As early as the Civil War, the American military recognized the value of having a newspaper prepared for the soldiers in camp and at the front. When America was brought into World War II, the decision was quickly made to begin republishing The Stars and Stripes, the soldier's newspaper.
Soldiers' Newspapers in Earlier Wars
The Stars and Stripes actually began in the Civil War, but only four issues. It was resumed during World War I. American troops arrived in France in 1917, and in February, 1918, The Stars and Stripes began to be published weekly. A total of 71 issues were printed before the paper shut down in 1919.
Organized like a traditional US newspaper, The Stars and Stripes told of news at the home front. Sports results were always popular, as was the actions of the Federal government. It also told of what was going on in the war itself, covering not only what American troops were doing but also Allied nations and even the enemy.
GI's Re-start The Stars and Stripes in World War II
After the nation entered the war following the Pearl Harbor attack, American personnel began arriving in England in early 1942. Army camps and naval bases in the US were swelling with new recruits beginning their training. Military personnel in the US had easy access to American newspapers, but not the troops overseas. So the Stars and Stripes was re-born. As the newspaper’s web site says: “…on April 18, 1942, Stars and Stripes enjoyed its second renaissance. During World War II, a small group of servicemen founded a four-page weekly paper in a London print shop. Working in very tight quarters, the enterprising group quickly established an audience.” The initial price was tuppence (about five cents).
Eventually the newspaper became a publication of the military establishment, but most of the work was done by the GIs. Editing, writing, layout, and typesetting was all done by soldiers pulled from the ranks and reassigned to the newspaper office.
Due to the wide dispersal of the U.S. armed forces and the desire of the military to have the paper to the men on the front while the news was still new, multiple editions were published. After London, a North African edition began publishing in Algiers. The paper followed the 5th Army up the boot of Italy, with editions based in major cities. D-Day and the advance across France brought other editions. All told, thirty-two separate editions of the paper were published, each with its own staff.
Speed was a factor. At one point, the military was concerned that the paper was not getting to the front fast enough. So a “mobile unit” was begun with the invasion of Italy. Coming ashore just days after the troops, the Stars and Stripes began publishing a much smaller unit within the sound of the guns. While it didn’t have as much news as one of the main additions, soldiers were pleased to have it so fast.
Support of the American HIgh Command
The military commanders gave full support to The Stars and Stripes, and the autonomy needed to make it truly a G.I. newspaper. The generals were always available to grant an interview, from Eisenhower in Europe to those below him to Marshall back in Washington.
A “hands-off” attitude prevailed. The purpose of the paper was morale, not propaganda. It kept the G.I. a little closer to home. He knew who was ahead in the pennant race, who was leading for the batting titles. In the fall he read college football results. He learned what the folks at home were doing to win the war. Good places to visit during leaves were described, as well as cautions about behavior.
News of the war itself always dominated. Subject to normal rules of military censorship, the soldier learned what was happening in the battle against the enemy. Maps and pictures were used just like in a newspaper from home. Even advertisements and cartoons helped the soldier to look ahead when the war would be over and they would return home.
The Stars and Stripes continued publication after the war, continuously to this day. The impact on the morale of American military during the war was well documented. To re-create the paper and allow it to be by and for the GI was one of the great decisions of the American command during World War II.
