I found this at Strategypage , a nice history lesson for our friends in the media.
Today's mass media is far more mean spirited, cynical, partisan and manipulative than was the case back in 1941-45. Actually, anyone unfamiliar with World War II history would believe that the following headlines are actually from American newspapers of the period. But those of you who do know your history, will catch the differences in attitude, and greater use of spin, between then and now.
NAVY, WHITE HOUSE LIED ABOUT BATTLESHIPS
5, Not 2, Sunk at Pearl Harbor
HUNDREDS OF SAILORS STILL TRAPPED UNDERWATER
Victims' Families: Pearl Rescue Efforts "Disgraceful"
FDR DUMPS MACARTHUR FOR CHURCHILL
"Writing Off" Philippines, Sources Say
SECRET PAYMENT TO MACARTHUR
$500,000 from Manila Bigwigs
MIDWAY VICTORY DUE TO BROKEN JAP CODES
The Chicago Tribune did actually print this story. Fortunately, the Japanese didn't see it. Tribune owner Robert McCormick was sternly told never to let this happen again, and it never did.
FDR PLANS NORTH AFRICA INVASION
Critics Charge "Stunt" To Help Dems in '42 Elections
NORMANDY "IDEAL" INVASION SITE
Military Experts Agree This Is Where We'll Land
NEVER HAD A CHANCE
German Tank Superiority Causes GI Morale Crisis
WHISTLEBLOWER REVEALS SUPERBOMB PLANS
Catholic Bishops Condemn Secret "Manhattan Project"
IKE ENRAGED
Monty to Be Fired in SHAEF Meltdown
British papers which did report, inaccurately, tensions between Ike and Monty, were stepped on hard by the British government.
"NO DEFENSE" AGAINST KAMIKAZES
Experts: Suicide Tactics May Be War-Winner – Fleet Demoralized
FDR WITH MISTRESS IN DEATH ROOM
Warm
Springs Scandal – Old Flame Watches President Die
First Lady Outed As Lesbian
HITLER IN PARAGUAY
Soviets Have Proof Dictator Escaped Berlin
IWO JIMA FLAG RAISING "STAGED"
Bond Drive Collapses After Controversy
BURN BABY BURN
B-29 Crews Laugh, Take Photos as Thousands of Children Die
ATOM BOMB DROPPED TO COW SOVIETS
Sources Say Hiroshima Strike Had No Military Purpose
MACARTHUR-NIMITZ SURRENDER SHOWDOWN
Who Hosts Ceremony?
Whose Flag Flies Higher on Battleship's Mast?
The full and interesting story of the Chicago Tribune blowing the codebreakers is here. The actual headline was "NAVY HAD WORD OF JAP PLAN TO STRIKE AT SEA." Monty's near-firing by Ike, and its contemporary media misrepresentation, are discussed at length in General Omar Bradley's book "A General's Life."
