Akbaba 1945 Humor Magazine Turkish Turkey Churchill Out, Attlee In WW2 era Britain Uncle Sam

Akbaba Humor Magazine – “Changing the Tyre: Churchill Out, Attlee In!” – Issue No. 72 – 1945 – Turkish Edition

Description:

Founded in 1922 by Yusuf Ziya Ortaç and Orhan Seyfi Orhon, both prominent figures associated with the Beş Hececiler literary movement, Akbaba became one of the longest-running political humor magazines in Turkish press history, publishing until 1977 with occasional interruptions. The magazine addressed social shortcomings, bureaucratic inefficiency, political rivalries, economic difficulties and everyday life through caricatures, satirical poetry and theatrical writing. It also brought together influential literary and artistic figures, including Aziz Nesin, Rıfat Ilgaz and Turhan Selçuk.

The cover of this 1945 issue features a political satire illustration centred on a red car bearing a London registration plate and the British flag. A political figure is shown changing one of the car’s tyres, removing an old tyre bearing Winston Churchill’s portrait and replacing it with a new one featuring Clement Attlee. The accompanying dialogue reads: “It’s badly worn... We must change it so we can travel comfortably on the level road!” The tyre change provides a humorous visual commentary on British political affairs of the period.

Inside, the magazine continues its political and social satire with several cartoons. One presents a spiritist séance, in which participants attempt to contact Hitler under the guise of communicating with the spirits. Another shows patients in a hospital room wondering whether the newly appointed doctor will be able to cure their ailments, under the heading: “Patients — I wonder whether this new doctor will be able to find a remedy for our troubles?” A further illustration depicts Allied leaders posing a world-headed figure for a portrait, accompanied by the dialogue: “Russian — Look a little to the left... British — Look a little towards me... America — No, no... Just relax!”

Key Features:

• Publication: Akbaba

• Issue Number: 72

• Publication Year: 1945

• Language: Turkish

• Cover Illustration: A British-themed car with a Churchill portrait tyre being replaced by one bearing Attlee’s portrait

• Cover Dialogue: “It’s badly worn... We must change it so we can travel comfortably on the level road!”

• Interior Cartoon: A spiritist séance attempting to communicate with Hitler

• Interior Cartoon: Hospital patients commenting on their newly appointed doctor

• Interior Cartoon: Allied leaders directing a world-headed figure while posing for a portrait

• Historical Interest: An example of Turkish political humour and satire from the final period of the Second World War