World War II: A 50th Anniversary History

328 Pages·1989·55 MB·English

by  coll.

by the writers and photographers
of
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Foreword by
Harrison Salisbury
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WORLD
WAR
II
I
A
50th Anniversary History
by the writers and photographers of
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
•••
s
lost historians zero in on 1939 as the
actual beginning of World War II, the most
destructive conflict in modern human
history. It was then, fifty years ago, that
Hitler's forces invaded and blitzed
through Poland, precipitating a declara-
tion of war by Britain and France on
Germany.
Inexorably, virtually the entire world
became enmeshed; few escaped its
consequences.
America was aware in 1939 that it would
be drawn into the conflict. President
Roosevelt expressed the feeling; "Let no
one imagine that America will escape,
that it may expect mercy, that this Western
Hemisphere will not be attacked."
But at first, the United States sat on the
sidelines, a concerned spectator tem-
porarily satisfied in building an "arsenal of
democracy" for its allies. With the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor near the
end of 1941 came the inevitable American
commitment to the war. More than 16
million men and women served in the
armed forces. When it was over, over
(Continued on backflap)
I
BOSTON
PUBLIC
LIBRARY

WORLD
WAR
II
291
WORLD
WAR
II
A
50th Anniversary History
by the writers and photographers of
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Foreword by
Harrison Salisbury
A DONALD HUTTER BOOK
Henry Holt and Company
New
York
BRIGHTON
'
\
DEDICATION
Fifty years later, as we recall the worst war the world has endured, we remember, too,
those who armed themselves with pen, typewriter and camera to record the events and
report the truth as they saw it, despite the dangers.
Nearly 200 Associated Press men and women covered the war. They earned six
—
Pulitzer Prizes in the front lines and the foxholes, at sea and in the air, from the
North Atlantic to the South Pacific. Five were killed, many more injured. Some 600
others from The AP served in the armed forces.
This book is dedicated to all those, who, by their talent, dedication, and sacrifice,
thus enhanced the profession of journalism.
Louis D. Boccardi
President and General Manager
The Associated Press
Library ofCongress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Copyright © 1989 by The Associated Press World War II: a fiftieth anniversary history/by the writers and
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce photographers of the Associated Press; foreword by Harrison
—
this book or portions thereof in any form. Salisbury. 1st ed.
Published by Henry Holt and Company Inc., p. cm.
115 West 18th Street, New York, New York 10011. "A Donald Hutter book."
Published in Canada by Fitzhenry & Whiteside ISBN 0-8050-1095-5
Limited, 195 Allstate Parkway, Markham, Ontario 1. World War, 1939-1945. I. Associated Press.
L3R4T8. D743.W65 1989
940.53—dc20 89-15469
CIP
Henry Holt books are available at special discounts project director: Dan Perkes
forbulk purchases for sales promotions, premiums, editor: Nate Polowetzky
fund-raising, or educational use. Special editions or associate editor: Norm Goldstein
book excerpts can also be created to specification. writers: John Barbour, Rick Hampson, Charles J. Hartley, Sid
Moody
For details contact:
photo editor: Sandy Colton
Special Sales Director
photo researcher: Elma Masut
Henry Holt and Company Inc.
Unless otherwise credited, all photos are Associated Press
N11e5wWeYsotrk1,8tNheSwtrYeoetrk 10011 pPohoolt,oso.fSwohimcehcArePdiwtaedstaomoethmebrerso.urces are from the Wartime
First Edition Designed by Combined Books Inc.
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Produced by Wieser & Wieser, Inc.
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CONTENTS
Foreword 7
Road War
CHAPTER to 9
1
CHAPTER 2 Invasion: 1939 31
CHAPTER 3 Pearl Harbor 53
Low
CHAPTER 4 Tide 67
Home
CHAPTER 5 Front: Arsenal 85
CHAPTER 6 Stopping the Thrust 109
Home
Crimped
CHAPTER 7 Front:
Lifestyle 133
On
CHAPTER 8 the Offensive 155
CHAPTER 9 Road to Victory 167
D
Day
217
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11 Final Assault 271
The Bomb
CHAPTER 12 301
317
Epilogue
Index 319