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
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”
A Hard Blow for Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin
Over a Million BRT Sunk in September!
1 Cruiser, 11 Destroyers, and 2 Auxiliary Cruisers Destroyed
Strong Impact of the Führer Speech throughout the World
Time is Working Surely for Germany
Big Impact on Opinion in London
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
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
Göring’s Speech Smashes England’s Last Illusions
Territory and Time — Guarantees of German Victory
“Times” Admits: The German People is a United Front
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.
Soviets Must Fight on Alone
Churchill and Roosevelt Deaf to Stalin’s Pleas
Times: “Something in Our War Organization Is Not in Order
Open Letter to Roosevelt
“The USA Is at Risk of Losing the War”
“Fortune” Calls for a War Court for Incompetent Government Officials
Counterattack Strengthens the Front
Major Soviet Defeat at Illmensee
Over 3000 Prisoners and 10,000 Dead Bolshevists
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
Dr. Goebbels Spoke to German Writers
Intellectual Achievements — Roots of Our Strength
A Major Affirmation in a Great Age
Cowardly Crimes at Sercq
New Proof of British Mistreatment of Prisoners
Sweden: “A Stain on England’s Military Honor”
Frantic Searching for Spiritual Weapons
Warming Up Wilson’s Betrayal
Official USA Radio Announcer Speaks out of School
143,000 BRT between Newfoundland and Cape Town!
Large Troop Transports Sunk
In Tough Pursuit another 18 Ships Sunk
Irreplaceable Losses of Enemy Shipping
Illusionary Plans of Bankrupt Warriors
Concentrated Forces — Not Chaotic Dispersal
“Economist”: The Shipping Question Is of Critical Importance
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.
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.”
Reich Minister Dr. Goebbels Spoke in the Movement’s Capital
“Those Who Had Nothing Became Owners”
The Greatest Opportunity in Our National History
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
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
New British War Crimes
English Bombers Attack German Military Medical Facilities
Crimes Resulting from Defeats
A Document of British Brutality
No Longer Soldiers, But Rather Criminals
American Magazine Describes with Cynical Openness the Behavior of English “Commandos”
Triumph of American Hypocrisy
USA Gangsters Pretend to Affirm the Laws of War
They Fear Punishment for Their War Crimes
Roosevelt is the Chief Witness against Churchill
“The Geneva Convention — Only a Theory”
U.S. President an Incompetent Attorney in Front of the Press
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
The Battle in Egypt
British Counterattack Suffers Heavy Losses
104 Enemy Tanks Already Destroyed in Tough Defense
Twentieth Anniversary of the March on Rome
Beginning of a New Historic Epoch
Mussolini’s Road to Power
Festive Beginning of Year XXI of the Fascist Regime
“A Turning Point in World History”
The Führer’s Message to the King and Duce
British Press Worried about the Pacific
Washington Reckons with the Worst
USA Claims of Success Prove to Be Bluffs
