Perhaps some did... But it wasn't a full blown panic. Scientists predicted that the earth would cross the comet's tail, and at that time the comet would emit a poisonous gas called "cyanogen." They said it would be harmless but many didn't believe that.
A few people actually did panic, but it wasn't widespread.
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.