There was a little war called World War II. This article, in the Web site of the Nobel Institute, describes the situation in details. With Fascism on the Doorstep: The Nobel Institution in Norway, 1940-1945. read more
During World War I and II, fewer Nobel Prizes were awarded. which does not says much. In 1916, 1940-42 it is quite reasonable to assume that there was no awarding due to the world wars. read more
There were no Nobel prizes awarded in 1940,1941, 0r 1942, the prize for Literature was also not awarded in 1943. read more