Before set(gca,'XTickLabel',x) you have to add set(gca, 'xtick', 1:3) . This makes sure that each (and only each) box in the plot is assigned an x-axis number before these numbers are overridden by manual labels.
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.