---
title: Don't be a dope! Handle equipment right! (Joe Dope closes a breech)
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/joe-dope-closes-a-breech-1942/
description: 'Equipment-care cartoon for soldiers: a scowling, buck-toothed soldier named Joe Dope jams a breech shut with his boot and a hammer-like tool while sparks'
section: Collection
---

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3. Don't be a dope! Handle equipment right! (Joe Dope closes a breech)

[![Don't be a dope! Handle equipment right!, 1942 US poster: Equipment-care cartoon for soldiers](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/joe-dope-closes-a-breech-1942.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/joe-dope-closes-a-breech-1942.jpg)

# Don't be a dope! Handle equipment right! (Joe Dope closes a breech)

Equipment-care cartoon for soldiers: a scowling, buck-toothed soldier named Joe Dope jams a breech shut with his boot and a hammer-like tool while sparks and red stars fly from the gun. A four-line verse says he will be 'spread all over the beach' on the enemy's shore. The slogan 'Don't be a dope!' is name-calling aimed at the careless soldier.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Name-calling](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/name-calling/)

## Text on the object

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

```
[signature: PVT. Will Eisner, ORD. TNG. DIV.]
Joe Dope is a guy you can't teach-
Here's the way he closes a breech!
When he gets through this chore
On the enemy's shore
They'll spread him all over the beach.
Don't be a dope!
HANDLE EQUIPMENT RIGHT !
[imprint:] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1942-O-481420
[imprint:] ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, U. S. ARMY
```

[← Don't be a dope! Handle equipment right (Joe Dope and the barbed wire)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/joe-dope-barbed-wire-tires-1942/) [Joe Dope camouflaged his Garand →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/joe-dope-garand-in-sand-1942/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Behistun (Bisotun) rock relief and trilingual inscription of Darius I: the king, two attendants and the bound rebel leaders beneath the winged figure of Ahuramazda](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/behistun-relief-darius-and-rebels-521bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Card stacking, Name-calling, Testimonial). Content note: Shows bound captives before the king, and the inscription records the mutilation and public execution of rebel leaders, as the king's own account.
- [Passional Christi und Antichristi: the emperor kisses the pope's foot (leaf 'Antichristus')](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/passional-christi-antichristi-emperor-kisses-pope-1521/) (Electoral Saxony · 1521 · Name-calling, Card stacking)
- [Anacoana fut pendue sans raison (engraving in Le miroir de la cruelle et horrible tyrannie espagnole)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/anacoana-hanged-miroir-tyrannie-espagnole-1620/) (Dutch Republic · 1620 · Fear appeal, Name-calling). Content note: Engraving of a hanged, bare-breasted Taino woman, burning huts and people being killed by Spanish soldiers.
- [Ondersoeckt de Geesten, ofse van den Duyvel syn, of niet (the De Witt brothers as devils)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/ondersoeckt-de-geesten-de-witt-devils-1672/) (Dutch Republic · 1672 · Scapegoating, Name-calling)
- [The Highlanders Medley, or The Duke Triumphant (A Loyal Song)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/highlanders-medley-duke-triumphant-1746/) (Great Britain · 1746 · Name-calling, Transfer)
- [The North Briton, No. XLV, 23 April 1763 (John Wilkes), opening page](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/north-briton-no-45-wilkes-1763/) (Kingdom of Great Britain · Apr 23, 1763 · Name-calling)
- [The Bloody Massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by a party of the 29th Regt.](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/revere-bloody-massacre-king-street-1770/) (Province of Massachusetts Bay · Mar 1770 · Name-calling, Card stacking). Content note: Hand-coloured engraving of bloodied dead and wounded colonists after soldiers fired on a crowd.
- [Marche du Dom Quichotte moderne pour la deffence du Moulin des Abus (March of the Modern Don Quixote in Defence of the Mill of Abuses)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/dom-quichotte-moulin-des-abus-1791/) (France · 1791 · Name-calling, Transfer)