Benson, Timothy S. The Second World War in Cartoons

Humour is an important factor in the morale of a nation at war. From John Bull in Britain mocking little Napoleon dividing up the world, to caricatures of a bombastic emperor in the First World War, to an often seemingly insane Hitler, cartoons have not only portrayed the enemy in a satirical light, but also brought a smile to people's faces in the darkest of times. Self-deprecating humour is also an aspect of wartime cartoons they poke fun at incumbent politicians and incompetent generals while questioning the decisions of those in power in a way that is intended to embarrass them. In fact, cartoons often convey a serious message that illustrates the issue much more impressively than the written word. Cartoons can also address topics that are too sensitive to be covered in editorials or columns. This is the case with this captivating, albeit light-hearted, depiction of the Second World War, which portrays the momentous events of the conflict in a way that everyone at the time could understand and appreciate with a smile on their lips. The Second World War in Cartoons begins in the period after the First World War. It then covers the events that led to Germany's resurgence and slow march to war. This is followed by the inevitable references to the Phoney War and Hitler's Sink-on-Sight Navy after the Graf Spee was scuttled by its captain. In Britain's darkest hour, a more serious tone is struck, with cartoons reflecting both Churchill's stubborn determination to resist and encouraging fighter pilots to stop Göring's Luftwaffe. Gradually, the mood changes as Britain's strategic position improves. When the war ended with victory in Europe, a cartoon of Germany shows a sign saying Under new management. Churchill's defeat in the 1945 general election prompted one cartoonist to declare that Britain had dropped its pilots, and among the final images is one of Churchill, always a favourite subject of cartoonists, declaring that an Iron Curtain had descended across the continent as the Cold War began. This is the most comprehensive book ever published on political cartoons, and each of these cartoons is accompanied by a detailed explanation of the historical background and its relevance to the events of the time.