You've run into one of the DataContractSerializer gotchas.
It sounds like your WCF service reference is creating a proxy class rather than using the existing type. Proxy classes can only use simple arrays and not any . NET specific types like the generic List.
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.