This map was created by the Psychological Warfare Branch (PWB) of the Allied Forces in 1945 and released as an aerial pamphlet over the Philippines after the fall of Manila in the context of World War II.

This pamphlet was intended for Japanese soldiers still fighting in the Philippines. It was intended to make it clear that there was nothing left to defend in the Philippines and that Allied troops would continue to attack other possessions of the Japanese Empire. The four black arrows define these objectives, from left to right: Saigon, mainland China, Taiwan and Japan. On the back, the current situation is developed in Japanese, in case the map was not enough. The capture of Manila and the advance of the Allied forces is confirmed.

As a propaganda map, this pamphlet does not seek geographical accuracy, but focuses on the visual aspect that can generate a reaction in Japanese soldiers: Manila falls into Allied hands and this leaves Japan's archipelago more exposed.

If you would like more information about this type of propaganda, I recommend you take a look at this article on leaflets.

Sources

• ‘Manilla has Fallen’ leaflet blurb