Busting rumors during World War ll

Rumors take on a life of their own. One person’s rumor quickly becomes another person’s reality. Spreading rumors is never a good idea. But sometimes rumors can be downright dangerous — especially during wartime.

During World War II, some concerned citizens decided to put an end to rumors once and for all. And so, they established the “Rumor Clinic.”

Tall Tales

Boston, 1942

The newsroom at the Boston Herald is a bustling hive of activity. The clickety-clack of typewriters sets a steady background rhythm as reporters mill about exchanging opinions or chasing down leads on their rotary desk phones. In one of the offices that line the room, an editor and a reporter are having an important conversation.

“What have you got?” asks the editor.

The reporter glances down at his notes. “Atabrine is causing serious health issues among GIs,” he reports. (During World War II, US soldiers were nicknamed “GIs.”)

“Atabrine?!” The editor is clearly shocked. “The anti-malaria drug?”

The reporter nods. “There’s no evidence to support this rumor, but the soldiers are scared. They’re refusing to take the medication. Our army is at risk!”

The editor sighs. “Sounds like Japanese propaganda to me. Leave it with me. I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

This conversation sure sounds bizarre, don’t you think? But this was a typical day at the Boston Herald Rumor Clinic during World War II, where rumors were the topic of the day.