Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 31, 1942: Germans cross River Don in Ukraine. US B-17s begin 7-day bombardment of Guadalcanal and Tulagi in preparation for US invasion.

Victory Gardens in World War II

For the average American in World War II, the Victory Garden was a practical way to contribute to the war effort. Some 20 million Victory Gardens were planted (US population in 1940 was 132 million), and by 1942, these little plots produced 40 percent of all vegetables consumed in the US. It's estimated that 9-10 million tons of vegetables were grown.

The Need

Wartime needs stretched agricultural production. The United States not only had to feed its own civilian and military population, but many of the Allies relied on America's bread basket. In addition, U-boats sank hundreds of food-laden ships bound for Britain. While the need expanded, the number of farmworkers decreased due to the draft and - ironically - due to the internment of Japanese-Americans.

Canned fruits and vegetables were rationed starting March 1, 1943, so civilians were encouraged to grow their own produce to supplement their rations. The use of fewer canned goods would decrease the use of precious tin and reduce the strain on the heavily taxed rail and road systems.

The Program

In December 1941, shortly after the United States entered World War II, Agriculture Secretary Claude Wickard began promoting Victory Gardens. The Department of Agriculture produced pamphlets to guide urban and suburban gardeners, magazines and newspapers published helpful articles, and patriotic posters urged participation.

Neighborhood and community committees were formed with veteran gardeners guiding newcomers. These committees also helped with distribution of surplus food and sharing of equipment. Many garden tools were made of steel, which was in short supply, so sharing between families was encouraged.

Who Could Participate?

Victory Gardens were promoted as family fun, as good healthy recreation for all ages. Farmers were encouraged to plant gardens for family needs as well as their usual cash crop. Those living in small towns or suburbs were the best candidates for Victory Gardens. Interestingly, the Department of Agriculture discouraged city-dwellers from gardening, afraid of seed being wasted on poor soil and poor lighting.

Where Were Gardens Grown?

Victory Gardens sprang up on farms, in backyards, and on city rooftops. Even some windowboxes were converted from flowers to vegetables. Communal gardens were planted in parks and vacant lots and baseball fields. Sites for these gardens included San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, the Portland Zoo (Oregon), and Boston's Copley Square and Fenway Victory Gardens. The Fenway site is still an active Victory Garden today.

War plants often planted gardens on their properties for use in company cafeterias, and schoolyard gardens provided fresh vegetables for school lunches.

How?

The average small-town or city-dweller knew little about gardening. Pamplets provided sample planting schedules and garden plans to show the newcomer how to grow enough to feed his family for a year without wasting seed or food. These pamphlets described how to choose the garden site, prepare the soil, fertilize, plant properly, weed, and harvest. The Department of Agriculture and the War Production Board prepared a special Victory Garden fertilizer for home use.

Preservation

The ideal Victory Garden produced fresh vegetables in season and plenty to be preserved for winter. Women's magazines published articles about how to can, store, dry, pickle, and freeze the bounty. People were encouraged to share their surplus with others in their neighborhood.

Victory Gardens in World War II were more than a way to increase morale. They produced a significant amount of healthy food, allowing agricultural produce to be used for the military and the Allies, and reducing the use of tin and transportation. Despite rationing, the average American ate better during the war than before. That Victory Garden was part of the reason.

Sources:

Lingeman, Richard R. Don’t You Know There’s a War on? The American Home Front 1941-1945. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1970.

http://www.victorygardenfoundation.org/victorygardenshistory.htm The Victory Garden Foundation. (This site includes the Department of Agriculture brochures.)

Do you grow any of your own food? Would you like to?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 30, 1942: First Battle of El Alamein ends when British Eighth Army goes to defensive in Egypt. President Roosevelt signs legislation creating WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 29, 1942: As Australians retreat, Japanese take Kokoda and its airfield in Papua New Guinea.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 28, 1942: Japanese end brutal campaign in Chekiang Province, China in retaliation for support of US Doolittle Raid. Spike Jones and His City Slickers record anti-Nazi novelty song “Der Fuehrer’s Face.”

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 27, 1942: British press attack at El Alamein, but fail to make gains against Germans.

Book Beat - Joy Takes Flight by Bonnie Leon

If you've enjoyed the adventures of high-flying Depression-era pilot Kate Evans in Bonnie Leon's Touching the Clouds and Wings of Promise, you'll love Joy Takes Flight, the conclusion to the Alaskan Skies series.

Joy Takes Flight starts with the long-awaited wedding of Kate Evans and physician Paul Anderson. Married life offers them more exciting Alaskan adventures, but also some bumps and bruises. Should Kate continue in her dangerous job as an Alaskan bush pilot? Will Paul ever come to grips with whatever tragedy led him to flee San Francisco years earlier? Will pregnancy unite them - or raise new issues?

Joy Takes Flight is a gripping story filled with adventure and excitement, but it also shows wonderful character development for both Kate and Paul as married life forces them to stretch. Those who have enjoyed the first two books in this series (and they DO have to be read in order) will love watching the sub-plots come to satisfying - although never easy - conclusions. I highly recommend this series.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 26, 1942: British begin rationing chocolate and candy. Maj. Gen. Millard Harmon takes command of US Army Forces in South Pacific Area, to be based at Noumea, New Caledonia.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 25, 1942: New songs in Top Ten: “He Wears a Pair of Silver Wings” and “Be Careful, It’s My Heart.”

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 24, 1942: German Army Group A takes Rostov, Ukraine.

Make It Do - Gasoline Rationing in World War II

Seventy years ago this week, gasoline rationing began in the United States. Rationing was an important part of life in America during World War II. However, the government was apprehensive about gasoline rationing. As a symbol of freedom of movement, the automobile represented everything American, and politicians feared riots and rebellion if they curtailed that freedom.

Rubber Shortage

What tipped the balance wasn't a gasoline shortage but a rubber shortage. The United States didn't have enough rubber for military needs, much less civilian needs. While tires and other rubber items were rationed, the simplest way to reduce wear and tear on tires was to restrict driving.

Drive Less

In 1942, a nationwide Victory Speed of 35 mph was instituted, since higher speeds remove tread more quickly. People were encouraged to use Victory Bicycles (except new bictycles weren't manufactured), public transportation, and their own two feet. Commuters were told to "Carry more to win the war," and to share rides or form car clubs (the term "car pool" wasn't used yet). Employers experimented with staggered shifts to reduce traffic - and therefore, gasoline use. Pleasure driving was discouraged and the "Vacation at Home" was promoted, not just to save gas and rubber, but due to the strain on the nation's train system by military transport.

Fewer Cars

Car manufacturing stopped on Jan. 1, 1942, and no new automobiles could be purchased after Feb. 22, 1942. A small stock was held in reserve for critical replacements. Auto manufacturers converted assembly lines to produce jeeps, tanks, and bombers, while the American consumer made do. Car theft - and tire theft - became a large problem. On July 1, 1945, automobile production was allowed again, and the first car rolled off the assembly line on Aug. 30, 1945 - a Hudson Super Six coupe.

Gasoline Rationing Begins

Voluntary programs didn't do the job. The rubber situation became critical, and on May 15, 1942, 8 million motorists in seventeen Eastern states registered for gas ration cards. Rationing began on the East Coast on July 22, 1942. These states were chosen due to better public transportation and shorter distances traveled, and because the U-boat menace off the East Coast made transport of oil and gasoline more hazardous. However, this also wasn't enough, and on Dec. 1, 1942, rationing went into effect nationwide. The program would continue until Aug. 18, 1945.

Stickers and Coupons

The American public learned to deal with an elaborate system. Every motorist was issued a windshield sticker displaying a letter. Some of these categories changed, emerged, or were eliminated during the war:

• A: most motorists - 3 gallons/week, reduced to 2 gal/wk March 22, 1944
• B: for war workers who shared rides with 3 or more passengers - 8 gal/wk
• C: essential occupational use, such as physicians, clergy, and mail carriers
• D: motorcycles
• E: emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police, fire - unlimited
• R: non-highway use, such as farm vehicles - unlimited
• T: truckers, institued January 1, 1944 - unlimited
• X: a controversial sticker for VIPs - unlimited

At the gas station, the attendant checked the windshield sticker and took the required number of ration book coupons - also marked with the appropriate letter. Of course, payment was also required - about 19 cents/gallon.

Gas Shortage

Despite rationing, a serious gas shortage developed early in 1944. The high military use and restricted shipping contributed to this problem. In January 1944 on the West Coast, very little gasoline was available - and none at all in Sacramento, California, not even for emergency vehicles. On March 22, 1944, "A" class drivers were further restricted to 2 gallons/week.

Not everyone complied. The black market became quite profitable, cases of gas siphoning made the front page of small-town newspapers, and several ration book forgery rings were broken up.

How do you think modern-day Americans would deal with these restrictions?

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 23, 1942: At Treblinka concentration camp, Nazis begin mass extermination by gassing.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 22, 1942: In US gasoline rationing coupons issued in 17 eastern states, rationing begins.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 21, 1942: Japanese invade Papua New Guinea at Gona, advance south toward Port Moresby.

Giveaway Winner - Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang by April Gardner

On Monday I featured April Gardner's delightful World War II novel for upper-elementary children, Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang. I used a random number generator to choose a winner from those who commented, including on Goodreads.

The winner is Noelle the Dreamer! Thank you for leaving your email address, Noelle. I'll contact you so I can send you the book. Enjoy!

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 20, 1942: US forms First Special Service Force (FSSF) under Col. Robert Frederick as commando unit with combined US & Canadian troops. First WAAC training center opens at Fort Des Moines, IA.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 19, 1942: Germans withdraw U-boats from US east coast to Caribbean due to American convoy system.

Today in World War II History

Me 262 at USAF Museum

70 Years Ago—July 18, 1942: Germans take Voroshilovgrad, Ukraine, coal and coke center of Donets Basin. First flight of turbo-jet powered Messerschmitt 262 at Leipheim, Germany.

Giveaway Winner - Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

Thank you to everyone who left a comment on my feature of Jocelyn Green's fabulous Wedded to War. My random number generator picked...Rachel Pudelek!

Rachel, I have your new address already. I'll send that to Jocelyn, so she can mail you the signed copy. Congratulations!

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 17, 1942: Italians repulse British attack at Miteirya Ridge at El Alamein. Flooding in Pennsylvania kills 15 after state record of 34.5 inches of rain.

Book Beat - Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang by April Gardner

The story of the Channel Islands in World War II has always fascinated me - the only British soil conquered by the Nazis, so I was thrilled when April Gardner asked me to read her children's novel, Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang.

Nine-year-old Lizzie Browning loves playing on the beach with her cousin James and brother Andre. But when Nazis invade her peaceful island, she finds life upended and her beloved beach "Verboten." Lizzie's family must adjust to food shortages, strict rules, and firm curfews. When German soldiers move in to the inn down the street, Lizzie suspects Philip Siefert, the innkeeper's son and her classmate, of being a German collaborator. Lizzie, Andre, and James make plans to escape from the island, but Philip's presence endangers their scheme.

This is a wonderful novel for children in upper elementary grades. Lizzie is the first in a series, and it's based on the life of a woman who was a young girl on Guernsey in World War II.The historical background is fascinating and presented in a child-friendly format, and Lizzie learns important lessons about judging others and trusting in the Lord. Refreshingly, the children are realistically flawed and enterprising, while remaining obedient and respectful. Lizzie and the Guernsey Gang is available as a paperback and on Kindle through Amazon.

My own children are too old for Lizzie (sob!) so I'd love to find a new home for her! Leave a comment for a chance to adopt. I'll announce the winner on Friday.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 16, 1942: Nazis deport 13,152 foreign Jews in Paris to concentration camps. US Navy forms TF 61, Solomons Expeditionary Force, under Vice Adm. Frank Fletcher, and TF 63 over all Allied land-based planes in Southwest Pacific, under Adm. John McCain.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 15, 1942: RAF ace Paddy Finucane (32 victories) is killed in action. US Army Air Force forms Ground Observer Corps for civilian volunteers under Civilian Defense.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 14, 1942: Germans begin deportation of Dutch Jews to Auschwitz. In India, Gandhi orders non-violent rebellion against British rule.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 13, 1942: Nazis massacre 5000 Jews in Rovno, Ukraine and 1500 in Josefov, Poland.

Book Beat - Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

While researching the history of nursing for my own novels, I was stunned by what I read about nursing in the Civil War. Rather than the romanticized view prevalent in modern movies and novels about the era, nursing was considered a scandalous choice for a woman, and female nurses had to fight for the ability to care for the sick and wounded.

In Wedded to War, Jocelyn Green takes a well-researched look at Civil War nurses, a view that's even more fascinating with the romanticized notions stripped away. Charlotte Waverly is a proper young society lady, teetering dangerously on the brink of spinsterhood. Handsome Phineas Hastings promises to rescue her from that fate, but the start of war ignites a passion inside Charlotte to do something for the war effort. However, her choice to become a nurse - quite shocking at the time - earns her mother's disapproval, Phineas's wrath, and a life dramatically different from what she knows.

Fascinating, dramatic, and romantic, Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green sheds light on the harrowing world of Civil War nursing through the eyes of a delightful heroine. Detailed research and a powerful message about mercy make this story a keeper. This is the first in the Heroines Behind the Lines Civil War series, and I'm much anticipating the second book!

Visit the amazing Heroines Behind the Lines website to see maps, historical photographs, character sketches, and a historical/story timeline. It is gorgeous!

**LATE ADDITION** Jocelyn has graciously offered to send out one autographed copy to a commenter! Leave a comment below and I'll enter you in a drawing and announce the winner next Tuesday 7/17.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 12, 1942: Australians reach Kokoda, New Guinea, having marched from Port Moresby over Owen Stanley Mountains.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 11, 1942: FBI arrests 158 German citizens in New York in spy crackdown. New song in Top Ten: “This Is Worth Fighting For.”

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 10, 1942: German Army Group A opens drive to Rostov and the Caucasus, Group B to Stalingrad. At El Alamein, Australians take Tel el Eisa and Tel el Makh.

Of Terns and Planes

Seventy years ago, in July 1942, the armies of democracy battled the armies of totalitarianism, but a smaller battle raged between US Army Engineers and a little bird called the sooty tern.

While researching the Army engineers for my upcoming novel With Every Letter (Revell, September 2012), I ran into an intriguing little story in Barry Fowle's Builders and Fighters: US Army Engineers in World War II (Fort Belvoir VA: Office of History, US Army Corps of Engineers, 1992).

Airfields Needed

The United States and its "arsenal of democracy" cranked out thousands of fighter planes, bombers, and cargo planes for Allied forces fighting in Britain, North Africa, the Middle East, and the Pacific. Transporting those planes over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans became a serious problem as the Germans and Japanese expanded their territories. The trans-Atlantic air routes traversed Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland, but these routes were hazardous in winter months. A southern route was greatly desired.

Ascension Island

Conveniently located about halfway between South America and Africa, the British territory of Ascension Island offered an alternative. This little 34-square-mile volcanic island has no natural harbor, but has flat areas ideal for airfields.

Wideawake Field

In February 1942, the 38th Combat Engineer Battalion of the US Army Corps of Engineers arrived to build Wideawake Field, named for native sooty terns, also called "wideawakes" for their sleep-disturbing calls. The engineers built a 6000-foot runway, which opened for traffic on July 7, 1942. When Brazil declared war on the Axis in August, opening crucial air bases to Allied planes, this route carried large quantities of planes to the front.

The Sooty Tern

However, a large rookery of sooty terns lay at the end of the runway. Takeoffs and landings flushed out clouds of birds, and birds and planes don't mix. Smoke candles and dynamite blasts failed to convince the terns to relocate to other areas of the island. A planeload of cats was brought in. Sadly, as the author writes in Builders and Fighters, "strong-beaked booby birds on the island...found the cats an appetizing treat." Following the advice of ornithologist James Chapin of the American Museum of Natural History, they destroyed 40,000 eggs. The terns wisely relocated to a no-fly zone of the island. The engineers, displaying the resourcefulness and ingenuity of their profession, found the tern's guano made good bricks for constructing base housing.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 9, 1942: German Army Group South divided into Army Group A and Army Group B. Dwight Eisenhower promoted to lieutenant general.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 8, 1942: Brig. Gen. Claire Chennault takes command of China Air Task Force in US 10th AF, which has absorbed his Flying Tigers. US Army Air Force adds rank of Flight Officer for enlisted pilots.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 7, 1942: US Army Air Force opens Wideawake Field on Ascension Island, opening South Atlantic route for two-engine planes and some fighters. In New Guinea, Australian troops begin march over Owen Stanley Range from Port Moresby toward Kokoda. US Army Air Force sinks first submarine—a Hudson sinks U-701 off Wilmington, NC.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 6, 1942: Anne Frank’s family goes into hiding in Amsterdam. Japanese land on Guadalcanal to build air base. Australia begins tea rationing (1 lb/5 weeks).

Book Beat - Proof by Jordyn Redwood

Health care professionals often wince at medical inaccuracies in novels, but I knew I wouldn't have that problem with Jordyn Redwood's debut novel, Proof. I became acquainted with Jordyn when she started Redwood's Medical Edge, a blog devoted to helping fiction writers get medical facts straight for their stories. Her seventeen years' experience in critical care and ER nursing, and her careful eye for detail shine on her blog - and in this novel.

I jumped at the chance to read Proof for endorsement. I expected it to be good - but it exceeded my expectations.

In Proof, ER physician Dr. Lilly Reeves and detective Nathan Long deal with the victims of a serial rapist. Despite overwhelming physical proof pointing to one suspect, DNA evidence clears him. But Lilly knows without a doubt that the man is guilty and goes on a dangerous quest to prove it.

A rollercoaster of a story. Jordyn Redwood’s Proof has everything you could want in a thriller—believable characters, a villain who makes your skin crawl, a touch of humor, and a twisting plot—all bound by fascinating medical and scientific details. What a fabulous debut!

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 5, 1942: Margot Frank (Anne’s sister) summoned to Nazi work camp. Germans reach River Don near Voronezh in drive for Caucasus oil fields.

Happy Independence Day - Look Back for Inspiration

Happy Independence Day! This poster seemed appropriate with its Revolutionary War theme.

In 1943, the United States and the rest of the world, faced its greatest threat. Germany, Japan, and Italy with the other Axis powers, had conquered vast areas of the globe. The Allies were beginning to make progress, clearing North Africa, invading Sicily and Italy, and conquering 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 heritage, that Americans fight for liberty. In the Revolutionary War, the American colonists faced the greatest military power of the time and prevailed. Their example inspired World War II soldiers to fight for freedom at home and abroad despite the odds.

Likewise, we can learn much from the past. When I think of what men and women of the 1940s endured so we could be free in 2012, it inspires me to embrace their values.

This Fourth of July, remember what made America great - our love of liberty, our willingness to fight for what's right, our ingenuity, our flexibility, our sense of humor, our diversity, and our moral strength - and embrace it. Keep America great by keeping Americans good.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 4, 1942: First US 8^th Air Force operation: 6 A-20s fly with RAF to DeKooy Airfield, Netherlands. Over 100 magazines show US flag on cover for “United We Stand” campaign (Read more about the campaign at the Smithsonian Institute). New song in the Top Ten: “Jingle, Jangle, Jingle.” In Allied Convoy PQ-17, 22 of 33 ships are sunk by U-boats on way to Murmansk, Russia.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 3, 1942: Germans take Sevastopol and 100,000 POWs. RAF flies 780 sorties at the First Battle of El Alamein.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 2, 1942: Churchill’s government overcomes a parliamentary Motion of Censure in an overwhelming vote. US Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps is ordered disbanded, completed 6/30/43.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 1, 1942: First Battle of El Alamein begins—German Gen. Rommel makes deepest penetration yet into Egypt. Sub USS Sturgeon sinks Japanese ship Montevideo Maru off Philippines; 845 Australian POWS and 208 civilians killed in Australia’s worst maritime disaster. US discontinues production of alarm clocks; however, rising absenteeism will lead to a quick repeal.