Historic Newspapers: World War II Key Names

POTTSVILLE EVENING REPUBLICAN, Penna., Dec. 11, 1941

* United States declare war
* Germany & Italy - Axis
* Post Pearl Harbor attack

The front page has a full banner heading: "WAR IS ON WITH AXIS", with subheads: "Congress Declares War On Germany and Italy" and "Action Follows Declaration of War by Hitler and Mussolini; Washington Was Quick to Accept the Challenge; All World Is Now Embattled", with considerable supporting text. Also included on the front page is President Roosevelt's…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 4, 1938

* Dictators Adolph Hitler & Benito Mussolini
* Pre World War II meeting in Rome, Italy

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "MUSSOLINI GREETS HITLER IN A RESPLENDENT ROME; 300,000 APPLAUD VISITOR" with subheads. (see images) First report coverage continues inside with two related wire photos.
Complete with 48 pages, rag edition in very nice condition.

background: The May 1938 meeting in Rome served as the definitive geopolitical pivot point that…

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…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, February 12, 1943 

* Winston Churchill "War Situation" speech
* House of Commons of the United Kingdom
* Dwight Eisenhower becomes supreme commander

The front page has five column heading: "War: New Command, Plans for 1943" with subheads that include: "Prime Minister Tell Commons That Detailed Plans for Nine Months of Attack Are Laid" "Eisnehower Heads Unified Command In North Africa" and more. (see) Complete text of Churchill's speech at the House of Commons…

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass. March 18, 1940

* 1940 Brenner Pass meeting
* Austria & Italy border - Alps
* Adolf Hitler & Benito Mussolini
* re. Bolshevik Russia agreement

The front page has a banner headline: "Hitler and Ill Duce Confer At Brenner Pass" with subheads and two related photos. (see)
Complete with 8 pages, light toning at the margins, a few tiny binding holes along the spine, generally very nice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 21, 1943

* Marshall Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto killed
* Imperial Japanese Navy - combined fleet commander
* Attack on Pearl Harbor and Battle of Midway leader
* World War II - Pacific War

The front page has a one column heading: "JAPANESE ADMIRAL KILLED IN COMBAT" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with 40 pages, rag edition in great condition.

THE GREENSBORO PATRIOT, North Carolina, Feb. 2, 1939 The banner headline declares: "HITLER PROMISES SUPPORT FOR MUSSOLINI" with subheads including: THE REICHSTAG HEARS DEMAND OF CHANCELLOR FOR LAND, TRADE", "Fuehrer Warns The United States Not To Interrupt Nazi Program in South America, Raps Ickes". 
Included in the article is a list of Declarations including: "... Europe could not 'come to rest' until the Jewish question was settled".
This eight page issue is in good condition (especially…

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…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Oct. 7, 1941

* Hideki Tojo becomes Prime Minister of Japan
* General of the Imperial Japanese Army
* Bombing of Pearl Harbor imminent ?

The front page has a nice headline: "JAPAN GETS AN ARMY PREMIER" with subheads and photo of the outgoing Prince Konoye. Nice for display. Japan would attack Pearl Harbor less than two months later.
Complete with all 30 pages, light toning at the margins, small library stamp within the masthead, small binding holes along the…

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…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, February 8, 1945 

* Franklin D. Roosevelt - Churchill - Stalin
* Yalta Conference re. Germany & post war Europe
* Battle of the Bulge - General George S. Patton
* Photos at Camp O'Donnell - "Bataan Death March" 

The front page has a banner headline: "BIG 3 SET FINAL STEPS TO CRUSH GERMANY, TURN TO PEACE ISSUES IN BLACK TALK; U. S. 3D ARMY INVADES REICH AT 10 POINTS" with subheads.(see images)
And page 3 has a pictorial with 5 photos of Camp O'Donnell after the…

THE JET GAZETTE, Furth, Bavaria, Germany, October 1, 1946 

* Nazis sentenced to death for war crimes
* Hermann Goering & Rudolph Hess

 Published by the Army Air Force Station of Furth, this is the volume 1, number er 14 issue which  began publication after the end of the war in Europe.
The collectible significance of this issue would be difficult to understate. This airport began in the 1920's and when taken over by the Nazis in 1933 it became the training ground for the Bavarian Air…

THE BOSTON POST, Massachusetts, October 16, 1944

* Erwin Rommel death 
* The Desert Fox 
* World War II field Marshall 

This 14 page newspaper has two column headlines on the front page: "GERMANY ADMITS ROMMEL'S DEATH" "State Funeral Ordered by Hitler for 'Desert Fox'---Wounds in Strafing by Allied Fliers Fatal"

Tells of the death of famous Nazi Field Marshall Erwin Rommel.

Other news of the day throughout with much on World War II. Minor staining, otherwise in nice condition.
…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, November 23, 1943.

* General George S. Patton slaps soldier - assault
* World War II - WWII U.S. senate hearing
* Dwight D. Eisenhower keeps Patton's leadership

The front page has a six column heading: "Senate Hears Eisenhower's Story of Patton" with subheads. (see images) More on page 6.
Complete 1st section only with all 14 pages, light toning at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally in very nice condition.

background: On November 26, 1943, the U.S.…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, May 5, 1938

* Adolph Hitler's State Visit to Rome, Italy
* The Sudetenland - Case Green (Fall Grün)
* The Axis - Anschluss - Pact of Steel 

The front page has a nice banner headline: "'FREE HAND,' HITLER DEMAND" with subhead and related illustration.(see images) 
Complete with all 36 pages, rag edition in very nice condition. A few small binding holes along the spine.

background: During Hitler’s high-stakes state visit to Rome on May 5, 1938, the primary…

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…

WILMINGTON MORNING STAR, July 17, 1945 

* Potsdam Conference (Germany)
* The Big Three meeting
* Harry Truman, Joseph Stalin, & Winston Churchill

This 10 page newspaper has a two column headline on the front page: "TRUMAN CALLS ADMIRAL LAND" with subhead: "Urgent Summons Cabled From Potsdam, Sees Berlin Ruins".

Other news of the day including sports advertisements and much on World War II. Small library label on the front page but otherwise in good condition.

wikipedia notes: The…

WILMINGTON MORNING STAR, July 16, 1945

* Potsdam Conference (Germany)
* The Big Three meeting
* Harry Truman, Joseph Stalin, & Winston Churchill

This 42 page newspaper has a two column headline on the front page: " 'Big Three' In Potsdam For Historic Meeting", with nice photo of Harry Truman with caption: "Ready For Conference". Other news of the day throughout with much on World War II. Good condition.

wikipedia notes: The Potsdam Conference was held at Cecilienhof, the home of…

F.D.REPORTER, printed on board the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dec. 1, 1945  

* USS Franklin D. Roosevelt publication

This is the first issue of a shipboard newspaper which, as noted at the top, is: "Published for the crew by the crew about their shipmates and shiplife."
Much of the content is on the commissioning of this newest ship in the United States fleet, including a front page photo of President Truman at the commissioning.
At the bottom of the front page is: "Souvenir Edition Of The…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 27, 1944.

* re. Adolph Hitler escapes assassination plot
* Post Operation Valkyrie - Loyal aides stay put
* Joseph Goebbels speech reassuring the public

The front page has a two column heading: "Goebbels Promises Nazis New Effort Will Win" (see) Page 4 has a banner headline: "Text of Goebbels' Story of the Anti-Hitler Plot and His Plea for All-Out German War Effort" Lengthy text here.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day with much more on World…

THE BETHLEHEM GLOBE-TIMES, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1941 

* Rudolph Hess Scotland parachute jump mystery 
* Adolph Hitler's right hand man 
* World War II 

This 20 page newspaper has a five column headline on the front page: "LONDON, WASHINGTON SEE RIFT IN HITLER'S COUNCIL IN HESS FLIGHT; HINT NO. 3 NAZI FEARED A PURGE" with subheads (see photos).

Other news, sport and advertisements of the day. Minor spine wear, otherwise good condition.

source: wikipedia: Like Goebbels, Hess was…

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, Mass., Aug. 20, 1943

* First Quebec Conference - Quadrant
* Highly secret military discussion
* Franklin D. Roosevelt - Winston Churchill

The top of the front page has a four column headline: "QUEBEC PARLEY IS PLANNING 'RUTHLESS DESTRUCTION' OF GERMANY AND JAPAN" with subheads and photo. (see images)
Complete with 24 pages, light toning and a little wear at the margins, generally in good condition.

history notes: The First Quebec Conference, held in August of…

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, May 13, 1941.

* Rudolph Hess Scotland jump mystery (1st report)
* Adolph Hitler's right hand man

This 8 page newspaper has a banner headline on the front page: "British Claim Nazi Break Shown", with subheads that include: "REJOICE OVER ARRIVAL OF HESS", "Claim Examination Shows Man Who Made Flight Escape Is Sane", and more (see Images).

Other news of the day. Light browning, otherwise good condition.

wikipedia notes: Like Goebbels, Hess was privately…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Nov. 27, 1944 

* Third United States Army
* General George S. Patton 
* World War II - WWII
* Battle of the Bulge prelude

The front page has a banner headline: "3D ARMY GAINS 5 MILES, SPLITS MAGINOT LINE" with subheads that include: "Patton's Forces Mile From St. Avold, Key Town Below Saarbruecken" and more. (see) Much more on other World war II events of the day.
Complete with all 34 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

Background: On November 26, 1944, a pivotal…

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Boston, April 28, 1945 

* SS Leader Heinrich Himmler 
* Betrays Fuhrer Adolph Hitler 
* Offers surrender to Western Allies

The front page has a banner headline: "Himmler Offer to Surrender Is Reported" with subhead. (see images) 
Complete with 14 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

background: On April 28, 1945, the collapse of the Third Reich reached a fever pitch when Adolf Hitler discovered through a Reuters news report that Heinrich Himmler, the…

THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, April 13, 1945  

* Franklin D. Roosevelt FDR
* Warm Springs, Georgia
* World War II - WWII

The front page has a nice banner headline that announces: "ROOSEVELT DEAD" with subheads and photo. Much more inside. Nice for display.
Complete in 26 pages, wear at the central fold with small archival repairs, wear at the margins with slight loss at the right margin, light dirtiness.

Background:Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States,…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 17, 1938

* Prime minister Winston Churchill
* Radio broadcast to America and London
* "The Defense of Freedom and Peace"

The top of page 5 has a six column headline: "Text of Address by Winston Churchill Replying to Chancellor Hitler" with small photo of Churchill. Contains the complete text of Winston Churchill's radio broadcast titled: "The Defense of Freedom and Peace (The Lights are Going Out)" to the United States and London.
Other news, sports and…

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, EXTRA, August 14, 1941.

* Atlantic Charter issued (1st report)
* Winston Churchill - World War II - WWII
* President Franklin D. Roosevelt

The front page has a nice banner headline: "FDR, CHURCHILL MEET, OUTLINE JOINT WAR AIMS" with subheads. (see images) First report coverage on the famous meeting at sea between Winston Churchill and FDR which issued a joint declaration called the "Atlantic Charter". Nice for display.
Complete with all 28 pages, light toning…

CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE, July 23, 1944 

* Adolph Hitler escapes assassination plot
* Operation Valkyrie - Loyal aides stay put

The last column of the ftpg. has: "HITLER PLEADS WITH ARMY TO REMAIN LOYAL" with a subhead. The article carries over to pg. 2 where there is a photo of Hitler with Mussolini.
This was shortly after the attempted assassination of Hitler.
The complete issue, nice condition, small binding holes at the blank spine.

THE GAZETTE AND DAILY, York, Pennsylvania, April 14, 1945  The front page headlines "National Day of Mourning For Roosevelt Proclaimed"  "Truman Sets Today Aside to Honor Roosevelt" and "FDR, In Speech Written Night Before Death, Pleads For End To All Wars" all clearly communicate this sad period in world history.

The issue is complete in 36 pages, and is in very good condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 29, 1946

* Tokyo War Crimes military Trial - Tribunal begins
* Prime Minister of Japan, Hideki Tojo & others indicted
* Crimes of aggression against humanity - peace

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "ALLIES INDICT TOJO AND 27 FOR A PLOT TO RULE THE WORLD" with subheads. (see images) First report coverage on the beginning of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East.
Complete with 44 pages, light toning at the margins, nice…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, July 26, 1944.

* Adolph Hitler giving out power
* Post Operation Valkyrie
* Hitler tries to tighten grip

The top of the front page has a six-column headline: "...NAZI LEADERS TIGHTEN GRIP ON HOME FRONT" with subheads that include: "DECREE BY HITLER" "Goebbels Gets the Task of Finding Manpower for Final Stand" and more. (see) Coverage continues inside with related photo.
Other news of the day throughout with much on World War II. Complete with all 32 pages, rag…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Michigan, July 26, 1944

* Adolph Hitler giving up some of his power
* Post Operation Valkyrie

This 20 page newspaper has a six column headline on the front page: "HITLER SPLITS POWER; SETS UP 4-MAN RULE" with subheads that include: "Goering Dictator Over Nation's Life" and more.

Other news of the day with much on World War II. Light browning with minor margin wear, otherwise in nice condition.

THE NEWS, Frederick, Maryland, August 9, 1943

* Adolph Hitler Abolished ?
* Hermann Goering & William Keitel

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "Shelving Of Hitler Would Mean Little To Allies, Lochner Says" with subhead. (see) Of course this was a false report but interesting though.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete in 10 pages, a little irregular along spine, generally nice.

EVENING PRESS, Island of Guernsey (in the English Channel), Jan. 2, 1942 

* Rare German occupation publication
* Adolph Hitler's new year proclamation

A very curious issue, as Guernsey, an English-speaking island, was occupied by the Germans during WWII so all the news was pro-Nazi.
The front page is dominated by: "FUEHRER'S NEW YEAR PROCLAMATION TO HIS PEOPLE" "1942 Will Make Gigantic Demands' "May Almighty God Grant the Needed Strength For What Lies Ahead".
Other war-related front…

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, Boston, Oct. 16, 1946 

* Aftermath of the Nuremberg trials - Germany 
* German Nazis - war criminals hanged
* Hermann Goering suicide by poison
* Jewish holocaust perpetrators

The top of the front page has a three column headline: "Der Tag Blots Ni Chiefs; Goring Tricks Scaffold" with various subheads. (see images)
Complete with 12 pages, light toning at the margins, nice condition.

Background:On October 16, 1946, the aftermath of the Nuremberg…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, December 4, 1943 

* Tehran Conference in Iran 
* Franklin D. Roosevelt - Winston Churchill - Joseph Stalin 

The front page has a nice headline: "'REDS REVEAL 'BIG 3' PARLEY; New Plans Mapped by Roosevelt, Stalin and Churchill" with subheads and small related map. First report coverage on the Tehran Conference meeting between the big three powers in Iran.
Complete with all 32 pages, light toning at the margins, small library stamp within the masthead, small…

NEW YORK JOURNAL AMERICAN, Oct. 27, 1945  A patriotic red, white & blue issue with the banner headline: "TRUMAN BASES PEACE ON POWER" with subhead: "Tells Policy at Commissioning of Huge Carrier Roosevelt".
The decorative front page is printed in red and blue ink. Pages 2 and 3 have much on the naval parade in New York.
The complete first section with 8 pages, good condition.

"Monty has a double!"

DAILY EXPRESS, London, October 4, 1945

* Clifton James delivers as "Monty's" body-double
* Great D-Day bluff

The front page has "Monty Has A Double - His D-Day bluff deceived the Germans", with related text and a photo of Lieut. Clifton James as Montgomery. Read the article to learn more details regarding this great deception which helped keep the actual date for D-Day a surprise. The front page also has: "OUTLAW ATOM BOMB OR PERISH - TRUMAN".
The issue is in good condition and appears…

MAGAZINE SECTION of the New York Times, Jan. 29, 1939

* Adolph Hitler rules Germany
* Hitler Youth photo

The front page has a pro-Hitler illustration with banner heading: "Doubts Rise, But Hitler's Power Holds" which is a editorial by Harold Callender. Continues inside with a few related photos including one of the Hitler Youth. (see)
Complete magazine section only with all 24 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 8, 1941

* Sara Delano Roosevelt death
* President Franklin D. mother
* FDR

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "Mother of President Dies At Her Home in Hyde Park" with photo of Mrs. Roosevelt and subhead. (See) Much more on pages 10 and 11 with photos. Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete in 34 pages, this is the rare rag edition that was produced on very high quality newsprint, with a high percentage of cotton & linen…

CHICAGO SUNDAY TRIBUNE, June 10, 1945 

* Adolph Hitler & Eva Braun married
* Is he still alive in Europe ?
* Post-World War II - WWII

An interesting one column heading on the front page: "HITLER LIVES, REDS SUSPECT; BARE WEDDING" with subhead. The article begins: "Adolf Hitler married  his sweetheart, Eva Braun, two days before Berlin's fall and the lovers might have escaped from the German capital by plane...." and a quote noting: "...'We have found no corpses which could be…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, December 21, 1945

* General George S. Patton day of death
* Post World War II reports

Page 9 has a one column heading: "Patton Has Setback; Alarm Is Discounted" (see) Patton would die on this day.
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete in 36 pages, this is the rare rag edition that was produced on very high quality newsprint, with a high percentage of cotton & linen content, allowing the issues to remain very white & sturdy into the present.…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, December 23, 1945

* General George S. Patton death
* Post World War II reports

The front page has a two column heading: "Patton Receives GI's Last Salute; Burial Tomorrow in Luxembourg". (see) Coverage continues on page 13 with related photo. (see)
Other news of the day. Complete 1st section only with all 22 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

wikipedia notes: On December 9, 1945, Patton was severely injured in a road accident. He and his chief of staff, Major…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, June 7, 1945 

* The mystery of Adolph Hitler's death 
* Charred remains in Berlin bunker 

The top of page 10 has a one column heading: "BODY OF HITLER IDENTIFIED, SAYS RUSSIAN OFFICER" with subhead. (see images) Official report from the Russian military on the death of Adolph Hitler. There was always speculation on how he died and what happened to his body. This may be the only proof of what really took place those last few days in Berlin, Germany.
Complete with…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Dec.11, 1945

* General George S. Patton near death
* Automobile accident in WWII Germany
* Third United States Army commander 

Near the bottom of the front page is a two column heading: "Patton's Condition Now 'Critical'; He Is Paralyzed From Neck Down" Coverage continues on page 6 with photo of the doctor aiding Patton. (see images)
General Patton would die ten days later from injuries sustained in this automobile accident.
Complete in 44 pages, rag edition in…

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…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 31, 1939

* William Patrick Hitler in America
* Adolph's nephew interview

Page 2 has a two column heading: "Kin of Hitler, Here, Are Cool to Fuehrer; Nephew Calls the Chancellor 'a Menace'" with photo. (see)
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete with all 44 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

wikipedia notes: William Patrick "Willy" Stuart-Houston (né Hitler; 12 March 1911 – 14 July 1987) was the Irish-German nephew of Adolf Hitler.…

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…

MINNEAPOLIS SUNDAY TRIBUNE, December 5, 1943 

* Tehran Conference in Iran 
* Franklin D. Roosevelt - Winston Churchill - Joseph Stalin 

The front page has a nice banner headline: "'BIG 3' AGREE ON ALL-OUT BLOW" with subheads. (see) First report coverage on the Tehran Conference meeting between the big three powers in Iran.
Complete with all 50+ pages, light toning at the margins, some small binding holes along the spine, generally very nice.