The US Home Front 1941–45: : Elite Alejandro de Quesada Osprey Publishing

The US Home Front 1941–45

Description

Osprey's examination of the situation on the United States home front during World War II (1939-1945). The outbreak of World War II in Europe in 1939 led to cautious attempts to raise volunteer organizations among American men and women, to back the armed forces in the event of the USA becoming directly involved in the conflict. The attack on Pearl Harbor caused a huge surge of patriotic response, and voluntary enlistment in a wide range of auxiliary and civilian support services, as well as the armed forces, swelled vastly. Looking first at the background and general character of wartime life in the States, Alejandro de Quesada covers the main services, providing an interesting comparison with the conditions on the British Home Front and the experiences of other countries caught up in the war, examining organizations from the Red Cross to the Coast Guard. Full-color artwork reconstructions of the uniforms of over a dozen services are a unique feature of this book.

INTRODUCTION: the impact of World War II – public mood – saving and recycling – rationing – clothing – employment – sports – internment·ENEMY AND HOMEGROWN FACISM: U-Boats – Japanese shelling, bombing and balloons – the German-American Bund·HOME DEFENSE & PREMILITARY TRAINING: office of Civil Defense – Reserve Officers Training Corps – Civilian Military Training Camps; State Defense Forces·PATRIOTIC SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS: United Service Organizations – Daughters of the Defenders of the Republic – American Women's Voluntary Services – Bundles for America – National Security Women's Corps – National Women's Council of the Navy League·HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS: American Red Cross – Public Health Service – American Women's Hospitals reserve Corps – Women's Ambulance & Defense Corps of America – Junior American Nurse Inc – American Field Service·MARITIME SERVICES: Army Transport Service – Coast and Geodetic Survey – Merchant Marine – US Coastguard Auxiliary·AERONAUTICAL SERVICES: Air Transport Command – British Flying Training Schools – Civil Air Patrol – Relief Wings Inc – Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron – Women's Airforce Service Pilots·THE WORKFORCE: Civilian Conservation Corps – “Rosie the Riveter”: Women Ordnance Workers – Women's Land Army·CHILDREN AT WAR: Boy & Girl Scouts – Victory Corps·SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY·PLATE COMMENTARIES·INDEX

Product details

Published	Feb 19 2008
Format	Paperback
Edition	1st
Extent	64
ISBN	9781846032080
Imprint	Osprey Publishing
Illustrations	55 b/w; 8 col
Dimensions	248 x 184 mm
Series	Elite
Short code	ELI 161
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing

The back cover of The US Home Front 1941-45 noted that many of the organizations presented in the book are 'quite forgotten since 1945.' This effort of Alejandro de Quesada's is a rather good attempt at passing on the history of these auxiliary, patriotic, humanitarian, and other war-time organizations in the United States during the WW2 era.

C. Peter Chen, World War II Database (February 26, 2008)
Overall another superlative book and one that is both an interesting and enjoyable read. I'm sure you will agree.

Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (February 2008)
It is useful as a broad look at the home front, and will whet the appetite for the reader to dig deeper into the specific topics of interest... He successfully presents a comprehensive overview of various aspects of life in an America at war... This title is an excellent overview of America's home front and is a worthy addition to the Osprey Elite line-up.

Scott Mingus, Charge! (February 27, 2008)
Despite early unwillingness to combat Hitler there was a massive rallying to the flag after Pearl Harbor, and this extended to a large number of civilian support organizations... They're all described here, with their uniforms shown by a good selection of photographs as well as the excellent colour plates. Excellent reference for figure modelers! Recommended.

John Prigent, Internet Modeler (March 2008)
De Quesada's snapshot of the America home front fills in the blanks and reinforces the idea that a nation's total commitment and undivided support is vital if it wishes to win a war.

World War II History (March 2009)