Airborne leaflet propaganda

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Airborne leaflet propaganda is a form of psychological warfare that militaries use in foreign conflict to alter the behavior of people in enemy-controlled territory. Airplanes have been instrumental in the deliverance of leaflets over enemy territories. In conjunction with air strikes, this method has been successful in influencing the enemy’s way of thinking. In particular, persuading them to surrender, abandon their positions, and to cease fighting. Humanitarian air missions, in cooperation with leaflet propaganda, are also successful in turning civilians against enemy leadership while preparing them for the arrival of enemy troops.

Example from the Korean War "How to Surrender"

1 Functions of leaflet propaganda
2 Historical background and use
3 Advantages of leafleting
4 Disadvantages
5 References
6 External links

[edit] 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.

[edit] Historical background and use

Airborne leaflets have been used for military propaganda purposes at least since the 19th century. One early example is from the Franco-Prussian War when in October 1870 during the Siege of Paris a French balloon coming from the city dropped government proclamations over Prussian troops that stated the following (in German):

"Paris defies the enemy. The whole of France rallies. Death to the invaders. Foolish people, shall we always throttle one another for the pleasure and proudness of Kings? Glory and conquest are crimes; defeat brings hate and desire for vengeance. Only one war is just and holy; that of independence."^[1]

Leaflet propaganda has been delivered by airplanes since the Italo-Turkish war 1911-12.^[2] 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. Leaflets encouraging Iraqi troops not to fight was dropped during the first Gulf War which contributed to eighty thousand Iraqi troops surrendering in 1991.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] 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.