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Airborne Leaflet Propaganda
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FUNCTIONS OF LEAFLET PROPAGANDA

There are six different functions of airborne leaflet propaganda that have been used over the past century:

  • Threaten destruction

    • : Warning enemy troops and civilians that their area will be targeted. Subsequent air-strikes must confirm the warning in order for future threats to be believed.

  • Prompt the enemy to Surrender

    • : Leaflets explained to prospective prisoners how to surrender.

  • Offer rewards

    • : Rewards would be offered to the enemy for downed pilots in enemy territory.

  • Counter misinformation

    • : Neutralize enemy Propaganda

  • Facilitative communication

    • : Create a friendly atmosphere for the enemy by promoting ideologies such as freedom, Capitalism , and noble intentions.

  • Humanitarian

    • : Informed people where to find airdropped food, how to open and consume it, and why it comes.



HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND USE


Leaflet propaganda has been delivered by airplanes since the start of the World War I . Even though leaflet propaganda has been an effective “weapon”, its use has been on a decline. This decline is a result of the advance of satellite, television, and radio technology. Six billion leaflets were dropped in Western Europe alone during World War II . One billion were used during the Korean War while only thirty one million have been used in the war against Iraq . Other conflicts where leaflet propaganda has been used are Vietnam , Afghanistan , and the Gulf War . Eighty thousand Iraqi troops surrendered in 1991, most of them prompted by leaflets.


ADVANTAGES OF LEAFLETING

  • The printed words on the leaflets were more authoritative before the advances in technology.

  • One leaflet has the potential to reach many civilians.

  • Leaflets can be hidden and easily destroyed in case of emergency.



DISADVANTAGES

  • Not all civilians were capable of reading the leaflets.

  • In order to have accurate deliverance, airplanes need to fly at low altitudes and low speeds making them easy targets for the enemy.

  • Leaflets are capable of being destroyed or altered by the enemy.

  • Messages must cater to the Cultural Norm of society.

  • Weather conditions can alter the message being delivered to civilians



REFERENCES

  • Brockmann, R.J., & Sinatra, S. (1995). How the iterative process helped the Allies win the Persian Gulf War. STC Intercom , 42 (9), 1, 44.

  • Clark, Andrew M. and Christie, Thomas B. "Ready...Ready...Drop". Gazette: The International Journal For Communication Studies. 2005, London. Sage Publications.

  • Friedman, Herbert A. "Falling Leaves". Print: Krause Publications, 2003.

  • Haulman, Dr. Daniel L. "USAF Psychological Operations, 1990-2003". Air Force Historical Research Agency, 2003.

  • Oyen, Orjar and De Fleur, Melvin L. "The spatial Diffusion of an Airborne Leaflet Message". The American Journal of Sociology, Vol. 59, No 2. Sep., 1953, 144-149.

  • Richards, Lee. psywar.org

  • Schmulowitz, Nat and Luckmann, Lloyd D. "Foreign Policy by Propaganda Leaflets". The Public Opinion Quarterly, Vol. 9, No. 4. 1945-1946.



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