World War 2 Historical Fiction writing prompts

Imagine a Jewish watchmaker living in Warsaw, Poland, during the Nazi occupation. Describe how they use their skills to secretly sabotage German military equipment, while also shielding their family from the harsh realities of the war.

Write from the perspective of a young child in occupied France who unknowingly befriends a German soldier. Detail their interactions, the soldier’s hidden doubts about the war, and the child’s innocent but poignant insights into the conflict around them.

Set your tale in a bustling shipyard in England during WWII, where men and women work tirelessly to support the war effort. The main character, a young woman taking on what was traditionally a man's job, uncovers a spy sabotaging their work. Detail her internal conflict and her decision-making process in handling the situation.

Set sail on the Atlantic with the crew of a U-boat who stumble upon a life raft carrying survivors from an Allied ship they had previously attacked. Detail the moral dilemmas faced by the captain as he decides whether to rescue the survivors, including a young child, at the risk of his own mission and crew.

Set your story in Hiroshima just days before the dropping of the atomic bomb. Follow the life of a schoolteacher trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy for her students amidst the escalating conflict, unaware of the impending catastrophe.

In the waning days of World War II, a Japanese-American nurse, wrongly imprisoned in an internment camp, finds herself caring for a critically wounded German POW. Explore their evolving relationship as they share stories and confront their prejudices amidst the backdrop of war.

Imagine you are a journalist embedded within the Pacific Theater during World War II. Craft a story around a particularly harrowing battle you are reporting on, exploring the bonds formed between soldiers and the personal stories they share with you in quiet moments.

Write about a British nurse stationed in Singapore during its fall to the Japanese in 1942. Write about her last days before the city falls and the choices she makes about who to save.

Write a story from the perspective of a codebreaker in Bletchley Park, UK, discovering a crucial piece of information that could change the course of the war. Detail their personal struggles, the secrecy of their work, and their moral conflicts about the impact of their actions.

Explore the life of a young American pilot involved in the D-Day invasion. Describe the intense moments leading up to their flight, their thoughts as they soar over the Channel, and their feelings upon seeing the war-torn landscapes of Europe for the first time.