German Propaganda ArchiveCalvin Universityline

Background: This page is part of a larger, and likely unfinishable, project to trace the history of World War II as reflected in the headlines of the Völkischer Beobachter, the Nazi Party’s daily newspaper.

October 1942 was the calm before the storm. Submarine were sinking a lot of Allied ships. The campign in the Soviet Union seemed to be going well, although there were hints of difficulties.. Two issues suggest that the worst was behind Germany. To a German who believed the VB, the future was promising.


Völkischer Beobachter: October 1942


VB Cover

1 October 1942

 

 

The Führer Opens the Fourth WHW with a Gripping Speech

No One Will Tear Victory from Us!

Adolf Hitler: “We Stand behind Our Soldiers as our Soldiers Stand before Us”

 

 

VB Cover

2 October 1942

 

 

A Hard Blow for Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin

Over a Million BRT Sunk in September!

1 Cruiser, 11 Destroyers, and 2 Auxiliary Cruisers Destroyed

VB Cover

3 October 1942

 

 

Strong Impact of the Führer Speech throughout the World

Time is Working Surely for Germany

Big Impact on Opinion in London

VB Cover

4 October 1942

 

Rommel before the German and Foreign Press

“We Stand at the Gates of Egypt — Ready as Always to Act”

Troop Quality and Leadership Create Victory

VB Cover

5 October 1942

 

Hermann Göring: “Further Improvements by Breaking the Blockade

Also in the Food Supply — the Worst Is behind Us

The Reich Marshall Honors Farmers — Two Farmers Awarded the Knight’s Cross

VB Cover

6 October 1942

 

Göring’s Speech Smashes England’s Last Illusions

Territory and Time — Guarantees of German Victory

“Times” Admits: The German People is a United Front

VB Cover

7 October 1942

 

Enzo Grossi’s Brilliant New Feat of Arms

Battleship of the “Mississippi” Class Sunk off the West-African Coast

Hit by Four Torpedoes from an Italian U-Boat

 


A later investigation found that Enzo Grossi had unsuccessfully attacked an American cruiser.
VB Cover

8 October 1942

 

Soviets Must Fight on Alone

Churchill and Roosevelt Deaf to Stalin’s Pleas

Times: “Something in Our War Organization Is Not in Order

 

VB Cover

9 October 1942

Open Letter to Roosevelt

“The USA Is at Risk of Losing the War”

“Fortune” Calls for a War Court for Incompetent Government Officials

VB Cover

10 October 1942

 

Counterattack Strengthens the Front

Major Soviet Defeat at Illmensee

Over 3000 Prisoners and 10,000 Dead Bolshevists

 

VB Cover

11 October 1942

 

Over 10,000 Kilometers from Their Bases

German U-Boats Attack near Cape Town

Major New Successes by Our Navy

22 Ships totaling 141,000 BRT Sunk

VB Cover

12 October 1942

 

Dr. Goebbels Spoke to German Writers

Intellectual Achievements — Roots of Our Strength

A Major Affirmation in a Great Age

VB Cover

13 October 1942

 

Cowardly Crimes at Sercq

New Proof of British Mistreatment of Prisoners

Sweden: “A Stain on England’s Military Honor”

14 October 1942

 

Frantic Searching for Spiritual Weapons

Warming Up Wilson’s Betrayal

Official USA Radio Announcer Speaks out of School

VB Cover

15 October 1942

 

143,000 BRT between Newfoundland and Cape Town!

Large Troop Transports Sunk

In Tough Pursuit another 18 Ships Sunk

Irreplaceable Losses of Enemy Shipping

VB Cover

16 October 1942

Illusionary Plans of Bankrupt Warriors

Concentrated Forces — Not Chaotic Dispersal

“Economist”: The Shipping Question Is of Critical Importance

VB Cover

17 October 1942

 

British Mistreatment of Prisoners Proven with Documents

The OKW Refutes Lying English Statements

 

 


The map is of Stalingrad, which the Germans were expecting to capture shortly.

VB Cover

18 October 1942

 

Reuter: A Critical Point in the Battle for Stalingrad

Charging into the “Red Barricades”

The Powerful German Attack Continues

 

 


The article to the top right is titled “The Worst Is behind Us.”

VB Cover

19 October 1942

 

 

Reich Minister Dr. Goebbels Spoke in the Movement’s Capital

“Those Who Had Nothing Became Owners”

The Greatest Opportunity in Our National History

VB Cover

20 October 1942

 

Since the Beginning of the War

Over 8,000 Enemy Planes Shot Down by Flak

The German Flak Soldier is a Master of his Weapon

VB Cover

21 October 1942

 

The Last Defense in Stalingrad

Stukas Destroy the Steel Plant “Red October”

Hard Fighting in Clean-up Operations in the Ruins of the Industrial District

VB Cover

22 October 1942

 

New British War Crimes

English Bombers Attack German Military Medical Facilities

Crimes Resulting from Defeats

VB Cover

23 October 1942

 

 

A Document of British Brutality

No Longer Soldiers, But Rather Criminals 

American Magazine Describes with Cynical Openness the Behavior of English “Commandos”

VB Cover

24 October 1942

 

Triumph of American Hypocrisy

USA Gangsters Pretend to Affirm the Laws of War

They Fear Punishment for Their War Crimes

VB Cover

25 October 1942

 

Roosevelt is the Chief Witness against Churchill

“The Geneva Convention — Only a Theory”

U.S. President an Incompetent Attorney in Front of the Press          

VB Cover

26 October 1942

 

104,000 BRT and a Destroyer Sunk

U-Boats Hunt from Cape Town to the Arctic Sea

First Sinking at the Mouth of the Congo

VB Cover

27 October 1942

 

The Battle in Egypt

British Counterattack Suffers Heavy Losses

104 Enemy Tanks Already Destroyed in Tough Defense

VB Cover

28 October 1942

 

 

Twentieth Anniversary of the March on Rome

Beginning of a New Historic Epoch

Mussolini’s Road to Power

VB Cover

29 October 1942

 

 

Festive Beginning of Year XXI of the Fascist Regime

“A Turning Point in World History”

The Führer’s Message to the King and Duce

VB Cover

30 October 1942

 

 

British Press Worried about the Pacific

Washington Reckons with the Worst

USA Claims of Success Prove to Be Bluffs

VB Cover

31 October 1942

 

 

The Duce to the Führer

“Victory Will Reward Us for Our Sacrifice”

A Response to British Arrogance


[Page copyright © 2022 by Randall Bytwerk. No unauthorized reproduction. My email address is available on the FAQ page.]


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