I'm going to give two answers: Berserk and Ninja Scroll. Any anime/manga forum you go on usually has a debate about violent/gory anime. While each person usually has their own unique choices, the two that are on almost everyone's list are Berserk and Ninja Scroll.
Here is a excerpt from an article about Berserk: "Berserk mixes horror, fantasy and medieval warfare, with tons of violence and gore (even for the rather high manga standard): this and the occasional sex scenes and nudity make the manga most definitely not appropriate for young readers. " And one about Ninja Scroll: "Ninja Scroll also contains some of the most graphic and gratuitous scenes of violence and rape that I have ever seen in anime, movies, or otherwise. Definitely not something you'd want to take home to the family...If you're easily offended in any way, you'll be in for trouble.
" I think if you were to give a little time to either of these you would find that not only is there PLENTY of violence and gore, but each anime also is capable of carrying a strong storyline with it, so it isn't JUST a bloodfest (although it certainly does flow in both of these titles). themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=254 http://www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Berserk-(anime).
Higurashi Girls are killing themselves by banging their heads on knives. And the girls are hacking at each other with knives and driving nails through fingers. If you want to check it out go here.
Hellsing youtube.com/watch?v=bO_HhNdkcnM&feature=... School Days youtube.com/watch?v=cMm10AK_qq0 Shigurui youtube.com/watch?v=UpkI1eg8j6U.
Maybe Fist of the north star....due to their vital point piercing techniques.
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.