---
title: The Royal Air Force Patrols Arctic Waters
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/royal-air-force-patrols-arctic-waters-uk-1939/
description: A photograph of two aircrew standing on the wing of a Northrop float-plane on open water, with text on Coastal Command patrols against U-boats.
section: Collection
---

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3. The Royal Air Force Patrols Arctic Waters

[![The Royal Air Force Patrols Arctic Waters, 1939 UK poster: A photograph of two aircrew standing on the wing of a Northrop](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/royal-air-force-patrols-arctic-waters-uk-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/royal-air-force-patrols-arctic-waters-uk-1939.jpg)

# The Royal Air Force Patrols Arctic Waters

A photograph of two aircrew standing on the wing of a Northrop float-plane on open water, with text on Coastal Command patrols against U-boats. It is largely descriptive; the closest honest technique fit is glittering generalities, from the 'For Freedom' emblem, with the hardship framing ('hard and skilful flying') offered as a virtue claim rather than a measurement.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

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

```
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE
PATROLS ARCTIC WATERS

THIS "NORTHROP" FLOAT-PLANE is attached to a Royal Air Force Squadron of Coastal Command. It operates in Arctic waters, hunting for U-boats, which attempt to make the passage from Norway, and watching for enemy surface raiders. Patrols in these Northern waters entail great physical discomfort and demand hard and skilful flying. The flyers, besides having to contend with the enemy, must also master the elements of snow, sleet, storms and heavy fog.

[emblem:] FOR FREEDOM
[sheet mark:] E.D.3.
```

[← Remember to Buy Your Shell this Month with War Savings Stamps (die-cut card)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/remember-buy-your-shell-war-savings-stamps-canada-1939/) [Save to Beat the Devil! Buy Victory Bonds →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/save-to-beat-the-devil-victory-bonds-canada-1939/)

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