War Stories

Saving and sharing the memories of our past before they're lost and gone forever

Nov 21, 2014
2 min

The Art of War

Even in war, art must go on! Edouard Patte, a Red Cross Inspector, was surprised to find an art studio when he visited Fort McClellan’s POW camp in 1944. He wrote, “Since my last visit 4 barracks were set aside as art studios. Within them are working a few painters, sculptors, toy-makers and handicraft addicts who do some commendable work. Those little studios with self-made benches, old canvas frames, tin cans full of red, blue, yellow, black, and white, with paintings of Eu

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Oct 17, 2014
3 min

Some Laughable Lyrics from a World at War

Many popular big band songs are featured in Songbird, but others just didn’t quite make the list. During World War II, songwriters used their skills to write propaganda pieces for the war effort. I think you will find these both hilarious and terrible! “You’re a Sap, Mr. Jap” Performed by the Murphy Sisters (A song written to humiliate the Japanese Army) You're a sap, Mr. Jap, you make a Yankee cranky You're a sap, Mr. Jap, Uncle Sammy's gonna spanky Wait and see before we'

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Sep 26, 2014
1 min

Frilly Fashion is Gone with the Wind

In 1939, Gone with the Wind premiered, and women began to wear fuller skirted and more romantic feeling clothing. Nylon stockings were new to the fashion scene and selling fast. Then came the war, and fashion took a nose dive. Dresses became sparser, shorter, and in darker colors, and nylon stockings disappeared as the DuPont company began making parachutes and airplane cords out of the material instead. Working women also began wearing pants. Now that women were running the

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Aug 8, 2014
2 min

War Halts Television Production!

When World War II began, television sets were just emerging onto the scene. Manufacturers were busy figuring out how to make the television as prevalent as the radio in American households. World War II stopped everything. All commercial production of television equipment was banned for the duration of the war, and TV broadcasting schedules were reduced to a bare minimum. As soon as the war ended in 1945, manufacturers went right back to producing television sets. In 1946, RC

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Jul 20, 2014
1 min

The Jersey Bounce

Oh, how fun it would be to go back in time to a 1940's dance party! Forget a DJ; give me swing dancing and a live orchestra. One of the biggest dance songs of the time was the "Jersey Bounce." The song was a number one hit for Benny Goodman in 1942. Listen and dance along! “It’s the Jersey Bounce. We have to dance!” “We’ll join you.” Sydney put a hand on each side of Ava’s waist and pushed her forward onto the dance floor behind them. Ava was nervous that she would

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Jul 5, 2014
1 min

Feasting on the War Front!

Ever wonder what a World War II soldier ate? A soldier at the front lines ate K-rations, which were three individually wrapped boxed meals. Breakfast consisted of biscuits, canned ham and eggs, a cereal bar, a fruit bar, powdered coffee, sugar, water purification tablets, chewing gum, and cigarettes. Dinner (lunch) consisted of a canned cheese product, biscuits, caramels, a powdered beverage, sugar, salt, chewing gum, and cigarettes. Supper consisted of canned meat, biscuits,

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Jun 19, 2014
1 min

The Dead Walk at Night - True Radio Entertainment

In the 1940s, radio was entertainment! I asked my grandfather, James Barry, about his favorite radio shows growing up. One of the first ones he mentioned was the Inner Sanctum Mysteries. The show was a popular radio program featuring mystery, terror, and suspense. The program ran from 1941 to 1952, scaring listeners each week with its trademark creaking door, which opened and closed each episode. Want to hear the famous creaking door? Travel back to the 1940s and listen to an

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May 30, 2014
1 min

General George B. McClellan

Do you know who once called President Abraham Lincoln a “well meaning baboon?" The answer is George B. McClellan, the Civil War General for whom Fort McClellan was named. If you want to know more about the man behind the name, here are some interesting facts: George B. McClellan was born on December 3, 1826 in Philadelphia, PA. He graduated from West Point in 1846, ranking second in his class. He fought in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848. After leaving military ser

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May 22, 2014
2 min

We Can Do It!

Have you ever wondered just what exactly “Rosie the Riveter” did for the war effort? This fictional wartime heroine based on hundreds of women throughout the United States helped to build airplanes by shooting rivets into metal plates with a gun. She worked as a team with another woman called the bucker. The bucker flattened or smoothed out the rivets on the other side. According to one real-life female defense worker, the job of riveting took more skill, but the job of bucki

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May 15, 2014
1 min

Love and War

While World War II produced innumerable soldiers, tanks, and warships, it also produced something else – marriages! With the uncertainties of war, couples across the country rushed to the altar before men were shipped overseas to enter the war. The 1941 marriage rate, 12.6 per 100,000 population, was the highest recorded rate ever in the United States. Anniston, AL was no exception. The Anniston Star reported in January 1942 that during the month of December 1941 alone at lea

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May 10, 2014
1 min

There are Big Opportunities in the Big City!

When Jason and I talked to older adults at the Fair on the Square a few weeks ago, they all had the same thing to say about Anniston, AL in the 1940s. They said it was a “booming” town. People from the rural surrounding areas and soldiers from Ft. McClellan poured into the city to work, shop, eat, and watch a movie. Many cities throughout the United States experienced a similar population growth during World War II as men and women left the farm for new work opportunities. Ot

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May 5, 2014
1 min

Memories of War Time

Here is another clip form the amazing Mrs. Elsie Wheeler. In this piece, she tells us about meeting her husband after WWII and the time he spent as a POW in Japan. Please help share Mrs. Wheeler's wonderful memories and support our preservation efforts. Like us on Facebook and subscribe to the "War Stories" blog for updates on stories and upcoming events. #1940s #thewarsongseries #songbird #lacibarrypost #wwii #worldwarii

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May 1, 2014
1 min

I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone

I have said before that Songbird is a musical in words. The book is full of popular big band music from the 1940s, which I absolutely love, but it is also interlaced with gospel music. Gospel music is a big part of my family’s heritage. My great grandparents loved to go to “singings” and would often stay up until the early hours of the morning singing songs from church. One of my Paw Paw’s favorite gospel hymns was I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone. Ava sings the song with h

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Apr 28, 2014
1 min

Charles White: Witnessing History

In an earlier post, we learned about the burning of the Alabama Hotel in 1944 and the tragic death of a young war bride. We had the honor this past weekend at the Fair on the Square Living Museum in Jacksonville, AL to meet Charles White. Mr. White was actually in Anniston the day of the fire and remembers the event vividly. Check out this video for his firsthand account. For more info on the fire you can read our original post at: http://www.thewarsongseries.com/#!Tragic-Iro

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Apr 24, 2014
1 min

A Piece of History

I will be in Jacksonville, AL this weekend for the city’s Fair on the Square Living Museum. At my table, I am excited to have my grandfather’s rationing book from World War II! It is amazing to hold a piece of history like this in your hands. The federal government began rationing in May 1942 on goods that were high in demand and needed for the war effort. A ration book was issued to each family indicating how much sugar, coffee, meat, processed foods, gas, tires, and other p

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Apr 17, 2014
1 min

Play Ball!

Did you know that Anniston, AL once had its own minor league baseball team? Between 1904 and 1950, Anniston’s baseball team was called the Nobles, the Models, the Moulders, and finally the Rams. The famous Ty Cobb played one season in Anniston in 1904. The team took three years off during World War II but returned in 1946 for play. Unfortunately, in 1950, the team played its last season, losing 73 games and winning 21. Attendance was low, and the people of Anniston were unabl

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Apr 4, 2014
1 min

When Affordable Health Care Truly Was

A new hospital just opened next to our subdivision this week. Fittingly, during my recent research, I read about the first hospitals in Anniston, AL, where I was born. This account from Annie’s Town Revisited: A Picture History of Anniston, AL by Tee Morgan was amazing! Oh, how times have changed. She writes this account of a patient’s stay at the old Garner Hospital: “In an entry in the diary of Maximillian B. Wellborn on February 22, 1940, he writes of his surgery: ‘I staye

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Mar 20, 2014
1 min

America’s All-Out Defense Depends Upon Your Common Sense!

“America’s All-Out Defense Depends Upon Your Common Sense!” I love this article published by the Veterans of Foreign Wars during World War II. It really changes your attitude and perspective even today! STOP…Stop crabbing about the small sacrifices in personal comforts you are called upon to make in the interest of national defense. LOOK…Look over the needs of your community carefully, size up your own abilities, and offer your services where you can be of most help. LISTEN…L

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Mar 14, 2014
2 min

“Who Wouldn't Love You”

As I mentioned in one of my first posts, Songbird is a musical in words. I love the big band music of the 1940's era! Here is another one of my favorites from the book. It is Kay Kyser’s “Who Wouldn’t Love You.” The song was a huge hit in 1942! "The vigorous melody of the harmonizing big band instruments hushed the pre-show chatter and filled Lloyd’s Crystal Ballroom and Banquet Hall. Ava sat beside Ernie with her hands folded in her lap, her legs crosse

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Mar 7, 2014
2 min

Keep Cool, Stay Home, Put Out the Lights...

During World War II, any city within 300 miles of the Atlantic, Pacific, or Gulf Coast was in danger of an enemy air raid. Cities in these areas performed regular bomb drills, and the government put out information to help civilians in case of an attack. Some of this information could still be used today when confronted with a crisis! This is a shortened list from the December 1941 Anniston Star. What to do in an Air Raid 1. Keep Cool. Above all, keep cool. Don’t lose your he

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The War Song Series

War Stories

Saving and sharing the memories of our past before they're lost and gone forever