Between the Covers

Unbound. A collection of four mimeographed newsletters published by the Seventh Air Force while stationed in the Marianas Islands during World War II. Each printed on a single sheet with articles on both sides and include a notice that "this paper can be mailed home." All pages are about fine with modest age-toning and creasing from mailing. Consists of Volume I, Issues 9, 11, 13, and 14, which include a hand-colored Seven Star logo, all printed in January 1945. The present issues discuss the anticipation of the end of war with headlines such as "Yanks Hammer out Bulge," "Reds Drive Wedge to Baltic," and "Nazi Defense Put to Test," and each includes a war-related cartoon. The island air bases at that time were being bombed by the Japanese and had been since November of 1944. According to the historian James Cate, this was a desperate attempt "to disrupt the bombing of Japan by B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers operating from the islands," and while not completely successful they were able to destroy 11 B-29s. The articles focus on informing the men of the Seventh of the wartime activity in Europe and on the homefront, where, in one startling exposé, it is discovered that servicemen in Hollywood were being overcharged for beer! An interesting look at the end of World War II through military do-it-yourself newsletters. *OCLC* appears not to locate any issues or runs of the title.

Item #397759