Chatterbox – a godsend for a spy! (Radakov A.) Soviet Posters (1917-1941)

This is a Soviet propaganda poster from 1941 titled Chatterbox - a Godsend for a Spy!. The poster, created by A. Radakov, is divided into four sections, each illustrating different types of people who might inadvertently aid an enemy spy through their talkativeness or gullibility.
The top left panel depicts a man with an exaggeratedly long tongue coiled like a snake. The text below it reads: A tongue of unusual length can blurt out a military secret. This section visually represents how loose talk can reveal sensitive information.
The top right panel shows a man with huge ears into which a fly is flying and an elephant emerging from the other. The accompanying text says: Here are two ears from both sides: a fly flies in. An elephant comes out. This is an idiom that suggests someone is not listening properly or is misinterpreting things, indicating a lack of discernment that could be exploited.
The bottom left panel features a man in glasses and a hat, wearing a pink bow tie and appearing to pet a goat that is actually a wolf in disguise (indicated by the text Glasses, a pink bow tie: wolves-spies are mistaken for goats.). This section warns against being deceived by false appearances and highlights the danger of underestimating enemies.
The bottom right panel shows a hand catching several men with animal-like features (long noses, big ears) who are clearly distressed. The text reads: Catch the enemys accomplices, BE ON GUARD!. This panel serves as a direct call to action, urging vigilance in identifying and apprehending enemy agents.
Overall, the posters subtext is a strong warning against careless talk, gullibility, and a lack of vigilance. It emphasizes that in wartime, even seemingly harmless chatter or naivety can have serious consequences and aid enemy espionage efforts. The poster encourages citizens to be discreet, discerning, and constantly aware of potential threats.