Akbaba 1943 Humor Magazine Turkish Turkey Germany Japan WW2 era Russia Joseph Goebbels Talat Pasha
Akbaba Humor Magazine – “Two Comrades: May God Never Separate Us!” – Issue No. 466 – March 4, 1943 – Turkish Edition
Description:
Akbaba was one of the longest-running political humor magazines in Turkish press history, founded by Yusuf Ziya Ortaç and Orhan Seyfi Orhon, prominent figures associated with the Beş Hececiler literary movement. Published from 1922 to 1977, with interruptions, the magazine addressed social problems, bureaucratic shortcomings, political rivalries, economic difficulties, and everyday life through caricatures, satirical poetry, and humorous writing. It became an influential platform for Turkish satire, featuring contributions from important literary and artistic figures such as Aziz Nesin, Rıfat Ilgaz, and Turhan Selçuk.
This issue, number 466, is dated March 4, 1943. Its cover features a German soldier wearing a Nazi armband walking arm in arm with another figure. They stand before signs pointing in the directions of “Peace” and “War,” under the headline “Two Comrades: May God Never Separate Us!” The illustration uses ironic humour to comment on the relationship between political rhetoric and the continuing realities of war during the Second World War.
The interior pages include “Talât Pasha,” a commemorative article written by Yusuf Ziya Ortaç, accompanied by a humorous cartoon and dialogue concerning the spirit of Talât Pasha. Another political cartoon depicts Joseph Goebbels shaving a German soldier with a razor labelled “Propaganda.” When Goebbels asks, “Are you satisfied?”, the soldier replies, “No, it’s starting to hurt!” The visual wordplay satirizes propaganda and its effects. The issue also features an “Ecnebi Karikatürleri” (“Foreign Cartoons”) section presenting caricatures from abroad, adding an international dimension to its satirical content.
Key Features:
• Publication: Akbaba
• Issue Number: 466
• Publication Date: March 4, 1943
• Language: Turkish
• Publication Type: Political humor and satire magazine
• Founders: Yusuf Ziya Ortaç and Orhan Seyfi Orhon
• Cover Feature: “Two Comrades: May God Never Separate Us!”, depicting a German soldier wearing a Nazi armband walking arm in arm with another figure beside signs pointing toward “Peace” and “War”
• Political Satire: An ironic portrayal of the relationship between political rhetoric, peace, and war
• Literary Feature: “Talât Pasha,” a commemorative article by Yusuf Ziya Ortaç, accompanied by a humorous cartoon about Talât Pasha’s spirit
• Interior Cartoon: Joseph Goebbels shaving a German soldier with a razor labelled “Propaganda”
• Cartoon Dialogue: “Are you satisfied?” / “No, it’s starting to hurt!”
• International Cartoon Section: “Ecnebi Karikatürleri” (“Foreign Cartoons”), featuring cartoons from abroad
• Historical Interest: Turkish political satire, literary commentary, and international caricature from March 1943