Military Buildup in Germany (Ken Magazine, 1939)

"The German Army is the greatest enterprise in the world. It has a million employees on it's payrolls, the active officers and soldiers, and, at a conservative estimate, feeds another million workers in the munitions industry. Actually the army employs all of Germany. Military needs alone determine the way of life in the besieged fortress into which 80 million Germans have more or less willingly formed themselves."

Robert Capa: World War II Photographer ('47 Magazine)

The attached (printable) article was written by John Hersey (1914 – 1993); it was written as a review of "Slightly Out of Focus", the memoir of Robert Capa (né Endre Friedmann: 1913 – 1954), famed combat photographer of World War II as well as the Spanish Civil War. A fun, informative read, you will learn how the man came to be a photographer, how he acquired his nom de plume and the fame that quickly followed.

-To read about other W.W. II photographers, click here.

Military Buildup in Belgium (Literary Digest, 1936)

With a clear understanding as to what was coming down the pike, Belgian Foreign Minister Paul Henri Spaak (1899 - 1972) "prevailed upon Prime Minister Paul van Zeeland to push through the Chamber of Deputies a bill increasing the military service from twelve to eighteen months for Belgium's 44,000 conscripts" while at the same time, reinforcing the fortifications along the French border.

Over half the article pertains to the fascist party of Belgium, REX, a group that hardheartedly resisted any such defensive posturing. A few weeks following this printing, Léon Degrelle (1906 – 1994), the leader of REX, the Belgian fascist party, marched on Brussels and brought down the van Zeeland government.

The Wartime Leadership of Sian-Kuan Lin (Collier's Magazine, 1945)

"As well as anything else, the leadership of Sian-Kuan Lin explains why the people of China continue to wage barehanded battle against the overwhelming might of Japan. It is a story that starts in 1927 when Chang Kai-shek marched North against the war lords, fighting to make Sun Yat Sen's dream of a great Chinese republic come true."

World War Two Bomb Tonnage (Yank, 1945)

After the allied air forces moved to Germany in 1945 and unpacked their suitcases, they began to take account of the bombing damage inflicted on that country throughout the course of the war. By the end of 1945 they were able to figure out what percentage of their bombing tonnage was needed to destroy the vital (and some not terribly vital) elements of the Nazi war machine; Yank printed this handy cartoon-chart to help make sense of it all...

Wilson and the Repeal of Prohibition (The Literary Digest, 1919)

For some in the U.S. Congress and for President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) in particular, the prohibition of alcohol in the United States (passed by Congress on November 1, 1918) was simply viewed as an appropriate war-time measure guaranteed to maintain the productivity of an efficient working class. However, with the First World War coming to a close, President Wilson saw little need in keeping the entire law as it was written, and he suggested allowing the sale and distribution of beer and wine. This article will inform you of the political will of the "dry" members of congress as well as the strength of the American clergy in 1919

FDR's Funeral (Yank Magazine, 1945)

A lengthy magazine article from YANK reporting on the funeral of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882 – 1945), 32nd president of the United States. The journalist (Debs Myers), devoted much space to the thoughts of those who knew the man and the impressions of the unknown citizens who stood in the fields to watch his train or stare in disbelief as his caisson passed them on Pennsylvania Avenue:

"Northward the train rolled, taking Franklin Roosevelt home...At lonely crossroads and and in great cities, the common people had come to say their good-bye to this cripple man who once had taken a crippled nation and helped it walk once more."

Men and Guns at Iwo Jima (Collier's, 1945)

Written by war correspondent Walter Davenport some thirteen months prior to taking the helm as editor-in-chief at COLLIER'S MAGAZINE, this article gives the reader a sense as to what D-plus-one looked like from the fifty yard line at the Battle of Iwo Jima (Operation Detachment: February 19 – March 26, 1945):

"There is no Jap navy here to stop us; no Jap air force, either... So you see Jap? On our way up here to Iwo we flew over more supply ships, more cargo carriers. Those decks carry concrete mixers, Diesel-powered road crushers and rollers. There aren't many cliffs on Iwo to hide out in, Jap! You can't live for weeks in the crevices of Suribachi. You can't grow gardens on that rock. So, while you can still see, look down at what we're seeing: An American city, a harsh, womanless city is moving in on you."

An Interview with Jackie Robinson (Yank, 1945)

A Yank Magazine interview with the recently demobilized Jackie Robinson (1919 – 1972), who at the time was about to embark on one of the most glorious baseball careers a man could ever wish for. Largely remembered as the one who "broke the baseball color barrier", he proved to not only be a superb athlete and a good sportsman, but a valued member of the Civil Rights Movement who, among other contributions, is remembered for clearing the path so that other African-American athletes could advance to the major leagues. He was awarded many prizes before retiring from baseball in 1957.

This interview centers on Robinson's non-professional days in sports; his football injury at Pasadena Junior College, basketball at UCLA, his days with the Kansas City Monarchs and a brief period as an officer in the 761st Tank Battalion.

Click here to read articles about Babe Ruth.

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