From falling bombs to over-zealous censors, World War Two had a dramatic impact on how British newspapers were produced and consumed
Today, if you want news on the go, just tap the app on your smartphone and the world is at your fingertips. But, in the war years, a newspaper vendor shouting out the headlines while standing on the street corner was your information provider.
For just one penny, hot off the press, broadsheet and tabloid newspapers gave you the latest stories in thousands of small typeset words, all written and printed to tight deadlines. In fact, wartime newspapers were almost like the internet of their day: not only did they contain hard news, but sport, entertainment, health tips, letters, food advice, obituaries, event dates, adverts, political comment – even details of blackout hours.
Newspapers marked the first and last days of the war and everything in between. When the conflict started, most editions ran to around 20 pages – five years later, paper rationing had reduced them to just four. There were at least 20 titles to choose from – aside from familiar legacy titles, such as the Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and The Times, several now-defunct publications also sold well, including the Daily Herald, Evening Despatch, Evening News, News Chronicle and Reynold’s News.
