Try using the cross-compiler archiver instead of the native one, i.e. Use i586-mingw32msvc-ar and i586-mingw32msvc-ranlib instead of ar and ranlib .
Try i586-mingw32msvc-ar instead of plain ar. Typically ar in Linux will not support the PE format used for Windows programming. (Or you will have to instruct it to use PE format.).
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.