Cartoons: World War II

Although there's nothing funny about war, creative people can find humor almost anywhere. Here are some cartoons from WWII-era issues of the Post to prove the point!

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World War II brought scrap metal drives, regulation haircuts, and many other major life adjustments—both in the military and at home. Nevertheless, Post cartoonists during the war years still managed to find humor in the situation.

“One thing I can’t understand about this sentry business. Can you imagine anybody answering ‘Foe’?”
From December 6, 1941
"Why, it was like everyone else's." from September 13, 1941
“Why, it was like everyone else’s.”
From September 13, 1941
"I'll get onto it in a minute. Everything is so darn steady." From November 14, 1942
“I’ll get onto it in a minute. Everything is so darn steady.”
From November 14, 1942
"I feel like an important island in the Pacific." From November 5, 1943
“I feel like an important island in the Pacific.”
From November 5, 1943
"Regulation cut, please." From November 28, 1942
“Regulation cut, please.”
From November 28, 1942
“I put the scrap iron to be collected right by the furnace, why do you ask?” From October 31, 1942
“I put the scrap iron to be collected right by the furnace. Why do you ask?”
From October 31, 1942
"The draft hasn't touched our team, but it certainly played hob with the band." From October 31, 1942
“The draft hasn’t touched our team, but it certainly played hob with the band.”
From October 31, 1942
"Couple years out of the country and—ZOWIE—address book to blazes!" From February 26, 1944
“Couple years out of the country and—ZOWIE—address book to blazes!”
From February 26, 1944

Click here for more World War II cartoons.

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Comments

  1. I am trying to locate a cartoon from post WWII for my cousin about her father. I remember it showed a line of soldiers waiting to be paid. The soldier being paid was receiving a huge stack of bills while a soldier complained another one explained that the soldier M/Sgt David William Sherman Clawson was being paid backpay as he was a liberated POW. He had been an aide to General MacArthur and captured during the Fall of Corrigador (sp?). Is there some way to locate this cartoon for my cousin who is now in her 80’s?

  2. My heart goes out to all of you who experienced such tragedy and sadness. I hope that you have been able to find some corner of happiness in spite of it all. Thank you for sharing your stories…

  3. I was ten years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed…I had a special uncle that
    died and his son was sixteen at the time and came to live with us…He was so
    lost and he ask my mom if she would sign for him to go into the army..She finally
    gave in signed for him…after basic training he was sent to Pearl Harbor..We were all so upset.. all we had was a battery operated radio and when we got
    the news about Pearl Harbor my dad took the tractor and went to a country
    store to try and call the red cross and check on Truman…late the next day someone from the store came to tell dad that another uncle was calling for
    him…dad was told that Truman was safe and we were so relieved.. When
    Truman was 61 years of age he had a massive heart attack..Think of him
    often but especially on every December 7th.

  4. We had so many family members in Europe and the Pacific we could hardly keep up with them. From 1942 we spent every night in front of the radio trying to learn what was happening. When I learned to read I loved Post war cartoons. Occasionally we got copies of Stars and Stripes. I never knew who sent them to us. I loved Sad Sack and Willie and Joe. As soon as I was old enough I joined the 45th Infantry Division National Guard and shortly went active. The peacetime army was not as funny as the cartoons.

  5. It was fall of 1943 we watched my brother Calvin B Davis get on a buss to leave to serve in the army. In Febuary 1944 two men in uniform came to our house and told my parents that my brother was missing in action. In April 1944 the princpile came to my room and told me my Dat wanted to see me in the office when I got to the office my Dad was crying and he said two men came and told him that my brother Calvin had been killed in action. that was the sadest day of my life until that day.I was only eight years old,now I am 76 and I still miss him so much.

  6. I especially appreciate the World War II stuff. I was too young, but I clearly remember my three older brothers going into the Navy. I am very nostalgic about the era.

  7. Although I was very young when WW2 was fought, I served much later in the Navy. I sympathize very much with the poor sailor getting his “land legs” back. To all those WW2 veterans, my best. I always looked in awe at the men in uniform when I was a kid. Think that might have had something to do with my joining the Navy later.

  8. I like the furnace quip. My dad was a furnace repair man.
    I joined the Navy in ’45. Just got back from a WW2 Honor Flight…terrific trip! All Vets should go on one!

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