Historic Newspapers: World War II

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"…

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…

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 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…

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…

NEW YORK POST, Jan. 17, 1942 

* Actress Carole Lombard killed
* Airplane crash disaster (1st report)
* Early coverage before confirmation of death

The front page has a nice banner headline for display announcing: "FEAR CAROLE LOMBARD, 21 OTHERS DEAD IN PLANE" First report coverage continues on page 3 with related pictorial. (see images) 
Complete with 16 pages, light toning at the margins, small, light stain within the article (see image), small binding holes along the spine,…

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…

SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER--EXTRA--Dec. 8, 1941 

* Attack on Pearl Harbor
* U.S. to enter World War II
* Imperial Japanese Navy
* Great headline for display

This issue has one of the best and most displayable headlines on America's entry into World War II following the attack on Pearl Harbor, with a huge, banner "EXTRA" above the masthead, and the large headline: "U.S. - JAP WAR!" with "HAWAII, MANILA BOMBED; TWO U.S. WARSHIPS SUNK".
There are various subheads including: "Severe Explosions Rock Pearl…

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…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, November 14, 1941

* Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels
* Speech with "10 Commandments" against Jews
* Important step in the Jewish Holocaust disaster
* Includes "Star of David" yellow badge rules

The top of page 11 has a one column heading: "GOEBBELS SPURS ABUSE FOR JEWS" with subheads. This report contains the "Ten Commandments" against the Jews in Nazi Germany. (see images)
I suspect this to be an extremely rare item because there was really no reason to…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 8, 1942

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

The front page has a nicet three line banner headline: "JAPANESE DESTROYER SUNK, TWO CRUISERS HIT, U.S. DESTROYER LOST, MOST OF THE CREW RESCUED; ENEMY WITHDRAWS, MIDWAY 'SECTION IS QUIET'" with subheads. (see) More on page 5 with related map. Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Other news, sports and…

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…

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:…

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

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

DAILY NEWS, New York City, May 8, 1945   

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

The entire front page is taken up with a huge photo of a large, gleeful crowd in New York City with the words: " IT'S OVER IN EUROPE ! " dropped out of the photo.
Also on the front page is: "Proclamation Due At 9.A.M." There are related articles on pages 2 & 3, and the doublepage centerfold, plus the back page has a banner headline: "500,000 IN TIMES SQUARE".
Complete in 32 pages, tabloid-size,…

THE CLEVELAND PRESS, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1941  

* Attack on Pearl Harbor - Hawaii
* U.S. enters World War II - WWII

Nice banner headlines on the bombing of Pearl Harbor, plus America's entry into World War II: "1500 DEAD IN HAWAII RAID" "Congress Wildly Cheers F. D. R. As...U.S. VOTES WAR ON JAPS".
Seeming the complete issues with pages 1-38, in two sections, however one interior leaf is lacking. No wear at the central fold & minimal wear at the margins. There are various tears at margins to inside…

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…

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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…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 28, 1942 

* Doris 'Dorie' Miller awarded Navy Cross 
* 1st African American to achieve this honor 
* Attack on Pearl Harbor hero

Page 8 contains a significant report under the one column heads: "Medals Given to 9 By Admiral Nimitz" "Negro Hero Honored With Ship Commanders and Airmen".the text reading in part: "...Admiral Nimitz...made special mention of a Negro mess attendant, Doris Miller, who won the Navy Cross for bravery at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7. 'This…

SSHHH, August 6, 1944  

* Post D-Day invasion Europe

An interesting title for sure, being a single sheet military paper reporting on recent battle reports. The newsiest purposely has no city of publication, but was presumably published somewhere in Europe, two months after D-Day. 
Printed at the bottom of the front page is: "This edition must not be sent home" which likely explains the scarcity of this title. This is the first we have discovered in our 50+ years.
Articles include: "Spearhead Drive…

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…

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…

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.

LOS ANGELES EXAMINER, VE, May 7, 1945 

* Germany Surrenders
* V-E day - Nazis quit

The masthead has a patriotic theme with blue and red ink. The terrific banner headline announces: "NAZIS SURRENDER" with: "EUROPE WAR COMES TO END" with large photo of Eisenhower. Great for display. More on the following pages. Two full page pictorials at the back.
First section only with 16 pages, some wear at the margins, minor central fold wear, partially loose along the spine, generally in good condition.

Backgrou…

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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 NEW YORK TIMES, May 22, 1943

* Warsaw Ghetto Uprising ends in failure
* German occupied Poland - Nazi atrocities
* Jewish resistance - Jews

The top of page 4 has one column headings: "JEWS' LAST STAND FELLED 1,000 NAZIS" "Battle in Warsaw Ghetto Was Aided by Armed Squads of Polish Guerrillas" "More Slaughter Starts" and more. (see) See images for text on the end of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. 
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day throughout with much on World War II.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

NACHRICHTEN FUR DIE TRUPPE, Europe, June 7, 1944  

* Rare allied issue dropped from aircraft
* D-Day invasion of France in German language

A most fascinating single sheet newspaper, which translates to "News For The Troops", published by the Psychological Warfare Division of the Allied forces and dropped by Allied aircraft over Germany during the closing year of the war.
This newspaper/leaflet was created to counter Goebbels' propaganda machine. Notice this issue is from the day after…

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…

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.

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…

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…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Sept. 3, 1942 

* Jewish Holocaust being known for the 1st time 
* Nazi-occupied Europe exterminations 
* Terezin military fortress - Czech Republic

The top of page 3 has a two column heading: "Horror Treatment of Jews Is Charged" with lead-in: "Living Death In A Nazi Dungeon". See images for coverage on the atrocities in Nazi-occupied Czech Republic.
Rare to find such reports in newspapers at this time as the reality of the holocaust was just being realized.…

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…

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…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, April 21, 1943

* The famous Doolittle raid of Japan official report
* U.S. Army Air Force B-25B Mitchell bombers
* USS Hornet aircraft carrier

The front page has a nice banner headline: "FULL STORY OF TOKIO RAID!" Nice for display. First report coverage continues on pages 8 & 9 with nice photos. (see) This was the official report on the Jimmy Doolittle raid on Japan in which he led about one year earlier.
Complete with all 50 pages, light toning at the margins,…

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…

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…

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"…

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