Japan The Target
- Title:
- Japan The Target
- Alternate Title:
- Japan The Target
- Collection:
- Persuasive Maps: PJ Mode Collection
- Creator:
- Chase, Ernest Dudley
- Date:
- 1944
- Posted Date:
- 2024-04-25
- ID Number:
- 2526.01
- File Name:
- PJM_2526_01.jpg
- Style/Period:
- 1940 - 1959
- Subject:
- Pictorial
World War II - Measurement:
- 55 x 36 (centimeters, height x width)
- Notes:
- "Japan, the Target" (ID #2526.01), produced in 1944 by Ernest Dudley Chase, has been called "a masterpiece of graphic design." Hornsby 2017, 199. It "uses colour and symbology effectively to create a graphically simple yet powerful image of Japan as a ‘target’. The colours clearly demarcate the enemy and the use of stylized Japanese rising sun symbology supports the notion of a threat posed. Different aircraft types give a sense of superiority in the air and their flight paths diverge upon Japan, provid[ing] an impression of wholescale attack and the enemy having little chance of either retaliation or defence. The aircraft are even drawn with the effect of movement and convergence to emphasise their rapid attack." Field 2014. The concentric distance rings around Japan reinforce its fate as the bullseye.
The precise date of this map can be estimated with some accuracy from the "Pacific Battle Map" on the verso (ID #2526.02), which shows the United States in possession of the Marianas Islands. Since these were secured in August 1944, the map was likely prepared in the fall. This was a critical time in the Pacific because the Allies had finally established bases from which they could attack Japan with long range bombers. The legend lists 14 different American aircraft, including some names well-remembered today. Interestingly, it does not include the B29 "SuperFortress," which began raids on Tokyo from the Marianas at the end of November. Curtis 2016, 199.
Ernest Dudley Chase was "one of the most popular and prolific" American pictorial mapmakers for more than 30 years, beginning in the 1930s. While his work was "skillful" and "meticulous," most of his maps had "a certain formality and repetitive quality." The mail order catalog he produced in the 1940s was entitled "The Ernest Dudley Chase Decorative Pictorial Novelty Maps." Hornsby 2017, 31-33. During World War II, however, he produced several maps with a strong patriotic message like this one. The Pacific Battle Map on the verso is decorated with repeated versions of the letter "V" (for victory) and the Morse Code signal for V, dot-dot-dot-dash. For another example, with an interesting history, see ID #2262, "Europe: A Pictorial Map" (1939).
Cornell University Library is pleased to present this digital collection of Persuasive Maps, the originals of which have been collected and described by the private collector PJ Mode. The descriptive information in the “Collector’s Notes” has been supplied by Mr. Mode and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cornell University. - Format:
- Image
- Rights:
- For important information about copyright and use, see http://persuasivemaps.library.cornell.edu/copyright.