I used PGU a number of years ago to make a hex based game for PyWeek, you can take a look at the code if you want to. :).
Battle For Wesnoth is a complete, open-source, turn-based strategy hex-based game. Its written in C++. Quite a good game too.
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.