! Buy war bonds
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-you-cant-go-across-come-across-1941/
description: 'War bond poster: a smiling sailor in dress blues raises two fingers in a V sign before a bulging canvas bag, under red banners reading ''If You Can''t Go'
section: Collection
---

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3. If you can't go across... come across! Buy war bonds

[![If you can't go across... come across! Buy war bonds, 1941 US poster: War bond poster](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/if-you-cant-go-across-come-across-1941.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/if-you-cant-go-across-come-across-1941.jpg)

# If you can't go across... come across! Buy war bonds

War bond poster: a smiling sailor in dress blues raises two fingers in a V sign before a bulging canvas bag, under red banners reading 'If You Can't Go Across.. Come Across!' and the line 'Buy War Bonds'. The pun asks civilians to match the serviceman's overseas service with a purchase; the sailor's cheerful image lends the armed forces' standing to the appeal.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Identity fusion](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/identity-fusion/) [Transfer](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/transfer/)

## Text on the object

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

```
If You Can't Go Across..
Come Across!
BUY WAR BONDS
[signature: E. Fiene]
[imprint: PUBLISHED BY ABBOTT LABORATORIES AS A CONTRIBUTION TO THE TREASURY'S SCHOOLS-AT-WAR PROGRAM]
```

[← If you can't fire the gun you can buy the bullets](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-you-cant-fire-the-gun-buy-the-bullets-1941/) [If you must squawk, blame them - and watch out for me! →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/if-you-must-squawk-blame-them-morris-plan-1941/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [A Little American's Promise](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/a-little-americans-promise-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Transfer)
- [All Together! Enlist in the Navy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/all-together-enlist-in-the-navy-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Bandwagon, Identity fusion)
- [Members of U.S. Food Administration: America Has Promised to Feed the Hungry Millions of Europe, Waste Nothing](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/america-food-pledge-20-million-tons-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion)
- [Do Your Duty. Join the U.S. Marines. Help Them Defend America on Land and Sea](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/do-your-duty-join-the-us-marines-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Glittering generalities, Identity fusion)
- [50-50 (The Job of Beating Up the Hun)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/fifty-fifty-service-series-11-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Name-calling, Identity fusion)
- [Food Will Win the War: Member of United States Food Administration (Pledge Card)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/food-will-win-the-war-member-pledge-card-1917-1919/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Bandwagon)
- [Hit the Bull's Eye! Are You on This List? Get Your Name in the Circle: It's the Ring of Liberty](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hit-the-bulls-eye-ring-of-liberty-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Bandwagon, Identity fusion)
- [I Am a Soldier of the United States (Service Series No. 12)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/i-am-a-soldier-of-the-united-states-service-series-no-12-1917/) (United States · 1917 · Identity fusion, Glittering generalities)