Urgent! Warning! Urgent! Small Broadside Advising Of The Need For The Protection Of Pearl Harbor

TERRITORIAL BLACKOUT COMMITTEE

Publication: Privately printed for The Territorial Blackout Committee, 1941, Honolulu, Hawaii

First edition. 28 x 19 cm. [11" x 7 1/2"] small broadside printed in five languages. This publication was used as a flyer which provided warning and instructions for the territory-wide blackout planned for Tuesday night, May 20, 1941. The flyer also encourages citizens to participate: "While this raid is only make-believe, act as if it were real. Show your patriotism and your loyalty by giving your full-hearted cooperation." The blackout was meant to practice a blackout in case of the event of a real air raid by Japan. The blackout was deemed a success at the time by General Walter Short: "Loyalty and cooperation with your Territorial Blackout Committee has spelled success in a job which would have made the task of enemy bombers a difficult one ... I think we can meet with confidence all threats of enemy encroachment even that of bombardment from the air." Unfortunately, General Short had fatally miscalculated Hawaii's preparedness, as Pearl Harbor and Hickam Air Field were attacked by Japanese forces just seven months later. Needless to say, General Short was relieved of his duties shortly following the attack by the Japanese. Faint fold lines with minor wear to the fore-edges, else still crisp and in very good plus condition.

Inventory Number: 50296