When you enter a doctoral program without a MA an MA is granted in the middle of the degree program. You still have to fulfill the MA requirements and then do the Doctoral requirements. I would suggest, having done both degrees, that you get the MA and then do the doctoral.
I had 10 years apart from my two degrees and was glad I did. A doctoral program takes concentration and dedication to complete. Many people start one, but never finish.
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.