There have been several requests to blog about our family in relation to World War II. I can only give my perspective from my years growing up. With the help of some old scrap books, verbal conversations with people over the years and some personal observations I will make a feeble attempt to capture the time.
I was born in 1940. Germany was raping and pillaging everything in Europe and North Africa. Hitler was on the prowl. I don't know if any single country declared war on Germany but France had become occupied and the English pushed "backward" across the channel to it's homeland. The United States was gearing up to help our European Allies fight the Germans. I don't think we officially ever declared war on Germany.
So as I grew up there were clues to how serious things were. Military personnel on leave from the service would frequent the City Club (with it's pool hall and younger crowd). Cars were no longer being produced as production plants were converted over to military vehicles and aircraft. I don't think there are any models of U.S. cars from 1940-1945. For example, you can not buy a 1942 Chevrolet because it doesn't exist. Gasoline was on ration. Every family got a limited number of gallons of gas per week (for some reason 6 gal./week sticks in my mind). My Grandpa Chalk knew a few farmers (farmers were not on gas ration because they were producing needed food supplies). Chalk had an open invitation to get gas from some of the loyal farmer patrons of the City Club. Sugar was in short supply as it was diverted for needed military supplies. My Grandpa Jiggs was limited to how much sugar his "soda pop" business could get and he had trouble making a profit. I think the sugar ordeal influenced Jiggs to move to the north woods to a simpler life. There were many practice sessions for air raid sirens in case we would be attacked. During an a practice air raid, all window shades were supposed to be closed so that aircraft would not see light eminating from the ground. There were no TV's so everything came from radio. My Grandpa Chalk was addicted to an announcer called Gabriel Heater that came on the radio every night at 6:00 PM with news from the "front". You didn't talk during the broadcast because everyone listened intently. So you see, you didn't have to be a "rocket scientist" to figure out something pretty serious was taking place. It is interesting because most of my memories start early like 4-7 years of age.
Patriotism was high. Young men were being drafted. There was no such thing as a voluntary army. Many young men enlisted to control some of the roles they might have in the military. My Uncle Bob enlisted with the intent of becoming a pilot. He did! The draft started with young men that were single and eventually included married men. My dad got drafted with 3 children, I think at the end of 1944.
You notice that I have not mentioned the Japanese yet. I will later. None of my immediate family (namely my Dad and his brother Bob) served in Europe or fought against the Germans. They ended up in the Pacific Theater.
My brother Jack was born in 1943 and sister Addie in 1944. They were war babies. I guess my 1940 birth might mark me also as a war baby.
Tune in next time!
Love,
Dad