Historic Newspapers: Events Following World War II

SPRINGFIELD DAILY NEWS, Massachusetts, August 14, 1945  
 2 O'Clock Extra bold banner headlines: "No Nippon Peace Note Is Received, Swiss Tell U.S. - Messages 'Do Not Contain Answer World Awaits'" with subhead: "Truman's Aide Reads Message To State Dept.". Other articles "Washington Expects Peace Vigil to End Soon as Japan's Note Dallies Around World" and "Hirohito Broadcast Telling Subjects of Defeat Due to Go to People at 11 Tonight".
This is the full issue and has some discoloration and…

LOS ANGELES TIMES, August 14, 1945

* Japan Surrenders (day of)
* Great issue for display
* World War II over

 The 2-line banner headline announces: "SURRENDER NOTE ON WAY, TOKYO RADIO ANNOUNCES" with various related subheads. The ftpg. photo shows General Eisenhower & others. 
The complete first section (of 2) with pages 1-12, various wear at the margins with some separation, wear at the central fold with some perforation, an archival mend at the fold on page 2.

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 CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Boston, August 14, 1945 

* Japan surrendering
* World War II ends
* V-J day eve

This 10 page newspaper has a two line banner headline on the front page: "Japanese Reply Still Not Received; Radio Messages Hint of Surrender" with subheads and related photo (see photos). Other news of the day including various advertisements. Little spine wear but otherwise in good condition.

PITTSBURGH SUN-TELEGRAPH--EXTRA, Pennsylvania, Aug. 14, 1945

* World War II ends
* Japanese surrenders
* Nice for display

The bold, banner headline reports: "President Truman Announces: WAR OVER McArthur to Rule Japan" with a large, celebratory photo on the front page.
Being an "Extra" edition this may be complete in ten pages, otherwise it is the complete first section of two. A piece cut from the back leaf does not affect war-related items, minor wear at the margins, generally good.
Nice to have…

THE STARS & STRIPES, London Edition, August 15, 1945  Interesting that virtually every other newspaper of this date reports the surrender of Japan, but not mentioned here. They published an "Extra" edition which makes that announcement.
The banner headline; "Swiss Call In U.S. Envoy After Receiving Jap Note" with related subheads.
The bottom of the front page has a print of a "Winged Giant...Man work...on the hull of the Hughes Hercules, new all-wood seaplane called the world's largest…

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.…

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

CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER, Ohio, Aug., 15, 1945  

* World War II ends - V-J
* Japanese surrenders

The triple banner headline announces: "WAR IS OVER, TRUMAN ANNOUNCES; M'AETHU PICKED TO RULE JAPAN" with various subheads including: "President Calls 2 Legal Holidays".
Two front page photos show Truman and a celebratory crowd in Cleveland. Much related reporting inside. The back page is nearly filled with photos.
Complete with both sections and 24 pages, folded twice, minimal wear at the…

GAZETTE AND BULLETIN, Williamsport, PA, August 15, 1945

This issue features the bold banner headline "JAPS ACCEPT TERMS'" with the subhead "Thousands Storm Business Center of City to Celebrate Surrender of Japs" "Most Destructive War Ends When Hirohito Surrenders To Allies".  The front page also features an illustration of Gen. Douglas MacArthur who was to receive the surrender..

This is a complete issue in 16 pages, has an irregular margin in the upper half of the left spine, otherwise…

LOS ANGELES HERALD EXPRESS, August 17, 1945

* Takijirō Ōnishi suicide death
* "Father of the kamikaze attacks"

In a rather rare war-related headline some 3 days after the surrender of Japan essentially ending the war, the banner head above the masthead announces: "JAPS BATTLE YANK PLAINES OVER TOKIO" plus; "Jap Kamikaze Corps Chief Takes Own Life" with other related subheads.
The complete first section (of 2) with pages 1-14, very nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, August 19, 1945 

* Wetherford, Parker County, Texas
* B-29 Superfortress Bombers collision 
* End of World War II 

Page 38 has one column headings: "18 BODIES FOUND IN 2-BOMBER CRASH" "Only Two Escape in Collision of Army Fortresses Over Middle Texas" (see) First report coverage on the 2 B-29 Superfortresses that collided over Wetherford, Texas.
Other news of the day with much coverage on the post Japan surrender shortly after the end of World war II. Complete 1st…

BUTNER WORLD NEWS, Aug. 20, 1945  This is a mimeographed newspaper produced by the staff on board the USS General H.W. Butner, the American troop carrier transporting troops from Europe to the Pacific.
It is a four page newspaper, typewriter set, with front page headlines including: "Okinawa-Based Troops to Enter Japan As Occupation Forces" "Stars & Stripes Reams Congress on Draft Discontinuance, Occupation" "Surrender Machinery Begins to Roll; Japs on Way to Manila" and more inside. 
…

NEW YORK POST, Aug. 22, 1945

* Jimmy Doolittle raiders
* Last 4 rescued in China
* Japanese prison camp

The front page has a nice headline for display in bold lettering: "CHUTISTS FREE 4 DOOLITTLE FLIERS" with first report coverage on page 3. (see images)
Complete with 36 pages, tabloid size, a little spine wear, generally nice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 25, 1945

* Hiroshima & Nagasaki atomic bombings
* Japan reveals the horrors of the historic event

The top of page 3 has a one column heading: "JAPANESE STRESS HIROSHIMA 'HORROR'" with subheads. (see images) Coverage on Japan claiming radioactivity was the main cause of the deaths. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer denied this claim.
Complete with 24 pages, rag edition in great condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, August 26, 1945 

* U. S. occupation of Japan begins 
* Third Fleet enters Sagami Bay 
* Chester W. Nimitz & William Halsey

The top of the front page has a four column headline: "U.S. WARSHIPS ENTER BAY BELOW TOKYO WHEN TYPHOONS DELAY OUR LANDINGS" with subheads and related photo. Coverage on the initial occupation Japan with the United States Navy entering Sagami Bay. The official signing of surrender would take place a few days later on board the USS Missouri.…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, August 27, 1945 

* U.S. occupation of Japan begins 
* USS Missouri (Big Mo) enters Sagami Bay 

The top of the front page has a five column headline: "ENVOYS BOARD U. S. SHIP OFF TOKYO AS 1,200 PLANES GUARD BIG FLEET" with subheads and related photo. (see). Coverage on the initial occupation Japan with the United States Navy entering Sagami Bay. The official signing of surrender would take place a few days later on board the USS Missouri.
Complete with 32 pages in…

THE OREGONIAN, Portland, Aug. 28, 1945

* U.S. occupation of Japan begins
* USS Missouri (Big Mo) enters Tokyo Bay

A banner headline above the masthead announces: "YANKS LAND IN JAPAN". Most of the front page is taken up with World War II reports.
Contains 12 of 16 pages, library stamp near the top, good condition.

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass.., August 29, 1945

* Official Pearl Harbor attack report
* President Harry S. Truman releases
* Japan occupation just before peace signing

On August 29, 1945, with America’s enemies vanquished, President Harry S. Truman released the results of secret Army and Navy investigations into the Dec. 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that took the lives of more than 2,400 Americans, sunk or damaged 21 ships in the U.S. Pacific fleet and brought the…

BUTNER WORLD NEWS, Aug. 29, 1945  

* USS General Henry H. W. Butner troopship
* U.S. occupation of Japan begins (Tokyo)
* General Douglas MacArthur takes over
* USS Missouri (Big Mo) in Tokyo Bay

This is a mimeographed newspaper produced by the staff on board the USS General H.W. Butner, the American troop carrier transporting troops from Europe to the Pacific.
It is a four page newspaper, typewriter set, with front page headlines including: "MacArthur Gets Tough With Japs Regarding Signing of Peace…

NEW YORK POST, August 30, 1945 

* U.S. occupation of Japan begins
* General Douglas MacArthur takes over
* USS Missouri (Big Mo) in Tokyo Bay
* Official Pearl Harbor report is released

The front page has a headline: "M'ARTHUR RULES JAPAN" with reporting on page 3 including related photo and more.
Complete with 40 pages, tabloid size, some spine wear, small library stamp within the masthead, generally in good condition.

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Springfield, Massachusetts, August 30, 1945

* U.S. occupation of Japan begins
* General Douglas MacArthur
* USS Missouri (Big Mo) in Tokyo Bay

This 22 page newspaper has a banner headline on the front page: "ALLIED FORCES POURING INTO JAPAN FROM HUGE AIR AND SEA FLEETS" with subheads. Coverage on the initial occupation Japan with the United States Navy entering Tokyo Bay. The official signing of surrender would take place on board the USS Missouri a few days…

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Springfield, Massachusetts, August 31, 1945

* U.S. occupation of Japan begins
* General Douglas MacArthur
* USS Missouri (Big Mo) in Tokyo Bay

This 20 page newspaper has a five column headline on the front page: "OCCUPATION OF JAPAN IS PROCEEDING RAPIDLY" with subheads. This is coverage on the initial occupation Japan with the United States Navy entering Tokyo Bay. The official signing of surrender would take place the next day on board the USS Missouri.

…

THE TOPEKA DAILY CAPITAL, Kansas, August 31, 1945

* United States Marines land on Japan
* General Douglas MacArthur takes control
* World War II American Occupation begins

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "'Bloodless' Invasion Of Japan Continues" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with all 22 pages, light toning at the margins, a few small binding holes along the spine, generally in nice condition.

Background: August 31, 1945, represents the pivotal, high-stakes dawn of the…

THE STARS AND STRIPES, Paris Edition, Sept. 1, 1945  

* Liberation of POWs from Japanese horror camp photo

Front page features two photos, one headed: "Dawn Breaks for PWs in Land of Rising Sun" showing a crowd of jubilant soldiers just liberated from a "horror hospital" in Japan. Also: "Wainwright Joins Mac in Yokohama To See Surrender" and more.
Various other war-related reports throughout, & great to have these reports in this military newspaper.
Eight pages, 11 by 14 1/2 inches,…

THE STARS & STRIPES, Paris Edition, Sept. 3, 1945  

* Japan officially surrender
* USS Missouri signing
* World War II is over

Although the fighting with Japan ended August 14, the war was not officially over until the surrender documents were signed aboard the U.S.S. Missouri on September 2. This newspaper--a military newspaper no less--has a banner headline: "Japs Sign, 6-Yr. War Ends" with various related subheads.
Also of interest is a back page photo of Bess Myerson (captioned as…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, September 4, 1945  

* Japanese atrocities described
* American soldiers tortured

The front page has a nice banner headline: "LIST JAP TORTURE CHIEFS!" with subhead: "Ex-Captives Tell More of 'Living Hell'" Two related photos are on the back page.
Complete with all 28 pages, light toning at the margins, small library stamp within the masthead, small binding holes along the spine, generally very nice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 5, 1945

* Wake Island back in U.S. possession
* Post World War II Japan

The front page has a four column headline: "AMERICAN FLAG IS RAISED ON WAKE ISLE" with subheads that include: "EPIC OF ATOLL ENDS" "Americans Go Ashore to Crown Heroic Fight of marines in 1941" and more. (see)
Complete with all 40 pages, light toning at the margins, generally very nice.

Background: The formal surrender of Wake Island on September 4, 1945, carried immense symbolic and emotional…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 6, 1945

* Japanese atrocities described
* Palawan Massacre - Philippines 

The top of the front page has a five column headline: "U. S. ACCUSES JAPAN OF MASSACRE, TORTURE, STARVATION OF CAPTIVES" with subheads that include: "Burning and Murder of 150 in Prison Camp at Palawan Told. (see) Lengthy reporting continues on pages 2 & 3.
Complete with all 40 pages, light toning and a little wear along the margins, generally nice.

Background: The global publication of Imperial…

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass. Sept. 6, 1945

* Jimmy Doolittle's raiders
* Japanese atrocities told

The front page has a four column headline: "JAPS TO PAY FOR ATROCITIES" with subheads. Also a two column heading: "Doolittle Raiders Picture Life in Japanese Prisons" with subhead. (see)
Complete with 16 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, generally nice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 7, 1945

* U.S. prisoners freed from Ofuna Camp
* Executions of Doolittle raiders told

The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "8,000 MEN FREED OF 32,500 IN JAPAN" with subhead and 2 related photos showing a few liberated Yankees freed from Ofuna prisoner-of-war camp. This was the POW camp that held Louis Zamperini and Pappy Boyington.
Also on the same page is a one column heading: "5 MORE EXECUTIONS CHARGED TO JAPAN" with subhead. (see images) This was…

TOUGH SHEET, Ie Shima, Ryukyus (formerly of Japan), Sept. 7, 1945  An interesting "damp" newspaper printed by & for the military personnel on this recently-occupied Japanese Island. It was part of the string of the Ryukyu's Island, Ie Shima being just northwest of Okinawa.
Much of the content related to events immediately after the surrender of Japan 3 weeks prior. 
Four pages, 11 1/4 by 15 1/2 inches.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 8, 1945

* Formal surrender of Nanking - Nanjing
* China - Chinese reoccupy from Japanese forces 
* Douglas MacArthur enters Tokyo Japan
* Post surrender signing on USS Missouri

The front page has a two column heading: "Foe's Nanking Surrender To Be Solely 'Chinese Show'" (see images)
Also, the top of the front page has a four column headline: "M'ARTHUR SETS UP POWER IN TOKYO; SEES FLAG RAISED OVER U.S. EMBASSY; FOE THREATENED TO KILL WAINWRIGHT" with…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 8, 1945

* Douglas MacArthur enters Tokyo Japan
* Post surrender signing on USS Missouri

The top of the front page has a four column headline: "M'ARTHUR SETS UP POWER IN TOKYO; SEES FLAG RAISED OVER U.S. EMBASSY; FOE THREATENED TO KILL WAINWRIGHT" with subheads. (see) Nice in this famous NYC publication.
Complete with all 30 pages, rag edition in great condition.

THE BOSTON POST, Extra, September 8, 1945

* Douglas MacArthur enters Tokyo Japan
* American flag (old glory) raised over city
*  Japanese atrocities - Palawan Massacre

The top of the front page has a great banner headline: "M'ARTHUR SETS UP POWER IN TOKYO; SEES FLAG RAISED OVER U.S. EMBASSY; FOE THREATENED TO KILL WAINWRIGHT" with subheads. (see images) Nice for display.
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to save it at the time.
Complete…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, September 10, 1945

* Jimmie Foxx last career home run
* Dick Fowler no-hitter
* MLB baseball

This 32 page newspaper has one column headlines on page 13:

* PHILS TRIP PIRATES AFTER 4-3 SETBACK
* Foxx's Second Homer of Day Paces 24-Hit Attack That Wins Afterpiece, 14-3

with box scores. (see)

This was Jimmie Foxx's last MLB career home run as he would retire at the end of the season.

Also a one column headline on page 12: "FOWLER, ATHLETICS, WINS…

THE BOSTON POST, Sept. 10, 1945

* Australian pilot Bill Newton beheading
* Made public for the first time
* Japanese atrocities - cannibalism & more

The top of page 11 has a one column heading: "AUSTRALIA REPORTS JAP HORROR" with subhead. (see images) Coverage of Japanese atrocities committed on American and Australian soldiers including a report of a Australian pilot being beheaded. This was Bill Newton, Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross.

THE BETHLEHEM GLOBE-TIMES, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1945

* Hideki Tojo suicide attempt
* Imperial Japanese Army general

The front page has a full-banner headline: "Yanks Abolish Jap Black Dragon Society" with subheads that include: "MacArthur Orders Dissolution" and more. Also included is the 3-line, 3-column heading: "Doctors Grant Tojo Even Chance to Survive Self-Inflicted Wound", with subheading: "New Blood Transfusions Aid No. 1 Jap", and more. This is 1st report coverage…

MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, Sept. 12, 1945

* Manhattan Project comes to fruition
* Director physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer
* Post atomic bombing of Hiroshima & Nagasaki
* Japanese claim of radiation in deaths

The front page has a two column heading: "Atom Bomb Ray Deaths a Myth, Writer Discovers" with photo of Nat Finney. (see images)
Complete with all 20 pages, several small ink notations throughout with 2 on the front page, but none affecting the key report, some tiny binding holes along the…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 13, 1945

* Pappy Boyington's welcome home
* United States Marine Corps fighter ace
* "Black Sheep" squadron (VMFA-215)
* World War II Medal of Honor recipient 

The top of page 5 has a three column photo with heading: "Pappy" Boyington Reunited With The Old Gang" Also a one column heading: "Boyington, Air Ace Of Marines, Is Home" (see images)
Complete with all 40 pages, rag edition in great condition.

Background:On September 12, 1945, Major Pappy Boyington…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Sept. 19, 1945 

* Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
* Nazi death factory horrors revealed
* Eyewitness accounts - Jewish Holocaust

The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "Briton Tells of Nazi Evils at Belsen" (see images) Unfortunately a somewhat brief report here. 
Complete in 20 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally nice.

Background:Glyn Hughes, a British soldier who was part of the 11th Armoured Division, was one of the first…

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"…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 22, 1945 

* Bergen-Belsen concentration camp
* Nazi death factory horrors revealed
* Jewish woman gets revenge

Page 5 contains a very compelling article on identifying Nazis leaders involved in the holocaust atrocities on the Jews, with the one column heading: "Belsen Survivor Picks Out Nazis" and subhead: "Jewish Woman Physician Who Was Also in Oswiecim Camp Is Witness at Trial". The text (see photos) notes a: "...Polish Jewish woman, her concentration camp…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 24, 1945

* Josef Kramer & Irma Grese amongst others
* Bergen-Belsen trial begins - World War II
* Concentration camp leaders - war crimes 
* Jewish Holocaust  - exterminations - atrocities
* Gas chamber survivor Sophie Litwinska 

The top of page 12 has a one column heading: "OSWIECIM VICTIM ACCUSES GERMAN" with subhead. Also a five column photo with heading: "Their Numbers Are Up: Nazi War Criminals On Trial In Germany" (see images)
Complete in 42 pages,…

THE BOSTON POST, Sept. 25, 1945

* New super atomic bomb developed
* Post Hiroshima & Nagasaki bombings
* Leslie C. Arends' warning announcement

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "NEW ATOMIC BOMB BARED" with subhead. (see images) See below for information.
Complete with 18 pages, nice condition.

Note: On September 24, 1945, U.S. Representative Leslie C. Arends, a Republican from Illinois and member of the House Military Affairs Committee, announced that a new…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 27, 1945

* Female SS guard Irma Grese
* Bergen-Belsen concentration camp trial
* Jewish Holocaust  - exterminations - atrocities
* "Hyena of Auschwitz" - "The Beautiful Beast"

Page 12 has a one column heading: "BELSEN TORTURES BY WOMAN LISTED"  with subhead. (see images) I suspect this is one of the few publications to report this particular event as other titles in our inventory do not.
Complete in 42 pages, light toning at the margins, very nice…

THE BOSTON POST, Sept. 27, 1945

* Hirohito - Emperor of Japan
* Historic visit to Douglas MacArthur
* World War II ending events

The top of the front page has a nice headline: "HIROHITO IN 'SOCIAL' CALL ON MACARTHUR" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with 18 pages, nice condition.

Note: On September 27, 1945, Emperor Hirohito met with General Douglas MacArthur at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. This encounter, occurring just weeks after Japan's formal surrender in World War II,…

THE CLEVELAND PRESS, Ohio (miscellaneous dates from Sept.-Dec., 1945 - outer leaves from 7 or more issues)

* Post-WWII Coverage
* Primary coverage - Japan
* Some Nazi/Germany-related articles included

The months following WW2 were critical in regards to holding nations and individuals accountable for War Crimes, and for establishing a foundation for future peace. Being offered is a set of at least 7 outer leaves from issues ranging from September to December of 1945. This inexpensive…

THE CLEVELAND PRESS, Ohio (miscellaneous dates from Sept.-Dec., 1945 - outer leaves from 7 or more issues)

* Post-WWII Coverage
* Primary coverage - Japan
* Some Nazi/Germany-related articles included

The months following WW2 were critical in regards to holding nations and individuals accountable for War Crimes, and for establishing a foundation for future peace. Being offered is a set of at least 7 outer leaves from issues ranging from September to December of 1945. This inexpensive…

THE CLEVELAND PRESS, Ohio (miscellaneous dates from Sept.-Dec., 1945 - outer leaves from 7 or more issues)

* Post-WWII Coverage
* Primary coverage - Japan
* Some Nazi/Germany-related articles included

The months following WW2 were critical in regards to holding nations and individuals accountable for War Crimes, and for establishing a foundation for future peace. Being offered is a set of at least 7 outer leaves from issues ranging from September to December of 1945. This inexpensive…