12 Must-Read Diaries from World War II

For those who have never experienced war, the reality of such events can feel distant and hard to grasp. However, personal diaries written by individuals during World War II offer a vivid glimpse into that era. Many of these diaries, authored by both influential leaders and everyday citizens, have been preserved or digitized. While some may require a visit to a library, they serve as powerful reminders of life during those chaotic years.

1. HARRY S. TRUMAN, 33RD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Harry S. Truman assumed the presidency near the end of World War II in April 1945, following the sudden death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. During this pivotal time, Truman maintained a diary, significant portions of which are now accessible to the public through the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. His entries shed light on the challenging decisions he faced, including the monumental choice to deploy an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. On July 25, 1945, Truman penned:

“This weapon is to be deployed against Japan before August 10th. I have instructed Secretary of War, Mr. Stimson, to ensure that only military targets, soldiers, and sailors are attacked, avoiding harm to women and children. Although the Japanese are described as ruthless and fanatical, as global leaders striving for the common good, we cannot unleash such a devastating bomb on their historic or modern capitals. “Mr. Stimson and I agree. The target will be strictly military, and we will issue a warning urging Japan to surrender and prevent further loss of life. While I doubt they will comply, we will have offered them the opportunity. It is fortunate that neither Hitler’s regime nor Stalin’s discovered the atomic bomb first. While it is the most fearsome invention known to humanity, it also holds the potential to be immensely beneficial …”

The complete diary of Truman from 1947 has been digitized and transcribed, enabling readers to experience his firsthand accounts in his own handwriting.

2. THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS DIARIST, ANNE FRANK

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Anne Frank’s diary, which chronicles her life in Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, has made her one of the most renowned diarists globally. She began her diary at the age of 13, documenting her two years in hiding with her family in a concealed annex of an old warehouse. Her entries vividly describe the treatment of Jews in Amsterdam, including her poignant words on October 9, 1942:

“Numerous Jewish friends and acquaintances are being rounded up in large numbers. The Gestapo is handling them brutally, herding them into cattle cars bound for Westerbork, the major camp in Drenthe where all Jews are being sent … If conditions are this dire in Holland, one can only imagine the horrors in the distant, barbaric locations the Germans are deporting them to. We fear most are being killed. According to English radio broadcasts, they are being gassed.”

Anne’s diary

resonates deeply partly because she maintained an optimistic outlook despite the horrors surrounding her. A striking example of her uplifting spirit is captured in her entry from July 15, 1944:

“In times like these, it’s challenging: ideals, dreams, and cherished hopes emerge within us, only to be shattered by harsh reality. It’s remarkable that I haven’t abandoned all my ideals, as they often seem absurd and unattainable. Yet, I hold onto them because, despite everything, I still believe that people are fundamentally good at heart.”

Sadly, Anne and her family were discovered by the Nazis in 1944. Anne was sent to Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, where she succumbed to typhus at just 15 years old. Her diary was first published by her father, Otto, in 1947, and it has seen numerous editions since then.

3. JOSEPH GOEBBELS, HITLER’S MINISTER FOR PROPAGANDA

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Joseph Goebbels

served as Hitler’s Minister of Enlightenment and Propaganda from 1933 to 1945, playing a key role in disseminating Nazi ideology. He began keeping a diary in 1923, with the early entries focusing on his unsuccessful romantic pursuits. However, after 1925, Goebbels became deeply obsessed with Hitler, a shift clearly reflected in his writings. In November 1925, he noted:

“Hitler is here. I am overjoyed. He greets me warmly, like an old friend, and takes care of me. How I adore him! What a remarkable man! When he speaks, I feel so insignificant. He gifts me his photograph, inscribed with a message to the Rhineland. Heil Hitler! I long for Hitler to be my friend. His photo now sits proudly on my desk.”

As Goebbels ascended to a high-ranking position within the Nazi regime, his diary increasingly focused on matters of Nazi policy, including the genocide of the Jewish people. In February 1942, he wrote:

“The Jewish issue is causing us trouble once more; this time, not because our actions are too extreme, but because they are not extreme enough.”

By 1941, Goebbels' diaries had grown to 20 volumes, and he began to recognize their potential as a significant historical record. From that point onward, he dictated his entries to a stenographer and stored them in a secure underground vault at the Reichsbank in Berlin. In 1945, glass plates containing microfilmed copies of the diaries were buried in Potsdam. They were later discovered by the Russians and transported to Moscow, where they remained until 1992. Between 1993 and 2008, 29 volumes of the diaries were published in Germany, though only a portion of the wartime entries have been translated into English.

4. HAYASHI ICHIZO, JAPANESE KAMIKAZE PILOT

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The term 'kamikaze' means 'divine wind,' referring to the Japanese strategy during World War II of deploying young men in explosives-laden aircraft for suicide missions. Most kamikaze pilots were under 25, often conscripted into the military against their will. Among them was Hayashi Ichizo, a 23-year-old student drafted in 1943. While stationed at a Japanese Naval Base from January to March 1945, Ichizo documented his thoughts in a diary. In one entry, he confessed his doubts about his mission:

“Honestly, I cannot claim that my desire to die for the emperor is sincere or heartfelt. Yet, it has been decided for me that I must sacrifice my life for him.”

In another heart-wrenching entry, Ichizo expressed his longing to return to his mother’s care, reminiscing about his childhood:

“I am terrified of death. Still, it is inevitable for us … Mother, I yearn to feel your love and indulgence once more. I wish to be cradled in your arms and drift into sleep.”

Additional excerpts from kamikaze pilots' diaries are available in Kamikaze, Cherry Blossoms and Nationalisms by Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney.

5. VICTOR KLEMPERER, LIVING IN DRESDEN AS AN "UN-GERMAN" GERMAN

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Victor

Klemperer, of Jewish heritage yet a baptized Christian, found himself in a precarious position, deemed "un-German" by the Nazis. He began keeping a diary in 1897 at the age of 16, chronicling German history from Kaiser Wilhelm II through the Weimar Republic, the Nazi era, and into communist East Germany. His diaries from 1933–45 are particularly notable. On March 30, 1933, as Hitler assumed power, he wrote:

“Hitler is now Chancellor. What I considered terror before the election on March 5 was merely a mild introduction. The events of 1918 are repeating themselves, but under a new banner—the swastika. It’s astonishing how swiftly everything falls apart.”

Klemperer, a Professor of Romance Languages at the Technical University of Dresden, was stripped of his position by the Nazis and barred from accessing the university library. He and his wife, who was non-Jewish, were compelled to leave their home and relocate to a mixed residence for Jewish individuals. His typewriter was confiscated, he was forced to wear a yellow star, and even had to give up his cat. Klemperer’s diaries were fully published in Germany in 1995, receiving widespread acclaim, and have since been translated into English.

6. U.S. ARMY GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON

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George S. Patton, a U.S. Army general and field commander in North Africa, maintained a diary throughout the war. Despite his military successes, he was considered politically inept and committed a significant blunder in 1944 when newspapers reported his statement that Britain and America were destined to rule the world, omitting mention of the Soviet Union. The Army quickly claimed he was misquoted. Patton was summoned by President Eisenhower (Ike), and he documented the meeting in his diary on May 1, 1944:

“Ike mentioned that he had suggested, if I were to be relieved of duty and sent home, I should not be demoted to Colonel, as the removal itself would be punishment enough. He also noted that situations might arise where my leadership of an army would be necessary. “I told Ike I was willing to forgo a permanent promotion to avoid hindering others. Ike revealed that General Marshall had informed him my actions had ruined any chance of permanent promotion, as critics argued that despite my tactical and strategic prowess, my poor judgment rendered me unfit for command.”

Despite the reprimand, Patton was entrusted with leading the FUSAG, or First US Army Group, during the Normandy Invasion. This largely fictional army was designed to deceive the Germans into believing the invasion would occur at Pas-de-Calais rather than Normandy. Patton passed away in 1945 following injuries from a car accident, and his diaries were used to create the memoir War as I Knew It, published in 1947.

7. IVAN MAISKY—SOVIET AMBASSADOR TO LONDON 1932–43

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Ivan Maisky, the Soviet Ambassador to London from 1932 to 1943, maintained an exceptionally detailed diary during his tenure. Hidden in the Russian Foreign Ministry until 1993, the diary was discovered by historian Gabriel Gorodetsky, who recognized its immense historical value as a firsthand account of Soviet perspectives before the war. Maisky was a prominent figure in London’s social circles, with connections to influential personalities like Winston Churchill and Lord Beaverbrook. In a diary entry from September 4, 1938, he recounted a visit to Churchill’s country estate:

“The three of us—Churchill, his wife, and I—had tea together. Alongside the tea, an array of alcoholic beverages was displayed on the table. Churchill, of course, couldn’t do without them. He sipped a whisky-soda and offered me a rare pre-war Russian vodka, a treasure he had somehow preserved. I expressed my amazement, but Churchill cut me off: ‘That’s not all! In my cellar, I have a bottle of wine from 1793! Impressive, isn’t it? I’m saving it for a truly extraordinary occasion.’ ‘What occasion might that be?’ I asked. Churchill grinned slyly, paused, and then declared: ‘We’ll open it when Great Britain and Russia defeat Hitler’s Germany!’ I was nearly speechless. Churchill’s disdain for Berlin knows no bounds!”

The complete diaries have been published by Yale University Press under the title The Maisky Diaries: Red Ambassador to the Court of St James’s, 1932-1943, edited by Gabriel Gorodetsky.

8. "VINEGAR JOE"—GENERAL JOSEPH STILWELL

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Known as "Vinegar Joe" for his sharp demeanor, General Joseph Stilwell was a U.S. Army officer who led troops in Burma under Chinese leader Chiang Kai-Shek (whom he referred to as "the peanut") during World War II. Stilwell openly vented about his frustrations with the Chinese nationalist leadership in his characteristic blunt style, writing on April 19, 1943:

“Spent the afternoon working. At 5:00, met with Peanut. A grueling session. More demands … insults and grievances. “Counter-offensive”!! More nonsense. He seems frightened. “Morale is at rock bottom.” Is he insane? Nearly.”

Stilwell’s diaries provide insights into his escape from Burma in 1943 as Japanese forces advanced, as well as his reflections on leading troops in Japan. The Joseph Stilwell diaries are housed at the Hoover Institute and are fully accessible online.

9. MARIE VASSILITCHKOV AND A PLOT TO ASSASSINATE HITLER

Marie Vassilitchkov, a White Russian princess, fled Russia with her family after the Russian Revolution and relocated to Berlin in 1940. She worked in the German Foreign Ministry from 1940 to 1944, where she served under Adam von Trott zu Solz, a key figure in the 20 July Plot to assassinate Hitler. Vassilitchkov documented this period in her diary, detailing the assassination attempt (which she knew about but did not participate in) and the subsequent bombing of Berlin. On November 22, 1943, she described the destruction of Berlin’s Lutzowplatz:

“Every building had been reduced to rubble, with only the outer walls still standing. Cars navigated cautiously through the debris, horns blaring incessantly. A woman grabbed my arm, shouting that one of the walls was about to collapse, and we both sprinted away.”

Vassilitchkov eventually fled to Vienna and later settled in London. Her diaries were published in 1988, a decade after her death.

10. FIELD MARSHAL LORD ALANBROOKE

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Field Marshal Lord Alanbrooke (or simply Alan Brooke to his close acquaintances) was a British military strategist instrumental in planning the Normandy invasions of 1944 and a pivotal figure in Britain’s wartime efforts. Despite frequent disagreements with Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Alanbrooke’s strategic expertise kept him at the heart of British military planning. His diaries, first published in 1957, were heavily edited to remove sensitive national security details and to temper his critiques of influential figures like Churchill. In his diary, Alanbrooke recounted how George Marshall, his American counterpart, perceived Churchill:

“I found it amusing to observe Marshall’s reaction to Winston’s late-night habits. Clearly unaccustomed to being kept awake until the early hours, he wasn’t particularly pleased! Marshall mentioned that working with Roosevelt was far easier, as he often went a month or six weeks without seeing him. I, on the other hand, was lucky if I went six hours without seeing Winston.”

An uncensored version of Alanbrooke’s diaries was released in 2001, finally unveiling the genuine tensions and truths underlying his relationship with Churchill.

11. CHESTER HANSEN, U.S. SOLDIER AND AIDE TO GENERAL OMAR N. BRADLEY

Diaries maintained by World War II soldiers are exceptionally rare, as they were typically prohibited to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. However, Chester Hansen, an aide to General Omar N. Bradley, defied this rule. Bradley played a key role in the North African campaign and led troops during the D-Day Landings. Hansen, a trained journalist, documented his wartime experiences in great detail, amassing around 300,000 words in his diary. On June 6, 1944, as they approached the Normandy coast, Hansen wrote:

Like the rest of the Army group, Bradley was awake by 3:30. He stood on the bridge, a familiar sight in his olive drab uniform, Moberly infantry boots, combat jacket, and steel helmet. He smiled faintly, as if pleased to be nearing the French coast and finally launching the invasion.

Hansen also documented the intense battles he participated in. This excerpt [PDF] from April 1, 1943, describes a confrontation in the Tunisian desert:

Ten minutes later, nine JU88s flew over, vanished, and then reappeared from the direction of the sun. We scrambled for the trenches—generals moving with surprising calm. I recall glancing up to see the planes. A massive explosion struck—knocking my helmet back—and I dove into a slit trench, convinced I’d been hit in the neck. No blood, to my relief. Shrapnel exploded overhead, shredding my rifle. I climbed out and helped the wounded.

While Hansen frequently documented battles, he also shared lighter moments from World War II, such as Dwight D. Eisenhower sending Bradley an ice-maker after the general grew tired of being served warm whiskey. Although the diaries have not been digitized, they are preserved alongside letters, maps, newspaper clippings, and other memorabilia at the Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

12. NELLA LAST—A BRITISH WOMAN’S EXPERIENCES OF LIFE IN WARTIME BRITAIN

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Nella Last’s diary

, covering the years 1939–66, was maintained for the British Mass Observation archive to capture the perspectives of ordinary people during and after the war. Last, a housewife from Barrow-in-Furness in Lancashire, began her journal at the age of 49. She meticulously recorded the changes in daily life as the war unfolded, along with her personal reflections on the conflict. On March 13, 1940, she expressed her emotions upon hearing that Finland had surrendered to the invading Russians:

“The courageous struggles of Finland now feel like a dark fog overshadowing everything, blocking out the light. It’s simple to speak of ‘God’s plan’ when things go well, but reconciling such a plan with the suffering of the Finns and Poles feels impossible. Endless killing, sorrow, grief, loneliness, senseless cruelty, hatred, drowning men, mud, cold, and an overwhelming sense of futility—what a horrific concoction of despair.”

In 1941, as the Germans began bombing Britain, Last endured numerous air raids. She described one particularly harrowing night on May 4, 1941:

“A night filled with terror. Land mines, incendiaries, and explosives rained down, and we huddled beneath our indoor shelter, grateful for its protection. I truly believed it was the end. Now, a lingering unease hangs over me as I gaze at my beloved home—ceilings collapsed, walls cracked, doors torn from their hinges.”

Nella continued her diary after the war, writing until 1966. The diaries from her wartime years were published in 1981.