Blitzkrieg 1943

"Blitzkrieg," made in 1943 by the artistic collective Kukryniksy, is a searing political cartoon that captures the crumbling hubris of Nazi Germany. The artwork uses a two-panel layout to portray Hitler first in 1941, full of vigor, amplifying his message of a swift victory through a record player labeled "Blitzkrieg." By 1943, the lower panel shows a defeated Hitler cranking the same player, but now, it emits only the anguished cries of a broken record, his promises of conquest reduced to a painful wail. Made during a time of intense conflict, this cartoon does more than mock Hitler, it encapsulates the shift in power and morale on the Eastern Front. The visual metaphor of a broken record is a powerful commentary on the failure of fascism, and how empty promises and propaganda eventually break down under the weight of reality. The emotional arc—from boastful confidence to defeated despair—mirrors the lived experiences of those resisting Nazi oppression.