Newspapers & Newsreels
I had such a great responsibility in those days, back at the paper. As World War II raged on overseas, it was my articles that linked the horror in Europe to the people waiting in fear back in Canada. It was my job to keep them informed and to keep them ready, and it was my job to give the boys fighting overseas a voice as well. Sometimes, I was also given the job of interviewing people back at home, writing articles about how the war had influenced the homefront. The years of WWII were my most hardworking yet, and I still remember the mixed feelings of joy and sadness as I gave the nation the news I heard first.
The papers were often sources of sorrow and devastation during those long, hard years. Sometimes, it seemed as though a Europe conquered by Hitler truly was looming in the future. Stories leaped off the pages, screaming words like “war” and “invasion”... stories that I had wrote. The government urged us to stay supportive of the war in our material, and we tried our best to be compliant to avoid any trouble. It was often difficult to stay neutral when stories of German advancement were what came to our ears. The stories from our battle reporters were by far the most intense, though. These men had been sent overseas straight to the action, and it was their responsibility to give Canadians a closer look at the war. They were placed in danger, but they were placed in a hotspot of information. My best friend George was one of them. When I talk to him about it nowadays, he says he still remembers the terror and disgust he felt, looking around at the aftermath of the wars.
Another source of information back then was the newsreels. There was one of those newsreel theatres right by my house. The first time I saw one, it was almost shocking to me, seeing scenes from overseas with my own eyes. A shot from one of these newsreels that stays in my head to this very day is a shot of Canadian soldiers getting ready to go to Hong Kong. It was great seeing these young men, so strong and so confident, ready to risk their lives for their country. It was just as sad to learn from another newsreel about their defeat by the Japanese.
Did you read the paper back then? Did you see the newsreels? How did you feel about them?
Let me know in the comments!
The papers were often sources of sorrow and devastation during those long, hard years. Sometimes, it seemed as though a Europe conquered by Hitler truly was looming in the future. Stories leaped off the pages, screaming words like “war” and “invasion”... stories that I had wrote. The government urged us to stay supportive of the war in our material, and we tried our best to be compliant to avoid any trouble. It was often difficult to stay neutral when stories of German advancement were what came to our ears. The stories from our battle reporters were by far the most intense, though. These men had been sent overseas straight to the action, and it was their responsibility to give Canadians a closer look at the war. They were placed in danger, but they were placed in a hotspot of information. My best friend George was one of them. When I talk to him about it nowadays, he says he still remembers the terror and disgust he felt, looking around at the aftermath of the wars.
Another source of information back then was the newsreels. There was one of those newsreel theatres right by my house. The first time I saw one, it was almost shocking to me, seeing scenes from overseas with my own eyes. A shot from one of these newsreels that stays in my head to this very day is a shot of Canadian soldiers getting ready to go to Hong Kong. It was great seeing these young men, so strong and so confident, ready to risk their lives for their country. It was just as sad to learn from another newsreel about their defeat by the Japanese.
Did you read the paper back then? Did you see the newsreels? How did you feel about them?
Let me know in the comments!
posted by Greg Clark | 07:31
5 Comments:
Christina the factory worker:
Of course i did! It's things like the newspaper that gives me a sense of security, knowing what was going on. Is Canada winning? How were the conditions my husband and son were living in? It gave me a closer look at war. I thought the conditions at the factory was brutal, but seeing what was going on overseas at the real battles made me feel very fortunate be just working at a factory, because i'm at least, safe. The news reports also opened my eyes to what was really going on.
Oh yes, I agree. I was felt very safe at the homeland, but I never knew what war was like! The newspapers (especially the newsreels) gave me a sense of gratitude for those out in the war and to thank them for what they are doing.
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absolutely! the newspapers let me feel like what was happening was real. it kept me and my family in reality and showed us how hard we really need to work to harvest the food for our soldiers overseas. I'm so grateful to all the news reporters because without them, the home front wouldn't truly know the horror or war and show the next generations how to keep it from happening. Kids, war is not all fun and exciting...its a murderous thing done by greedy people.
Oh the newspapers and Newsreels! I was about 7-8 when I first read my newspaper, all by myself! Mama was rarely home, so I was always alone wondering what to do. Newspapers definitely helped me pass time. Sometimes I would read it to my neighbors, since they were all too lazy! I agree with you Eswyn! Being on the homeland, it made me feel safe, so I never really felt the danger and horror on the other side! Reading the newspapers made me realized that during that time, I was considered lucky! It made me feel happy that I was safe, yet at the same time, made me wonder how my papa, Brother Johnny, and Uncle Benny were doing…
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