Feeling the Climate of World War II

Hitler and Admiral Raeder inspecting the German Fleet

“Don't You Know There's a War On?” That was a question that Americans asked each other over and over all during World War II, whenever one person noticed another who didn’t seem to be observing rationing, or who complained about the shortages of meat, sugar, butter, clothing, tires for your car, and many other things. 

         It's hard for people today to understand how The War (1939-1945) filled up the lives of everyone some 70 years ago.

             First, men and some women from nearly every family left to serve in uniform. Men were drafted, or enlisted, in the Army, Navy and Marines, and were fighting in Europe, Africa, all over the Pacific.

Women Defense Workers march in WWII Parade

            Women joined the WACs or the WAVEs, as well as the Nurse Corps of the Army or Navy. 

            Many more women took jobs in the defense industry, building warships and airplanes, tanks and bombs.  They worked alongside men too old to serve in uniform, or otherwise exempted. 

            Even kids were involved in the war effort— we took part in collection drives to gather paper for recycling (although they didn’t use that word then); we collected tin cans, toothpaste tubes (they were made of lead then, and could be re-used for bullets), even waste cooking fat, which was used for manufacturing explosives. 

            Meat, butter, sugar and many other foods were rationed, there were no automobiles to buy, tires and gasoline were rationed. You pasted a sticker on your windshield that reminded you to limit your speed to 35 miles per hour.

We all bought War Bonds, and kids bought Savings Stamps, to convert to a bond. The War was on everyone's lips. And Anti-War Protests?  That would have been treason!  After December 7, 1941, any public discussion about whether or not we should be at war just disappeared

            I was seven years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.  That attack on December 7, 1941 brought the United States of America into World War II, a war that had already been raging for over two years. 

           

            I’ve collected some books and papers over the years that tell about what people were experiencing during the war, and report what happened after the war, when we could learn more.

Father Coughlin

            I have materials published in America and the west that give our side of the war. Before Pearl Harbor, “our side” was many different sides, because some very influential Americans were quite outspoken in siding with Hitler.  A sort of renegade Catholic Priest named Father Coughlin, writing and preaching from Royal Oak, Michigan, carried out a virulent campaign against our President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Russia, Stalin, the Communists.  He hated the Communists so much that he looked at Hitler with some admiration.  He was also deeply suspicious of Jews.  If you read some of the issues of “Social Justice” in my collection it may amaze you at some of the things this guy says.  Yet, he had many thousands of American supporters, who eagerly listened to his weekly radio addresses.

            During the years before America entered the War, Germany tried very hard to convince us to watch the war from the safety of our country, one ocean away from Europe-- and not get involved, as we had in World War I.

            In my next Blog:  If you read German, Polish or French you may find some of the materials in my collection particularly fascinating.  The German publications were just plain propaganda, aimed at “selling” the Nazi doctrine to Germans, but also trying to convince non-Germans of the rightness of the German cause, and of the wisdom of their leader, Adolf Hitler. The ones in French and Polish give a clear-eyed picture of the terror and horror that the Nazis brought wherever they went.  This is not propaganda.

Here are a few of the items I list in my World War II Collection:

Hitler and Admiral Raeder, Printed photograph for insertion in German Album "Deutschland erwacht" "Werden, Kampf und Sieg der NSDAP" Bild Nr. 145  ca. 1936 Germany.  Photo is "Bild Nr. 145" or photo to be pasted in Album of 225 such pictures. This is part of Album #8; there are ten other albums in series.  Photo 17 x 12 cm. Paper photo, description printed on reverse. Very good. (5854) $16.00. World War II/History  [Shown at top of Blog.]

Germany: The Present Situation in Germany by Piatnitsky, O. 1933 New York, NY: The Workers Library Publishers.  Piatnitsky traces history after the Versailles Treaty, when Alsace-Lorraine was taken by France "for good".  The "Polish Corridor"… The Saar coalfields.  How the Social-Democratic Party betrayed the proletarian revolution of 1918 and paved the way for fascism.  The Weimar Coalition reduced the toilers of Germany to complete impoverishment.  Will the Hitler Government Maintain itself in power? Why did the Bourgeoisie call Hitler to power?  Revolutionary struggle in Fascist Germany. The Communist Party at work.  "The Communist Party of Germany must do all in its power to win the majority of the working class to its side and then organize the revolution, lead it and carry it to complete victory.”  64 pp. 11 x 15 cm. Paper booklet pages browned and brittle, and loose. Poor. (7428) $22.00. World War II/Communism

FR. COUGHLIN’S WAR/……

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's Weekly Review, August 24, 1936 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. Lead headline: "Convention Spurs Fight For Justice" --large photo shows delegates at Cleveland convention of the National Union for Social Justice. Father Coughlin suffered a near collapse minutes before he was scheduled to conclude his address to the NUSJ convention.  Editorial:  "Secretary Wallace Should Resign". Henry Wallace is Secretary of Agriculture in Roosevelt administration.  "Olympic Whitewash Hides Real Germany" photo shows opening of 1936 Olympics in Berlin stadium. Spanish women deadlier than male--"A Woman Leads Armies of Red Spain." 16 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, quite brittle, starting to tear at the folds, poor. (7551) $22.00. Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's Weekly Review, September 14, 1936 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co.        Lead headline: "150,000 Throng Park For Chicago Rally"  This happened in Chicago when 150,000 members of the National Union for Social Justice assembled for a pre-Labor Day rally.  "Is Fr. Coughlin a 'Jew-Baiter'?"  "Editors are fiddling while Rome Burns" criticizes the way the American media ignores the atrocities committed by Reds in Spain. "Egypt Gains Treaty Rights" UK and Egypt have entered into treaty which ends some 50 years of British occupation of Egypt.  Centerfold special: "The Uncrowned King of America"-- His Majesty, J.P. Morgan.  Heir apparent is John D. Rockefeller and Heir presumptive is Andrew Mellon.  Coughlin includes an elaborate organization chart showing many organizations controlled by J.P. Morgan. "Hobo King Defies Reds to Preach Social Justice" --letter to editor. 16 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, quite brittle, starting to tear at the folds, poor. (7552) $24.00. Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's Weekly Review, October 19, 1936  Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. Lead headline: "Lemke's Cabinet To Be All-American"  William Lemke is a Coughlin man; full-page devoted to the kind of people who would be in his cabinet, when he gets elected President.  Father Coughlin in his radio broadcast replies to a Right Reverend Monsignor who has criticized him.  "Here is the Dubinsky Check" Shown is photostatic copy of check for $5000 to Defense of Spanish Peoples' Front, paid to David Dubinsky from the Furriers Joint Council of New York. Proof that Communists are supporting Franklin D. Roosevelt and Governor Herbert H. Lehman for re-election and that David Dubinsky, a Roosevelt presidential elector from New York, is helping to provide war funds for the Spanish Reds.   "Tugwell sets up Communistic Settlement in New Jersey"  --story about Rex Tugwell, wonder boy of the New Deal, building a Muscovite village  to house 200 Jewish families in Hightstown, NJ.   16 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, brittle, starting to tear at folds, fair. (7553) $24.00. Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's Weekly Review, December 14, 1936 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. Lead headline: "Catholic Laymen's League called 'Fake'", was attempt to smear Fr. Coughlin, reports Brooklyn Tablet. Paper is filled with raging invective against Roosevelt administration and news of rise of Hitler in Germany. Goering tells Peasant Congress that Germany has swept its parliament aside. Turkey conscripts women. Report: Press Pays Tribute to Father Coughlin. Death comes to Zaharoff, Europe's super sudden-death salesman. What will Congress do about Farms? 16 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, 3 x 7 piece hanging loose in middle of pp. 15-16, otherwise paper is very good. Thus, good. (6616) $24.00. Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's Weekly Review, December 21, 1936  Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. Lead headline: "King's Love is Pawn in a Bankers' Plot"-- the abdication of King Edward VIII signals a new Norman conquest for the British. He promised to relieve the poor; the flag of Montagu Norman's Bank of England is unfurled in victory.  "Will international bankers be able further to conceal their hand?"  More on bankers' efforts to suppress Edward. Photo of new King George VI. Editorial by Fr. Coughlin: "Bethlehem"-- "the house of bread".   "L'Osservatore Romano Praises Coughlin". 16 pp.            28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, quite brittle, starting to tear at the folds, poor. (7555) $24.00. Newspapers/Religious         

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's National Weekly, September 19, 1938 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. "Banking is a Racket" "Protocol No. 16"-- We are insidiously informed that Communism and democracy are fighting hand in hand, that Communism and democracy are practically identical. "An Open Letter to John L. Lewis" by Amos R.E. Pinchot.  Photo shows Czech "patriots", aligned with Russia. 20 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, edges chipped and frayed, poor. (6799) $29.00. World War II/Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice National Weekly Founded 1936 by Father Coughlin, January 30, 1939 Royal Oak, MI: Social Justice Publishing Co. Father Coughlin poured out a river of harsh propaganda and invective each week in this weekly publication.  This issue features front page photo of Michael J. Curley, D.D., Archbishop of Baltimore, who has responded to an invitation by Spanish Ambassador to the United States to visit Civil War-torn Spain.  Several articles criticize apparent American support for Communists in war against Nazi and Italian-backed Fascists of Francisco Franco. "Lift the Embargo" Movement is the Work of Communists by John V. Hinkel. "We Can Keep America Out of War" by Kenneth Scott.  Photo shows Ambassadors Bullitt and Kennedy as they told Congress of the danger of European war.  Statement by Senator Reynolds of North Carolina about "war scare" in U.S.: "What have Hitler and the German people done to us that we should cuss them out?  ...I'm d..... if I want my country to get into a war for the minorities of any country on earth. Ninety per cent of the American people are against war." 20 pp. 28 x 42 cm. Paper periodical, many chips in edges, worn. Poor. (7896) $26.00 "World War II/Newspapers/Religious/Propaganda/Anti-Semitic

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's National Weekly, May 29, 1939 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. Lead headline: "Democrats' Revolt Ends: Raises Third Term Hope." "Secret Facts Behind the Balfour Declaration"--"By handing  Palestine over to the Arabs and by shedding Jewish blood in the streets of Jerusalem, Great Britain at one blow did more against Jewry than did Germany over a period of several years," Coughlin writes.   Issue contains reprint of editorial from The American Hebrew, May 12, 1939, commenting on Coughlin's "anti-Semitic propaganda."   24 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, good. (6798) $29.00. World War II/Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's National Weekly, November 10, 1941 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co.  This is another issue of Father Coughlin's anti-Semitic, anti-Communist, soft-on-Hitler, anti-Roosevelt, anti-British invective. Banner headlines on cover sheet: "Peace By Spring is Forecast Now" -- Although the media doesn't mention it, insiders in Washington recognize that the war in Europe will end by May 1942. "Peace is definitely in the air...German arms have overrun Europe and all but liquidated Russia's armies, industry and main source of raw materials...." Story adds  nine more reasons, and then  "certain Washingtonians are expecting a negotiated peace between Churchill and Hitler..." and continues to criticize Roosevelt and the New Deal. Second cover headline: "New Deal War Aim to Take Over Empire, Not to Help Britain"  Coughlin's paper mentions "U.S. asks Britain for bases (in return for destroyers)" and declares "...Great Britain is now aware that the wily politician of the White House has cast the spell of his green eye upon Great Britain's economic wealth."  "Britain will prefer to negotiate  a  peace with the axis powers... than to accept the terms which she considers harsh as enunciated by the Roosevelt Government at Washington."  Paper report's speech by Roosevelt to elite Navy club on Navy Day, in which he told how the Men from Berlin intended to replace the Cross of Christ and the Holy Bible with the swastika and the sword, "Mein Kampf" with blood and iron. This paper is full of foaming hatred of FDR and his programs, and almost hysterical effort to prevent war with Germany. 20 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, brittle, no pictures in this issue, fair. (7647 )$20.00. World War II/Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's National Weekly, November 24, 1941 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co.  This is another issue of Father Coughlin's anti-semitic, anti-Communist, soft-on-Hitler, anti-Roosevelt, anti-British invective. Banner headlines on cover sheet: "American Labor, Stand By Lewis!" Article fumes with indignation over Roosevelt's deceit, once championing labor, but now bringing back the "Princes of Privilege"--- J.P. Morgan, U.S. Steel, General Motors, du Pont Industries, to the throne room in his fight with the C.I.O. "Britain and U.S.A. want Finland for a New Battle Front" Article notes that Boston has been designated as the chief shipping port for consignments of war material to Soviet Russia. Russia will use Murmansk, in the Arctic, kept open in winter by Soviet ice breakers. The British want Finland as a "neutral" transfer agent of British and American war materials enroute to Russia. Coughlin's paper notes that America's new national drink is vodka, and relates Harry Hopkins' experience with the powerful Russian drink in Moscow. Paper asks if Stalin got the Lend-Lease loan from America before or after Harry drank the vodka.   Back page story decries Congress' defeat of the Neutrality Act..."we have a President...who can't keep his word,.. and a Congress that can't help him keep his word.  It is worse, however, to see the real American way of life torpedoed, submarined, mined, blasted and deformed by a group of Marxian Socialists who want to make this country the new haven where refugees are safe and real Americans are foreigners." 20 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Newspaper, brittle, front page detached, poor. (7648) $20.00. World War II/Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's National Weekly, December 15, 1941  Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. 20 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Eight days after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Father Coughlin launches another issue of  anti-semitic, anti-Communist, soft-on-Hitler, anti-Roosevelt, anti-British invective. Banner headlines on cover sheet: "It's All-Out War; May Last 8 Years"  Coughlin bemoans the coming totalitarianism to America, and our loss of liberties.  "Yesterday...was the time to spread the truth of Christ. Today, the world is engaged in spreading the errors of the Antichrist." Editorial grumbles about U.S. Treasury spending three dollars for every dollar it receives. It concludes with "More important to Americans than the defeat of Hitler is the defeat of those ideas in our midst which are grooved in the pattern of Karl Marx."  Article notes that thousands of American children don't have enough to eat, and complains that we are sending billions of dollars worth of food and war materials to Great Britain and the Communist USSR. Letters to the Editor are filled with anti-British hatred, and place Catholic Christians as opposed to war makers, warn that we are helping to preserve Marxian Communism. The Pro-American patriotism we remember from World War II is nowhere to be seen in this paper. Newspaper, brittle, front and back sheets loose, poor. (7651) $22.00. World War II/Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's National Weekly, January 19, 1942 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. 20 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Nearly six weeks after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Father Coughlin launches another issue of  anti-semitic, anti-Communist, soft-on-Hitler, anti-Roosevelt, anti-British invective. Banner headlines on cover sheet: "God Versus Hitler -- Roosevelt's Issue"-- Coughlin reports that President in his Jan. 6th speech referred to God vs. the forces of evil-- the Nazis, Mussolini's Italians, and the Japanese.  "He could have mentioned the name of Stalin" he ruefully says.  Another story reports that the muddling inefficiency in Washington is worse than the inefficiency, rank carelessness and possible criminal negligence associated with Pearl Harbor.  One editorial comments upon the appointment by the British of an "admiralissimo"  to command British, American, Dutch and other forces, and suggests more British perfidy. Another editorial warns against giving war aid to the Soviets.  Says author Jan Valtin , "It is necessary to help Stalin, but that doesn't mean we have to trust him."  If the Communists emerge victorious in their struggle with the Nazis, if their plans for Sovietizing Europe materialize, they can thank the Allies for services rendered.  Another full-page article notes that no where in Nazi Germany or Imperialistic Japan or Fascist Italy can be found the startling slavery of sharecroppers in the U.S. South. Newspaper, brittle, fair. (7652) $21.00. World War II/Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's National Weekly, February 9, 1942 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. 20 pp. 28 x 40 cm. Two months after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Father Coughlin launches another issue of  anti-semitic, anti-Communist, anti-Roosevelt, anti-British invective. Banner headlines on cover sheet: "United States Invades Ireland" --- report that U.S. troops are stationed in Northern Ireland, which Eire considers part of the rebellious colonies of Ulster. "Jap War Machine Supplied by Allies" reports how private corporations sold materials now being used against us. "The bombs dropping on American boys came from American junk yards."  Another editorial, "What Will Roosevelt Tell the People?"  notes that Roosevelt is aware of the apathetic spirit dominating the minds of Americans  who are engaged in a war for which they were not prepared and which they did not want. Another article notes how the U.S., in our rush to supply the British and the Soviets, cut General MacArthur short of supplies.  “If MacArthur had the equipment we shipped elsewhere he would still be in control of all the Philippines, and the Jap navy would today be at the bottom of the ocean."  Another article notes that British policies stripped Australia of the strength to ward off invasion.  Singapore fell because Australian and New Zealander troops were in Libya, etc.  Newspaper, brittle, fair. (7653) $20.00. World War II/Newspapers/Religious

Social Justice, Father Coughlin's National Weekly, March 16, 1942 Royal Oak, MI: The Social Justice Publishing Co. 20 pp. 28 x 40 cm.  This is another issue of Father Coughlin's anti-semitic, anti-Communist, soft-on-Hitler, anti-Roosevelt, anti-British invective. Banner headlines on cover sheet: "Who Started 'Sacred' War?" Social Justice reveals a "sacred war" was declared on Germany in a public broadcast over Station WABC, outlet of the Columbia Broadcasting System, in 1933 by Samuel Untermeyer, an American Jew.  Coughlin devotes two pages to this polemic against Jews, including printing the text of the 1933 speech.  Second front-page banner: "Father Coughlin, Un-Americanism, and War Makers"  relates how the publisher of this screaming newspaper was attacked on the floor of the House of Representatives, calling him "Un-American".  "If it is un-American to protest against causes which contributed to a world war; un-American to expose the sale of munitions and technical instruments to enemies who were preparing to oppose us; to unveil the practices of Moscow-lovers; to inveigh against the international bankers and their exploitation of the masses... then Father Coughlin would likely plead guilty."  Story continues, bringing up how the Jews have been trying since 1933 to get America into the war. Letters to the Editor are smoking with rage about FDR "blundering" into this "disaster" (World War II). Suggest we are going toward Red revolution. Another warns against re-uniting with Great Britain.  Newspaper, brittle, no pictures in this issue, fair. (7649) $20.00. World War II/Newspapers/Religious/Propaganda/Anti-Semitic

 North Atlantic Patrol, The Log of a Seagoing Artist by Griffith Baily Coale, Lieutenant Commander, USNR  1943. New York, NY: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc. Designated as one of four combat artists commissioned by the U.S. Navy in 1941, LCDR Coale made the fateful North Atlantic Patrol that ended in the sinking of USS Reuben James on Oct. 31, 1941.  Coale's book describes, in words and his black and white drawings, life on patrol, in ports, and especially the rescue of 44 members of the Reuben James.  Woody Guthrie wrote a song about the Reuben James sinking that became a patriotic rallying cry during World War II. 51 pp. 19 x 27 cm. Cloth on board, very good. Dustjacket badly worn, torn, chipped--poor. (5801) $24.00. Navy/World War II

Our Battle, being one man's answer to "My Battle" (Mein Kampf) by Adolph Hitler by Hendrik Willem Van Loon, 1938. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. Struck by the apathy with which Americans greeted Hitler's rolling conquest of Europe, a great historian issues this call to Americans to awaken, rearm and resist.  He cites apathy of New Yorkers after their Mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia, was jeered, and Hitler cheered. October 12, 1838 was... a day of disgrace. 139 pp. 13 x 21 cm. Yellow paper on board, paper on spine nearly detached, penciled name, etc. on ffep, good. (0125) $20.00. World War II/History

Voice of Britain, The: Churchmen, Statesmen, Publicists, Doctors, Scientists and Sportsmen on Hitlerism by Austen Chamberlain, Sir; Churchill, Winston; Lloyd George, David; Barrie, James; Archbishop of Caterbury, et al. ca. 1934 London, England: McCorquodale & Co. Ltd. Collection of statements by prominent British citizens against the rise of Hitlerism, particularly the racial attacks on Jews in Germany. Includes statements by Archbishops of York and Canterbury, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Liverpool, leaders of the United Methodist Church, Rt. Hon. Sir Austen Chamberlain, Rt. Hon Winston Churchill, Rt. Hon. David Lloyd George, the Late Viscount Grey of Fallodon, Rt. Hon. Walter Elliot, Rt. Hon. W.G.A. Ormsby-Gore, The Countess of Oxford and Asquith, editorials by J.L. Garvin, Editor of The Observer, Hilaire Belloc, G.K. Chesterton, Sir William Arbuthnot Lane and Tennis Champions Austin and Perry. 16 pp. 13.8 x 21.4 cm. Pamphlet, very good. (7813) $45.00. World War II/Anti-Fascist            

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