---
title: Cadets Lend a Hand to the R. A. F.
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-cadets-lend-a-hand-to-the-raf-1939/
description: A photograph shows smiling air cadets pushing a truck of incendiary bombs towards a Stirling bomber, with a caption saying young men 'are not content
section: Collection
---

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3. Cadets Lend a Hand to the R. A. F.

[![Cadets Lend a Hand to the R. A. F., 1939 UK poster: A photograph shows smiling air cadets pushing a truck of incendiary bombs](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-cadets-lend-a-hand-to-the-raf-1939.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/uk-cadets-lend-a-hand-to-the-raf-1939.jpg)

# Cadets Lend a Hand to the R. A. F.

A photograph shows smiling air cadets pushing a truck of incendiary bombs towards a Stirling bomber, with a caption saying young men 'are not content with waiting' and load bombs to be 'dropped on Germany'. The tell for plain-folks is the schoolboys-on-holiday framing of bomb loading as ordinary helpfulness; the 'For Freedom' tag is a virtue phrase.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

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

## Text on the object

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

```
E.E.1.

[logo: Union Jack] FOR FREEDOM

CADETS LEND A HAND TO THE R.A.F.

YOUNG MEN in cadet units are not content with waiting until they are old enough to fly. During their school holidays they visit R.A.F. aerodromes and help to load up bombers. The truck is full of incendiaries to be dropped on Germany by the "Stirling" bomber in the background. In addition huge high-explosive bombs are carried.
```

[← Byddwch yn Gefn i'r Arfogion \[Back the Forces\] (British poster in Welsh)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-byddwch-yn-gefn-ir-arfogion-welsh-1939/) [Calling You - Signals Rely on You →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/uk-calling-you-signals-rely-on-you-1939/)

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- ['This log cabin was the first building erected on the North Bend', Whig print by T. Sinclair, 1840](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/harrison-north-bend-log-cabin-sinclair-1840/) (United States · 1840 · Plain folks, Transfer)
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