World War Research Articles

ON DECOLONIZING THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

ABSTRACTThis review article discusses George Steinmetz's The Colonial Origins of Modern Social Thought, a history of the French social sciences and their colonial entanglements. Surveying a vast array of objects, including institutions, texts, journals, thinkers, and concepts, Steinmetz demonstrates how central the colonial relation was to the production of social knowledge in France. This formation, he argues, has been actively repressed in historical accounts of sociology, and in an effort to decolonize the discipline, Steinmetz brings these connections out of the shadows and uses them to compose an alternative (colonial) history of the field. While acknowledging Steinmetz's major accomplishments, not least among them the consideration of unjustly neglected colonial thinkers, I challenge some of the book's basic narratives around the history and politics of decolonization. In what ways, I ask, is the contemporary call to decolonize the humanities and social sciences related to the social movement of decolonization, which swept through the colonized countries of Asia and Africa after the Second World War? What role did French social scientists play in the historical process of decolonization? Finally, how were these Third World social movements tied to social struggles happening in metropolitan Europe, notably the revolts of 1968? I conclude by suggesting that a more “genealogical” approach to the history of the colonial relation might lead to a more productive set of engagements on these important questions.

Between Incarceration and Care: Disability, Bureaucracy, and Pedagogy in Japanese American Wartime Camps

ABSTRACT This essay offers a portrait of Japanese Americans with disabilities who were incarcerated on U.S. soil during World War II. The unexpected presence of disability in the wartime camps challenged the War Relocation Authority’s self-perception as caretaker, exposing tensions between its narrative of protection and the racial animus underlying Executive Order 9066. Camp systems imposed a pedagogical approach focused on managing non-normative bodies, while also exacerbating debility through bureaucratic violence. These stories illuminate the multiple layers of exclusion that limited individuals’ access to citizenship and state protection.

Wartime internment in camps as a global practice and experience

ABSTRACT This double special issue examines internment camps in the First and Second World Wars as exceptional wartime social institutions which were intended to isolate and segregate groups considered threatening or undesirable but also had the unintended effect of becoming zones of knowledge transfer. The studies of internment in the world wars presented here connect to a broader historiography around cultures of confinement, carceral practices, and camp societies in the modern era. The First World War established the paradigm for understanding modern mass internment on a worldwide scale, with “enemy civilians” becoming an increasingly significant category of internees. The Introduction discusses how the global turn in the study of wartime internment, detention, and imprisonment, enables scholars to understand the way internment experiences were conceptualised in different societies. What kinds of expertise about society were initially produced in and around the camps? How did internment affect the way individuals from these groups related to their host countries? To what extent is the history of incarceration also a history of population movements to multiple locations? Special attention is paid to the way internment turned national or imperial minorities into “globally circulating” populations, with nationalities such as the Germans, traditionally associated with state-forming “majorities”, appearing as minorities within different empires at war with Germany in both world wars. As such the special issue contributes to new approaches to internment studies, which include expanded geographies and the acknowledgment that global entanglements can be grasped through local sites and case studies.

The Meaning of וצבא גדול in Daniel 10,1

ABSTRACT The meaning of the phrase וצבא גדול in Dan 10,1 is disputed, variously translated as “but the time appointed was long,” “extremely hard to understand,” “great conflict” or “great war.” Based on linguistic and contextual evidence, this article provides new additional considerations for the meaning of וצבא גדו ל as “great host” or “great war.” The present paper sheds light on the complex nuances of וצבא גדול and shows its role in revealing the heavenly and earthly warfare described in Dan 10-12.

Colonial Rule and Political Relations between Ondo and its Neighbours, 1915-1951

This paper examines the impact of colonial rule on the political relations between Ondo and its neighbours between 1915 and 1951. This was a period between the First and the Second World Wars. The paper argues that the imposition of British colonial policy of administration greatly affected the precolonial peaceful coexistence and political relations between Ondo and its neighbours such as Ile-Oluji and Odigbo. Before the imposition of British colonial administration on the whole Nigeria in general, and Yorubaland in particular, each Yoruba community enjoyed political independent. It was the introduction of the so-called native administration (indirect rule) by the British that lead to the creation and imposition of Native Authority, one of the instruments of native administration over a considerable number of communities that were hitherto independent that eventually resulted in causing serious strains in the political relations among some communities in Yorubaland in general and Ondo Division in particular. The concentration of the British centralisation of political authority over the whole of Ondo districts through the use of Osemawe of Ondo, as the sole Native Authority brought an end to an interesting experiment of Native Administration in the districts as a result of various agitations.

COLONIAL RULE AND URBANIZATION: A STUDY OF KARACHI’S EVOLUTION FROM SINDH’S PORT TOWN TO PROVINCIAL CAPITAL

This study examines the urban development of Karachi under British imperial governance from 1843 to 1947, tracing the city’s transformation from a modest town into a thriving metropolis. The development of Karachi is explored in three distinct phases. The first phase (1843-1847) focused on establishing military and police authority in the city. The second phase (1847-1936) saw significant architectural and infrastructural growth as part of the Bombay Presidency’s broader colonial strategy. In the final phase (1936-1947), Karachi emerged as an independent imperial metropolis within the newly established Sindh province. Using historical, and qualitative methods, this study explores the political, institutional, and demographic shifts that shaped Karachi’s urban landscape. The paper also highlights Karachi’s strategic importance during World War II, when it became a vital economic hub for the British Raj. This research reveals how Karachi’s development was influenced by both local needs and imperial priorities, shedding light on the lasting legacies of colonial governance on the city’s social and architectural fabric. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on colonial urbanism by underscoring Karachi’s unique trajectory, particularly its role as a military and trade hub.

From the Discovery of Radiation and Radioactivity to the Beginning of World War II—Surveying Original Papers—

From the Discovery of Radiation and Radioactivity to the Beginning of World War II—Surveying Original Papers—

Military Piping in British Malaya: Cultural Transfer and Colonial Defense Traditions, 1840–1971

ABSTRACT This article examines the development of military piping in British Malaya, with a particular focus on Singapore, from 1840 to 1971. Through analysis of military records and contemporary accounts, it traces how piping traditions evolved through three distinct phases: early military presence, pre-Second World War Scottish regimental deployment, and post-war reconstruction. The study reveals that, unlike other British colonial territories where Scottish military influence followed more direct patterns of cultural transfer, Singapore’s military piping traditions developed through a complex synthesis of Scottish, Indian, and Gurkha musical practices. During the early period, military bands were predominantly sourced from Indian regiments, with Scottish regiments making only sporadic appearances. The pre-war period saw an unprecedented concentration of Highland regimental presence, leading to significant cultural expressions, including the first Highland gatherings in Singapore. The post-war period was marked by the influential role of the RAF Seletar Pipe Band, which adapted traditional military piping to serve both ceremonial functions and civilian celebrations. The study reveals how military piping adapted to changing security contexts and survived through colonial and post-colonial transitions, reflecting broader patterns of military cultural transfer in British colonial territories.

Kirsten Sellars, Review of Gary J. Bass, Judgment at Tokyo: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia

Kirsten Sellars, Review of Gary J. Bass, Judgment at Tokyo: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia

The Nexus Between Output Growth and Its Volatility: The Empirical Investigation for Selected Asian Countries

Objectives: The political system in Italy has experienced numerous fractures since 1943 due to various factors, including poor economic conditions and divisions within the fascist leadership, particularly following Italy's alliance with Germany in World War II. Methods: The study examines the internal and external pressures that threatened the fascist regime, focusing on political divisions, economic struggles, and the consequences of Italy’s involvement in the war. Analysis includes historical records and political agreements among fascist politicians. Results: The fascist regime faced growing instability as both internal dissent and external pressures mounted. Most fascist politicians ultimately agreed on the necessity of removing Mussolini to mitigate the negative consequences of the war. Conclusion: The fractures within the political system and the pressures from war led to the collapse of the fascist regime in Italy. The internal divisions, combined with economic struggles and external threats, played a decisive role in Mussolini's downfall.

‘When the Time comes, I Will go Like Every Brave Soldier’: The Military Identity of Belgian Recruits in the First World War

‘When the Time comes, I Will go Like Every Brave Soldier’: The Military Identity of Belgian Recruits in the First World War

The High-Rate Mechanical Properties of Wood Mostly Obtained Using the Kolsky Bar: A Review

Abstract This review starts by briefly outlining the history of the study of the response of wood first to impact and second to blast. Due to its importance in the construction of naval ships, wood was one of the first substances to have the velocity dependence of its resistance to terminal ballistic impact quantified. This was achieved in England and France early in the nineteenth century. Techniques for measuring the high-rate mechanical properties of wood were developed around the start of the twentieth century. These mostly involved drop-weight and pendulum machines to quantify the dynamic fracture toughness of timbers of commercial and military importance. These studies were mostly performed in the United States by the US Forest Service with peaks in activity during the two World Wars and again in the 1950s and 1960s due to fears of the bombardment of American cities by Soviet nuclear missiles. It was not until 1977 that the first high-rate compression stress–strain curves of wood were obtained using the Kolsky bar, despite this device having been developed in Britain during World War 2 and reported in the open literature in 1949. It took until the mid-1990s and the desire to use wood to cushion the drop-impact of vessels used to transport nuclear waste that Kolsky bar studies of wood began in earnest in Britain, the Czech Republic and Russia. Even so, to date fewer than 100 such studies have been published compared to nearly 5,000 for metals. This review outlines the effects of anisotropy, stress state, multiple repeat loading, moisture content, temperature, and density on the high-rate properties of a wide range of woods determined using the Kolsky bar. Also included are the very small number of 1D shock and Taylor impact studies that have been performed. The paper ends with suggestions for what needs doing in the future.

Restitution of nazie confiscated property in the Western Europe after Second world war

Many Lithuanian citizens and politicians alike argue that Western European countries have consistently sought to restore justice and make reparations to the victims of the Holocaust and Nazism since the Second World War. These determined efforts culminated in the triumph of justice and the resolution of all problems. Meanwhile, in the post–communist countries, the process of restitution is in its infancy and is very difficult because it is linked to the individual and collective responsibility of nations. However, it is a complex and long-term process of decades of restitution in Western Europe, but also of expropriation of property, methods, and terms. The situation was different in Eastern and Western Europe. The main similarities between East and West relate to the methods of expropriation, while the differences relate to political and economic factors.

War crimes and genocide investigations in Latvia

Following Latvia’s regained independence, investigations into war crimes and genocide began in 1992. At the end of the 1990s, issues related to the events of the occupation period became politically sensitive in Latvia. The country felt that the processes of that period, including the crimes committed and the genocide, were not just historical issues. These events are still impacting public opinion today. Issues related to the Second World War have a particular impact on Latvia’s relations with other countries and its aspirations to join NATO and the EU. On 13 November 1998, the President of the Republic of Latvia established the Commission of Historians, which publishes books and organises conferences. The Commission works in four groups, which study: 1) the repression of civilians by the Soviet government in 1940–1941; 2) the Holocaust; 3) the German occupation of Latvia in 1941–1945; 4) the problems of Stalin’s regime in Latvia in 1945–1956. The Commission of Historians has organised conferences on the above-mentioned topics and published books.

Expropriation of the Jewish Property, and Destruction in Lithuania during the Second World War

Institutions of Lithuanian central and local authorities actively took part in ratifying the further fate of the Jewish property. The temporarily government drafted laws of the Soviet government on the denationalization of the nationalized property. These laws were not to be applicable to people of Jewish nationality. The committee for dwellers of Vilnius city and its districts made a list of people who would be the assignees of the Jewish property. The ratification of the fate of the Jewish property was a lot influenced by the district administration. The district officials would often directly participate in evaluating and selling the property. It is evident, that such position of the governmental institutions was publicly indecent and discriminatory. On the other hand, these institutions were not independent; therefore they only reflect the position of individual officers who worked there, but not the position of the Lithuanian state. Representatives of the Lithuanian Catholic Church assessed this severance of the Jewish property only after they had been terminated, i.e. in the summer of 1942, after the majority of Jews had already been exterminated. Considerations regarding the remaining Jewish property can be treated as regret about the tragic fate of Jews. Expropriation of the property is usually reasoned that only in this way the property can be protected from complete destruction. The fate of Jewish property differed, i.e. personal estate was usually given out or sold out to local people; museum pieces, archival valuables were taken to Germany. A lot of Jewish property was left under the supervision of the local administration and was used for its purposes, and also was given to private persons.

Meja med Tretjim rajhom in Italijo v južnem delu okrožja Kamnik

The article sheds light on the events that occurred in the southern parts of the Kamnik district during the Second World War. After the occupation and partition of Slovenian territory among the neighbouring occupying countries, the southern border of the then district of Kamnik also served as the border between the Nazi Third Reich and the Fascist Kingdom of Italy. It was a strategically important area for both occupying forces and for the Partisan movement. Drawing from archival sources and especially from the material of the provincial councillor in Kamnik and the state commissioner for the strengthening of Germanhood, the article expands the existing knowledge about this subject. It covers the period between the spring of 1941 and the autumn of 1943 because after the German occupation of the Ljubljana Province in September 1943, the border under discussion was no longer a serious obstacle for the local population.

Breaking barriers: Ilma Sarepera, Estonia’s first woman notary

ABSTRACT This article examines the employment opportunities for women lawyers in the notary profession in Estonia. Ilma Sarepera started her career in her father’s notary office, was appointed to the position in 1936, and remained the only woman notary until 1944. Her journey reflects a transformative period in Estonian history, which is explored in the context of this article. With the establishment of the Republic of Estonia in 1918, opportunities for women to pursue legal education increased significantly. However, securing professional positions remained challenging due to societal prejudices and fierce competition from male lawyers. The article examines the development of the notary profession as state officials and the requirements for becoming a notary in the newly independent republic. It also analyzes the risks associated with running an independent practice during the economic crisis of the 1930s and how these challenges influenced the notary profession. Ilma Sarepera’s career also provides insight into the complex years of World War II and the occupations, and how this period impacted the legal system and the notary profession in Estonia.

Precondition for ethnical cutural changes in Eastern Lithuana during Second world war and after the war

The Second World War and ensuing changes in national borders left thousands of people either stateless or outside their state’s borders. This happened first and foremost to the people of Lithuania and Poland. Occupations and territorial partitions were the main causes of the ethnic changes that followed. The major national–cultural changes in eastern Lithuania in the second half of the 20th century were caused by enormous population losses, migration flows and the russification policy: the number of Lithuanian cultural islets decreased, the russification and sovietisation policy had a significant impact on the mentality of Vilnius region population, with some traditional values, mainly those related to Catholicism, maintained.

Occupation and collaboration during in Lithuania during Second world war

During the Second World War, Poland was occupied by either the Nazis or the Soviets. The exception to this rule is eastern Lithuania, which was occupied twice by the Soviets. The situation in Lithuania at that time was much more complex. Lithuania was under Soviet occupation. After six weeks of occupation, Lithuania’s territory was annexed to the Soviet Union with the help of collaborators of various nationalities. The state of Lithuania ceased to exist. Then the German occupation followed. This article makes a general comparison between the two occupying powers and the relationship of the Lithuanian population to them.

Molecular Identification of the Italian Soldiers Found in the Second World War Mass Grave of Ossero

Background/objectives: DNA analysis is the most reliable method for the identification of human skeletal remains, especially the ones found in mass disasters or recovered from mass graves. To this aim, DNA was extracted from bones and teeth allegedly belonging to 27 Italian soldiers executed during the Second World War and exhumed from a mass grave in Ossero (Croatia). Methods: A selection of 131 different bone samples (petrous bones, femurs, metacarpal, and metatarsal bones) and 16 molar teeth were used for DNA extraction. Autosomal and Y-chromosome STR profiles were determined using a conventional CE approach, while a panel of 76 microhaplotypes was investigated through MPS. Results: Overall, 24 different autosomal consensus male profiles and six (unexpected) female profiles were identified; the male profiles were then compared with 21 alleged living relatives of the missing soldiers belonging to 14 unrelated Italian families. The DVI module of the Familias software was used for computing the LRs and the posterior probabilities (PP). The combination of autosomal STRs and microhaplotypes led to the identification of six victims and to a very likely identification of another one, supported by Y-haplotype sharing between victim and relative. Three distant victim–relative relationships resulting in low LR values for the autosomal markers showed Y-STR haplotype-sharing patterns, thus suggesting very strong support for a paternal relationship. Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed the effectiveness of the genetic approach and highlighted the presence of more individuals than expected in the mass grave, among which six were female subjects.