Historic Newspapers: World War II

THE NIPPU JIJI, "Leading Japanese Daily Newspaper In Hawaii", Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.A. December 8, 1941

Read about a recent discovery below.

Interesting to have this banner headline: "U.S. CONGRESS DECLARES WAR AGAINST JAPAN AS FDR ACCUSES HER OF TREACHERY" in a newspaper for the Japanese citizens of Hawaii.
Among the subheads: "No Japanese Raid Since Last Night Up to 8 A.M." "President Says America to Fight On Until Victory" "Governor Issues Proclamation of Hawaii Emergency" and

THE NIPPON JIJI, "Leading Japanese Daily Newspaper In Hawaii", Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii, U.S.A. December 8, 1941

• Attack on Pearl Harbor
• U.S. to enter World War II
• Imperial Japanese Navy

Interesting to have this banner headline: "U.S. CONGRESS DECLARES WAR AGAINST JAPAN AS FDR ACCUSES HER OF TREACHERY" in a newspaper for the Japanese citizens of Hawaii.
Among the subheads: "No Japanese Raid Since Last Night Up to 8 A.M." "President Says America to Fight On Until Victory" "Governor Issues

THE WILMINGTON NEWS--EXTRA, North Carolina, August 14, 1945

• World War II ends
• Japanese surrenders
• Terrific headline for display

When it comes to huge, screaming headlines on the end of World War II they can't possibly get much better than this.
Taking about three-quarters of the front page, in letters 8 1/4 and 4 7/8 inches high, is: "JAPS QUIT ! " with subhead: "Truman Confirms War's End".
Given the pagination of the 4 pages being the front page, then 4 (on the reverse of the front page), 5 and

THE EDITOR'S DREAM, 'September 31"

• Fake publication w/ a futuristic headline

As the title of the newspaper implies, this is not a legitimate newspaper but rather a "dream" headline any publisher would love to print.

In large type is: “NAZIS QUIT ! ” “Hitler Seized in Mountain Hideout: Nazi Chiefs Nabbed“ with a photo showing Hitler behind bars. Even the date (no year noted) is not legitimate as September has only 30 days.

This was obviously created at some point before the end of World War II,

An Iranian newspaper printed in 1943 at the time of the historic Tehran Conference, with photos featuring Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin.
The Tehran Conference was held in November & was the first meeting of the "Big Three" Allied leaders to coordinate their war effort against Nazi Germany. The conference focused on military strategy, particularly the planned invasion of Europe (D-Day) and the future post-war world.
We purchased this issue from a man who was in Iran with the U.S. Army at that

THE MANILA CHRONICLE, "The People's Newspaper", Philippine Islands, April 24, 1945

• Terrific headline for display
• Rare publication

An uncommon title that began just 3 days prior on April 21, this being the volume 1, number 3 issue.
The liberation of the Philippines began on October 20, 1944 when MacArthur famously waded ashore. The U.S. First Calvary arrived at Manila on February 3, 1945. Major inroads by the Allies were made by mid-June with the Philippines being officially liberated on July 5,

THE SCIO TRIBUNE--EXTRA !, Linn County, Oregon, April 12, 1945  The photos tell it all.
We have never seen a newspaper with such a dramatic presentation on the front page. The publisher wanted to use larger letters than the width of his newspaper would allow, so he set all the type below the masthead sideways: "PRES. ROOSEVELT DIES ! "
Terrific broadside (single sheet & printed on one side only), 12 by 18 inches, great condition. A terrific newspaper for display!

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, Florida, Nov. 8, 1944

• Franklin D. Roosevelt - FDR
• 4th presidential election victory
• Unusual musical themed headline

Among the list of unusual newspaper headlines, this would rank near the top. See the photo for the "musical" announcement concerning the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt for an unprecedented fourth term: "OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING" printed in musical form.
At that time, the Rogers & Hammerstein production of "Oklahoma" was a runaway success, hence the use

TUSTIN PRESS ADVOCATE, Tustin, California, Aug. 14, 1945

• World War II officially ends w/ Japan surrender
• Very rare "breaking news" broadside for display

This is a small-size, broadside "Extra" (in red ink at the top) edition announcing the end of the War in the Pacific.
Nearly half of the front page son taken up with: "WAR" in large letters dropped out of a black box, beneath which is: "IS OVER !  TRUMAN TELLS OF TRUE END ! "
A single sheet issue, blank on the reverse, 8 1/2 by 11 inches, great

TUSTIN PRESS ADVOCATE, Orange County, California, Sat. Sept. 1, 1945

• Japanese officially surrenders onboard the USS Missouri
• World War II comes to an end - Tokyo Bay - Japan

This is a small-size, broadside "Extra" edition announcing the formal end of the War in the Pacific with the Japanese signing surrender papers on the U.S.S. Missouri.
The only text is the report at the lower left headed: "Japs sign Formal Surrender Papers" and reading: "High official Japanese representatives have signed the

THE SIDNEY DAILY NEWS, Ohio, April 12, 1945  The banner headline announces: "YANKS CROSS ELBE IN FINAL DRIVE" but this is not the focus of the issue.
Many issues of this day--the day President Franklin D. Roosevelt died--put out an "Extra" edition with the report. This newspaper opted for a more unusual way of putting the news in front of their readers. They printed a small leaflet, printed on orange paper & glued to the top of the front page, headed: "ROOSEVELT DIES!" with the details and a

LOS ANGELES EXAMINER, California, Aug. 10, 1945

• Terrific headline right after Atomic bombings

The front page features one of the largest, boldest, and most dramatic headlines of World War II with: "JAPS BEG TO QUIT ! " and various related subheads.
Complete with all 24 pages, light toning to upper half, some clear archival mending along the central fold of the front page, great for display.

background: On August 10, 1945, following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki

THE STARS AND STRIPES--EXTRA, Paris Edition, May 8, 1945

• Germany Surrenders
• V-E day - Nazis quit
• Great title to have in

What could be better than having this historic report in the official "Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations" as noted in the masthead? 
This 8 page edition has a three line banner head: "VICTORY' "Nazis Reveal Surrender To Western Allies, Russia" with the word "VICTORY" being very large & bold. There are various related subheads & much more

CINCINNATI TIMES-STAR, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1942

• The Jewish Holocaust in progress
• Heinrich Himmler takes charge
• Extermination of Polish Jews ordered
• Zionist leader Stephen Samuel Wise report

Although the banner headline announces: "NAZIS LOSE NEARLY 100,000 IN STALINGRAD BATTLE", the most notable report is much smaller at the bottom of the front page: "American Jews Study Nazi Plan of Extermination" "German Doctors Killing Them at Rate of 100 an Hour". 
The report notes in part: "Details of a

THE STARS & STRIPES--EXTRA, Germany Edition, April 13, 1945  What newspaper would be better to have the death report of the commander-in-chief than the official newspaper of the U.S. armed forces? The large and bold headline announces: "ROOSEVELT DEAD" with subhead: "Dies Suddenly of Stroke; Truman Is New President" with photos of both. And great to have in the "Germany Edition" where the war was still very much in progress.
Four pages and in very nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 29, 1945

• Jewish Holocaust atrocities revealed
• War in Germany & liberation of concentration camps
• Horrific photos shown for 1st time

Although the front page features a three line banner headline on the closing moments of the war in Europe, including: "...HITLER SAID TO BE DYING", the most noteworthy content is found on page 20. Here are found two sickening photos headed: "At Two of the Horror Camps Liberated By The Allies", one showing a communal grave of victims starved

COURIER EXPRESS, (no city), Nov. 4, 1940

• Very rare movie prop issue

• Wendell Willkie predicted to defeat Franklin D. Roosevelt

• 1940 Presidential election

We've all seen newspapers used as props in movies, typically with a headline relating to the plot of the movie. Obviously created exclusively for the production of the movie, they are quite rare and seldom come on the collector's market--particular issues from the "golden age of Hollywood".
I am not aware of what motion picture this issue was

THE STARS AND STRIPES, Italy Edition, April 13, 1945

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt - FDR death

The 3-line banner headline announces: "PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT DEAD AT 63" with a black-bordered photo of him. The report datelined at Washington, April 12, begins: "President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died this afternoon at 4:35 p.m...at his "little White House" at Warm Springs, Ga...".
The back page has a report of Harry S. Truman taking the oath as the new President.
Significant to have a report of

THE HOBO NEWS, New York, November, 1940  An interesting monthly "street" newspaper that existed from 1936 to 1948, distributed by street sellers in bohemian areas.  It was produced in part by hobos.
The front page is dramatic with: "TO HELL WITH HITLER - Public Enemy No. 1" with a cartoonish print of Hitler as a wolf. The back page is equally as dramatic, showing Churchill about to behead Hitler with an ax.
Complete in 20 pages, tabloid-size, very nice condition.

Background: This complete,

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass., July 20, 1944

• Operation Valkyrie (1st report)
• Adolf Hitler assassination attempt

The front page has a nice banner headline on Operation Valkyrie, with: "BERLIN SAYS HITLER INJURED IN UNSUCCESSFUL TRY TO KILL HIM" with subhead. (see images) Nice for display.
Complete with 8 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, a little irregular along the spine, generally very nice.

GUINEA GOLD, "Australian Edition", Aug. 8, 1945

• Atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan
• World War II ending - surrender nears

Hailing itself as the "most bombed newspaper", this military publication was printed in the jungles of New Guinea, hence the title.
The headline announces: "ATOM BOMB CREATED" "War's Most Terrible Weapon Launched On Japan - 'Could Destroy Man' -Truman".
This newspaper may well be the closest to Japan of any we have offered.
Four pages, 10 by 11 1/4 inches, various discrete

THE BETHLEHEM GLOBE-TIMES, Penn., December 30, 1940

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt speech
• "The Arsenal of Democracy" by radio

The top of the front page has a five column headline: "ROME, BERLIN CONSULT ON ANSWER TO ROOSEVELT'S DEFEAT AXIS TALK; NAZIS SAY HITLER WILL STRIKE BACK'" with subheads. The complete text of his speech continues on page 3, including: "We must be the great arsenal of democracy. For us this is an emergency as serious as war itself. 
Complete with 18 pages, a little

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, June 19, 1940

• This was their finest hour
• Winston Churchill speech
• World War II - WWII

The top of page 2 has a one column heading: "CHURCHILL DARES GERMAN ARMY TO INVADE ENGLAND'" with subhead. (see) This was Churchill's famous speech to the House of Commons in which he concludes with the famous passage: "...Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British commonwealth and empire last for a thousand years, men will still say this was

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., November 23, 1943.

• General George S. Patton slaps soldier
• World War II - WWII (1st made public)

Near the bottom of the front page is a one column heading: "Disclose Patton Offered Apology To Officers, Men" with photo of Patton. (see images) First report coverage continues on page 7 with a detailed account of what happened.
Complete with 10 pages, light toning at the margins, a little irregular along the spine, generally very nice.

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, June 14, 1942

• Life on board United States Navy carrier described
• Chicago Tribune journalist Stanley Johnston
• USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
• Imperial Japanese Navy secret coding - codes

Read below for a short biography of Journalist Stanley Johnston who worked for this very publication. This issue contains the 2nd installment out of 15 he wrote regarding his experience onboard the USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
The front page has a one column

NIPPON TIMES, Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 20, 1943

• Rare pro Japanese propaganda publication

At this point in its publishing career this English-language newspaper from Japan was a pro-Japanese propaganda piece.
Among the anti-Allies reports are: "17 Enemy Bombers Bagged at Ballade By Japanese Units" "Nippon Submarines Blast 24 Warships In Two Year Period" "Current War Fully United All Peoples of East Asia" "Japanese Hit Foe at New Britain; MacArthur Makes Serious Blunder" "Opposition Grows Against

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 4, 1942.

• Dutch Harbor, Alaska
• Japanese airplane attack
• Battle of Midway eve

The front page has a nice banner headline: "JAPANESE BOMB DUTCH HARBOR, ALASKA, TWICE" with subheads and related map. (see images) Nice for display. More inside with related photos.
Complete with 38 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

Background:On June 3–4, 1942, Japanese forces launched a sudden air attack on Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, in an effort to divert

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., June 6, 1942

• Battle Of Midway ends w/ win
• Japanese vs. American Navy
• World war II original - WWII

The front page has a five column headline: "DEFENDERS OF MIDWAY FORCE JAPS TO RETREAT" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with 12 pages, light toning at the margins, generally in very nice condition.

MINNEAPOLIS SUNDAY TRIBUNE, June 7, 1942.

• Battle Of Midway victory
• Imperial Japanese Navy defeated
• World war II - WWII naval

The front page has a banner headline: "'2 or 3' Jap Plane Carriers Destroyed by U.S. in Pacific" with subheads and photo of Admiral Nimitz. Nice for display. This key naval fight would turn the tables in favor of the United States vs. Japan. The Gettysburg of World War II ?
Complete with 50+  pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, some small binding holes

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, May 12, 1945  This famous magazine has one of the finest, most patriotic front covers we have seen on the end of the war in Europe. Very colorful, it shows soldiers from many nations representing the Allied forces. The inside has a double-page color print of Winston Churchill and a full-page color print of Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Much content inside on the closing moments of the war in Europe.
Complete in 24 pages plus the color covers, great condition, very

THE EVENING BULLETIN, Providence, Rhode Island, May 8, 1945

• Surrender of Germany - Nazis
• V-E Day celebrations underway

The banner headlines announce: "ALLIED ACCLAIM V-E DAY" "Terms To Be Signed In Berlin" "Guns Fall Silent At 6 Tonight" with many related subheads and a celebratory photo. 
Complete in 28 pages, good condition.

background: On May 8, 1945, the streets of Providence underwent a profound transformation as the "sober and subdued" rejoicing described by President Truman took hold of

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, Aug. 7, 1945

• Atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan
• World War II ending - surrender nears

Of course this publication is mostly financial related, but because of the historical significance of this particular event, the front page has some first hand reporting with a small one column heading: "New Atomic Bomb Dropped on Jap City Is 'Most Terrible Destructive Force'" with more. (see images)
Complete with 8 pages, some binding holes along the spine, nice condition.

THE STAR DISPATCH--EXTRA, An interesting movie prop newspaper which was created for a motion picture, obviously one with an early World War II theme. There is no date, however England declared war against Germany on September 3, 1939. But the movie could well have been made in the 1950's or 1960's.
Not a "real" newspaper in the typical sense as the title and the content are very generic. Note there is no city or state in the dateline. Typically it was only the created headline which was seen

UNION JACK, Western Italy Edition, Sept. 5, 1945  This was the: "British Forces Daily" as noted in the masthead, the British equivalent of Stars & Stripes.
A wealth of end-of-war-related reports, but the most intriguing item is a back page article--with photos--headed: "Chiang's Charter for a New China", noting in part: "...Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek has framed a Charter aimed at making China a mode democratic state based on Western lines and abolishing one-party rule in the country..." with

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 3, 1942

• Odell Waller final words
• Battle of El Alamein
• World War II Egypt

Page 19 has the final words of Odell Waller, an African-American sharecropper from Gretna, Virginia, executed for the fatal shooting of his white landlord (source wiki). Additionally, the front page has a five column headline: "BRITISH SWEEP AROUND AXIS FLANK IN EGYPT, U. S. AND R. A. F. FLIERS DEAL SMASHING BLOWS; CHURCHILL, ADMITTING PERIL, IS UPHELD, 475-25" with subheads and related map (see

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, Aug. 15, 1945

• Japanese surrenders
• World War II ends
• Great for display

The banner headline announces: "WAR ENDS, JAPAN ACCEPTS" "Gen. MacArthur to Give Orders to Emperor" with various related subheads and reports. Included on the front page is a cartoon headed: "...And Still Champion!"
Page 2 also has a great banner headline announcing: "PEACE ! ".
The complete 22 page issue with 3 section, two folds, very nice condition.

NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 3, 1943

• Bombing of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii warning
• Joseph Grew warned the State Department

The front page has a two column heading: "Japan's Plans Long Known, '31-'41 State Papers Reveal" Lengthy text continues on page 36. This was when this report was first made public to the American citizens.
Complete 1st section only with all 46 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.

wikipedia notes: On January 27, 1941, Grew secretly cabled the State Department with rumors passed on

NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 26, 1940

• Warsaw, Poland Ghetto established
• Jewish - Jews - Judaica
• Nazi occupied Europe

Page 8 has a two column head announcing: "Walls Will Enclose Warsaw Jews Today; 500,000 Begin 'New Life' in Nazi-Built Ghetto".
This is early coverage of the establishment of the largest Jewish Ghetto in Nazi-occupied Europe. Most of the residents in this infamous area would eventually be exterminated by the Nazis during the war.
This is one of the few publications to report this event as

This issue is being offered as a piece of history.  Issues with content related to the numerous atrocities perpetrated upon humanity during this era help to verify what some feebly attempt to deny. It's interesting to note that many such reports never made it to the front page... and in the case of numerous newspapers... never made it to print at all. We at Rare Newspapers offer such items being mindful of Sir Winston Churchill's famous quote:  "Those who fail to learn from history are doomed

CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE, Jan. 30, 1944

• Battle of Bataan Death March
• Imperial Japanese Army atrocities
• Made public for the first time
• William E. Dyess eyewitness account
• United States Air Force pilot - officer

The front page has a nice banner headline: "DYESS' OWN STORY ! " with subhead: "TELLS JAP TORTURE ON BATAAN DEATH MARCH" "People Back Home Will Find It Hard to Believe' Says MacArthur to Hero After His Escape". Related illustration as well. (see images) The report, as told by Lt. Col. William

MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, June 13, 1942

• USS Lexington 'Gray Lady' disaster
• Battle of Coral Sea - World War II

The front page has a very nice six column photo showing navy sailors jumping off the stricken USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral sea with heading: "Lexington Survivor Tells of Fiery Death of Carrier" with subhead. this is a eyewitness account by Chicago Tribune journalist Stanly Johnston. More on pages 2 & 3. And to top things off, there is a full back page pictorial with

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 28, 1945

• USS Bunker Hill - Essex-class aircraft carrier
• Invasion of Okinawa - Kamikazes attack

The front page has a four column headline: "LOSS OF 392 ON U.S. CARRIER REVEALED" with subheads that include: "Big Flat-Top Saved In Suicide Attacks" and more with related photo. (see) Reporting continues on page 5 with more photos. First report coverage on the Japanese kamikaze attacks on the USS Bunker Hill during the invasion of Okinawa. Reporting on many disasters such as

NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 21, 1945

• Jewish Holocaust being known for the 1st time
• Nazi-occupied Europe exterminations proved

The top of page 11 has one column headings that reveal plans for future Jewish persecution and murder, along with details of related events dating back to 1938: "NAZIS ORGANIZED THE 1938 POGROM" and "Records Reveal Plans of the Hitlerites for 'Spontaneous' Murder, Pillage Nov. 9". The article reveals much detail.
Complete in 38 pages, this is the "rag edition" printed on very

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Extra, September 12, 1941

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt - FDR
• United States Navy to protect our waters
• "Shoot on sight" order made

The front page has a great banner headline in large, bold lettering: "U. S. SHOOTING WAR ORDERED BY F.D.R.!" with subhead. (see images) Terrific for display. More on page 10.
Complete 1st section only with all 24 pages, a little margin and central fold wear, very small tape mend along the right margin, generally nice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 17, 1942

• Battle of Midway naval & air engagement
• Attack on the United States Navy carrier described
• Chicago Tribune journalist Stanley Johnston
• USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
• Imperial Japanese Navy secret coding - codes

The front page has a one column heading:  "'EYES' OF NAVY TELL OF JOB AT MIDWAY" with subhead. 
Page 3 has a great photo showing the USS Lexington about to be hit by a Japanese torpedo during the Battle of the Coral Sea with heading: "Japanese

SECTION 4 only of The New York Times, June 14, 1942.

• Battle of the Coral Sea & Midway
• Imperial Japanese Navy defeated
• World war II - WWII naval victories

Under the banner heading: "THE NEWS OF THE WEEK IN REVIEW" are one column headings: "5,000-Mile Front" "The Battle of the Pacific" with even smaller subheads, related photo and map. (see images)
Complete section 4 only with 12 pages, light toning at the margins, rag edition, tiny binding holes along the spine, great condition.

THE OWENSBORO MESSENGER, Kentucky, Aug. 15, 1945

• World War II ends
• Japanese surrenders

The banner headline announces: "JAPAN SURRENDERS !  WAR ENDS ! " with various related subheads. Front page photos of Gen. Douglas MacAthur, President Truman, and Emperor Hirohito. 
The complete 8 page issue, several folds, very good condition.

Background: This 8-page time capsule is a visceral, "extra-edition" explosion of history, capturing the lightning-bolt moment a weary world finally found peace.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 8, 1942

• Battle of the Coral Sea is on
• Imperial Japanese verses U.S. Navy
• USS Lexington & Yorktown fame
• Pacific Ocean theater - aircraft carriers

The front page has a nice banner headline: "GREAT NAVAL AND AIR BATTLE RAGES IN PACIFIC" with subheads and related map. (see images) 
Complete with all 42 pages, rag edition in great condition.

Background: On May 9, 1942, both the United States and Japan issued claims about the outcome of the Battle of the Coral Sea that reflected

LEYTE-SAMAR FREE PHILIPPINES, Tacloban, Leyte [Philippine Islands], Feb. 22, 1945

• Rare U.S. military occupation publication
• Marines land on Iwo Jima Island
• Fighting on Mount Suribachi
• United States Flag planting close

A very rare title that began on October 29, 1944 during the liberation efforts of the Philippines, existing thru March 18, 1945. It was published by the Psychological Warfare Branch under American auspices.
The liberation began on October 20, 1944 when MacArthur famously waded

SIGNAL, January, 1942  This was a magazine published by the military forces of Nazi Germany from 1940 through 1945. It was an illustrated photo journal and army propaganda tool meant specifically for audiences in neutral, allied, and occupied countries. A German edition was distributed in Switzerland, Axis countries, and German-occupied Europe, but Signal was never distributed in Germany proper.
This magazine was characterized by an outstanding print quality for the time. Each issue contained