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September 28, 2006
An interesting story
I have to say, I was quite interested to hear about the death of Iva Toguri, who was convicted of broadcasting propaganda for Japan during World War 2. After serving a prison sentence, then being pardoned, she worked at a shop with her father right at Clark & Belmont, which I walk by on occasion. If I'd known who owned and worked at that place, I would have stopped in! Here's the Tribune story, the BBC story, and the Wikipedia entry. Also, here's a story about her death that's used to take a snipe at the NY Times. [I've read the book mentioned in that story, and I don't recall anything like what this guy reports. But why would he make it up? I'll have to look again!] Finally, here's one more story from a conservative site that takes a more positive view.
Everything I've read about propaganda broadcasts during WW2 suggests they never demoralized American soldiers, and in fact many American soldiers listened to them simply because they played excellent music.
See, e.g., Ernie Pyle, Brave Men 258 (2001). That's right, I put a citation in my blog. Boo yeah!
Posted by oz115 at September 28, 2006 09:19 PM