Open Storage
Instructional training sheet for soldiers: a large painted panel of a helmeted GI stacking crates in a tropical setting, and five smaller panels numbered 2 to 6 on dispersing, covering, camouflaging, stacking and rotating stock. The sheet is mostly practical instruction; the technique is faint, ordinary soldiers shown doing the task.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1944
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- U.S. War Department (Graphic Training Aid 38-5)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Warn or inform
- Theme
- War and the military
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- 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 Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
U.S. War Department. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1468 (NAID 515132).
Text on the object
Open Storage KEEP STOCK OFF THE GROUND ... 1 Use logs, stones, or coral as foundations for platforms. The foundation must be high enough to cover the highest possible water level. Provide drainage ditches on all sides. STACK IT PROPERLY ... 2 Use block or modified stacking for items which are uniform in size, weight, and content. Arrange supplies for easy receipt and issue. DISPERSE IT ... 3 Supply installations are vulnerable to air attack. To reduce possibility of complete loss do not stock all of one item in one place. COVER IT AGAINST WEATHER ... 4 Protect supplies with paulins, tentage, or any covering available. Tie covering securely. Allow adequate air circulation above, below, and between stacks. CAMOUFLAGE IT ... 5 Supply dumps are prime targets. Tarpaulins used with nets and natural foliage will both camouflage and protect supplies. ROTATE IT ... 6 The "first in, first out" principle reduces spoilage. Check constantly for freezing, mildew, rot, rust, and rodents. [imprint:] DISTRIBUTION: Continental: AAF (2), AGF (2), ASF (2). In accordance with Part II, ASF Cir. No. 376, 1944 and Section I, ASF Cir. No. 181, 1944. Overseas: T of Opns (2), D of Comd (2), A (2); CHQ (2). T/O & E: 10-197 (2); 10-227 (2); 10-367 (1); 10-387 (2); 10-520-1 (2); 29-620-1 (6). [imprint:] U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1945—O—628664 [imprint:] OPEN STORAGE Approved War Department Graphic Training Aid 38-5 WAR DEPARTMENT, 15 DECEMBER 1944 Reproduction without permission prohibited
