I had just finished up Nurse’s training the
day before. That night, all us women
went out and had a gay ole time. We
went to bed around 2 a.m. and were
awakened by air raid sirens. No one
knew what was going on. Was it a drill or
was it for real this time? That question
was answered for all of us when the first
bomb was dropped.
Pearl Harbor is bombed.
The newspapers Spreading the word.
That day will never be
forgotten by anyone. It
planted a very deep hate
and a yearning for revenge.
We declared war on
December 11, 1941. I
received an order to leave
immediately for Europe to
tend to our soldiers on the
front. A boat was reserved
strictly for nurses and we
left on the 13th. What a
trip!!
The boat which we sailed on to Rome.
My fellow nurses and I preparing to leave.
The United States declares war.
We arrived in Rome,
Italy on December 25.
None of us were
prepared for what we
were about to see.
There were so many
lives to save.
Unfortunately, many
of the soldiers died
before we could get to
them.
Throughout our twelve day trip we feared we would not
make it to Rome. There were various reports and warnings
plaguing all ships crossing the Atlantic. The Germans had
many U-boats, called wolf packs, hunting the water. The Uboats began attacking and sank nearly 175 ships. We
prayed we would make it through The Battle of the
Atlantic!!
U-boat report.
The hospital I was stationed at.
Some of the more
experienced nurses are
being transferred to
Paris. We continue to
follow the soldiers, as
there is a greater need
for us there. The wounds
are said to be far to
intense for
inexperienced nurses to
handle. I am not sure
what is in store for us
but I am certain the war
at sea is intensifying.
Badges we wore as nurses.
A fellow nurse tending to a wounded soldier.
Midway and the soldiers stationed there.
We can tell there is a major battle
going on because of all the planes
flying overhead. The number of
casualties are growing in great
numbers. We are rushed from person
to person, getting little to no time to
rest. I can not help but feel sorry for
these soldier’s and their loved ones at
home. They are lucky they are not
here to witness such sadness!
Air warfare.
I was given a letter by one of my dying patients. It was a letter from his
brother fighting at The Battle of Stalingrad. It was sad to hear of other wars
taking place around the world. Though it is comforting to know we are not the
only ones facing hard times.
A poster used for recruiting soldiers.
Arnold,
We are battling the cold weather
and have stopped the Germans
advance. We have completely cut
off the German soldiers, they are
invariably filthy and louse ridden.
Their weary shoulders sag from one
defense position to another. The icy
winds aid to both their and our
exhaustion and starvation. Times
are hard my brother. Be safe!
Your Brother,
George
Dear Evelyn,
I hate to put an even greater
damper on your situation, but
I have been called out. I am
being shipped to Normandy.
Soldiers are needed and I take
pride in the chance to fight for
my country. Mother is
scared for both you and I,
please write her soon and give
her comfort. Save many lives!
With love,
Timothy
Recruiting soldiers.
Today I received news of the
invasion of D-Day. The British
joined us in our quest. So many
men were sent on shore to fight.
I got a letter in the mail telling
me my older brother was to be
part of this massive invasion. I
can only pray he will make it
through this battle safely.
D-Day invasion makes headlines.
My dear friend is facing very hard times near The Battle of Bulge. I feel her
pain, but am glad our casualties are not as high as theirs. This war is full of
death and I soon hope to rejoice in its end!
Soldiers fighting in The Battle of Bulge.
The Battle of Bulge
My Dear Friend Evelyn,
The Battle of Bulge is
taking its toll on us here. It is to be
the largest battle in Western
Europe during World War II. Some
600,000 GIs were involved and
there are over 80,000 casualties.
Our hospitals are overflowing, the
stench is overwhelming, and our
bandages are running out. There is
only so much we can do. I hope you
are fairing better than I. Take care
and write soon!
Always,
Margret Plumpet
A photograph of a
Kamikaze captured.
Talk has been floating amongst the soldiers of a new type of
warfare being used by the Japanese at the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
“Kamikazes” they call them are used as suicide planes. They crash
into our ships to inflict the maximum amount of damage. This new
tactic is frightening! However, the soldiers aren’t phased. They tell
us not to worry, that the American force virtually destroyed the
Japanese navy during the battle.
News has arrived that the American
forces continue to suffer. 25,000 died
in the Battle of Iwo Jima. From my
dealing with these soldiers, I know,
we know as nurses, that these
soldiers fight with their hearts and
nothing more. These soldiers sacrifice
the ultimate price for our country!
Thank you!
The United
States
awarded 27
Medals of
Honor for the
actions of Iwo
Jima.
A photo of servicemen raising the United
States flag on Mt. Surabachi. It symbolized the
struggles and sacrifices of American troops.
The United States has
dropped an atomic
bomb on Hiroshima. The
blast was so intense that
its heat annihilated the
city’s center and its
residents in an instant.
This bloody war may be
coming to an end…
We have dropped yet
another bomb on
Nagasaki, only three days
after the first.
The Atomic bomb and
its destruction.
Atomic bomb makes US headlines.
The war has ended!! Today is a day to celebrate! Rejoice and be glad
that we no longer have to suffer along with the soldiers and their
wounds.
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Information on the battles:
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Pictures:
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/glennkempff/3086453959/ slide 9
http://www.flickr.com/photos/glennkempff/3067922888/ slide 9
http://www.flickr.com/photos/divemasterking2000/342729940/ slide 4
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-P-Strategy/ slide 4
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dougcoulter/4446346529/ slide 3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/damopabe/3097614713/ slide 5
http://www.dinosoria.com/tragedie/pearl_harbor_03.jpg slide 2
http://library.bloomu.edu/Archives/Navy/v5index.htm slide 8
http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/images/medal-of-honor.jpg slide 11
http://www.marines.mil/unit/divpa/PublishingImages/iwojima1.jpg slide 11
http://static.open.salon.com/files/hiroshima1222245155.jpg slide 12
http://alethonews.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/hiroshima_wideweb__430x323.jpg slide 12
http://med-dept.com/images/utah_hosp.gif slide 6
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23403775@N03/2236065436/ slide 6
http://www.researcheratlarge.com/Pacific/NA50/DutchHarbor07.jpg slide 6
http://cache2.assetcache.net/xc/50866327.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=E41C9FE5C4AA0A14ED8B68A5136BB21CD350E6C273320E6684EEF8EE084F5BAEB01E70
F2B3269972 slide 5
http://www.bevrijdingintercultureel.nl/eng/illsutraties/nyassa.jpg slide 3
http://www.nametags4u.com/imgs/badge_imgs/usafnurse_sr_silver.gif slide 5
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m66/scotto01/WWII/CV-9_Essex-kamakazi1.gif slide 10
Articles:
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The Prentice Hall, America Pathways to the Present, Modern American History text book. Copyright 2007.
http://www.the-peoples-forum.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=3361 slide 3
http://www.etsu.edu/coe/uschool/facstaff/goehring/The_attic_box_World_war_two.htm slide 2
http://images.military.com/pics/091505_DDay-2Large.jpg slide 8
http://www.janetmcnaughton.ca/submarinenf08.jpg slide 4
http://imglib.lbl.gov/ImgLib/COLLECTIONS/BERKELEY-LAB/images/XBB_817-6924.lowres.jpeg slide 12
Posters:
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/drbexl-/4298140709/ slide 7
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?144494-WWI-WW2-Propaganda-posters-from-your-country slide 8