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Posts Tagged: World War II

US Army Hospitals in WWII: From the Battlefield to the Hospital, the Chain of Evacuation

Hospitalization in World War II – Chain of Evacuation

Tuesday, September 11, 2018 by Sarah Sundin
Planes thundered overhead, artillery rumbled in the distance, and cries of wounded soldiers pierced Georgie’s ears. “Coming through.” Two medics rushed past with a litter. A man writhed on top, a shock of red on his gray-green field jacket. Another medic assisted a soldier who clutched his twisted, bloodstained arm to his chest. Georgie took a deep breath. Compared to the ravages of battle, her con... Read Article
US poster 1943

Lessons from the 1940s – Labor Counts

Monday, September 3, 2018 by Sarah Sundin
On Labor Day I thought it was appropriate to honor the vital role of production in the Allied victory in World War II. The United States was well situated to become the “Arsenal of Democracy.” Other than a handful of bombings from Japanese submarine-based planes and shellings from submarines, American soil was unscathed by the war. The factories and shipyards functioned free from danger. The US also had a... Read Article
US poster, 1943

Happy Independence Day – Look Back for Inspiration

Wednesday, July 4, 2018 by Sarah Sundin
Happy Independence Day! In 1943, the United States, and the rest of the world, faced a grave threat. Germany, Japan, and Italy, with the other Axis powers, had conquered vast areas of the globe. The Allies were just beginning to make progress, clearing North Africa and invading some Pacific Islands, but the road ahead looked long and difficult. It would prove to be so. This poster reminded the people of 1943 of their... Read Article
Troops of Company E, 16th Infantry, US 1st Infantry Division approach Fox Green section of Omaha Beach in an LCVP landing craft, Normandy, 6 Jun 1944 (US National Archives: 195515)

A D-Day Remembrance

Monday, June 6, 2016 by Sarah Sundin
Today we commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day landings. On June 6, 1944, the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from Nazi power. In August 2007, I was privileged to stand on Omaha Beach on a misty, overcast morning not unlike the men faced that historic day. As I stood on that long stretch of sand and gazed at those high bluffs which once bristled with machine guns, I was moved deepl... Read Article
US poster commemorating Pearl Harbor, 1942

If Only They’d Listened

Monday, December 7, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
On December 7, 1941, two Army Air Force radar operators on Oahu reported a blip on their screen, which looked like dozens of planes approaching Pearl Harbor. They reported it to Lt. Kermit Tyler, who had been on the job only two days. Tyler knew a squadron of twelve B-17 Flying Fortresses was due to arrive from San Francisco and land at Hickam Field at 8:00 am. He told the operators, “Don’t worry about it.” (ht... Read Article
US War Bond Poster, 1942

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Women’s Work Is Good Work

Monday, June 22, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
The World War II era was a pivotal time for women, a hinge between the traditional home-based women’s role and the modern career-based role. Wartime posters show the fullness of a woman’s place in society and reveal the values that drove this generation to victory. Through these posters we’ll see lessons we can learn from women of that era. She’s canning. In a frilly apron. And she’s smiling.   To many mo... Read Article
US War Bond Poster, 1942

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Be Involved!

Monday, June 15, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
The World War II era was a pivotal time for women, a hinge between the traditional home-based women’s role and the modern career-based role. Wartime posters show the fullness of a woman’s place in society and reveal the values that drove this generation to victory. Through these posters we’ll see lessons we can learn from women of that era. When World War II began, women sprang to action as volunteers. This wa... Read Article
US poster promoting canning, 1943

Lessons from the 1940s – Yes, I Can!

Monday, August 6, 2012 by Sarah Sundin
My plum tree overfloweth. Right now, two bags full of ripe plums are sitting on my kitchen counter, saying, “We want to jam!”  Soon I’ll boil jars, pit and puree plums, measure sugar, and emotionally bond with my ancestors. Something about canning appeals to me. I love my food processor, heavy-duty mixer, and modern stove. I love buying my meat already butchered and wrapped in clear plastic. I lov... Read Article

Girl Scouts in World War II

Thursday, March 15, 2012 by Sarah Sundin
This week, the Girl Scouts celebrated their 100th birthday. Founded by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912, the Girl Scout organization promoted character building through outdoor activities, community service, arts and crafts, and homemaking skills. When World War II started, the Girl Scouts were well poised to take a solid role on the Home Front. Organization In the 1940s, the Girl Scouts ha... Read Article
Make It Do - Metal Shortages in World War II

Make It Do – Metal Shortages During World War II

Monday, July 11, 2011 by Sarah Sundin
Imagine going to the store and not finding batteries, thumbtacks, alarm clocks, or paper clips on the shelves. During World War II, metals were needed for military purposes. Ships and planes and jeeps and guns and ration tins and helmets took precedence over civilian products. After the United States entered the war, factories quickly shifted from manufacturing civilian goods to military matériel. Preparation for Wa... Read Article