Historic Newspapers: World War II Battles

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 HONOLULU ADVERTISER, Extra, Hawaii, May 8, 1945

* Germany Surrenders
* V-E day - Nazis quit

The front page has a banner headline: "Next Sunday Dedicated To Prayer; TRUMAN CONFIRMS NAZI SURRENDER, WARN JAPS" with subhead. (see) Nice to have from the origin of the United States entering the war.
Complete with 12, pages, good condition.

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., Extra, Dec. 24, 1943

* D-Day invasion leader named
* General Dwight D. Eisenhower

The front page has a nice banner headline for display: "EISENHOWER ALLIED LEADER" with subheads and photo. (see images)
Complete with 14 pages, light toning at the margins, a little irregular along the spine, generally in good condition.

Background: On December 24, 1943, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was officially named the Supreme Allied Commander for the planned invasion…

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…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 18, 1942

* USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
* Chicago Tribune journalist Stanley Johnston

The first three column of the front page are taken up with four related photos with heading: "U.S. NAVY FLIERS FIND QUARRY IN CORAL SEA" 
The top of page 2 has a five column heading: "LAST HOUR STRIKES FOR LEXINGTON" with lead-in: "Doomed by Blazes, Internal Blasts" and related photo. (see images) 
Complete with 20 pages, light toning and minor wear at the margins, some…

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, December 7, 1941  

* Pre Pearl Harbor attack on America
* Dated December 7, 1941 (DAY OF)

This is what the people read in their morning newspaper at about the same time their radios reported the bombing of Pearl Harbor. This somewhat benign banner head: "Roosevelt Sends Personal Note to Emperor In 'Final' Effort to Avert War With Japan; Reds Report Nazi Rout West or Moscow" with related subheads. An interesting contrast of how much history can happen between…

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, November 27, 1941

* Pre-Pearl Harbor attack on America
* About one week away - imminent
* Roosevelt knows something ?

Japanese Suicide Attacks...

GUINEA GOLD, "Australian Edition", May 23, 1945  The front page banner headline reads: "Chinese Launch Offensive In South To Sever Jap Supply Lines" with various subheads. The back page has: "Jap Suicide Attacks Fail To Loosen Okinawa Grip", with more. See images for details.
These were the closing moments of WW2 - the gap between V-E Day and V-J Day.
An uncommon title,  10 by 11 1/4 inches, a few minor margin wrinkles/tears, good condition.
Background: On November 19, 1942, Australian and…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 18, 1942

* USS Lexington & the Battle of the Coral Sea
* Chicago Tribune journalist Stanley Johnston
* Battle of Midway aircraft carriers - sailors 

The top of page 3 has a one column heading: "FLAMES ON CARRIER FOUGHT TO THE END" with subheads. Also four photos with heading: "As Coral Sea Battle Raged; First Blow To Lexington And Sinking Of Japanese Carrier" (see images)
The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "'YOU FIRST' SLOGAN ON THE LEXINGTON" with subhead and…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, December 25, 1943

* General Dwight D. Eisenhower
* Chosen to lead D-Day by FDR

The front page has a one column heading: "ALLIED INVASION ARMY TO BE LED BY EISENHOWER" with subhead. (see) More inside with a few related photos.
Complete with all 26 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, Dec. 29, 1943

* Aviation pioneer Jimmy Doolittle
* New commander of the Eighth Air Force
* Promoted Lieutenant general
* To lead air attack on D-Day

The front page has a one column heading: "DOOLITTLE TO GUIDE INVASION AIR BLOW" with subhead. (see images)
Other World War II events of the day. Complete with 34 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

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…

MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, June 15, 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 The Chicago Tribune.
The top of page 3 has a banner heading: "U. S. FLIERS BAG 15 SHIPS WITHOUT A LOSS" with lead-in: "Sunken Lexington's Aerial Field Day" and various…

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, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

Background:On May 9, 1942, both the United States and Japan issued claims about the outcome of the…

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…

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…

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass., February 17, 1945.

* U.S. Marines begin landing at Iwo Jima
* Famous World War II battle beginning

The front page has a nice banner headline on the re-capture of Corregidor by U.S. forces. 
Also on the front page is a two column heading: "Iwo Jima Invaded In Inner Defense Of Jap Homeland" with related map. (see images)
Complete with 10 pages, light toning and very minor wear at the margins, generally in nice condition.

Background: The Battle of Iwo Jima…

THE SUN, New York, Dec. 10, 1941  

* United States at war in Pacific
* Post Pearl Harbor attack
* America enters World War II

Large front page banner headline from just 3 days after Pearl Harbor: "U.S. FORCES BATTLE INVADERS ON LUZON" with various related reports. Included is a map headed: "Invasion Of Philippines".
Complete in 52 pages, various tears and chipping at the margins, partially loose at the spine.

Background: On December 10, 1941, just two days after the attack on…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 10, 1942 

* Battle of the Coral Sea - U.S. victory ?
* Imperial Japanese verses United States Navy
* USS Lexington aircraft carrier sinking fame
* First ever naval battle with aircraft carriers 

The top of the front page has a five column headline: "U. S. FLEET HUNTS BATTERED ENEMY" with subheads. (see images) More on page 3.
Complete 1st section only with all 46, rag edition in nice condition.

Background: On May 9, 1942, both the United States and Japan issued claims about…

THE STAR, Island of Guernsey (in the English Channel), June 24, 1944 

* Rare German occupation title
* World War II - WWII - post D-Day

A very curious issue, as Guernsey, an English-speaking island, was occupied by the Germans during WWII so all the news was pro-Nazi.
Among the front page reports are: "American Battleships Sunk In Big Pacific Clash" "Fierce Fighting Develops at Cherbourg - Two Allied Destroyers and Big Troopship Sunk" "Southampton Havoc by Comet Bombs" and more.
Four…

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…

THE NEWS, Frederick, Maryland, October 5, 1942

* USS Grunion submarine officially lost
* 1st report

This 10 page newspaper has one column headlines on page 2: "Submarine Grunion Lost, Navy Announces" "Usually Carried Crew of 65; Was Launched Soon After Pearl Harbor Attack"

Other news of the day with much on World War II.

Light browning with little spine wear, otherwise in good condition.

wikipedia notes: USS Grunion (SS-216) was a Gato-class submarine that was sunk at Kiska,…

MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, June 16, 1942

* 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 4th installment out of 15 he wrote regarding his experience onboard the USS Lexington during the Battle of the Coral Sea.
The top of page 2 has a banner heading: "U.S. WARBIRDS SINK JAP CARRIER,…

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…

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, November 30, 1941

* Pre-Pearl Harbor attack on America
* Just a few days away - imminent
* Roosevelt knows something ?

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…

LOS ANGELES EXAMINER, War Extra, June 16, 1941

* Prelude to a Pearl Harbor attack ?
* Japanese Imperial Navy fleet on the move

The front page has a nice banner headline: "JAPAN ARMADA MOVES; Huge Fleet Steams South From China" with subhead: "Major Action Predicted in Pacific Waters" (see) Was this the fleet that ultimately attacked Pearl Harbor ? Nice headline more than 5 months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Complete 1st section only with all 10 pages, good condition.

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…

DAILY NEWS, Los Angeles, WAR EXTRA, June 22, 1944

* Battle of the Philippine Sea
* Mariana Islands
* Pacific War

A nice banner headline announces: "BIG U.S.-JAPANESE SEA FIGHT RAGING" and subheads. (see) First report coverage on the Battle of the Philippine Sea near the Mariana Islands. This was the last of five major 'carrier-vs.carrier' engagements with Japan..
Complete in 20 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 7, 1945 

* Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima flag raising
* Rene Gagnon, lone survivor

A somewhat inconspicuous report on page 5 notes: "Lone Marine Survivor of Iwo Photo Due Home". The report notes that: "Rene A. Gagnon of Manchester, N.H., is the only marine in Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal's famous Mt. Suribachi flag-raising picture to survive the battle of Iwo Jima. He was homeward bound today to take part in a War Bond tour...". But he was not the…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 30, 1942 

* First World War II "Medal of Honor" given 
* Lieutenant Alexander "Sandy" Nininger Jr.
* Hero for actions at the Battle of Bataan 
* Post attack on Pearl Harbor Pacific Theater  

The top of the front page has two photos headed: "Dies A Hero" Also a one column heading: "M'ARTHUR OFFICER HONORED BY NATION" with subhead. (see images) 
Much more reporting on World War II events of the day. Complete with all 38 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.

Background: The…

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., July 14, 1944

* Theodore "Ted" Roosevelt Jr. death
* Utah Beach World War II Normandy
* World War II - WWII - Post D-Day

The front page has a two column heading: "Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Victim of Heart Attack" with subhead and photo. (see images)
Complete with all 222 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally nice.

Background:Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., the eldest son of President Theodore Roosevelt, died on July…

MINNEAPOLIS MORNING TRIBUNE, May 11, 1942 

* The famous Doolittle raid of Japan told 
* U.S. Army Air Force B-25B Mitchell bombers 
* From the USS Hornet aircraft carrier 
* Battle of the Coral Sea Won
* Imperial Japanese verses U.S. Navy
* Pacific Ocean theater

The front page has a three column heading:  "BOMBERS HIT FAST, LOW; FIRES BURNED 48 HOURS" with lead-in: "Army Tells Its Tokyo Secret at Last..." 
And page 5 has reporting on the recent U.S. victory at the battle of the…

TAUNTON DAILY GAZETTE, Taunton, Massachusetts, February 24, 1945.

* U.S. Marines fighting on Iwo Jima Island Japan
* World War II - WWII

This 8 page newspaper has a two column headline on the front page:

* Marines Locked IN Struggle for Fighter Airstrip

Other news of day with much on World War II. Light browning with minor margin wear, otherwise good.

TAUNTON DAILY GAZETTE, Massachusetts, August 10, 1942

* Battle of Guadalcanal beginning
* Solomon Islands

This 10 page newspaper has a banner headline on the front page: "U. S. Forces Continue to Blast Solomon Islands" with subhead (see photos).

Other news of the day throughout which much on World war II. Light browning with minor margin wear, otherwise good condition.

wikipedia notes: The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7,…

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Springfield, Massachusetts, August 14, 1942

* Battle of Guadalcanal
* Solomon Islands
* World War II original

This 24 page newspaper has a four column headline on the front page: "ALLIED BOMBERS POUND JAPANESE SHIPS TRYING TO REINFORCE SOLOMONS" with subheads (see images).

Other news of the day throughout which much on World War II as well as sports and advertisements. Light browning with minor spine wear, otherwise good.

wikipedia notes: The Guadalcanal…

STARS & STRIPES, London Edition, July 6, 1945  

* Kaufbeuren-Irsee in Bavaria, Germany 
* Psychiatric hospital atrocities - murders
* Nazi "euthanasia" killing center program 

This was the: "Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations" as noted in the masthead. Penciled at the top is "War Dept."
The front page reports include: "Double Air Smash At Japs Reported" "Life In Berlin Humdrum Now" "Nazis Slew Babies in Murder Mill After VE-Day" and more.
Among…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, EXTRA, July 12, 1943 

* Invasion of Sicily Italy
* Operation Husky 

The nice headline on the front page in bold lettering announces: "HEAVY BATTLE ON NEAR SICILY INVASION PORT" with subheads, related map and photo. (see images) Nice for display. 
Complete with 18 pages, light toning at the margins, some small binding holes and a little wear along the spine, generally nice.

Background: Operation Husky stands as a pivotal turning point in World War II, serving as the massive…

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 SPRINGFIELD UNION, Massachusetts, February 9, 1943 

* Battle of Guadalcanal ends 
* Solomon Islands campaign 
* World War II 

This 8 page newspaper has a nice banner headline on the front page: "Enemy Resistance On Guadalcanal Ended, Knox Says" with subheads. Coverage on the final capture of the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomons chain.

Other news, sports and various advertisements of the day throughout. Minor spine wear, otherwise nice condition.

wikipedia notes: The…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Detroit, Michigan, December 5, 1941  This 32 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page:

* Japs Declare U.S. Terms 'Impossible'
* Collapse of Talks Indicated by Press; Showdown Likely with Official Reply Today

Other news of the day. Light browning with little margin wear, otherwise good.

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, Feb. 2, 1942

* Marshalls-Gilberts raids - Pacific Islands
* USS Yorktown - Task Force 17
* Post Attack on Pearl Harbor
* Prelude to the Battle of Midway

The front page has a nice banner headline: "SIX JAP BASES RAIDED BY U. S." with subheads. (see) Nice for display. First report coverage on the Marshall-Gilberts raids by Task Force 17 onboard the USS Yorktown. This was a prelude to the eventual Battle of Midway.
Complete with all 32 pages, small library stamp…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 21, 1946

* The disaster at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941
* United States Congress official investigation
* Japan determined to have full accountability 

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "Roosevelt Found Blameless For Pearl Harbor Disaster" with subhead. (see images) Lengthy report continues inside with related photo. 
Complete with 42 pages, rag edition in great condition.

Background:On July 20, 1946, the Joint Congressional Committee on…

STARS & STRIPES, Paris Edition, March 15, 1945  This was the: "Daily Newspaper of U.S. Armed Forces in the European Theater of Operations" as noted in the masthead.
Front page reports include: "East Bank Forces Capture Honnef, Imperil Highway" "Iwo Marines Seal Off Caps" "RAF's New 11 Ton Box, Heaviest Yet, Rocks Reich". The front page features a photo of many dead Japanese on Iwo Jima.
Eight pages, tabloid-size, some dirtiness on the back page, good condition.

Background: Kitano Point is…

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…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 16, 1945

* Joint Committee 1st session
* Attack on Pearl Harbor - Hawaii
* U.S. Senate Investigation

The top of the front page has a three column headline: "WE KNEW JAPANESE SECRETS 6 MONTHS BEFORE DEC. 7, 1941, PEARL HARBOR DATA SHOW" with subheads. (see images)
Complete with all 34 pages, rag edition, light crease along the 1st column, generally in great condition.

Iwo Jima report...

THE STARS AND STRIPES, Mediterranean Edition, February 25, 1945

Three prime boxers are covered in the sporting segment of this issue: Sugar Ray Robinson, Jake LaMotta and Joe Louis (see images).

A front page report has details regarding the fighting on Iwo Jima:  "Marines Gain Slowly Against Fierce Jap Iwo Jima Defenses".

Being the Sunday edition, color comics of Dick Tracy and Terry along with full pages comics of both Blondie and LI'L Abner are present as well.

This famous…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, July 31, 1941

* Prelude to Pearl Harbor attack ?
* Japan bombs USS Tutluila

The top of page 6 has a one column heading: "U. S. PROTESTS JAP BOMBING OF RIVER GUNBOAT" with subhead. (see images) First report coverage continues on page 3 with photo. This event happened more than 4 months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Complete with 28 pages, light toning at the margins, small address stamp within the masthead, some small binding holes along the spine,…