First of all, I wouldn't be loading the image inside the paintComponent method, this method is call repeatedly (and some times in quick succession), you don't want to do anything that takes time to execute or consumes resources innecessarily.
You want the drawImage() that scales to the target container. See the article cited here for alternatives. For example.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.