Our editor writes:
Old newspapers provide historians with valuable source material. Skills are required in the interpretation of these texts since editors and journalists are always motivated in distinct ways. Many of our libraries and record offices have excellent newspaper collections, often presented on microfiche. There are also large collections such as that held by the British Library.

Families often keep old papers for various reasons. Among the World War II momentous in my own family a copy of the Iraq Times for Thursday October 21st 1943* has survived. This paper was for British troops, mainly RAF stationed in Iraq. The back page had an Arabic section. The paper had to be informative but also morale boosting.

Use this link for information on Iraq in World War II.

The news reports are dominated by hopeful war reports on the progress of the Red Army toward Hitler's "Dnieper Wall"; the withdrawing of German troops to the hills north of the Volturno Plain in Italy; the bombing of Japanese railways in Burma, and RAF raids on Crete. Mr Anthony Eden British Foreign Secretary is shown greeting the troops in Iraq on his way to Moscow.

Troop entertainments are advertised including "They Knew What They Wanted" with Carole Lombard and Charles Laughton at the Al-Rashid Open-Air Cinema, Abbot and Costello in "One Night in the Tropics" at the Zawra Open-Air Cinema while Indian troops were treated to "Diamond Queen"at the Zawra Cinema with "Fearless Nadia" and Saradar Manson, John Cavas, Radha Ranee and a 1000 supporting cast!

Some snippets:

"Details have been revealed of the paper petrol tank, the amazing British invention which promises to revolutionise the Allied air offensive"

"The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Flight Lieutenant William Ellis Newton, now missing, of the Royal Australian Air Force who defied death in 52 operational sorties in New Guinea".

"Mr. Richard Law, Minister of State.......said that the British government intended that adequate provision for the handing over of the principal known war criminals should be included in the armistice terms. One member suggested that a very large number of people were cynical about (this) proposal. They remembered stunts about hanging the Kaiser after the last war".

"Savid Tahsin al-Askari, Minister (Iraqi) of Communications said "the enlargement of this Airport (Basrah)...is essential in view of Basrah's position as an important junction of air communications between East and West".

*If you would like more details from this newspaper please contact us.