Censorship: Policy and Practice During the Second World War - Media

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Censorship: Policy and Practice During the Second World War

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An aged piece of paper with several illustrations drawn on it in thick pen. It is a letter from a Spanish convent in Lisbon to one in Britain. It uses simple hand-drawn images to convey words, or part of words, in Spanish, often merely because they sound alike. For example, a picture of a wound (herida in Spanish), positioned between K and S, becomes queridas, or dear. Some of the illustrations include a pair of wings, a mother holding two children, a snake, two oars, an envelope, and music notes.

Document of the Week: Secret Codes in the Second World War Document of the Week

Our latest “Document of the Week” was chosen by our Senior Curator, Dr Charlie Hall. It forms part of a file assembled towards the end of the Second World War, recording the different codes and cyphers which British censors had encountered Read more →

Dr Charlie Hall

Published 3rd March, 2025

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Beige background with red and black lettering. There is a letter header to the Ministry of Information, stamped with a red SECRET stamp. Underneath it reads U.S. Secret Equals British Secret Confidential. Over the top of the image are various symbols depicting a code language.

International Relations War, Security, and Intelligence Colonialism and Empire Media and Communications

Explore Censorship: Policy and Practice During the Second World War

Uncover hidden aspects of the Second World War through the eyes of government censors

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Colour poster by William Little issued in 1941 showing two groups of armed marching soldiers, one from each of the countries allied to fight Germany, Japan, and Italy, facing a giant V for victory composed of the flags of each of the countries allied in the fight.

Licensed to access British Government Information and Propaganda, 1939–2009

1939 2009

Coloured illustration of a British town being bombed. On the left a black and white soldier points to the sky.

Licensed to access Britain Under Threat: Civil Defence in the Era of Total War, 1914–1989

1914 1989

A cover of The Illustrated War News, including an illustration of a tank, the Union Jack flag, and the French flag.

Licensed to access Illustrated War News, 1914–1918 & 1939

1914 1939

An image of an aircraft spotter searching the sky with binoculars during the Battle of Britain, World War 2. St. Paul's Cathedral is in the background.

Licensed to access Military Intelligence Files: Land, Sea & Air, 1938–1974

1938 1974

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