Content note: Wartime caricature of a German officer with exaggerated nose and eyes, cap bearing an eagle-and-swastika badge. This object is shown as it was published. Why
Silence means surprise
Colour caricature of a German officer: a peaked cap with eagle-and-swastika badge floats above a shaved head with bristling hair, bulging eyes, an oversized nose and open mouth. Black banner reads 'Silence means' and red lettering 'surprise'. The enemy is ridiculed by exaggeration (name-calling); the slogan promises he will be caught off guard.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1943
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- War Department, Adjutant General's Office
- 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
- Themes
- War and the military, Security and surveillance
- 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)
War Department, Adjutant General's Office. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1750 (NAID 515422).
Text on the object
SILENCE MEANS surprise [imprint: W.D., A.G.O., "Surprise" Security Poster] [imprint: U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1943--O--539261]
