I don't know the specifics (you didn't provide any code) but I'd guess the ViewController with the custom background has it's background set through a UIImageView or . BackgroundColor = UIColor colorWithPatternImage:image.
It sounds like when you're setting the bg image, you're not actually setting it on the rootViewController. Or if you are, then when it does a viewDidUnload and then viewDidLoad, the bg image is not being preserved.
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.