Mediterranean Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 18, 1962, Naples, Naples                                Sitting in rubble of doorway infantryman pauses during 1945 push into Germany to read stripes. Stripes staff in 1942. From left Tom Bernard Mark Senigo Bud Hutton Bob Moora Ben Price. Founded in London during world War i stripes followed to fhe Battlefront to bring them the news the modern stars and stripes began life at a private print shop in London april 18, 1942. At its birth the staff was a tiny group of soldiers recruited from the 34th inf. Div then stationed in Northern Ireland plus a Marine Corporal and one Sailor shanghaied from somewhere. It was an eight Page five column weekly Selling for three Pence per copy about 7 cents. The Lead Story was an interview with Gen George c. Marshall the army chief of staff. Marshall quoted Gen John j. Pershing commander of the world War i american expeditionary forces that stripes had been a major Factor in sustaining the morale of the members of the . We have his per shag s authority for the statement that no official control was Ever exercised Over the into the stars and Marshall said. It always was entirely for and by the Soldier. This policy is to govern the con duct of the new  on nov. 2, 1942. Stripes becnm.? a daily. For the duration. I Van from four to eight pages depending on the time and the newsprint available. At one time or another stripes operated from 25 in Europe North Africa the Middle East anti Hawaii. Each edition its own staff and its own problems but. Issues of the stars and stripes were nut out during we ii. It was sold in England for about 2 Pence 5 cents per copy but elsewhere was Given away. A hawaiian edition was launched a week alter be Day and became the forerunner of the Pacific stars and stripes. Today Pacific stripes in Tokyo is completely separate from european stripes but per in the far East. To get the wartime Job done staffers conned cajoled or commandeered printing presses on the War fronts of the world. Stripes was published from Friendly news paper offices from Mobile plants on the Battlefield or from enemy presses taken at gunpoint. The staff was always on the move in the Field for in order to put out a daily to combat Toorig they shop As close to the front As possible. Best they did was in Rome. They in the same Day the City was captured grabbed the offices of ii Messager and the first edition came off the press that afternoon with the Banner head we re in   engaged in plenty of Battles and quite a few flaps and correspondents got killed wounded or captured just like any other front line combatants. Stripes had pfc editors assigning lieu tenant reporters and sergeants rubbing shoulders with Navy captains. But the system worked. They made the headlines and the deadlines and stripes various editions reached a daily circulation of More than 1 million readers. The members the staff were All servicemen but not All were very military. Tom Hoge for instance was assigned to cover a paratroop operation Over Holland. He ended by jumping with the troopers after the in which they were flying was hit. Caught by the germans Hoge had his captors confused because of his Unmil itary appearance. You can t be a paratrooper. You re wearing Low shoes and a Black  a German major told him maybe you re a continued on Page the cartoon on the cover of this supplement Wax drawn for the  of the stars and stripes Story of world War a edited by Robert Meyer or. It is reproduced with the permission of Bill april 18, 1962 stars and stripes 20th anniversary supplement Page 3